Adjusting to bigger cars, advise needed

[Pothole]

I went from a 2002 Clio to a Volvo S90 with few issues.

Clio is 3773mm long

S90 is 4877mm long.

I nudged a few fences with the rear bumper, but that's it.

[M3DGE]

benjijames28 said:

Ninja59 said:

Hahaha I have this exact problem one 640D Gran Coupe to MX5 and vice versa.

Parking sensors and cameras make it fairly easy, unfortunately certain park and rides local to us have seen victim to kerbing 3 of my 4 20's equally my 640 only just fits through with mirrors folded in they have huge high kerbs and width restriction bars and posts in place...madness.

This is my exact concern, tight car parks have presented challenges in smaller cars, usually where your going up a steep ramp and have to turn at the top and u can't see where your going, or you have to squeeze around big tight pillars. I've always wondered how people with barges cope.

Regardless of the macho comments, parking sensors are the best gadget of recent years for big motors. And they are BIG - my Insignia is almost the same length as an old Omega and slightly wider. And I can only agree that car parks can be a 'mare, especially older ones. I generally drive to the roof to find an end slot rather than squeeze in and get my doors dinged.

[MethylatedSpirit]

The main difference is that a saloon car is going to have very little visibility out the rear window when parking. Therefore you have to rely on your wing mirrors.

My Skoda Superb has front and rear parking sensors, which makes it a doddle to park.

After 4 years of driving larger cars, I actually quite enjoy taking my brothers Polo to the shops. Don't have to take a wide turn at tight corners and can fit in a space without hassle.

[saaby93]

How many cars in this photo fit in the parking space provided
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-390...

[XMT]

OP seems a bit of a pointless post. its not a limo, millions of people manage to drive that size of car so unless your a total idiot I am sure you will manage to learn.

go buy it and get used to it

[benjijames28]

XMT said:

OP seems a bit of a pointless post. its not a limo, millions of people manage to drive that size of car so unless your a total idiot I am sure you will manage to learn.

go buy it and get used to it

Your wisdom is a month or so late to the party mate, you shouldn't be commenting on pointless posts.

[lucido grigio]

benjijames28 said:

want to keep away from German cars in the future.

This isn't pointless ,you've just started a thread wanting an X5....

[anonymous-user]

He's got a poibt. I'm starting to doubt if you are the next Alan_I_W.

[nobrakes]

Adjust your mirrors
Take your time
Look around to keep an eye on traffic

Use any adjacent reflections in shop windows or adjacent car bodywork.

You could do worse than book a couple of parking lessons with a driving instructor.

[Mr Tidy]

One more suggestion - please don't get anywhere within 50 miles of anywhere I go!

(Can't see where you are from your profile).

If you can't cope, just buy a bus pass and save the rest of us some pain getting bodywork fixed!

[K12beano]

Strange turn of direction on this thread.

I confess I'm a bit of a wimp, myself, when it comes to big vehicles. Although I've driven for about 40 years, a lot of that time has been on motorcycles - with a preference for not taking up too much space and having the freedom associated. There's the odd occasion I've driven a transit van or the like. I've driven Chrysler 300s for six weeks at a time around US. But UK roads aren't built for larger vehicles and my last 20 years have been E30 BMW, a couple of TVRs and an A6 Audi. I'm a powerfully built PH Director - naturally - but the current barge (W220 S-series) takes a bit of thinking and planning so I have no hesitation in saying the OP's thread is in no way pointless for young, old, experienced and inexperienced alike....

[caelite]

lufbramatt said:

I think you're over thinking this. Once you've driven it round for 10 minutes it will feel fine. Go hire a van for a day, will soon get you used to driving around in something big.

Pretty much this, I went from only driving small-medium hatchbacks with ~3 years driving experience, to driving LWB merc sprinters ~250miles a day. Was an interesting challenge for a whole week or so until you get used to taking corners just that little bit wider, going for that little bit longer space, hugging the left side of your lane a lot more on roundabouts, following the car in front far closer, writing a text to the misses well staying in your lane and maintaining 40mph at all times. Maybe I got sidetracked?

Vans are fun.