Shipping cross country... open or closed?

[yemski]

I have had three cars transported across country. All three times I used enclosed, especially since we are now in winter, I would suggest you get enclosed for that extra security.

[Dee Pee]

"If there is any doubt, then there is no doubt." -Robert De Niro in "Ronin" right before a disastrous and easily preventable shootout.

Covered. Don't put yourself in a position where you'll regret saving a few measly dollars.

[Biljags]

I would go enclosed all the way, unless it's for a Corolla or something. It's not worth the risk of damage for anything that you've invested any sort of time or money into. A-1 Auto Transport Inc does enclosed shipping and I've used them a couples times and probably would again if I had to do it. You'll find the prices will be slightly different at each place you contact, so it can be worth your time to call around a bit, but I'd def. recommend A-1.

[Rikx1M]

I've done open shipping with one of my older cars and we had bumper damage, cracked windshield and scratches. As they loaded the car at night we couldn't really do a 100% through job inspecting so at the other end I couldn't get scratches covered but everything else was covered.

Personally I would NOT send my 1M on open truck unless it's guaranteed a front position behind cab.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Win

enclosed all the way - I did from Indiana to SF. Everyone quoted ~$1600 for enclosed including www.intercitylines.com who seemed to be the most recommended on various forums.

Just inspect your car carefully when it arrives esp the bottom of your front bumper in case they yanked anything they shouldn't have.

+1 for closed via Intercity

[nachob]

One hailstorm away from doom! Go closed! 1M is not easily replaced.

[champignon]

I have had 4 cars shipped in the last 13 months, 3 open and 1 enclosed. Here are my personal experiences, below. All were shipped to southern Idaho, which is about 400 miles as the crow flies from the Pacific Ocean.

(1) 1999 Z3 Coupe shipped open from Virginia on a 2 car capacity trailer in February of 2015. It came through a series of snowstorms and was entirely filthy from the trip. The car had a small dent in the front hood, which might have been the result of transport, however could have been present when purchased since I did not inspect the vehicle prior to shipment. Paintless dent repair could have removed the dent for maybe $150, but I never did that and have since sold the vehicle.

(2) 2011 1M, shipped from Montreal in June of 2015. The shipment was open and there were actually 2 shipments, one from NY State to somewhere in Pennsylvania, then it was picked up by another shipper who took it to S. Idaho. The terms of the deal, an ebay sale, were that shipping was included in the purchase price and I had no control over the shipping itself. The car was filthy on receipt and had some issues with the front bumper, which I am 99% sure were present at the time of purchase, before shipping. I subsequently decided to replace the bumper with a new one, again, I don't blame this on the shipping.

(3) 1997 M3 shipped enclosed from Los Angeles in Sept. of 2015; this was a heavily modified vehicle that had some body/paint issues that probably were present prior to shipping. The car was hideous (it was repainted purple from its original silver) and after one look I decided to sell it. Don't ask me why I bought it, chaulk that one up to a serious brain fart. Can't comment on any protection offered by the closed shipment, which was largely paid for by the seller.

(4) Black 135i shipped open in July of 2015 on a small 1 level car carrier from Kentucky. No issues whatsoever.

(5) Black 135is Convertible -- this is just a comparison of a car I drove rather than shipped, as it was purchased in SLC and went to Boise Idaho, then 2.5 hours drive later into the mountains. A passing vehicle kicked up a rock and damaged the windshield enough that I'll have it replaced in the spring. So even driving a car yourself is not without risk. ADDENDUM 7/2016: Not only was the windshield damaged, but later I found a couple of dents in the hood which came from the offending rock. I had these repaired recently with PDR.

In summary, my own experience would indicate that with care, open transport can be OK, especially if the car is not being shipped in the winter. Pick your transporter carefully and odds are the car will come out OK.

[RS375]

He's probably done it already; the OP was in 2011...

[champignon]

Originally Posted by RS375

He's probably done it already; the OP was in 2011...

No, he's still waiting for a good quote on Uship

[rick propas]

Mine shipped closed from Cape Cod to San Francisco. I'd do it again. And bargain the price. My dealer said it cost ~$1,000.

[champignon]

Originally Posted by rick propas

Mine shipped closed from Cape Cod to San Francisco. I'd do it again. And bargain the price. My dealer said it cost ~$1,000.

This is NOT a representative price for any sort of shipping from the East Coast to the West Coast, even open.

East to West is much more expensive than West to East. Closed is much pricier than open.

I have dealt directly with shipping companies (several, including those with open spaces eager to fill them on their own, owned trucks), with brokers, and with large car dealers who have leverage.

Cost to the Broker or the dealer is likely to be around $1400 East to West and $1000, West to East. This is for open shipping, not Closed. The premium for closed is going to be substantial, especially in the winter.

[MB38]

Whoa, blast from the past. Yes, I shipped enclosed. I think it ran me $2200 or so. No damage, no extra mileage, no complaints!

[dm874]

If you need your car shipped just PM me because I have my own shipping company and I can save you at least some$$$