My Autobahn Run

[Domer88]

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I used a go pro to record one of my Autobahn runs on my ED trip.

A lot of vibration gets transmitted into the camera. In the car, all I could hear was beautiful engine noise.

I did one run up to 165 where I could feel the limiter kicking in. This particular run was up to about 155.

F80
Competition Package

[Naz24]

Sweet! The car in front of you was moving as well, what was it?

[mbiondo]

Originally Posted by Naz24

Sweet! The car in front of you was moving as well, what was it?

Probably a VW Polo.

[Domer88]

At that speed I'm keeping my eyes on everything. No chance to notice what kind of car I'm following!

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by Domer88

I used a go pro to record one of my Autobahn runs on my ED trip.

A lot of vibration gets transmitted into the camera. In the car, all I could hear was beautiful engine noise.

I did one run up to 165 where I could feel the limiter kicking in. This particular run was up to about 155.

F80
Competition Package

Did you notice the hood lifting as you passed the 130-140 range? It disturbed me on the 'bahn, but didn't deter me from continuing to push.

Glad you've gotten to enjoy her in the way she was built to be enjoyed!

[TAL2GK]

If you weren't with the car in front of you, I'm surprised they stayed in the left for that long. You appeared to be close enough to have intent to pass and I've found that Germans are very good about using the left lane only for passing - especially when there is a car behind them and in the times where there isn't a car in the right lane.

It's one of my favorite things about German drivers and one of my largest pet peeves about American drivers.

[ElSenor]

Originally Posted by TAL2GK

If you weren't with the car in front of you, I'm surprised they stayed in the left for that long. You appeared to be close enough to have intent to pass and I've found that Germans are very good about using the left lane only for passing - especially when there is a car behind them and in the times where there isn't a car in the right lane.

It's one of my favorite things about German drivers and one of my largest pet peeves about American drivers.

Definitely! Sometimes people don't move over and you have to have to flash them or turn on your left turn signal. It happens, people get distracted while cruising. The majority of drivers are very aware of their rear view mirror while in the left lane with no traffic. I've been cruising at 120mph plenty of times in the left lane and noticed a car zeroing in quickly on me-move to the right and prepare to get your doors blown off! German Autobahn is the bees knees!

[snareman]

Originally Posted by TAL2GK

If you weren't with the car in front of you, I'm surprised they stayed in the left for that long. You appeared to be close enough to have intent to pass and I've found that Germans are very good about using the left lane only for passing - especially when there is a car behind them and in the times where there isn't a car in the right lane.

It's one of my favorite things about German drivers and one of my largest pet peeves about American drivers.

American drivers are notoriously bad about moving over! Drives me crazy. And, if you flash them they get mad at you. The awareness of other drivers is one of the things I love about driving in Germany.

[mike@x-ph.com]

With no speed limit, i thought the highway would be wider than 3 lanes

[Domer88]

On much of the Autobahn, 120mph seems to be like a baseline speed in the left lane. Today, our taxi driver driving us from the Frankfurt drop-off to the airport was doing 175kmh.

The thing I noticed about top speeds in the M3 vs my 2007 335i, is that the brakes are so much more capable. In the 335 I felt like at 150mph, if I needed to brake hard I would be in trouble, both from a stopping and a stability standpoint.

In the M3, even at 165mph I felt in control. I could also feel that the engine had a lot left to give.

[Adcampo]

Pretty cool. Looks like another BMW in front of you. Were you nervous with the traffic in the right lanes?

[ElSenor]

Originally Posted by Adcampo

Pretty cool. Looks like another BMW in front of you. Were you nervous with the traffic in the right lanes?

You don't move to the left lane in an unlimited zone unless you are 100% certain you can do it safely, drivers here are very observant and highly respectful of the passing lane. That being said, if you are doing over 130km/h on the Autobahn and you get into an accident, it is 100% your fault. Doesn't matter if you were in the left lane doing +130km/h and some one merges left at the last second. Same thing if you have a BAC, doesn't matter how low.

Sorry, not trying to thread jack. Just pointing out that you normally don't have to worry about cars on the right.

[TAL2GK]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

With no speed limit, i thought the highway would be wider than 3 lanes

It's really no different than our highway system. Plenty of 2-lane highway sections are limit free as well, but then you have to lay on the brakes for a random 120kph area near a town, tunnel, or construction area. You really have to pay attention, but that's the point of driving anyway.

[Domer88]

I was really impressed with the road discipline of the Germans. Driving from Munich to Nurburg, we ran into a lot of road construction, with traffic being forced into one lane in each direction. My wife always hassles me to put my blinker on right away and merge into the remaining lane as soon as possible. I told her to be patient and watch how the German drivers handle it. Everyone pretty much stays in their lane until the point of forced merge, and then they zipper together, neatly alternating cars. Rarely did I see anyone try to close a gap and not take their turn properly. And no road rage!

[F80M]

Be safe. Dont be ending up in the bimmerpost.com front page with crash and burn alive during top speed run title. It only take half a sec!