Euro wedding drive

[RicSpeedSix]

So I'm getting married on the 22nd and yes I'm a lucky man as my wife to be puts up with the T350T being the "other woman" in our relationship... in fact she's even coming on TIT7 with me

Anyway, reason for my post is that we are getting married in Tuscany and I am thinking about driving down for the wedding with one of my best man. The idea being that it would be a good way to enjoy my "last days of freedom" and also mean that myself and the lass can spend the first few days of our honeymoon touring a bit of northern Italy, southern France (Monaco) etc which she has never seen before we head back to the UK (possibly get auto train back to Paris) and leave for sunnier climes abroad for the rest of our honeymoon.

Originally the plan was that a few of my mates were also going to join the road trip down, but for various reasons they have had to pull out so basically I'd be doing it on my own with best man as passenger until we get to Zurich where another mate would join us in his Z4. Now we are down to one car for the majority of the trip, I'm slightly concerned about the 2000 mile trip in my T350; more so on the "outbound" leg as my future missus will kill me if I don't get to the alter. i.e. what happens if it breaks down etc?

My 23k mile T350 has (touch wood) been very reliable (usual teething electrical gremlins aside) and has been meticulously looked after by STR8SIX since I bought it. Most recent service was about 1.5k ago. Running well at the moment, although I do need to soften up my new Nitrons a bit for road use before they rattle my fillings out. It is still on original clutch at the moment, which is probably my biggest concern (although seems ok).

So - am I just being a pussy and should I just go for it?

Any recommendations from others who've done similar trips? breakdown cover? spares I should take? etc etc?

Thinking of getting a mini service/health check with STR8SIX or similiar before I go as well - worth it?

[so called]

I've driven to Germany about 5 times now in my Tuscan and 3 times down to Spain.
I've been using various TVR's on long Euro trips for quite a few years with very few problems.
Just arrived yesterday in Germany in a Chimaera I bought 2 weeks ago and I'm still smiling.

I have to admit that I broke down in South West France on 11th September in my Tuscan. (although I am blaming the petrol I bought 30 minutes before).
I am in the German ADAC with full European cover at €79,50 per year. (first year costs €83,-)
I was recovered from a French Autoroute Service Station by a Peugot Dealer.
A rental car was provided for me to continue my travels and allowing me to follow my original travel schedule.
When I reached Dover 4 days later and dropped the car off, there was another waiting for me in Dover.

ADAC just informed my my car will arrive at the UK workshop of my choice on Wednesday or Thursday this week.
Both the German and French support have been excellent.

My point being that even if you have a problem your plans dont have to be screwed up. All the worry has been taken away and apart from one day of sulking over not having my Tuscan for some great French roads, the holiday wasnt spoiled.

Your plan sounds great.

Edited by so called on Tuesday 27th September 08:55

[RicSpeedSix]

thanks - I've decided I was being a pussy and to just go for it

Any recommendations as to what I should pack? spare throttle cable etc?

[DAVEY DEE]

Just make sure your breakdown cover has good European cover,have a sat nav so you can tell em where you are,a jerry can of fuel,& a shed load of pringles!

If she's covered abroad,don't worry.If it does go wrong,(more speech material)have it taken back to Jason & she'll be ready for when you finish your honeymoon

No doubt you've got enough to worry about so don't let your other woman be another.Sounds like a great trip,enjoy.

Now go wake up Johnny foreigner with that new exhaust!
Regards & best wishes.

[so called]

I normally only take the very basics such as oil and a few tools like a knife, a screw driver, a pair of pliers and a roll of poly tape.
Apart from that you need a first aid kit, a warning triangle, a high vis jacket and a set of spare bulbs,
Sun glasses, cork screw......

Edited by so called on Tuesday 27th September 08:57

Edited by so called on Tuesday 27th September 09:24

[mattrosersv]

Did similar for my brothers wedding he in his S3 with his Future Mrs and I went in my chimaera.

Great place to get married and a great place for cruising around after the event.

My only advice is be careful on some of the Italian roads, I bottomed out on motorway at reasonable speed and broke a drop link.

My brother has been back since twice in our shared Cerb and Broke down last time (clutch) but as previous poster said breakdown cover means this should be a minor inconvenience,

For breakdown cover abroad I only have experience of Green Flag which worked out fine. Brother had RAC and they made a bit of a hash of it, but maybe he was just unlucky.

Between us we have been all over Europe in our TVRs and each time has been a fantastic experience, even with the two breakdowns.

[so called]

Oh, a GPS is also useful.

[truck71]

Just been to Tuscany and back (Cortona ultimately) did 2700 miles in 2 weeks. TVR's come into their own on the continent once freed from the claustrophobic British infrastructure. As has been mentioned get comprehensive breakdown cover, don't forget to tell them when you're going (and your insurers). Take spare tyre weld, the main alternator fuse, a power steering fuse and top up water and you should be fine.

Lots of myths about driving ion Italy, sure they're a bit impatient but otherwise far better than the UK driving standards. Road surface quality can be irregular but again no worse than UK. The toll roads are not consistent in system, some you take a ticket some you pay up front and the methods of payment are not always clear plus passenger won't reach the machines from the seat- pull to the right and allow room for door to be opened and avoid a scratched door!. Motorway signs are in green rather than blue for France/UK which can catch you out to start with. Petrol is rather expensive especially for high octane stuff. Depends where you're headed in Tuscany but if you can take the SS10 from Maranello to Pistoia- better than the Alps in my opinion.

Enjoy- it's the business and everyone will love your car!

[Johnniem]

DAVEY DEE said:

Just make sure your breakdown cover has good European cover,have a sat nav so you can tell em where you are,a jerry can of fuel,& a shed load of pringles!

If she's covered abroad,don't worry.If it does go wrong,(more speech material)have it taken back to Jason & she'll be ready for when you finish your honeymoon

No doubt you've got enough to worry about so don't let your other woman be another.Sounds like a great trip,enjoy.

Now go wake up Johnny foreigner with that new exhaust!
Regards & best wishes.

+ 1 with the added note to make sure you get 5* Europe Assistance with the AA. I just got back from a Euro hoon in Spain. Luckily all went well for me but one of the Tiv (T350) was new to the owner and he totalled it at approx 40 mph (armco barrier on one side and mud bank on the other!) He had Green Flag but it doesn't cover accidents, only breakdowns!!

Enjoy the hoon! The Italians will really appreciate the T350 too! In fact everyone except the Brits love a loud sports car. Here they just reckon we are hooligans! Natch!

[AutoAndy]

RicSpeedSix said:

thanks - I've decided I was being a pussy and to just go for it

Any recommendations as to what I should pack? spare throttle cable etc?

Beer money.

The car will be fine... How many miles have you done since the last break down!

We drove 15 "S"s to the alps last year - all 20 years old. The only problem was the guy in a Griff who ran into a French car!