Driving on the unlimited speed roads in the Northern Territory of Australia

JamieA · 05-16-2006, 09:53 AM

It was 10am in the morning, the sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky. There was no traffic on the road and clear visibility for a great distance to either side of the road. I was in the Northern Territory of Australia, on a road with no speed limits. I was in my BMW 325i with 17,000km on the clock. It was May 11, the 6 month anniversary of the delivery of my baby - what was a red-blooded guy to do?

No cruise control here, it was raw -- just my foot, the road and rising RPMs. This drive was effortless, the car was solid and stable, and glued to the road the whole time. What a feeling to redline the car in the upper gears and hear that glorious engine in the Australian Outback. You really become aware of what this car was designed to do, and it does it very well.

I think this was the perfect way to celebrate her 6 month anniversary - to run on roads as she was intended to do. I was soon wearing that bavarian grin, and arrived at my destination absolutely pumped. A memory of my holiday to treasure...

Bimmerista · 05-16-2006, 10:11 AM

Congrats!!!

Driving the car the way it was designed to be driven and experience the way the engine opens up, the precise, communicative steering and how well planted and stable the car is at high speeds IS a true pleasure.

I envy the no speed limit roads, of which we are devoid in Canada, but on the other hand we do not (yet...) have any speed cameras either. from the pic that road looks custom made for the car

JamieA · 05-16-2006, 10:15 AM

Words can not describe how fluid the vehicle was at speed, it was like a totally different car, and took corners with no indication of stress at all at very high speed.

I was left totally in awe of it's capabilites... seems cruel to relegate it to suburban duties now I am home. Well until my next trip to the NT, although the Australian Government is putting pressure on the NT to impose 110km/h speed limits

Bimmerista · 05-16-2006, 10:19 AM

No no no. The NT should preserve some of the vestiges of the untamed Outback-like no speed limits (we can of course live with the addition of asphalt

).

JamieA · 05-16-2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmerista

No no no. The NT should preserve some of the vestiges of the untamed Outback-like no speed limits (we can of course live with the addition of asphalt

).

LMAO

LEDZEP · 05-16-2006, 10:59 AM

JamieA - great writing my friend. It was like BMW soft porn. Good to hear that you are able to celebrate in such a great fashion!

E90Fleet · 05-16-2006, 01:43 PM

Seems like you had great fun

txusa03 · 05-16-2006, 02:24 PM

is that a no parking sign

?

e90rocks · 05-16-2006, 03:21 PM

I am so jealous. Congrats on your opportunity...and good to know you didn't nail any dingoes or wallabies.[?] I haven't run it past 100 mph and then only for a few seconds while passing a car. There is a local development here where they put in a nice road with curves and haven't put up any speed signs yet, but alas, it doesn't last very long.

325 Baller · 05-16-2006, 03:36 PM

you're a lucky man, if only the roads in florida were like that...

JamieA · 05-17-2006, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

is that a no parking sign

?

LOL - No, it is a "NO WOWSER, NO CAMRY, NO CARDIGAN, Floor it and Smile" sign

James Bond · 05-17-2006, 01:54 AM

That remembered me on my last holiday in Denmark for three years,
the civilization is almost the same than in Australia - the sand, the
small nice streets, less traffic and cars...really beautiful for driving without any stress!

Australia, I believe it´ll be always a dream for me to make my holiday.

dtelle · 05-17-2006, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Bond

That remembered me on my last holiday in Denmark for three years,
the civilization is almost the same than in Australia - the sand, the
small nice streets, less traffic and cars...really beautiful for driving without any stress!

Australia, I believe it´ll be always a dream for me to make my holiday.

i am also dreaming about a german Highway without traffic jam....

(i am driving sometime from HH to Cottbus, after Berlin, only a few car - mostly driving back to east europa and now less "Baustelle" and nice Asphalt

James Bond · 05-17-2006, 06:14 AM

@dtelle: As I can see in your profile, you´re from Germany, too, aren´t you!??

So you´re often drive very long distances...but therefore you´ll get nearly the right car!

Here in MUC it´s not so pleasant, the last days were only a horror, always "beep-beep"...but I think, it often lies on the weather, today it
should be easier. :mad:

cobradac · 05-17-2006, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325 Baller

you're a lucky man, if only the roads in florida were like that...

I've got roads like that in the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. Do a lot of 1/4 mile, 0-60 and HP testing there and a few 10 mile runs. You need to get away from it all.

But your right in that there are few opportunities in FL. Now I wish I was back in Ely, Nevada or eastern WA or OR. Not so many twisties but oh those straight aways

dtelle · 05-17-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Bond

@dtelle: As I can see in your profile, you´re from Germany, too, aren´t you!??

So you´re often drive very long distances...but therefore you´ll get nearly the right car!

Here in MUC it´s not so pleasant, the last days were only a horror, always "beep-beep"...but I think, it often lies on the weather, today it
should be easier. :mad:

i am in Hamburg, but i am french and my wife (from east EUropa) is working in Belgium....a little bit tweaky, but you are rigth i am driving long distance through GErmany, and I LOVE MY 320d in such driving condition....

But you know north germany has also a lot of traffic jam ...

Nevertheless i was 2 weeks in Munchen end of April and during the WE (Sunday Morning at 8.00 AM, i needed about 50 min to Garmish....High way free, i was trying to follow a CLK AMG with my rented 320d....unfortunatly it didn't work :

)))

JamieA · 05-17-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobradac

I've got roads like that in the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. Do a lot of 1/4 mile, 0-60 and HP testing there and a few 10 mile runs. You need to get away from it all.

But your right in that there are few opportunities in FL. Now I wish I was back in Ely, Nevada or eastern WA or OR. Not so many twisties but oh those straight aways

Ahhh, we all have our secret little roads don't we?

kabhatti · 05-17-2006, 10:29 AM

JamieA, what was your top speed?

JamieA · 05-17-2006, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabhatti

JamieA, what was your top speed?

I wasn't able to get up to the claimed vMax of 245 km/h for the 325, however I did peek over an indicated 220km/h... basically the road didn't have a long enough straight to do this, I had to keep slowing to about 180-190 to take bends.

kabhatti · 05-17-2006, 10:46 AM

Cool, would have been awesome video footage from the ground, especially on those curves!

JamieA · 05-17-2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabhatti

Cool, would have been awesome video footage from the ground, especially on those curves!

"The smiling loon and his 3"

AussieMarkF · 05-18-2006, 06:16 AM

You maniac... I wish I was there with you.

A few questions on this excursion of yours: Was there much wind noise? Did you have all windows and roof closed? What RPM was the tacho on at 220kmh? What do you think stopped you from hitting the theoretical limit of 245kmh? Were you alone or with a passenger? (My wife would beat me senseless if I tried such a stunt with her in the car)

I have had my E90 325i 6sp man to 180kmh on the F3 freeway between Newcastle and Sydney. It wanted to keep going but I would have gone to gaol if I had been snapped by police.

Cheers.

05-16-2006, 09:53 AM	#1
JamieA Colonel 93 Rep 2,168 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia iTrader: (0)	Driving on the unlimited speed roads in the Northern Territory of Australia It was 10am in the morning, the sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky. There was no traffic on the road and clear visibility for a great distance to either side of the road. I was in the Northern Territory of Australia, on a road with no speed limits. I was in my BMW 325i with 17,000km on the clock. It was May 11, the 6 month anniversary of the delivery of my baby - what was a red-blooded guy to do? No cruise control here, it was raw -- just my foot, the road and rising RPMs. This drive was effortless, the car was solid and stable, and glued to the road the whole time. What a feeling to redline the car in the upper gears and hear that glorious engine in the Australian Outback. You really become aware of what this car was designed to do, and it does it very well. I think this was the perfect way to celebrate her 6 month anniversary - to run on roads as she was intended to do. I was soon wearing that bavarian grin, and arrived at my destination absolutely pumped. A memory of my holiday to treasure... Attached Images __________________ '05 E90 325i \| '06 E90 325i \| '08 E90 325i LCI \| '13 F30 328i M-Sport \| '14 F10 535d M-Sport Current: '19 G01 X3 M40i Last edited by JamieA; 05-16-2006 at 10:18 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-16-2006, 10:11 AM	#2
Bimmerista Major General 82 Rep 5,732 Posts Drives: superstock Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	Congrats!!! Driving the car the way it was designed to be driven and experience the way the engine opens up, the precise, communicative steering and how well planted and stable the car is at high speeds IS a true pleasure. I envy the no speed limit roads, of which we are devoid in Canada, but on the other hand we do not (yet...) have any speed cameras either. from the pic that road looks custom made for the car
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-16-2006, 10:15 AM	#3
JamieA Colonel 93 Rep 2,168 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia iTrader: (0)	Words can not describe how fluid the vehicle was at speed, it was like a totally different car, and took corners with no indication of stress at all at very high speed. I was left totally in awe of it's capabilites... seems cruel to relegate it to suburban duties now I am home. Well until my next trip to the NT, although the Australian Government is putting pressure on the NT to impose 110km/h speed limits __________________ '05 E90 325i \| '06 E90 325i \| '08 E90 325i LCI \| '13 F30 328i M-Sport \| '14 F10 535d M-Sport Current: '19 G01 X3 M40i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-16-2006, 10:19 AM	#4
Bimmerista Major General 82 Rep 5,732 Posts Drives: superstock Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	No no no. The NT should preserve some of the vestiges of the untamed Outback-like no speed limits (we can of course live with the addition of asphalt ).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-16-2006, 10:59 AM	#6
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 419 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	JamieA - great writing my friend. It was like BMW soft porn. Good to hear that you are able to celebrate in such a great fashion! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-16-2006, 01:43 PM	#7
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Seems like you had great fun __________________ BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-16-2006, 02:24 PM	#8
txusa03 Major General 552 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	is that a no parking sign ?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-16-2006, 03:21 PM	#9
e90rocks Myrmidon 17 Rep 236 Posts Drives: Entwicklung 90 - 325 Xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325 xi [0.00]	Outback I am so jealous. Congrats on your opportunity...and good to know you didn't nail any dingoes or wallabies.[?] I haven't run it past 100 mph and then only for a few seconds while passing a car. There is a local development here where they put in a nice road with curves and haven't put up any speed signs yet, but alas, it doesn't last very long.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-16-2006, 03:36 PM	#10
325 Baller Colonel 268 Rep 2,576 Posts Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boca Raton, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	you're a lucky man, if only the roads in florida were like that... __________________ ----------------------------------------------------
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-17-2006, 01:54 AM	#12
James Bond Sheer Driving & Biking Pleasure 19 Rep 223 Posts Drives: 318ti compact E36 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: southern Bavaria iTrader: (0) Garage List 1996 318ti compact E36 [0.00]	That remembered me on my last holiday in Denmark for three years, the civilization is almost the same than in Australia - the sand, the small nice streets, less traffic and cars...really beautiful for driving without any stress! Australia, I believe it´ll be always a dream for me to make my holiday. __________________ "...we´re from Bavaria, it´s near Germany..." Greets, Flo Mountainbike: CUBE Stereo EX-CAR´S: Ford Fiesta 1.1 \| Nissan Primera 1.6 SLX \| 318ti-E46 \| 320dT-E46-FL \| 120d E87-Pre-FL \| Skoda O² Combi 2.0TDI Elegance \| 325CiA E46-Pre-FL \| Ford Focus I Turnier Sport TDCi
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-17-2006, 06:14 AM	#14
James Bond Sheer Driving & Biking Pleasure 19 Rep 223 Posts Drives: 318ti compact E36 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: southern Bavaria iTrader: (0) Garage List 1996 318ti compact E36 [0.00]	@dtelle: As I can see in your profile, you´re from Germany, too, aren´t you!?? So you´re often drive very long distances...but therefore you´ll get nearly the right car! Here in MUC it´s not so pleasant, the last days were only a horror, always "beep-beep"...but I think, it often lies on the weather, today it should be easier. :mad: __________________ "...we´re from Bavaria, it´s near Germany..." Greets, Flo Mountainbike: CUBE Stereo EX-CAR´S: Ford Fiesta 1.1 \| Nissan Primera 1.6 SLX \| 318ti-E46 \| 320dT-E46-FL \| 120d E87-Pre-FL \| Skoda O² Combi 2.0TDI Elegance \| 325CiA E46-Pre-FL \| Ford Focus I Turnier Sport TDCi
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-17-2006, 10:29 AM	#18
kabhatti Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 325i Alpine White Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pennsylvania USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325I [0.00]	JamieA, what was your top speed?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-17-2006, 10:46 AM	#20
kabhatti Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 325i Alpine White Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pennsylvania USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325I [0.00]	Cool, would have been awesome video footage from the ground, especially on those curves!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-18-2006, 06:16 AM	#22
AussieMarkF New Member 8 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2019 G01 X3 30d M Sport and 20 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia iTrader: (0)	You maniac... I wish I was there with you. A few questions on this excursion of yours: Was there much wind noise? Did you have all windows and roof closed? What RPM was the tacho on at 220kmh? What do you think stopped you from hitting the theoretical limit of 245kmh? Were you alone or with a passenger? (My wife would beat me senseless if I tried such a stunt with her in the car) I have had my E90 325i 6sp man to 180kmh on the F3 freeway between Newcastle and Sydney. It wanted to keep going but I would have gone to gaol if I had been snapped by police. Cheers.
	Appreciate 0 Quote