Two classic BMW coupes made the transport trip from Parker, Colorado to Angier, North Carolina. A 1985 BMW 5 series car was transported along with a 1988 BMW 6 series car on the same transport carrier and went a distance of 1,700 miles in only two days from pick-up to delivery. Modern transport methods made it possible without the usual wait time for a distance so great. The owner was able to book the transport on January 8th, but the date of the first available transport was on January 10th. A carrier was assigned on January 13th, and the pickup was on January 14th. Both BMWs arrived at their destination in North Carolina on January 16th, beating the estimated shipping time to their destination.
Why the route and timeline worked out so well
The route from Parker to Angier passes through heavy shipping routes in the central and Southeast United States. You are actually transiting from Kansas through Missouri, then Tennessee into North Carolina. The two-day delivery time indicates that the shipping route did not experience many delays. The three-day window prior to flight selection allowed them to pair both BMWs together with other cars going east. The fact that they had two units of the same shipper might also make this freight more appealing to carriers as it reduces headaches involved in organizing multiple pickups.
Why the owner went with open transport for classic vehicles
Whether open or enclosed transport will depend upon various needs for specific vehicles and what the owner finds more important. Open transport will expose vehicles to the elements when they are being transported. For a 1985 5 Series and 6 Series 1988 model, both of which experience some exposure to elements as they are in regular usage, possibly the difference in cost was tolerable. Enclosed carrier shipments will tack on an extra few hundred dollars to the shipping fee on average. This would have been quite expensive for the two cars. There is also a longer lead-time to book an enclosed carrier as there are fewer of these on the road. For those owners of classic cars still driven as daily drivers, open-car transport should be able to provide adequate protection to the vehicles at an economical rate.
How they loaded and secured the classic vehicles
Classic cars from the 1980s require special care during loading. The E28 series 5 series car models as well as E24 series 6 series models are lower than today’s sedans and have different suspension configurations. Experienced drivers understand how to align classic cars on their trailers to avoid contact with ramps and ensure equal loading on the trailer. These BMW models feature rear wheel drive systems characteristic of 1980s German cars. The vehicles need to be properly positioned on the carrier to avoid any strains on the drivetrain and suspension systems. The ground clearance also needs specific attention during the loading process of these cars. The two cars apparently made it even easier to load due to similarities in model design.
How the final delivery and customer experience played out
Knowing the entire process from the time of booking to delivery will help you set realistic expectations. This particular shipment took six days from the time of booking until the final delivery, with the actual transit time being only two of those days. The remaining days were spent in carrier assignment and other normal processes involved in auto transport. Car transport continues to give you a very convenient way to transport your cars over long distances without having to worry about mileage.
Transport Summary
- Origin: Parker, CO (Southeast Denver metro area)
- Destination: Angier, NC (Harnett County, central North Carolina)
- Vehicle type and condition: 1985 BMW 5 Series and 1988 BMW 6 Series (Both operable, driver-quality classics)
- Distance: Approximately 1,700 miles
- Primary routes: I-70 E through Kansas, I-44 E through Missouri (via Kansas City and St. Louis), I-40 E through Tennessee and into North Carolina
- Service type: Open seven-sedan hauler
- Transit time: 2 days (pickup January 14th, delivery January 16th)
- Season: Mid-January (winter)
See also: Colorado to Tennessee Car Shipping
North Carolina to Tennessee Car Shipping
