Meet 'The Chav' (EP3) and Maiden Euro-trip
Discussion
- Warning - long post
Here it stands as i got it:
2004 (54) plate
103k miles
Full honda history (one due)
Rare leather interior
HPI clear and near perfect cosmetically (all gaps good and just stone chips)
Mods:
lowered on springs - front
cheap coilovers - rear (have all original suspension F&R)
B pipe
HID headlight upgrade
PH stickers were added shortly after purchase:
So, why did i get an EP3?
Between my girlfriend and I we were planning a holiday to Croatia, by road, combined with a city break or 2. I refused to take her 60hp fiesta owing to the tedium and after selling my 335i last year to work towards a house deposit and my 924s being a no-go for the trip owing to the number of jobs that need doing and the mileage restriction (in addition to a winter restoration) a new car was needed. I originally thought of everything from a Volvo V70 to a Saab 9-3 Vert but settled on the EP3 owing to the practicality and driving pleasure it gives over most other options at the price point (coupled to cheap insurance - £640 for me at 23! with accidents, points and mod's declared). However all wasn't rosey....in addition to the due service all wasn't well with the Chav, the clutch was shot in the normal non-slipping EP3 way so was changed and the service done at Honda (cheaper than indie's).
This brings us to the main section of the post....
The outline route was planned over a number of weeks at work:
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&...
Other practicalities of the trip were looked into further - Vignette's for Austria & Slovenia (thanks to PH'ers for that one!). The plan was to stick to 80ish MPH following advice and for fuel preservation reasons (trip was done for <£600pp for travel and all accommodation)
Cost breakdown:
Eurotunnel - £110 return
Hotels Stuttgart (Mercure 1 night) - £44
Apartment Bol (3* - 12 nights) - £282
Hotel Vienna (Ibis - 2 nights) - £112
Petrol - TBC
Tolls - TBC
It came to the morning of leaving and we were up bright and early for the 5:50am euro-tunnel, being the Friday before LeMans there was some exotica spotted on the M20 but owing to the day and time, not too much in comparison to last year when I went down mid-morning on Thurday.
Our first overnight stop was scheduled for Stuttgart, the goal was to get there for early afternoon so I could take a look around the Porsche museum, however traffic around Stuttgart conspired against us, adding 1.5 hours with 20 miles to go....this considered we checked into our hotel, freshened up and drove into the city for dinner..... With my poor German I somehow ended up with what looked like beef/pork tripe in soup (I thought it was chunks of proper meat with potato salad
)Day 2 started well, up early and out of the hotel by 6am, however on our way to the castle the rain came in buckets and I was shortly regretting the idea to sort the near worn tyres after the summer (2.2mm when leaving) as we aquaplaned down the autobahn, slowing to 50mph owing to the conditions for about 60 miles. Shortly after this and 2 hours later we arrived at the castle, or at least the signs said we had but it was nowhere to be seen (only the konigschlosse, hotels and visitor centres in view), totally obscured by cloud cover. A few pictures in the rain later and we were on our way by 10:15.
The scenery through the alps was amazing and shortly before the Austrian border we stopped to buy the Vignettes for the day and the return leg, stopping off the motorway to find supermarkets for breakfast/lunch and petrol to save cash (just like england motorway service station petrol is extortionate, 25 cents a litre more give or take although more reasonable/comparable in Croatia itself.
Having made great time across the German A roads from the castle, through the alpine tunnels and after cutting through Slovenian A roads to Croatia we decided to stop in Zadar for dinner at about 17:30, feeling a little peckish, whilst knowing the 11pm deadline for our check-in in Bol and thinking we had plenty of time. Needless to say we arrived in Split at 21:10, as the ferry pulled out of the harbour to Supertar. What had been an hourly service had declined to the extent of next sailing being at mid-night, 1 hour after our agency reception closed....
Thankfully after a hurried phone call they agreed to stay open for us until we finally arrived at 01:20, after hooning across the islands deserted roads, covering the 35km in 25 minutes. Lesson learned though, eat when you arrive!!!!
Needless to say we had a great few weeks on the island, taking a foot trip to Split and driving up to the Krka Lake National Park. On the island the car was in it's element, content when cruising around the twisty island roads and rewarding when attacking corners/overtaking, even my girlfriend enjoyed throwing it around!
The primary concern before we left was ground clearance, with the lowered suspension and B pipe there was a mere 3" at a push, less when heavy!! Thankfully, barring Belgian motorway dips causing high speed scraping, the roads for the duration were perfect, Croatia especially, putting ours to shame. This was until we had cause to use the on-street parking in split (you have to bump up a chunky kerb, leaving the sills and exhaust scraping the ground and the front wheels struggling for traction around the tipping point when moving on/off). We also explored some lesser used occasionally potholed tarmac tracks when we went exploring in search of quieter bays...
One morning we found a road on the map, only about 20k away, that with the lie of the coastline looked to hide a nice beach/bay. All was well at first, with a nice freshly laid and deserted road, however this finished half way down the side of a hill leaving a dirt track:
Examining the gravel road from the top it didn't look too bad, fairly compact and level, so we headed down...except it got progressively worse, turning to tight hairpins and becoming less smooth as we headed down the side, at its worst decending at a c.10% gradient with no barriers. Despite a bit of grounding we were too far to stop (and had nowhere to turn) so we pressed on and were handsomely rewarded, by both the near deserted sun-trap beach and the surprise hanging to the passenger window on our return!
Unfortunately our holiday on the island came to an end and now sporting decent tan's we headed up to Vienna for a mini 2 night city break (to break up the journey, why not if your passing?) and yesterday back to the UK. Barring the heat, and me spilling a good 2l of beer all over the staircase and over the walls as we left Croatia (strap on the case snapped) it was un-eventful.
The Chav did us proud, clocking up 3,711 miles for the whole trip and averaging 38mpg on the motorway sections and 32mpg hooning around the island. It's just in need of a thorough valet now! and AC gas as it isn't as cool as it could have been!
Edited by kiethton on Wednesday 14th August 13:22
A good read, only spoiled by the non-explanation of what the heck a 'Vignette' is.
I Googled it, but still non the wiser as to what you acquired.....
vignettes 3rd person singular present, plural of vi·gnette
Noun
A brief evocative description, account, or episode.
Verb
Portray (someone) in the style of a vignette.
vi·gnette (vn-yt)
n.
1. A decorative design placed at the beginning or end of a book or chapter of a book or along the border of a page.
2. An unbordered picture, often a portrait, that shades off into the surrounding color at the edges.
3.
a. A short, usually descriptive literary sketch.
b. A short scene or incident, as from a movie.
tr.v. vi·gnet·ted, vi·gnet·ting, vi·gnettes
1. To soften the edges of (a picture) in vignette style.
2. To describe in a brief way.
I Googled it, but still non the wiser as to what you acquired.....
vignettes 3rd person singular present, plural of vi·gnette
Noun
A brief evocative description, account, or episode.
Verb
Portray (someone) in the style of a vignette.
vi·gnette (vn-yt)
n.
1. A decorative design placed at the beginning or end of a book or chapter of a book or along the border of a page.
2. An unbordered picture, often a portrait, that shades off into the surrounding color at the edges.
3.
a. A short, usually descriptive literary sketch.
b. A short scene or incident, as from a movie.
tr.v. vi·gnet·ted, vi·gnet·ting, vi·gnettes
1. To soften the edges of (a picture) in vignette style.
2. To describe in a brief way.
Evoluzione said:
A good read, only spoiled by the non-explanation of what the heck a 'Vignette' is.
I Googled it, but still non the wiser as to what you acquired.....
vignettes 3rd person singular present, plural of vi·gnette
Noun
A brief evocative description, account, or episode.
Verb
Portray (someone) in the style of a vignette.
vi·gnette (vn-yt)
n.
1. A decorative design placed at the beginning or end of a book or chapter of a book or along the border of a page.
2. An unbordered picture, often a portrait, that shades off into the surrounding color at the edges.
3.
a. A short, usually descriptive literary sketch.
b. A short scene or incident, as from a movie.
tr.v. vi·gnet·ted, vi·gnet·ting, vi·gnettes
1. To soften the edges of (a picture) in vignette style.
2. To describe in a brief way.
It's a road tax required in some countries. If driving on a class 1 or 2 road in Switzerland at all you're required, by law, to purchase the Swiss vignette for a year.I Googled it, but still non the wiser as to what you acquired.....
vignettes 3rd person singular present, plural of vi·gnette
Noun
A brief evocative description, account, or episode.
Verb
Portray (someone) in the style of a vignette.
vi·gnette (vn-yt)
n.
1. A decorative design placed at the beginning or end of a book or chapter of a book or along the border of a page.
2. An unbordered picture, often a portrait, that shades off into the surrounding color at the edges.
3.
a. A short, usually descriptive literary sketch.
b. A short scene or incident, as from a movie.
tr.v. vi·gnet·ted, vi·gnet·ting, vi·gnettes
1. To soften the edges of (a picture) in vignette style.
2. To describe in a brief way.
Evoluzione said:
A good read, only spoiled by the non-explanation of what the heck a 'Vignette' is.
I Googled it, but still non the wiser as to what you acquired.....
vignettes 3rd person singular present, plural of vi·gnette
Noun
A brief evocative description, account, or episode.
Verb
Portray (someone) in the style of a vignette.
vi·gnette (vn-yt)
n.
1. A decorative design placed at the beginning or end of a book or chapter of a book or along the border of a page.
2. An unbordered picture, often a portrait, that shades off into the surrounding color at the edges.
3.
a. A short, usually descriptive literary sketch.
b. A short scene or incident, as from a movie.
tr.v. vi·gnet·ted, vi·gnet·ting, vi·gnettes
1. To soften the edges of (a picture) in vignette style.
2. To describe in a brief way.
It's like a motorway tax you have to pay in certain countries, instead of having toll roads. You have to stick a sticker in your windscreen like a tax disc. Switzerland has the same system (which seems fairly sensible to me).I Googled it, but still non the wiser as to what you acquired.....
vignettes 3rd person singular present, plural of vi·gnette
Noun
A brief evocative description, account, or episode.
Verb
Portray (someone) in the style of a vignette.
vi·gnette (vn-yt)
n.
1. A decorative design placed at the beginning or end of a book or chapter of a book or along the border of a page.
2. An unbordered picture, often a portrait, that shades off into the surrounding color at the edges.
3.
a. A short, usually descriptive literary sketch.
b. A short scene or incident, as from a movie.
tr.v. vi·gnet·ted, vi·gnet·ting, vi·gnettes
1. To soften the edges of (a picture) in vignette style.
2. To describe in a brief way.
Car and write-up are good OP, but was it previously owned by a serious misogynist?! Or someone just fundamentally opposed to prostitution?
Usget said:
Evoluzione said:
A good read, only spoiled by the non-explanation of what the heck a 'Vignette' is.
I Googled it, but still non the wiser as to what you acquired.....
vignettes 3rd person singular present, plural of vi·gnette
Noun
A brief evocative description, account, or episode.
Verb
Portray (someone) in the style of a vignette.
vi·gnette (vn-yt)
n.
1. A decorative design placed at the beginning or end of a book or chapter of a book or along the border of a page.
2. An unbordered picture, often a portrait, that shades off into the surrounding color at the edges.
3.
a. A short, usually descriptive literary sketch.
b. A short scene or incident, as from a movie.
tr.v. vi·gnet·ted, vi·gnet·ting, vi·gnettes
1. To soften the edges of (a picture) in vignette style.
2. To describe in a brief way.
It's like a motorway tax you have to pay in certain countries, instead of having toll roads. You have to stick a sticker in your windscreen like a tax disc. Switzerland has the same system (which seems fairly sensible to me).I Googled it, but still non the wiser as to what you acquired.....
vignettes 3rd person singular present, plural of vi·gnette
Noun
A brief evocative description, account, or episode.
Verb
Portray (someone) in the style of a vignette.
vi·gnette (vn-yt)
n.
1. A decorative design placed at the beginning or end of a book or chapter of a book or along the border of a page.
2. An unbordered picture, often a portrait, that shades off into the surrounding color at the edges.
3.
a. A short, usually descriptive literary sketch.
b. A short scene or incident, as from a movie.
tr.v. vi·gnet·ted, vi·gnet·ting, vi·gnettes
1. To soften the edges of (a picture) in vignette style.
2. To describe in a brief way.
Car and write-up are good OP, but was it previously owned by a serious misogynist?! Or someone just fundamentally opposed to prostitution?
Yep, as said above the Vignettes are the equivalent of thier tolls, although fraustrating that the Austrian one either comes in 10 day or 1 month denominations, no 2 week option!
On the plate i have no idea, but is due to be removed shortly (i share the same opinions as Chris Harris on them TBH), the owner has retianed it, although he text me whilt i was away to say that the new paperwork is back with him for the plate to go onto his car but I'm yet to get the updated tax disc/V5 so i'm waiting for them to arrive before swapping over.
hondafreek said:
As for the post above about vignettes, it was unnecessary and ridiculous.
No it wasn't, I wanted to know.I have a lot of friends who are into cars and bikes etc, if I told them I was driving to Croatia in an EP3 to pick up some Vignettes they would not have the slightest idea of what I was talking about.
Sorry for the diversion OP, great trip, lovely pics and something I aspire to.
r1ch said:
Nice write up, sounds like the chav served you well! I plan on doing a very similar trip in an EP3 either late this year or early 2014.
Thanks, barring the AC issue it was perfect and far more fun than my dad's E90 318d, which we origionally planned to take, would have been (if harsher on the wallet, lacking cruise control and unable to blitz autobahns as fast - noise/cruise MPG/high RPM)If you need any help with your route/want a sounding board/anything for your trip happy to help as best as I can
Nice write up fella, glad you are enjoying the chav !
I love mine even after 5 - 6 years ownership, going to Cornwall from West Yorkshire in it tomorrow which is a fair old trip but not really matching yours !
My missus is insured to drive it, although i would rather her not, for the car and public's sake, apparently the gears make you drive the car faster
I love mine even after 5 - 6 years ownership, going to Cornwall from West Yorkshire in it tomorrow which is a fair old trip but not really matching yours !
My missus is insured to drive it, although i would rather her not, for the car and public's sake, apparently the gears make you drive the car faster
Edited by Martin_Hx on Monday 8th July 16:14
Usget said:
Evoluzione said:
A good read, only spoiled by the non-explanation of what the heck a 'Vignette' is.
I Googled it, but still non the wiser as to what you acquired.....
vignettes 3rd person singular present, plural of vi·gnette
Noun
A brief evocative description, account, or episode.
Verb
Portray (someone) in the style of a vignette.
vi·gnette (vn-yt)
n.
1. A decorative design placed at the beginning or end of a book or chapter of a book or along the border of a page.
2. An unbordered picture, often a portrait, that shades off into the surrounding color at the edges.
3.
a. A short, usually descriptive literary sketch.
b. A short scene or incident, as from a movie.
tr.v. vi·gnet·ted, vi·gnet·ting, vi·gnettes
1. To soften the edges of (a picture) in vignette style.
2. To describe in a brief way.
It's like a motorway tax you have to pay in certain countries, instead of having toll roads. You have to stick a sticker in your windscreen like a tax disc. Switzerland has the same system (which seems fairly sensible to me).I Googled it, but still non the wiser as to what you acquired.....
vignettes 3rd person singular present, plural of vi·gnette
Noun
A brief evocative description, account, or episode.
Verb
Portray (someone) in the style of a vignette.
vi·gnette (vn-yt)
n.
1. A decorative design placed at the beginning or end of a book or chapter of a book or along the border of a page.
2. An unbordered picture, often a portrait, that shades off into the surrounding color at the edges.
3.
a. A short, usually descriptive literary sketch.
b. A short scene or incident, as from a movie.
tr.v. vi·gnet·ted, vi·gnet·ting, vi·gnettes
1. To soften the edges of (a picture) in vignette style.
2. To describe in a brief way.
Car and write-up are good OP, but was it previously owned by a serious misogynist?! Or someone just fundamentally opposed to prostitution?
OP: Do you really "hate w
es" that much you drive around announcing it to the world?5potTurbo said:
It's what the road tax IS called in some countries, like where I live, not only for motorway use.
OP: Do you really "hate wes" that much you drive around announcing it to the world?
Hahaha every profession needs customers.....OP: Do you really "hate w
es" that much you drive around announcing it to the world?In all seriousness it's the previous owners' and is in the process of being transferred off.
Just checked ask MID and it's now showing on a TT but I'm yet to receive my paperwork through so don't know what plate it'll go back onto, will be off ASAP though!
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