I purchased an E350 wagon from carsdirect.com and have a dilemna. They can ship the car on an truck from LA to SF (California) but it is not enclosed. Since it is going to rain all this week, I am afriad of not being able to see any scratches on the paint since the car will likely show up dirty.

Does anyone have experience with having cars shipped from LA to SF? Should I pick it up in person?

Chris

i think you should go get it and love your decision on the drive! IBCJ.

pick it up. that way if something is wrong, you can handle it right then and there

How much is shipping?

Also, how was your experience with cars direct? What kind of deal did you get?

Thanks for the responses. I would like to pick it up but it is just too complicated with flight arrangements, rides and work. So I am going to have it shipped.

The cost for shipping was $400. Dealing with carsdirect so far has been a good experience. The deal was good because it was combined with some incentives MB corporate was providing. So in the end, I think I got about 7K off MSRP. I also got 3.9% financing for 48 months.

I'll let you know how it goes after I get the car.

If shipping is an extra charge, do you have an option to choose a shipping company which uses enclosed trucks?

Try contacting another forum member (DragonAMG). He just had a car shipped, and I recall him saying he's used this company a few times, all with good results.

One thing to check... it's common for shipping companies act as brokers for other shipping companies... so who you buy from may not be the same company shipping it.

If the car is brand new I would pay extra to get it shipped using covered transport. I would not be worried so much about the rain as I would of debris from the road hitting something.

I had my car shipped from LA to Portland, OR using covered transport with no issues.

Good Luck

Arrange the shipping yourself for an enclosed transporter...or how about having them get a MB car cover for protection.

Are you really going to send the car back if it's scratched?

why not just fly down to LA and drive it back? ticket is less than $100 and you can visit Disneyland while you're at it? Plus you can break in your engine on 5 fwy instead of bumper to bumper traffic.

Well, I wound up getting it shipped. It arrived safe and sound. No issues. I love the car Thank you for your input. In retrospect, it would have been better to drive it up and get through the break in.

Regarding the break in period, is there a maximum speed you are supposed to go before 1000 miles? The tip manual just stated to vary the speed.

Could have been a blessing in disguise ....

With all the rain for the past few weeks, I won't be surprise that I5 will have alot more road debris and these will definitely have an impact on your paint job. The nano paint does chip easy.

Have fun with your new ride.

Very true. Turns out the car carrier was one of those that is essentially a truck with a long ramp that carries 3 vehicles. There was a Toyota Matrix at the top and my car was nicely tucked behind. It came a bit dirty but no scratches what so ever. Happy with how everythinng turned out.