12 hours, 6 countries, 1 BMW 530i sport
Discussion
Hello all.
As a couple of you know, I was looking to buy a car to take back to Milan with me.
Well I bought one, from a fellow PHer. A bit over my budget, but I'm happy with it. A silver 2001 post facelift 530i sport, all original apart from the stereo, with 76k on the clock. (For those who cant be arsed to read the story, you can skip to the bottom for car - related stats)
I took it for an MOT monday morning (was MOT'd until Feb, but I wanted a clear year before I'd have to drive back) Passed no problem. Though I was advised I'd need new front pads in about 3000 miles. Then off to Lincoln to get a temporary V5 as it'd not arrived. I had to drag my Dad along to say he was happy to have the car registered at his address (my parent's have just moved, so I have no bills etc. at their new address)
Drove to Hull to get on the Monday night ferry to Zeebrugge. Arrived in Zeebrugge at 8.45am Tuesday. Started Driving.
Customs in belgium was easy. Leaning over from the "wrong" side of the car to his little booth.
"What nationality are you?"
"British"
"Open your passport"
Trying to find the photo page, open my passport at some random blank one in the middle.
"On you go."
Went through Belgium and Luxemburg uneventfully. Drove slowly through French customs, and that was it. On I go.
Stopped halfway through France for food. And realise I've forgotten all my French now I've been trying to learn Italian. There was a minor panic when I came back from the loo and someone had stolen my car
Then I noticed it was still parked where I'd left it, and I'd been keeping an eye on someone else's silver 5-series
Note to self, looking back it did seem further away. Must learn the difference beteween "smaller" and "far away".
Passed into Germany at Strasbourg. Didn't even notice until I'd passed a Deutshebank
At this point I'm thankful for the aftermarket car stereo. It's got bluetooth so I chat to my dad going down the Autobahn at 110MPH (and 26MPG, which I didn't think was bad). Ironically, that was only for a couple of minutes. I hit the autobahn just as rush hour started (4 PM ish), so I actually travelled through Germany slower than anywhere else!
At the swiss border someone actually looked at my passport and driving licence! "Do you have anything to declare?" Err, I don't know, the cars full of boxes/computer/guitars. Apparently I don't.
Though I did have to pay for a full year's road tax. On a 3 litre band G car. So thirty euros lighter I enter Switzerland and decide I definately have to come back. 8 mile long tunnels, and when you're not in 'em the most beautiful alpine scenery you can imagine, that's all from the A2 motorway, at a guess the smaller alpine roads would be a delight for a driving holiday. Must go back. 2 hours later I'm out the other side and in Italy.
For the final leg I avoid other road users and see how good the thraction control is. Finally flop into the hotel bar at 8.45pm.
From Hull:
775 miles
Average speed 65mph
Consumption 32.5MPG
1.75 tanks of fuel.
Also, if the guy who sold me the car is reading this: Yes, I know about the intensive wash button. What it does not do is reset the computer display like I expected. Damn near drove off the road when I was playing with it!
As a couple of you know, I was looking to buy a car to take back to Milan with me.
Well I bought one, from a fellow PHer. A bit over my budget, but I'm happy with it. A silver 2001 post facelift 530i sport, all original apart from the stereo, with 76k on the clock. (For those who cant be arsed to read the story, you can skip to the bottom for car - related stats)
I took it for an MOT monday morning (was MOT'd until Feb, but I wanted a clear year before I'd have to drive back) Passed no problem. Though I was advised I'd need new front pads in about 3000 miles. Then off to Lincoln to get a temporary V5 as it'd not arrived. I had to drag my Dad along to say he was happy to have the car registered at his address (my parent's have just moved, so I have no bills etc. at their new address)
Drove to Hull to get on the Monday night ferry to Zeebrugge. Arrived in Zeebrugge at 8.45am Tuesday. Started Driving.
Customs in belgium was easy. Leaning over from the "wrong" side of the car to his little booth.
"What nationality are you?"
"British"
"Open your passport"
Trying to find the photo page, open my passport at some random blank one in the middle.
"On you go."
Went through Belgium and Luxemburg uneventfully. Drove slowly through French customs, and that was it. On I go.
Stopped halfway through France for food. And realise I've forgotten all my French now I've been trying to learn Italian. There was a minor panic when I came back from the loo and someone had stolen my car
Then I noticed it was still parked where I'd left it, and I'd been keeping an eye on someone else's silver 5-series
Note to self, looking back it did seem further away. Must learn the difference beteween "smaller" and "far away".Passed into Germany at Strasbourg. Didn't even notice until I'd passed a Deutshebank
At this point I'm thankful for the aftermarket car stereo. It's got bluetooth so I chat to my dad going down the Autobahn at 110MPH (and 26MPG, which I didn't think was bad). Ironically, that was only for a couple of minutes. I hit the autobahn just as rush hour started (4 PM ish), so I actually travelled through Germany slower than anywhere else!
At the swiss border someone actually looked at my passport and driving licence! "Do you have anything to declare?" Err, I don't know, the cars full of boxes/computer/guitars. Apparently I don't.
Though I did have to pay for a full year's road tax. On a 3 litre band G car. So thirty euros lighter
I enter Switzerland and decide I definately have to come back. 8 mile long tunnels, and when you're not in 'em the most beautiful alpine scenery you can imagine, that's all from the A2 motorway, at a guess the smaller alpine roads would be a delight for a driving holiday. Must go back. 2 hours later I'm out the other side and in Italy.For the final leg I avoid other road users and see how good the thraction control is. Finally flop into the hotel bar at 8.45pm.
From Hull:
775 miles
Average speed 65mph
Consumption 32.5MPG
1.75 tanks of fuel.
Also, if the guy who sold me the car is reading this: Yes, I know about the intensive wash button. What it does not do is reset the computer display like I expected. Damn near drove off the road when I was playing with it!
You must barely be in Italy then Crofty! Mont Cenis is a fab way over the alps IMHO.
We're back out to Tuscany in a couple of weeks for a weekend trip, but flying & hiring for a change.
We've done Lucca to Howden in a (long) day, via Calais car ferry, but it's 1200 miles door to door via the Monte Bianco tunnel.
We're back out to Tuscany in a couple of weeks for a weekend trip, but flying & hiring for a change.
We've done Lucca to Howden in a (long) day, via Calais car ferry, but it's 1200 miles door to door via the Monte Bianco tunnel.
Glad to read you're enjoying the motor - I've only just found this post tonight. IMO the E39 530i Sport is currently the performance/practical car bargain purchase. Watch out playing with those toys though!!! 
The only let down for me in the E39 was the stereo, but it was easy enough to sort - I'm missing decent sounds in my new car, need to get them sorted soon.
The economy really is good for a car that can really shift when required, on a decent long run (avg 65mph) I only get 35mpg in my MK 5 Golf Gti, but the engine may still be a bit tight.
I really did love that BMW - just didn't fit my lifestyle any more.
Take some pics of it up in the alps and post them up - I had always planned to use it to retrace the route my dad dragged us across Europe to Italy in his Cortina when I was a kid. I still remember those amazing alpine passes and tunnels.
Watch out playing with those toys though!!! The only let down for me in the E39 was the stereo, but it was easy enough to sort - I'm missing decent sounds in my new car, need to get them sorted soon.
The economy really is good for a car that can really shift when required, on a decent long run (avg 65mph) I only get 35mpg in my MK 5 Golf Gti, but the engine may still be a bit tight.
I really did love that BMW - just didn't fit my lifestyle any more.
Take some pics of it up in the alps and post them up - I had always planned to use it to retrace the route my dad dragged us across Europe to Italy in his Cortina when I was a kid. I still remember those amazing alpine passes and tunnels. Good write up Crofty - sounds like a good trip.
I'm taking the family down to Italy in the 530i soon. Can't wait as I reckon this car will simply eat the miles.
Good call with the 'intensive wash button'
Glad I'm not the only one who drove home with their new toy and whilst on the motorway thought "hmm, I wonder what this button..AARRRGGGHHH!..what the f..!!"
I'm taking the family down to Italy in the 530i soon. Can't wait as I reckon this car will simply eat the miles.
Good call with the 'intensive wash button'
Glad I'm not the only one who drove home with their new toy and whilst on the motorway thought "hmm, I wonder what this button..AARRRGGGHHH!..what the f..!!" Edited by matt uk on Thursday 23 October 22:16
Good write up Crofty - sounds like a good trip.
I'm taking the family down to Italy in the 530i soon. Can't wait as I reckon this car will simply eat the miles.
Good call with the 'intensive wash button' Glad I'm not the only one who drove home with their new toy and whilst on the motorway thought "hmm, I wonder what this button..AARRRGGGHHH!..what the f..!!"
I'm taking the family down to Italy in the 530i soon. Can't wait as I reckon this car will simply eat the miles.
Good call with the 'intensive wash button'
Glad I'm not the only one who drove home with their new toy and whilst on the motorway thought "hmm, I wonder what this button..AARRRGGGHHH!..what the f..!!" Edited by matt uk on Thursday 23 October 22:21
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