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      10-16-2019, 11:25 AM   #1
DOMs335D
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Moving to Ontario ... need some advice!

Hi All,
I’ve got my official assignment notice today for a project in Ottawa, Ontario. I’m pretty excited to be on the east coast for the next 3-4 years since I’ve never really spent any time over there. I’m leaving my family here in Vancouver so it’ll be a pretty bare-bones move.. just the essentials like M2 + Tools + Track gear maybe some clothes. I was hoping some of the pros here could give me some hints on the following topics:
1. Company will be shipping my car, who here has used car shippers within Canada before, and what company do you recommend?
2. I’ve shipped cars in Europe before and back then you were not allowed to leave anything in the car. I’m assuming it’s the same over here?
3. I run 0-W40 year round in Vancouver, what do you guys recommend for Ontario winters? The car will be parked indoors and it will only be used occasionally during the winter.
4. I’ve ordered some Michelin Pilot Alpine for the OEM rims, do you guys think that’ll be ok for the occasional winter drive?
5. I hear the roads are salted over there, do you guys do anything to protect your cars? Mine is no garage queen, and years of track use have left the odd chip here and there but I don’t want to add corrosion to it.

Thanks for your help!
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      10-16-2019, 11:44 AM   #2
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4. Michelin Pilot Aplin will be perfectly fine for the occasional drive. I had them on my old M3 for a Montreal winter and did not have any issues except in very deep, unplowed snow. If you avoid snowstorms and live in an area where streets are plowed frequently, you'll be perfectly fine. I just picked up a set of Nokian Hakka since my M2 is my DD which are much better equipped to handle snow.

5. I don't do anything special to protect my car but a lot of people put on PPF. If you already have rock chips, then it's useless to put a PPF IMO.
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      10-16-2019, 02:30 PM   #3
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Tfx or blueline for transportation. Ive used tfx to ship a car to bc before.
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      10-16-2019, 02:54 PM   #4
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5. Roads are salted in Vancouver too, aren't they?
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      10-16-2019, 04:04 PM   #5
DOMs335D
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5. Roads are salted in Vancouver too, aren't they?
Maybe.. but if they are than only on a very occasional basis. It hardly even goes below freezing.
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      10-17-2019, 12:59 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DOMs335D View Post
Maybe.. but if they are than only on a very occasional basis. It hardly even goes below freezing.
My city salts the roads outside my house every time the forecast says it is going to snow the next day. And the roads are just regular residential streets, not big roads.
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      10-17-2019, 08:08 AM   #7
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3. 0w40 should be perfectly fine. Technically it won't be as good as a more specific 0w30 in winter, but if you're not going to drive your car all that often in the winter and it's parked indoors, I don't think there's anything for you to worry about.

4. For the occasion drive these will be great. Given that you have the option to choose when to drive rather than having to daily it, I suspect you'll choose not to drive during snowstorms . Like someone above mentioned, the only issue with these tires is when you drive them over deeply compacted snow.

5. If you suspect you have salt on your car, take it into a touchless, railless car wash. But as for preventative maintenance, if you have chips exposing bare metal like on the hood, you might want to consider using touch up paint to cover it up. I used Dr. Colorchip recently and it's super easy to do. Takes like 10 minutes to do for that added peace of mind.
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      10-18-2019, 11:01 AM   #8
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Thanks for the detailed answer gphung. You bring up a good point with the rock chips so I'll get those taken care of before shipping my car!

Also thanks mpower1226 for the trucking suggestions, I'll be hitting them up right away.
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      10-21-2019, 07:34 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DOMs335D View Post
Thanks for the detailed answer gphung. You bring up a good point with the rock chips so I'll get those taken care of before shipping my car!

Also thanks mpower1226 for the trucking suggestions, I'll be hitting them up right away.
Fate has that my new car is actually coming from Vancouver and TFx is used by my new car’s dealer. These guys deal with supercars all the time so m2 shouldnt even be a problem.

When i was shipping, i had odd boxes of parts that were shipped with the car. It was not in the car but it was placed inside the enclosure with secure ties around it. They made note of it and counted on the agreement.
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      10-22-2019, 05:00 PM   #10
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Ottawa gets a lot of snow. Also...nowhere near the East Coast, lol.

Pro tip...it's usually not your driving skills you need to worry about in the winter...it's everyone else!! Mind you if you've only lived in VanCity your whole life...then it might be you! Park it and buy a winter beater...you can thank me later.
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      10-23-2019, 12:18 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F87_LCI View Post
Ottawa gets a lot of snow. Also...nowhere near the East Coast, lol.

Pro tip...it's usually not your driving skills you need to worry about in the winter...it's everyone else!! Mind you if you've only lived in VanCity your whole life...then it might be you! Park it and buy a winter beater...you can thank me later.
Lol thanks for your concern, I grew up in the south of Germany so I've had plenty of snow time. I just wasn't sure if Ottawa was like most of Alberta where snow clearing only happens on main roads.

Like I said, I won't have to drive the M2 on a daily basis so I don't think having 3 cars is necessary.
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      12-18-2019, 08:53 PM   #12
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Oil spray the car once a year and it will be protected . I would also use a snow and ice winter tire over a performance winter tire for Ottawa winters .
Life is too short to drive a beater .
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      12-22-2019, 07:08 PM   #13
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Appreciate all the help guys. I've successfully picked out an apartment in December so I'm shipping my baby over in January.
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      12-30-2019, 10:25 AM   #14
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I think many of your questions have been answered but I'll just add my 2 cents since I live in Ottawa.

For occasional use your winter tires should be fine, but if at any time your M2 becomes your winter DD I'd suggest something like Bridgestone Blizzaks or Michelin X-Ice. I DD'ed a 135i through 7 Ottawa winters, and now this is my 3rd winter with the M2, and I'm currently running X-Ice.

I don't visit this forum often anymore so if you'd like to reach out please PM me.

Welcome to Ottawa!

p.s. My first car was a 1991 BMW 318is! Loved that car

Last edited by IS+1; 12-30-2019 at 10:31 AM..
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      07-10-2020, 10:37 AM   #15
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also, think about shipping my car, and i want to tell that get a lot of useful info from your answers guys, thank you)
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      07-14-2020, 12:40 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sergos View Post
also, think about shipping my car, and i want to tell that get a lot of useful info from your answers guys, thank you)
I ended up shipping with Thorson's and I have to say they were very good. They did a very detailed walkaround with pictures and notes, packed the car up carefully in an enclosed trailer and as far as I could tell only transferred it from 1 truck to another once it arrived in Toronto.

I will definitely be using them next year when the car heads back to BC.
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      07-16-2020, 12:23 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DOMs335D View Post
I ended up shipping with Thorson's and I have to say they were very good. They did a very detailed walkaround with pictures and notes, packed the car up carefully in an enclosed trailer and as far as I could tell only transferred it from 1 truck to another once it arrived in Toronto.

I will definitely be using them next year when the car heads back to BC.
Thank you
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      07-16-2020, 01:30 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DOMs335D View Post
I ended up shipping with Thorson's and I have to say they were very good. They did a very detailed walkaround with pictures and notes, packed the car up carefully in an enclosed trailer and as far as I could tell only transferred it from 1 truck to another once it arrived in Toronto.

I will definitely be using them next year when the car heads back to BC.
how much was it if u dont mind telling
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      07-16-2020, 02:58 PM   #19
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tfx international (enclosed) is what i used to ship my car from BC to GTA they were great! cost was $2000
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      07-17-2020, 09:59 AM   #20
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how much was it if u dont mind telling
It was ~$3,600 Door to door. I got three quotes and Thorsons's was in the middle, but they let me fill my car up with my track stuff (tools, tires, etc) so it had the best value for me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by shazzy View Post
tfx international (enclosed) is what i used to ship my car from BC to GTA they were great! cost was $2000
That seems like a great price, my coworkers were getting their car shipped by train and it cost more than that (~$2400)
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      07-19-2020, 07:52 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DOMs335D View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by twboy1999 View Post
how much was it if u dont mind telling
It was ~$3,600 Door to door. I got three quotes and Thorsons's was in the middle, but they let me fill my car up with my track stuff (tools, tires, etc) so it had the best value for me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by shazzy View Post
tfx international (enclosed) is what i used to ship my car from BC to GTA they were great! cost was $2000
That seems like a great price, my coworkers were getting their car shipped by train and it cost more than that (~$2400)
I did this once back in 2013 when the only new limerock edition left was in BC.

Dealership advised an open trailer co. they had experience with. I believe cost was only $1500 but the car didn't arrive in the condition I expected. Regardless my detailer did a great job so can't really complain too much.
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