Road Trip!!! Heading out West in the MPS

[Malicioso]

Well my Gf has just recently informed me her graduation will be taking place in Adelaide on the 29th this month, we weighed out the different options and because money is a bit tight atm we decided to drive rather than catch a plane. I have been told the drive is real nice and also very long (approx 9hrs) keep in mind the furthest I have ever driven is from Melb SE suburbs to Wangarrata and back.

I have also never driven the MPS further than up in the mountains with the rest of the MPS guys on here.

I know they say a long trek like this makes a car show it's true colors, and thought I'd ask who has driven their MPS on long distance journeys and also if you have any pointers and advice????

I've so far gotten a head start and given it an oil change, rotates the tyres and this weekend will be changing the coolant, and also might do the brake fluid while I'm at it...

I've also been thinking about stone chips and bugs, so I plan on using some of that blue 3M tape to cover the front end or perhaps some cling wrap and some of that mesh to cover the front nostril to avoid crap from getting into the cooler and radiator fins...

Would I get any hassles from the boys in blue if I drape my car in that blue tape stuff???

Alex

[kmh001]

I've driven my MPS to Brisbane and Melbourne numerous times. Also done several 900km day trips to the snowy mountains. The only problem I have encountered is that the 6MPS seats become extremely painful after about 11 hours.

Given that the car is always properly maintained I have never done any special preparation for any of these trips. If you're travelling between Melbourne and Adelaide I think you only need to consider your personal requirements, like accomodation/meals/music/lollies etc. If you stick to the highway you can do a trip like that without a map because the roads are well sign posted.

Travelling in a remote area is a different story and a lot of safety requirements need to be considered. But your trip to Adelaide is no different to just going out for a drive, except it takes nine times longer.

Enjoy the road and enjoy the car.

[SarcasticOne]

IBOMPS might be able to shed some light on the Q's about the boys in blue

as for long distance, ive done syd -> bris -> syd twice now, and syd -> melb -> syd once

pointers, stop every 2-2.5 hours... doesnt have to be much, a simple stretch of the legs + toilet break is all you need
i usually planned my trips in this fashion:
2.5-3 hours after i left, stop for breakfast/morning tea
2.5 hrs later, fuel
2.5 hrs later, food (larger break, ~40-45 mins)
2.5 hrs later, arrive at destination

use cruise control in 6th gear, and you can get decent fuel economy, once you get to 1/4 of a tank left, fill up, plan your stops wisely, it's better to fill up too often than run out of fuel

decent music + lollies + bottles of water are a must!

[WispRush]

Just a note. There is a cruise on the 27th of march in Adelaide.

http://www.ozmpsclub.com/forum/club-...ch-2011-a.html

[Malicioso]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'm thinking of leaving either Friday night and stop over somewhere along Horesham and then carry on the following morning and be in Adelaide by noon on Saturday.

Thanks for the cruise invite but would have to convince the Gf to come along, I think her parents are flying there on either Sunday or Monday till the event on Tuesday.

I think I'll still want to wrap the front end of the beast, dunn like getting stone ship and stuff like that, it seems to be in pretty good condition besides the scrape it has on the bottom of the front bar from the previous owner.

I think this weekend I'll go stock up on lollies and some tunes, might bring a pillow or two to make the trip somewhat more comfortable!

[IBOMPS]

no issues with putting something on the front of your car to protect it as long as it does not cover any of the lights or the number plate and does not create any sharp edges that could be dangerous to peds.

Just remember that a stone hitting your car at 100+km/h will most likely go through tape.

I have driven to adelaide before in one go (not in the mps) and its not that bad, just remember if you start to feel tired than you already are so pull over have a nap or a rest of some kind. It is not a very exciting drive going the highway but if you take the GOR its is a lovely trip

take it safe and easy...

remember better to arrive late than not at all!!!!!

---------- Post added at 03:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:40 PM ----------

and congrats to the GF on the Grad

[Malicioso]

no issues with putting something on the front of your car to protect it as long as it does not cover any of the lights or the number plate and does not create any sharp edges that could be dangerous to peds.

Just remember that a stone hitting your car at 100+km/h will most likely go through tape.

I have driven to adelaide before in one go (not in the mps) and its not that bad, just remember if you start to feel tired than you already are so pull over have a nap or a rest of some kind. It is not a very exciting drive going the highway but if you take the GOR its is a lovely trip

take it safe and easy...

remember better to arrive late than not at all!!!!!

---------- Post added at 03:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:40 PM ----------

and congrats to the GF on the Grad

Thanks mate!

Yeah I was thinking more along the lines of having the front bar sand blasted by all the little rocks on the rd and all the bug splatter on the front of it too, would mean I'd only have to clean the un taped areas and tare the rest of the tape off and presto!

[IBOMPS]

sounds like a good idea, with all the locusts that are up country areas!!!!

[Caffeine Fiend]

Audio books are another good way to break up the trip. There are a heap of them about and they're great for keeping the brain working on long trips.


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[IceValk85]

dont forget to tape your wing mirrors.... they cop plenty of bug splatts too!