[PYE46M3]

I had reliable carriers pick up my E46 and E92 today which I am shipping from Detroit to Los Angeles. From everything I have read, these guys are among the best in the business and really take good take of your car. I see their trucks in Detroit all the time as their headquarters are here and they're always transporting all sorts of unique cars from Roush, ford, doge or chevy so they're used to lowered cars and limited production high end cars. Their trailers are also built with custom cars in mind. Of course you will pay a premium for the service and expect to pay twice the going rate if you were to ship open trailer through some broker and random truck. But in the end your car is not exposed to elements, people messing with them or overhanging tree branches on the streets leaving you with a bunch of scratches.

I asked them to put my E92 on the top rack to preserve the CF roof from rock chips and they had an open spot so they were able to accommodate. My E46 went on the bottom but they used a big plastic bag to prevent rocks or coolant/oil from dripping on the roof. The 46 is super low and cleared the trailer without problems. So far I am very pleased with the service and attention to detail. They spent 30 minutes per car documenting all the flaws on the body/wheels as well.

for what its worth. both cars were tied down using the tires and not suspension components.

I am picking them up next week so we will see how the experience will turn out at the end !

[rajG89]

Has anybody used Applewood Motor Car Transport? they are based out of WV. I need an m3 transported from MD to FL.

[M3exDeo]

I used Intercity Lines. Bay Area to Allentown, PA, $2,300 enclosed. Picked it up within 6 days and it took 10 days to ship. Communication from the office and the driver was great. They put covers on all the vehicles, assuming they're clean when picked up.

I read through a bunch of bimmerpost shipping-related posts and decided I wanted to go with an owner/operator shipping company rather than go through a broker. From what I can tell, the prices have been pretty stable for a while.

I had planned on leaving the car at a car storage warehouse, but the truck was in the Bay Area earlier than I expected. I met the driver at a Ferrari service center for pickup, watched him unload four Ferrari's including an SF90, then he inspected and loaded my (super car to me) e90 M3.

[Mdef]

This thread has been great.

Are shipping quotes negotiable? I've been getting quotes from $1900-$2250. I would prefer to be the $1500 range. At the end of the day it's not that big of a deal. Just curious if it's worth trying.

Thanks

[M3exDeo]

Originally Posted by Mdef

This thread has been great.

Are shipping quotes negotiable? I've been getting quotes from $1900-$2250. I would prefer to be the $1500 range. At the end of the day it's not that big of a deal. Just curious if it's worth trying.

Thanks

In my limited but recent experience, the companies are pricing fairly accurately with each other. You *might* be able to haggle one down a bit, but getting them to come down $400 seems like a lot. When I was shopping around for shipping in June, it was $1,700 for open transport and up to $2,400 for enclosed. I went with Intercity Lines for $2,300 and my distance was ~2,900mi. That was with "premium" companies with their own trucks. Toplineautotransport.com quoted me $1,700 for open transport. I'm guessing Montway would have been a slightly under that, and may have even been enclosed for around that price, but maybe not.

I think the best you can do is say "I was quoted X from so-and-so. You're $200 higher but I'd rather go with you. What can you do for me?"

[Mdef]

Originally Posted by M3exDeo

In my limited but recent experience, the companies are pricing fairly accurately with each other. You *might* be able to haggle one down a bit, but getting them to come down $400 seems like a lot. When I was shopping around for shipping in June, it was $1,700 for open transport and up to $2,400 for enclosed. I went with Intercity Lines for $2,300 and my distance was ~2,900mi. That was with "premium" companies with their own trucks. Toplineautotransport.com quoted me $1,700 for open transport. I'm guessing Montway would have been a slightly under that, and may have even been enclosed for around that price, but maybe not.

I think the best you can do is say "I was quoted X from so-and-so. You're $200 higher but I'd rather go with you. What can you do for me?"

I received the same $2300 quote from Intercity for 2000 miles.

[M3exDeo]

Originally Posted by Mdef

I received the same $2300 quote from Intercity for 2000 miles.

I'd consider haggling down at least $200-$300 in that case. Use mine for comparison. Could be that your pick up or drop off location is out of the way for them. Or maybe the way they create quotes is less science and more… what they want.

[SeaZoobies]

Originally Posted by M3exDeo

I used Intercity Lines. Bay Area to Allentown, PA, $2,300 enclosed ($0.80/mi). Picked it up within 6 days and it took 10 days to ship. Communication from the office and the driver was great. They put covers on all the vehicles, assuming they're clean when picked up.

I read through a bunch of bimmerpost shipping-related posts and decided I wanted to go with an owner/operator shipping company rather than go through a broker. From what I can tell, the prices have been pretty stable for a while.

I had planned on leaving the car at a car storage warehouse, but the truck was in the Bay Area earlier than I expected. I met the driver at a Ferrari service center for pickup, watched him unload four Ferrari's including an SF90, then he inspected and loaded my (super car to me) e90 M3.

What did you end up paying? Do you regret it?

[M3exDeo]

Originally Posted by SeaZoobies

What did you end up paying? Do you regret it?

$2300. I would do it again, but my situation might have been unique. I was willing to pay more for enclosed with an extremely reputable transport company. It took me five months to find a manual transmission E90 M3 under 40k mi, and I wasn't going to take the risk with a broker and less reputable transport company. If it was a newer less unique car, and I knew I could get my hands on a replacement if the worst would happen, I might have gone cheaper.

[86Zed]

I will chime in with my .02 and experience. Quotes are negotiable, both from brokers and carriers themselves.

Our family has used brokers, carriers, enclosed and open haulers of all types moving cars over the past year. You get what you pay for largely and a dedicated carrier will cost more but save you headaches and time. Depends how flexible you are on pickup/drop-off windows and if there is a timeline. For short distances my experiences have been nearly identical, at a longer distance I highly recommend a carrier for sanity sake. There are seasonal hikes in pricing as well, beware.

[chassis]

Montway Auto Transport
Montway.com

Successfully worked with them last week to transport a vehicle 2,400 miles, no issues. Would use them again.

[Piper1]

Not these guys: https://www.motor1.com/news/508308/j...s-carrier/amp/

[M-technik-3]

Have used intercity twice both times it was California to Ma. Prices were less but then again it's been some time since I shipped one. They are my first choice and reliable I hear is excellent as well. Would have to dig out the car being dropped off pictures on older hd.

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by Mdef

This thread has been great.

Are shipping quotes negotiable? I've been getting quotes from $1900-$2250. I would prefer to be the $1500 range. At the end of the day it's not that big of a deal. Just curious if it's worth trying.

Thanks

I was able to negotiate dates a little. After paying Reliable, I was told it would be four weeks before they could get to me. When I casually and politely asked about getting a refund, I was informed they could definitely process a refund. I said I would get back to them. Next day they called and were able to find a truck for a few days later.

[chassis]

When I booked Montway, a driver was dispatched (accepted the load) within two days. I then changed my pickup day from a Monday to the preceding Friday, with one day advance notice, and a driver was dispatched same day and picked up my car on the requested date.

Some carriers are asset-based and own their own tractors and trailers, like Reliable. Others are brokers who accept your order and place it on a load board for third party contracted drivers to accept and execute. Montway is a broker.