My E39 M5 saved me.

[AndStilliRise]

On Saturday I was told that my remaining grandparent would be deceased within a couple of hours. I grabbed my keys, wife and two boys and proceed to drive without any regard to any of the speed limits on any of the motorways or a-roads. I made it there with enough time to say my goodbyes. I just got back from the burial site and was reflecting on how my old knackered blood thirsty guzzler had saved the day. I will endeavour to now keep a car I can barley afford and remember this journey for my lifetime.


Life is too short. Enjoy your time whilst we have some.

[AndStilliRise]

Upon reflection, I walked straight to ICU walk straight to the bed to see the morphine being injected. That was 5 minutes before the end. So perhaps it was not ideal to be driving above the speed limit however any minutes latter I am sure I would have not been afforded any contact at all.

With reflection it wss a memorable journey for which I am glad I didn't use the Honda Jazz. This is a car forum and I have always had a love/hate relationship with my M5 however I think the car will stay with me for a while. From what I have also noticed the car was derestricted.

[AndStilliRise]

Schermerhorn said:

Kick a man when he is down. Well done guys.


OP did not drive sensibly, and putting himself and family in danger is not cool. However, he'll probably never drive like that again so why rub it in?

My sympathies for your loss.

Thanks man.

[AndStilliRise]

It was a traumatic w/e and one I hope not to repeat. Through the process I was obviously in control of the car and although I am not a racing driver of any sort was well aware of my surroundings. I do use that route very often and I am well aware of the wremember kes on such a car. I would like to add that the high speeds were only on flat straight sections. The road and visibility were ideal and my wife was there to ensure things were in a controlled manor. She is usually first to jump at danger.

I was also in a position where I could increase the road speed whilst maintaining safety. During the journey there were a couple of people trying to race from which I declined always maintaining that arriving in time and intact were key. In fact i do not remember having any moments of hard braking or swerving(!) throughout.

[AndStilliRise]

AdamIndy said:

I would have done exactly the same thing in that situation. Perhaps not with kids in the car but still. I wouldn't hesitate.

Sorry for your loss, there is NOTHING more important than family. That includes your driving license.

Thanks.

[AndStilliRise]

Seesure said:

Good for you OP....

As normal on PH these days all we ever seem to get in follow up is sanctimonious comments about what might have been or what could have happened....

FFS enjoy the positives and stop looking at the negatives of every topic on PH ....

He got to see his remaining grandparent minutes before they died, be happy for him !!!

Thanks man.

[AndStilliRise]

Hereward said:

You got to say your goodbye and had the ultimate road trip to go with it. I'd call that Job Done. Pleased for you.

The faster these things go the more planted they are, it must have been a wonderful experience to drive it at full tilt, nice one.

Thanks man.

[AndStilliRise]

Chunkychucky said:

This. Sympathies for your loss OP, and glad you got to say a final goodbye.

Amazing all the s on their high horses, sure the OP appreciates you pointing out that driving in a reckless manner with children in the car is irresponsible, even if he did...

Thanks.

[AndStilliRise]

Emeye said:

Obviously quite I diversive post by the OP - personally I think it is hard to judge until you are put in this sort of situation yourself, though I would have left the kids behind - why did they need to go?

When I heard my 5 week old daughter was in hospital with Meningitis, I still managed to drive relatively sensibly - my thoughts were I do not want to kill someone else - she pulled through in the end fortunately.

I guess this is the quandary that challenges the emergency services responding to a call - where do you call the line at taking risk? Though your average emergency services vehicle is covered in lights and has a siren.

It was always going to be an overnight visit and with so many miles between the two homes we usually take our children. In all honesty if i had known the urgency of it all i would have set out much earlier however we have had the grand parents in & out of hospital over the last year and did not think it could be the last time.

At the moment not having the easiest time and it is beginning to hit me. I must say thanks to all the positive and supportive comments throughout.

[AndStilliRise]

cashmax said:

Fair play OP and sorry for your loss. I would also have done the same thing.

Just ignore the comments from peopaccidentging who have never had cause to exceed the speed limit.

One of my earliest memories was as a kid when my Gran was dying and my Dad had an Aston DB6. 145MPH to the hospital. I'll never forget that.

Thanks. I am not completely ignoring the remarks of endangering others lives including other road users. I am not a fan of car accidents having survived a major one myself in younger times.

At sometime over the weekend I will be travelling to the same place hopefully with a little more patience.