Melbourne -> Perth - Am I stupid?

[russellgreenwood]

Hey ho -*

I'm plotting a little trip down to Perth early next year, and having the conversation with the wife at the moment as to whether we'll fly (fast + cheap) or drive (fun + petrolly) and thought I'd throw out the question here, mainly because I'm on runflats...

Is it a stupid idea for me to even consider driving a Cooper from Melbourne to Perth?* Should I really consider this with runflats?* Has anyone done it before here?* Is there some magical-fantasy BMW dealer in the middle of the outback?* What alternatives do I have (ie. I'm in the market for some new tyres anyway, but I don't have a spare really - although I have got the goo-kit thingo).

Any comments / suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

And even if anyone else is crazy enough to come along for the ride, we can talk about that later...*

Thanks.

Russ.

[ScottyB]

wow - thats a journey!

According to Whereis; 3,427.16 km from Melbourne to Perth (obviously you're not worried about resale )


A few people have done similar 'across Australia' trips before.. check out:

Brisbane to Adelaide to Brisbane that 'kad' did... and
Darwin - Adelaide - Darwin (with a baby) that Dutchy did.

I think its a cool idea

As you can see from Kad's thread, he had tyre problems - the drama being supply of the replacement runflat and lack of stock locally.

Some good reading in those threads though - both really good reviews on long distance drives like the one you are considering

[minigolf]

I think Mike Clarke has done that drive too when he went from Perth to Tasminia all those years ago.

[MiniFr34k]

wow....
ive done sydney to brisbane, sydney to melb.. - cant imagine going any further than that in a car... i imagine tyres would definitely be a problem..

[minigolf]

Why?

Sure if you get a puncture you might be in a spot of bother, but there's no more reason to expect to get a puncture on that drive than there is on the way to work everyday IMO.

Furthermore, depending on where you live there's probably a very real possibility that you'd have to get a Run Flat ordered in overnight especially anyway.

Russell, just do it, forget about the "what ifs" … ENJOY!



Cheers Liam


ps. If you're that worried, take a spare wheel/tyre with you.

[russellgreenwood]

My other thought is,* I might try and get Cruise Control installed sometime before then... I'm sure I'd get a sore leg after a couple of days

interesting point in one of those posts you linked to - that Runflats are actually GOOD in remote areas because of the ability TO drive a bit if you need to...*

[MickyD]

maybe consider getting hold of a 4x100 space saver spare from a wrecker? it's certainly something I've been considering.... it could be strapped down in the boot quite easily (back of the seats maybe)

[minigolf]

Top Gear or 5th Gear (can't remember which) did an interesting timed test around a track on a 5 series with run flats. First lap with all 4 tyres inflated, second lap with all 4 tyres deliberately punctured. The second lap went surprisingly well under the circumstances, I think he hit about 160km/h on the main straight. Not an especially relevant test given your circumstances, but still proves that while the run flats may not be as good as conventional rubber when they are inflated, they are a hell of a lot better when they're flat!

[PPE]

I've done the trip before from Melbourne to Perth and back to Melbourne. A most beautiful drive, especially when it's wildflower season. Although I haven't done the trip in my mini yet, I'm planning on doing an around Australia trip next year, starting in Sydney and working my way up to Cairns, over to Normanton, down to Ayers Rock, up to Darwin, over the top to Perth then back through to Sydney following the coast. There are plenty of emergency phones along the Eyre Highway, and it is always a good idea to rent a sattelite phone for trips like this. Also a good idea if you can't get a satellite phone, to get a UHF radio just in case you need help.
Chances are you won't have any problems at all. Just be mindful that the joeys come out in the mornings for fun along the highway, and the adults come out at dusk for feeding along the highways. Don't tailgate trucks either. If they hit a Kangaroo, it will be spat out the back. Take it easy, the Nullarbor is very long. try not to drive into the sun in the late afternoon as it's extremely bright. Take a large bottle of water with you (just in case you run out of windscreen washer fluid) and a small amount of petrol. There are plenty of Petrol Stations along the way, but never look at the price and think that if you go a little further, you can get it cheaper. You may not make it to the next one.
Once you start off from Ceduna, fill your car up at every petrol station you see along the way. Remember when you cross the border into WA, don't take any plant material with you, and try to leave pets at home (it makes it easier). Ditto when you cross back into SA. I would highly reccomend taking the north route through Coolgardie one way (the golden trek) and the south route via Margaret River & Esperance the other (very nice scenery with some windy stretches of highway).
Above all else, try not to exceed the speed limit for too long, you never know what is going to run out in front of you in the desert. And enjoy your trip to the most beautiful part of Australia (I know I did)

P.S if you do get a flat and you don't have a satellite phone handy to call BMW roadside assist, then you can always use the emergency phones to ask for help. BMW roadside assist has told me that no matter where you are, they will come to your rescue (I know this from personal experience of a buckled rim outside of Cobar, thanks to BMW for arranging free accomodation and towing to Dubbo for that one).

[Baker]

With the fuel stops.... are they seeing 98RON fuel out there yet?

[Mike Clarke]

Liam is right, I did that trip in 2004, it wasn't by choice but because the trucking company stuffed up and left me without a car for 2 weeks so I had to go and collect it from Adelaide. I drove initially from Melbourne to Adelaide then flew to Perth so I did the trip in 2 stages.
Had I known what the Adelaide to Perth drive was going to be like then I would never have left the MINI in Adelaide. I really enjoyed the trip, the MINI is the perfect car for long distance driving. I had runflats, no spare, you can actually drive quite long distances on runflats after a puncture unless it is a catastrophic failure.

[Mike Clarke]

Quote: Originally Posted by Baker

With the fuel stops.... are they seeing 98RON fuel out there yet?

be prepared for some high prices whatever standard of fuel you get
back in 2004 when we were all shocked at paying $1.17 in Tasmania I was paying $1.45 on the Nullabor

[PPE]

Fuel was no more than 1.49 per litre at Nullarbor fuel station when I crossed in December last year. But be prepared, there is no 98 only 95 &91 (but who cares about octane when your about to run dry.

[minigolf]

I paid $1.559 in Canberra the other day, so bugger going to the Nullabor.

[PPE]

getting a bit off topic, but I just don't get Canberra, how is it that you guys pay so much more for fuel than anyone else? I only paid 1.42 today for 98 and yet down there found it hard to get regular for under 1.40