Sanef tolling tag in a Conti GT

Sanef tolling tag in a Conti GT

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Discussion

BoeingBoy

Original Poster:

15 posts

122 months

Friday 5th September 2014
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Hello All,

I am planning to take my 07 Conti GT through France later this month and have bought a Sanef Tolling Tag. The literature makes a big deal about mounting the unit on Athermic windscreens. Sadly my local Bentley dealer was not able to help (what's new!) and Sanef have said simply be ready to wave it out of the side window if no immediate response is heard.

Has anyone any experience of where to mount one of these with success in the Conti. If waiving them out of the window is standard practise then that's fine but someone's previous experience would be gratefully received.

Also, as this is our first foreign drive (actually all the way through to Italy) any other advice on taking our car abroad would be welcome.

One other query is to ask if it is better to get the headlights switched over internally prior to travel and then take a dealer statement saying it's been done (in several languages) or simply stick a couple of Halfords correctors on so that Msr Plod cannot argue the toss if he's looking for cash flow.

Thanks for any help you can offer.




Siy

455 posts

218 months

Friday 5th September 2014
quotequote all
the Sanef tag does work through some screens - best place is right behind teh rear view mirror - but dont stick it on till you go - test it at the first toll - if it doesnt work, wave it out the window - if it does (think it will) then stick it on after your first test.

Light converters - recently I have taken to doing nothing - and its never been a prob - buy some halfords ones, and keep them in the car in case you get pulled - then you can stick them on and say you forgot if yu get asked!


Corbeliere

683 posts

118 months

Friday 5th September 2014
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Hi Boeingboy.

No worries, I have a GT and my transponder always works. Occasionally there is a couple of seconds delay at some tolls although the non stop 30KPH lanes work fine.

I used to have mine in front of the rear view mirror but since changing cars and losing the stick on mount, I simply hold the unit up to the screen near the mirror and it works.

In over 8 years I have never used the headlight correctors on my cars. The GT has a lever on the left headlamp which I had the main dealer in Knutsford switch for driving in France. It's a bit of a sod to get to apparently.

As for driving over there. The French drive differently to us and have a bad habit of following much to close for comfort. A squirt from the screen washers usually gets rid of them.
Other than that, the main roads in France are a dream. They are much less busy than the UK and very smooth.

Speed cameras are normally sign posted so if you see a warning sign there will be a camera ahead.
The Gendarmes do have a habit of hiding though and fines are on the spot.
I've got the 'Pocket GPS World' speed camera app' on my phone too. It's illegal to have cameras on a Sat Nav device although Danger Zones like Tom Tom use are OK. I have however never heard of anyone being done. I use the phone as it's less obvious and the app' runs in the background.

Hope that helps and have a good trip.

WelshBentleyBoy

339 posts

198 months

Friday 5th September 2014
quotequote all
I have used a tag for several years on a 2000 Continental R, a 2002 Arnage and a 1974 BMW 2002. I just stuck the tag behind the mirror(None of the cars had the shaded portion) and they all worked fist time every time.
They are absolutely brilliant and take all the hassle out of tolls, scrabbling for cash and paying out of the passenger window.
My son witnessed a novel approach to this problem when a Lotus Exige screamed into the Peage, did a handbrake turn in front of the booth ,reversed into the booth, paid through the drivers window and reversed out the other side!

BoeingBoy

Original Poster:

15 posts

122 months

Friday 5th September 2014
quotequote all
Thank you for your replies.

I guess I'll try hand holding up near the mirror for the first toll and then use the mounting if that goes OK.

I know what you mean about tailgating. I remember it well from living in Germany and Holland many years ago. It seems to be normal practise!

Has anyone any other advice to offer for driving in France, Switzerland and Italy. I already have my Swiss motorway pass mounted so that's taken care of. What about the car attracting adverse attention abroad? Any issues? I also own a 97 Rolls Royce Silver Spur so I'm no stranger to being stared at.

In the meantime I will practise my handbrake turns!!!

Best Regards,

BB

WelshBentleyBoy

339 posts

198 months

Friday 5th September 2014
quotequote all
You need to watch the Swiss speed cameras. They are usually on urban motorways but unlike the French they give no warnings at all. I always behave in Switzerland but always look out for the locals. They are comfortably the worst drivers in Europe.

Corbeliere

683 posts

118 months

Saturday 6th September 2014
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As for France, you shouldn't get any adverse reactions, in fact, most of them don't even know what a Bentley is. They do admire mine when I am there though and I often get favourable comments about it being a 'Belle Voiture' (nice car).

TonyF

2,300 posts

275 months

Monday 8th September 2014
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BB, we have just done the same trip in our V8 GTC and it was awesome to say the least.
Just be aware of the cameras in france which are well signposted as said earlier in this post.
I just kept to the speed limits and all was well apart from when we overtook a coach in Switzerland and got flashed by a camera !!(heard nothing yet and we have been back in the uk about 7 weeks)
Italy is a lovely place to drive to until you reach main towns where it can get snarled up a bit.
Great roadtrip though, we covered 3200 miles all together and it was epic, hope you have a great time.
Where are you heading to in Italy ?

BoeingBoy

Original Poster:

15 posts

122 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
We are headed to a little hotel called Villa Arcadio just outside Salo on the west side of Lake Garda.

I used to work out of Verona in 93 and fell in love with the lakes and Italy in general. Despite travelling the world for a living it is still my favourite place.

I have only been back once since then but promised myself one day I would drive back rather than fly. We had intended to take the Spur but touring in that has not proved as practical as we'd hoped so 'Berty Bentley' is all fuelled up and ready to go!


:-)




WelshBentleyBoy

339 posts

198 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Enjoy your trip. I have been to Como several times and it is pure magic. To sit in Bellagio at the lakeside having lunch is brilliant. We went in a Continental R and stayed at Villa Serbelloni and wherever we went the hotel porter was right behind me. When I challenged him he said he just wanted to be the one to bring my car round when I left as it was the finest car in Bellagio!!! At last, an Italian who recognises something other than a Ferrari.
This year we went in an Arnage to Switzerland and Lake Lucerne and Lake Geneva, equally beautiful but horrendously expensive. House wine 45 euros!

BoeingBoy

Original Poster:

15 posts

122 months

Tuesday 9th September 2014
quotequote all
WWB,

Switzerland???? Tell me about it. I used to work out of Zurich in 96 and remember paying £35 for a fold up brolley, £5 for a coffee at the railway station and £25 for a curry and a beer.

Still, I got to find out what Rosti was and my waistline has added it to my favourite sins ever since.

BB

oilandwater

1,408 posts

189 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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Hi,
Slightly off topic, but can I ask which company you had your tag from please.
I have looked at Eurotunnel, they are slightly cheaper than the UK SANEF and Mont Blanc tunnel are cheaper still.
I could do with some advice on this, sounds a very good idea as most of the tolls are now automatic.

BoeingBoy

Original Poster:

15 posts

122 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
I got mine from here:

https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/

I think the set up payment's just been taken at £32.01p

The Swiss pass can be ordered in the UK here:

http://www.swissrailways.com/en/products/motorways...

It was £29 and arrived from the tourist office within a couple of days. Watch how you fit it though. It shreds into pieces if mishandled and the glue is quite fierce so make sure you've lined it up straight before it touches the glass.




oilandwater

1,408 posts

189 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
BoeingBoy said:
I got mine from here:

https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/

I think the set up payment's just been taken at £32.01p

The Swiss pass can be ordered in the UK here:

http://www.swissrailways.com/en/products/motorways...

It was £29 and arrived from the tourist office within a couple of days. Watch how you fit it though. It shreds into pieces if mishandled and the glue is quite fierce so make sure you've lined it up straight before it touches the glass.

Thank you, and thanks for the 'glue' tip.

WelshBentleyBoy

339 posts

198 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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Worth getting a spare mounting clip if you have more than one car and you can then swap from car to car.

Paul

oilandwater

1,408 posts

189 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
WelshBentleyBoy said:
Worth getting a spare mounting clip if you have more than one car and you can then swap from car to car.

Paul
Thank you, good idea.

BoeingBoy

Original Poster:

15 posts

122 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
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Mine was supplied with two mounts. It was sent from Sanef UK who are based in Harrogate.




rabowman

284 posts

187 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
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I often use a unit supplied from Tolltickets who are based in Germany when I drive to Spain....Santander to Valencia.
Never had a problem (mounted just to left of rear view mirror).
Great just driving through !! charges are via paypal

WelshBentleyBoy

339 posts

198 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
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I got mine about 7 years ago when there was no English site and I had to work through the French forms with my 50 year old French O level. When I passed they said I had "Oral Proficiency" which means different things today!!!!

puss

75 posts

215 months

Saturday 20th September 2014
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Just got back from our France/Germany trip and had a minor disaster. Car still in dealership in Cannes being repaired. First was a loud squeak noise from the n/s/r that got progressively worse over 500klm to Marseille so I nursed it most of the way. Then, before we got there, without having had the roof down, I started it up after a coffee break at the services to get "roof not closed" warning message. In trying to remedy it the windows got stuck half way up. 15 mins later after a lot of faffing about I got the windows up but warning light still on for roof so nursed it to destination. Thank god for my extended Bentley warranty and assistance. They took the car away and provided various rental vehicles for the trip and return home. Still have one now.
The Cannes dealership (who I have heard are useless) first changed a wheel bearing but no joy. Then diagnosed a faulty wheel which isn't covered by the warranty. They're split rims (what a pointless design that is) and apparently should never be taken apart but as all the wheels show evidence of being painted/refurbed (car is 6 years old) they tried to tell me that all the wheels need to be renewed (£11k Mulliners) even though the chances are that it's only the noisy one that has been separated. Told them I'd sort it this end (plenty of options here like a professional repair or cheaper identical wheels) but to fix the roof which apparently had two broken parts to the frame. My theory is that as I bought the car from someone in Yorkshire who had the car from new the car has never been exposed to mid 30's temps and the heat contracted the canvas pulling on the frame too tightly. Who knows, it's an odd failure (covered by warranty). Now waiting for car to be delivered back.
So, if you have split rims, be sure they've never been separated by a less than perfect repairer