[ShoMan]

Hi all,

I recently completed a Delhi to Mumbai road trip, covering a distance of around 1450 kms NON-STOP. It took me approximately 27 hours because my co-passenger/navigator wanted to save 20 minutes and took us via Madhya Pradesh, where the roads are terrible. Additionally, while entering Maharashtra via Dhule, you are going to experience road conditions and traffic like never before. My suggestion: if you plan to do the same trip, go via Gujarat.

Now, coming to how the car behaved – it was fantastic! I wasn't tired at all. The suspension took a little beating when I encountered some really terrible potholes, and my eyes were constantly on the tire pressure because the last thing I needed was a bent rim or a ripped tire. The fuel consumption was great, averaging 18 kmpl, and I can tell you, I was driving at a good pace whenever I got the chance. I specifically looked out for Turbojet Diesel by HP, as I normally use it because it's really smooth and usually cleaner than the normal Diesel.

The Delhi-Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway was staggering; you can push your car to the absolute limit, but you don't want a picture from the traffic department. The speed limit was 120 kmph, and I was happily cruising at 118. The only thing that bothered me was the fog, forcing me to drop the speed to around 60 kmph, as you don't want to risk it.

I was super annoyed about the road, and more upset at my navigator for taking away my joy of cruising through some good roads via Gujarat. Being me, my mechanical sympathy is off the charts. The car had 19k kilometres but was a 2017 model. The tires were making a lot of noise and were cracked because the car had been sitting still for some time. It was pulling to the left and sometimes to the right while braking, and given the road conditions, that added to the instability. I searched for a wheel alignment center en-route and luckily found a good one. They did the best they could, but they recommended changing the tires. The tires are 245/45 R18, and they don't have these tires. I plan to change them after 5k, trying to squeeze every ounce of life from them.

Overall, it was a great experience, and I would recommend anyone to do a non-stop trip and try to push your limits (in a safe way). I took 10-minute stops after crossing Indore until I reached Nasik because I was feeling a little sleepy, but there's nothing a good cup of coffee can't solve, along with some Red Bull and Monster.

Now, I am looking forward to exploring the south, like Hyderabad and Bangalore. Hopefully, the roads aren't the same, or it will make me really sad. Please let me know if you have traveled in the same direction and any do's and don'ts.

Thank you for reading!

[TheARUN]

Congratulations. You are driving a BMW like the way it should be driven. Feel sad for cars that stay parked in basements and come out shining only for wedding or other ceremonies.

I think you should do a Mumbai-Kanyakumari. 1,700 kilometres, or to make it more dramatic, 1,000 miles! For bikes they call it the 'Iron-Butt Challenge'. The roads are fantastic, all dual carriageway. [Some places near Kholapur are getting a facelift, but should be done by the time you plan]

Kindly elaborate on how you managed to say awake, I'm learning that. Its a life saving skill for a Driver

[ShoMan]

Hey, thank you for your response. I agree that most people aren't using the car to its full potential. These cars are fun to drive, but one has to be a little more cautious, and that's what most people are not ready to do – to each his own.

Anyways, coming to how I managed to stay awake; caffeine and nicotine (gum). Take frequent breaks when you feel a little tired; don't delay the rest. When you feel like taking a break, just take it, and above all, stay hydrated.

For the Mumbai to Kanyakumari trip, now that you're saying the roads are good, you have my attention. I will look into it. Thanks for your suggestion.

[Y@SH]

Next time you do any road journey for instance, please take adequate breaks in between. If not for your own safety at least for others who may be on the road or your family who will be waiting for your arrival at home. Driving nonstop takes a toll on ones judgement , alertness and reflexes. It's not recommended, don't put others in danger. You aren't going to get a trophy for it. Please.

[sinharishi]

27 hrs non-stop? You could have done this with an overnight halt, get some 6-7 hrs of sleep, all under 27 hrs.

[ABHI_1512]

Originally Posted by ShoMan

Hi all,

I recently completed a Delhi to Mumbai road trip, covering a distance of around 1450 kms NON-STOP.

The speed limit was 120 kmph, and I was happily cruising at 118.

The tires were making a lot of noise and were cracked because the car had been sitting still for some time. It was pulling to the left and sometimes to the right while braking, and given the road conditions, that added to the instability. I searched for a wheel alignment center en-route and luckily found a good one. They did the best they could, but they recommended changing the tires.

Congratulations on completing the trip. 520D is a fantastic car to drive around on the highways. Non- stop or not is a personal choice and as long as one is in complete control of the proceedings, nothing else matters.

But what matters after going through your post is that one should take utmost precautions while driving on the highways. Going by what you wrote, your tires have developed cracks and flooring them on the highways in that state is inviting trouble for yourself and others on the road. Tires are the first contact point for the car and should be the topmost priority. Please do consider changing them on priority before touching the highways again. Wish you many long travels,

Regards.

[SS-Traveller]

Congratulations on safely completing a long drive. Since you started off by following the yet-to-be-completed Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, can you mention how much of it is complete, how much you paid as toll, which are the places where you had to go off the expressway, and how much further ahead did you rejoin the expressway? A Google Map screenshot of the path you followed would help too.

Originally Posted by ShoMan

My suggestion: if you plan to do the same trip, go via Gujarat.

You're talking about the NH48, I presume? In my experience (a little dated as of today), the traffic after one enters MH from the Gujarat border is heavy and unruly. If anyone has any update about this, that would be very helpful.

The suspension took a little beating when I encountered some really terrible potholes...

Pretty much expected, with low profile tyres.

...upset at my navigator...

Would that be your SWMBO?

Being me, my mechanical sympathy is off the charts. The car had 19k kilometres but was a 2017 model. The tires were making a lot of noise and were cracked because the car had been sitting still for some time. It was pulling to the left and sometimes to the right while braking, and given the road conditions, that added to the instability. I searched for a wheel alignment center en-route and luckily found a good one. They did the best they could, but they recommended changing the tires.

The tyre condition and erratic braking behaviour are huge red flags regarding your safety.

I plan to change them after 5k, trying to squeeze every ounce of life from them.

Don't do that. Change ASAP. Cracked (and presumably flat-spotted, because of the noise) tyres in a powerful & fast car are best changed on an urgent basis for your own safety. Else, they might squeeze a human life out of its body somewhere.

In addition, I might mention (though I am probably the least eligible to say so) that 27-hour stints at the wheel are not for everyone and every time. Test your stamina by staying awake for a 30-hour stretch without driving. If you can remain alert, read a book, watch a movie or three, and not want to lie down in bed or doze off in a comfortable chair, you are eligible to drive 27-hour stints. By all means, have your coffee / Red Bull, but also keep an eye on your blood pressure and blood sugar levels - too much of caffeine and sugar is never a good idea.

[FLYBOYSID]

Congratulations on the feat @ShoMan. The car is a very capable one and you used it well.

Just a word of caution about the 27 hour thing. The fact that Red-bull and coffee were needed to feel alert should raise some red flags. I have been in the regime on road and also while on my job and out of experience I can tell you it takes just one low to encounter a risky situation. In the end all is well that ends well, however, it does not imply all was correct.

The call is with you whether you want to do it again but remember you are not the only one on the road. Happy motoring n stay safe.

[revsperminute]

German sedans are best enjoyed on the long, open highways, and you, sir, are doing a very good job at it.

However, please take care not to push your boundaries of endurance on the public road. You may very well survive a shunt in your BMW if you get drowsy, but an innocent motorcyclist or pedestrian will not have the same fortune as you.

OT: I did not realize BMW made an M Sport 520d in 2017; I remember them only being available in Luxury Line and Sport Line trims. The M kit really enhances the aesthetic appeal of the pre-LCI 5, and I remember being disappointed about its unavailability for the 520d model when we were in the market for one.

[Ksingh544]

Please dont think of this as public shaming ( i hate this social media lingo), its just good advice on a motoring forum. A forum that has very experienced drivers.

Driving 27 hours straight, at 118 kmph on Red Bull and Monster, in a vehicle that is instable and tyres that are cracking is a recipe for disaster. You got lucky this time, its as simple as that. Dont push your luck.

And as mentioned by others above, its not only about your safety but of others on the road.
Get the tyres changed, take breaks at the 12-14 hour mark, sleep is your best friend not only on the road but in life.

Cheers.
K.

[vredesbyrd]

Nice to see a BMW being driven properly. Most never even leave the city (or go to Goa at max). You are doing the right thing.

But please do get the tyres changed asap. It's a recipe for disaster.
Also, 27 hours of continuous driving? By any chance do you work for one of the MBB firms?

[alpha1]

Could you share more details about:
1) Start time of the day and end time of the day
2) Which section you took detour to MP
3) What is your opinion, in reality how much time you lost due to above detour
3) No toilet breaks too?

[Geo_Ipe]

Originally Posted by TheARUN

Congratulations. You are driving a BMW like the way it should be driven.

Originally Posted by vredesbyrd

Nice to see a BMW being driven properly. Most never even leave the city (or go to Goa at max). You are doing the right thing.

BMWs are meant to be driven for 27 hours straight? So BMW owners who don't drive non stop aren't using their machines the proper way?

Originally Posted by ShoMan

I recently completed a Delhi to Mumbai road trip, covering a distance of around 1450 kms NON-STOP.

I took 10-minute stops after crossing Indore until I reached Nasik because I was feeling a little sleepy, but there's nothing a good cup of coffee can't solve, along with some Red Bull and Monster.

ShoMan, you have chosen to document your experiences & opinions on a public forum, so please bear with the responses also. Humans aren't programmed to carry out a complex motor + cognitive activity such as driving a car on public roads for 27 hours straight. That is a fact and does not depend on anyone's opinion. That is exactly why Western countries have a cap on how many hours a person can drive continuously, for example truck drivers. Unfortunately, we don't have such guidelines in India.

So choosing to drive for 27 hours straight wasn't very wise. Pumping in caffeine - in the form of coffee or energy drinks - is like flogging a tired horse! As some other members have pointed out, you were pushing your body & luck. All is well that ends well!

Just a few good threads on our own forum discussing safe driving habits:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...nce-drive.html (Physical & Mental preparation for a long distance drive)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...ml#post5192333 (Bangalore - Pune - Mumbai : Route updates & Eateries)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...ong-drive.html (A Guide on Essentials of a Long Drive)

[vredesbyrd]

Originally Posted by Geo_Ipe

BMWs are meant to be driven for 27 hours straight? So BMW owners who don't drive non stop aren't using their machines the proper way?

No. They are supposed to be bought and just allowed to rot in garage till the headlights fall off.

Of course I don't mean 27 hours. The number of people doing long trips on big three is a little less.
There's reading between the lines then there's what you said.

[suryaj1990]

I recently did this in an EV! Will share my experience here soon! Although, I would have loved to do it in a BMW and in 25 hours!

Great going! You have properly utilised the vehicles worth! Not many are courageous to pull this out owing to the premiumness of the German vehicles and the premiumness to repair them! Happy Motoring!