[Sooners335i]

My wife and I are going on a road trip in a few weeks. Probably looking at around 1500 miles. I bought the wife a 2010 Volvo S40 a few months ago. I just got my 2007 335i a few weeks ago (has 40K miles on it). I'd really like to take the 335i, but things like the RFTs, HPFP, etc have me slightly concerned. I'd feel more comfortable taking the Volvo since it's new and has a spare tire. Plus, getting a flat fixed/replaced would probably be much easier than trying to find a place that stocks the RFTs. I keep leaning towards taking the 335i but not sure that's the practical thing to do. Also, I have the Sport Package with the 18" staggered wheels/tires if that makes a difference. What would you guys do in this situation?

[Jred22]

take both.

[Tim_78]

If you are always going to be scared to drive the 335, I would sell it.
Enjoy the 335 and I say take the BMW.

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by Sooners335i

My wife and I are going on a road trip in a few weeks. Probably looking at around 1500 miles. I bought the wife a 2010 Volvo S40 a few months ago. I just got my 2007 335i a few weeks ago (has 40K miles on it). I'd really like to take the 335i, but things like the RFTs, HPFP, etc have me slightly concerned. I'd feel more comfortable taking the Volvo since it's new and has a spare tire. Plus, getting a flat fixed/replaced would probably be much easier than trying to find a place that stocks the RFTs. I keep leaning towards taking the 335i but not sure that's the practical thing to do. Also, I have the Sport Package with the 18" staggered wheels/tires if that makes a difference. What would you guys do in this situation?

Well that is a problem with RFTs here in the US. Have a flat in Germany and probably the local tire shop can get a replacement the next day. But here in the US on a long trip to the boondocks, you would probably be out of luck for a few days. Think about motel bills and lost vacation time. Carrying a full-size spare would be desireable on a long trip, but that wouldnt be cheap and would take up a lot of space. I would only consider the 335 if you have a full-size spare, so you might also need a rack and a storage box on top, there's another $1,000. Otherwise, I'd take the Volvo. Not to mention the HPFP in the 335i.

[JayKay335i]

Go sell the car for a Honda if you're to scared to drive it.

[tim818]

If it were me I'd take the Volvo, assuming the road trip is for a family vacation with wife and kids. It's new so very unlikely to break down. You and your family definitely don't want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere. Plus, my 'human' radar detector (ie, wife) will go off once I hit 75+mph, so what's the point to take my Bimmer for a family vacation?

If I were alone to visit my friends/relatives few hours away from home, guess what I'll be driving?

Tim

[Sooners335i]

I'm not scared to drive it. I'm just trying to think what would make the most sense on a long trip given the HPFP issues and the limited availability of RFTs should I get a flat.

[ALPINE6SPD]

Originally Posted by Tim_78

If you are always going to be scared to drive the 335, I would sell it.
Enjoy the 335 and I say take the BMW.

+1000000000000000000000000
scraed that makes no sense. Plus everyone here who has a problem automatically blames the HPFP and a lot of time its not that. How many times do you see a post about that and the person never comes back to respond to tell you they were wrong? It happens all the time.

[JayKay335i]

I drove it cross country mid summer. I'll be taking it cross country again in a couple weeks. I could care less.

You can buy tires anywhere. Anything can break on any car at any time.

If you're to scared to drive it, sell it. Its has nothing to do with "sensibility".

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by Sooners335i

I'm not scared to drive it. I'm just trying to think what would make the most sense on a long trip given the HPFP issues and the limited availability of RFTs should I get a flat.

Different horses for different courses. Those guys who tell you to take the 335 are not going to be reimbursing your motel bills in Bates Motel for you when you get a flat, and have to wait for a few days before your brand and size of tire to come in for some redneck knuckle dragger to install and simultaneously modify your $300 rim with a crowbar and a sledge hammer. Scared? Unless you are made of money, you should be.

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by Quasimodem

Different horses for different courses. Those guys who tell you to take the 335 are not going to be reimbursing your motel bills in Bates Motel for you when you get a flat, and have to wait for a few days before your brand and size of tire to come in for some redneck knuckle dragger to install and simultaneously modify your $300 rim with a crowbar and a sledge hammer. Scared? Unless you are made of money, you should be.

Actually, BMW will reimburse you if you are stuck somewhere. Secondly, you can put any tire on the rim, run flat or non run flat if you need to keep going.

[chromisdesigns]

Depends on where you are going, I think. I wouldn't want to be crawling around on rocky mountain roads with runflats. Highway driving, odds are against any problems, anyway.

I rented one of those Volvo's last year in Florida, and it's a nice drive. I prefer the 335I though. Take the one you are comfortable with, and take my advice (along with many others) and ditch the runflats when you get the chance. You can buy a complete compact spare kit with OEM BMW tools for the price of one runflat replacement. Conventional tires will save you a minimum of 1/3 off the price of runflats, PLUS they can be repaired anywhere, and they will last longer and ride better.

We are going on a 4K+/- miles road trip next week up into British Columbia and through the Cascades on the way back, in the 335i. With conventional tires and a spare

[Verbiage]

Take the Volvo, and put some miles on it Take the 335 if you REALLY want to. Better to be safe than sorry. Plus, that S40 is really cute looking.

[Chriztofor]

335 and if it breaks down sell it because you will be way to scared to take it around the block after that. Just don't worry and enjoy your trip!

[cotmfk]

Originally Posted by Tim_78

If you are always going to be scared to drive the 335, I would sell it.
Enjoy the 335 and I say take the BMW.

Completely agree! I put 3k+ miles/month on my 335. If I were scared to drive it, I would have to get something else asap.

[rolling18]

Originally Posted by Sooners335i

I'm not scared to drive it. I'm just trying to think what would make the most sense on a long trip given the HPFP issues and the limited availability of RFTs should I get a flat.

have YOU had any reason to think you will have a FP problem??
if not take the BMW!! and have fun!

run flats? call ahead to some tire stores along your route to see if they are instock.. BMW

if someone has kids however.. take the "other" car. probably a little more room, and you wont get kid stuff in your BMW (dirt, snack food, toys, ect..)

[Kolyan2k]

be a man ! face the problems as they arrive.........take 335i.......volvo is boring.

i put about 20k miles a year on all my cars......M3, A4, and now 335i

by the way, I looked at history of previous owner of my 335i and his car broke down in NY (a bit far from home).....guess what, BMW paid for hotel, food, and limo service to drive the guy around for 2-3 days

[nafoo]

Originally Posted by Sooners335i

My wife and I are going on a road trip in a few weeks. Probably looking at around 1500 miles. I bought the wife a 2010 Volvo S40 a few months ago. I just got my 2007 335i a few weeks ago (has 40K miles on it). I'd really like to take the 335i, but things like the RFTs, HPFP, etc have me slightly concerned. I'd feel more comfortable taking the Volvo since it's new and has a spare tire. Plus, getting a flat fixed/replaced would probably be much easier than trying to find a place that stocks the RFTs. I keep leaning towards taking the 335i but not sure that's the practical thing to do. Also, I have the Sport Package with the 18" staggered wheels/tires if that makes a difference. What would you guys do in this situation?

I bought my car in another state a drove it back 1500 miles, no problems. Only think I would recommend is painter's tape. I wish I had used it.

[newbimm]

Save the miles on the Volvo (longer time with warranty), take the Bimmer. I've driven my old 03 Audi A4 with 70k miles on it across the country 2x in 2 years. A BMW with 40k should be solid.

[TheRox]

Originally Posted by Sooners335i

My wife and I are going on a road trip in a few weeks. Probably looking at around 1500 miles. I bought the wife a 2010 Volvo S40 a few months ago. I just got my 2007 335i a few weeks ago (has 40K miles on it). I'd really like to take the 335i, but things like the RFTs, HPFP, etc have me slightly concerned. I'd feel more comfortable taking the Volvo since it's new and has a spare tire. Plus, getting a flat fixed/replaced would probably be much easier than trying to find a place that stocks the RFTs. I keep leaning towards taking the 335i but not sure that's the practical thing to do. Also, I have the Sport Package with the 18" staggered wheels/tires if that makes a difference. What would you guys do in this situation?

I thought you might have the S80 or something...but the 335 is in a way different class from an S40...S40 has no leather right? Though Volvo seats are the bes tin the business.

Take the 335...nothing is likely to happen...just know that it might, and be ready. Have some fun driving the 335...its a beaut long trip car.

[3pnt4maro]

The volvo is more practical obviously..no hpfp and a spare and no rft

[Sooners335i]

Originally Posted by TheRox

I thought you might have the S80 or something...but the 335 is in a way different class from an S40...S40 has no leather right? Though Volvo seats are the bes tin the business.

Take the 335...nothing is likely to happen...just know that it might, and be ready. Have some fun driving the 335...its a beaut long trip car.

The base S40 comes with Volvo's T-Tec upholstery, but you can add leather if you want. We actually went with the R-Design, which can either be had with leather or a two-tone leather and T-Tec combo. We went with the combo. Here's a pic.