Take the Griff to France for a holiday
Discussion
Hi everyone
So after the rebuild last year it time to take trev on first big outing down to Beaune in France… He has steadily been building mileage and had has so far behaved well!
I remember seeing a thread a long time ago on this but can I find it or anything similar I have looked honest!!!!
So 2 questions first of all is there view on which is the best breakdown cover provider to use in France, currently looked as RAC and AA… I will have full recovery back to UK, I have been let down by my brand new Audi A3 in France and that was painful
Secondly what if any spares should I take with me, now we aim to travel fast and light so we can fill the boot on the way home full of wine and cheese etc but happy to take a few specific things if needed? I remember that there is a blade fuse for the starter motor, helpfully sited on the bottom rail of the chassis worth having, anything else?
Thanks in advance alex
So after the rebuild last year it time to take trev on first big outing down to Beaune in France… He has steadily been building mileage and had has so far behaved well!
I remember seeing a thread a long time ago on this but can I find it or anything similar I have looked honest!!!!
So 2 questions first of all is there view on which is the best breakdown cover provider to use in France, currently looked as RAC and AA… I will have full recovery back to UK, I have been let down by my brand new Audi A3 in France and that was painful
Secondly what if any spares should I take with me, now we aim to travel fast and light so we can fill the boot on the way home full of wine and cheese etc but happy to take a few specific things if needed? I remember that there is a blade fuse for the starter motor, helpfully sited on the bottom rail of the chassis worth having, anything else?
Thanks in advance alex
I'm doing a similar trip this summer. My research concluded MSM Insurance for breakdown cover(£77 full year), mostly due to the age of the vehicle. AA and RAC were coming out around twice the figure. I suspect the cover is slightly better but so long as they get the car home I'm happy.
For tools and spares; certainly enough to get a wheel off, then a tool wrap with all common spanners and sockets, pliers, molegrips etc. Oil, water, brake fluid, cable ties, gaffa tape, tyre repair kit.
This is what forms my standard long distance pack for any car that isn't classed as new. The more committed in this community will have belts, coil packs, hose repair kits and anything you know the car is weak on.
For tools and spares; certainly enough to get a wheel off, then a tool wrap with all common spanners and sockets, pliers, molegrips etc. Oil, water, brake fluid, cable ties, gaffa tape, tyre repair kit.
This is what forms my standard long distance pack for any car that isn't classed as new. The more committed in this community will have belts, coil packs, hose repair kits and anything you know the car is weak on.
100A fuse, cap and rotor arm, spare known working ign amp a coil and some oil and a drop of antifreeze.maybe a spare long plug lead or two. Full tank of gas, credit card, shades. I'd be gone by now. 
My insurance company offer me good cover abroad so I was happy enough. Took a load of tools but just lugged around 30kgs for nothing really. I'd not bother with many tools other than pliers etc basics, and if anything major goes just get it home safe.
In my experience this is where the big old engines in its element and I'm sure it will be epic.
cooling system is where I'd be making my checks,if it's good your good to go I reckon.
Enjoy
My insurance company offer me good cover abroad so I was happy enough. Took a load of tools but just lugged around 30kgs for nothing really. I'd not bother with many tools other than pliers etc basics, and if anything major goes just get it home safe.
In my experience this is where the big old engines in its element and I'm sure it will be epic.
cooling system is where I'd be making my checks,if it's good your good to go I reckon. Enjoy
wuckfitracing said:
Check out ADAC for recovery across europe. The website is in German but if you ring them they speak English.
That's who I'm with. Haven't used them in anger, but easy enough to deal with.Unlike AA and RAC, they are a non-profit organisation, who do not have to satisfy shareholders. Run by motorists for motorists.
Nick
nawarne said:
wuckfitracing said:
Check out ADAC for recovery across europe. The website is in German but if you ring them they speak English.
That's who I'm with. Haven't used them in anger, but easy enough to deal with.Unlike AA and RAC, they are a non-profit organisation, who do not have to satisfy shareholders. Run by motorists for motorists.
Nick
I use AA - not had to call them out yet. Topcashback etc give money back on cover to further reduce the cost
Hi all thanks for the replies
I think that these bits are worth having deffinatley
100A fuse, cap and rotor arm, spare known working ign amp, coil
will also add in a new tyre weld puncture repair kit thingy and a pump in case there is not enough grunt in the bottle to inflate the tryre properly... you have to carrry some form of get you home solution for a recovery firm not to charge you, as I remember!
Plus a few tools pliers flat and PZ screwdriver and zip ties, and small selection of fuses but not much more!!!
ADAC sounds interesting but not being able to read the T&C's easily puts me off, as you say its when you come to use them in anger that all of these people can fall apart / leave you high and dry, and unfortunately my TVR is not my Honda Civic...
Will have at MSM and also top cash back as well, cheers, for the replies much appreciated
Alex
I think that these bits are worth having deffinatley
100A fuse, cap and rotor arm, spare known working ign amp, coil
will also add in a new tyre weld puncture repair kit thingy and a pump in case there is not enough grunt in the bottle to inflate the tryre properly... you have to carrry some form of get you home solution for a recovery firm not to charge you, as I remember!
Plus a few tools pliers flat and PZ screwdriver and zip ties, and small selection of fuses but not much more!!!
ADAC sounds interesting but not being able to read the T&C's easily puts me off, as you say its when you come to use them in anger that all of these people can fall apart / leave you high and dry, and unfortunately my TVR is not my Honda Civic...
Will have at MSM and also top cash back as well, cheers, for the replies much appreciated
Alex
Byker28i said:
However Gruffalo had issues with ADAC when his clutch failed in Belgium.
I use AA - not had to call them out yet. Topcashback etc give money back on cover to further reduce the cost
What 'issues' did you have with ADAC ?? I am with them but have not needed to use them, yet.I use AA - not had to call them out yet. Topcashback etc give money back on cover to further reduce the cost
I'm doing a very similar thing, body off chassis refurb finished just over a year ago with engine rebuild and anything else that needed attention sorted at the time. No issues since, around 2000 miles covered since, touch wood etc. Off over the Alps to Como in September and can't wait.
Breakdown with UK recovery through insurance for around £60. Going with a mate and his Chimaera so we plan on "share the spare" but taking all known weak points, Ign amp, coil, 2 plugs, 2 ht leads, dist cap & rotor, relays, fuses, throttle cable inner, alt belt, wire, terminals, gaffer tape, cable ties etc. All fits in a small bag tucked behind/under a seat. Tools wise, enough to fit parts carried plus a few spanners, pliers and a small multi meter. Wiring diagram, fuse layout etc saved on phone. If only I had a Surrey roof....
Breakdown with UK recovery through insurance for around £60. Going with a mate and his Chimaera so we plan on "share the spare" but taking all known weak points, Ign amp, coil, 2 plugs, 2 ht leads, dist cap & rotor, relays, fuses, throttle cable inner, alt belt, wire, terminals, gaffer tape, cable ties etc. All fits in a small bag tucked behind/under a seat. Tools wise, enough to fit parts carried plus a few spanners, pliers and a small multi meter. Wiring diagram, fuse layout etc saved on phone. If only I had a Surrey roof....
alexcurtis said:
Hi everyone
So after the rebuild last year it time to take trev on first big outing down to Beaune in France… He has steadily been building mileage and had has so far behaved well!
I remember seeing a thread a long time ago on this but can I find it or anything similar I have looked honest!!!!
So 2 questions first of all is there view on which is the best breakdown cover provider to use in France, currently looked as RAC and AA… I will have full recovery back to UK, I have been let down by my brand new Audi A3 in France and that was painful
Secondly what if any spares should I take with me, now we aim to travel fast and light so we can fill the boot on the way home full of wine and cheese etc but happy to take a few specific things if needed? I remember that there is a blade fuse for the starter motor, helpfully sited on the bottom rail of the chassis worth having, anything else?
Thanks in advance alex
Take one of these https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/ best spare you can take for trips around France had them for years just so much easier specially if your on your own saves getting out of the car getting ticket and paying at the other end of the toll road.So after the rebuild last year it time to take trev on first big outing down to Beaune in France… He has steadily been building mileage and had has so far behaved well!
I remember seeing a thread a long time ago on this but can I find it or anything similar I have looked honest!!!!
So 2 questions first of all is there view on which is the best breakdown cover provider to use in France, currently looked as RAC and AA… I will have full recovery back to UK, I have been let down by my brand new Audi A3 in France and that was painful
Secondly what if any spares should I take with me, now we aim to travel fast and light so we can fill the boot on the way home full of wine and cheese etc but happy to take a few specific things if needed? I remember that there is a blade fuse for the starter motor, helpfully sited on the bottom rail of the chassis worth having, anything else?
Thanks in advance alex
bomb said:
Byker28i said:
However Gruffalo had issues with ADAC when his clutch failed in Belgium.
I use AA - not had to call them out yet. Topcashback etc give money back on cover to further reduce the cost
What 'issues' did you have with ADAC ?? I am with them but have not needed to use them, yet.I use AA - not had to call them out yet. Topcashback etc give money back on cover to further reduce the cost
We were in Ghent last year, Chim had a broken carbon brush in the centre of the distributor cap (cobbles probably). Recovery wouldn't come out, wouldn't get spares. Owner ended up buying one from TVR Parts, getting it shipped next day and staying an extra day in the hotel until it came.
I think he recovered hotel costs, tunnel costs etc, but breakdown were useless.
Invest in a Surrey Folding Roof. It proved invaluable for a 5 day road trip with SWMBO.
http://www.cambria-cirrus.com/
No relation to manufacturer.
http://www.cambria-cirrus.com/
No relation to manufacturer.
I have AA membership and take out European Cover for trips abroad. I had cause to use them last year when travelling in France in my Aston (1958 so not a modern car). They were exemplary. I broke down on the Caen ring road during rush hour, it was a busy dual carriageway and frankly it was a nightmare. I called the UK AA number and I was put through to someone who also spoke fluent French. They told me to stay on the phone until support arrived which it did within 5 mins. a van with a flashing lights to block off the carriageway behind me. Within another 3 mins the flat bed arrived and I was off the road within a total of 15 mins. All the time the AA person talked to me and the French recovery team. I was transported to a French garage who offloaded the car, made arrangements with Brittany Ferries to put me on a later crossing, then later that evening re-loaded the car, put it on the ferry and made arrangements for it to be met at Portsmouth. From there I was transported home. Next day the AA took the car down to the specialist in Wiltshire for repair. It was a capacitor!!! You hear so much criticism of the AA but I was so impressed I have to balance the picture.
I'm with the ADAC for 10 years now.
They have recovered my first Tuscan from Germany back to the UK on two occasions without any problems and supported by rental car etc.
They recovered my current Tuscan vert from Southern France to UK three years ago, again no problem and gave me a rental for the four day scheduled trip up to Calais with another rental waiting in Dover. What impressed me on the French recovery was the attitude of the French recovery guy. He was delighted when I said ADAC.
I drive down to Spain every year and only take the mandatory spare bulbs, warning triangle, first aid kit etc. and a few basic tools.
(only three weeks to go )
Safe Travels.
They have recovered my first Tuscan from Germany back to the UK on two occasions without any problems and supported by rental car etc.
They recovered my current Tuscan vert from Southern France to UK three years ago, again no problem and gave me a rental for the four day scheduled trip up to Calais with another rental waiting in Dover. What impressed me on the French recovery was the attitude of the French recovery guy. He was delighted when I said ADAC.
I drive down to Spain every year and only take the mandatory spare bulbs, warning triangle, first aid kit etc. and a few basic tools.
(only three weeks to go
)Safe Travels.
bomb said:
Byker28i said:
However Gruffalo had issues with ADAC when his clutch failed in Belgium.
I use AA - not had to call them out yet. Topcashback etc give money back on cover to further reduce the cost
What 'issues' did you have with ADAC ?? I am with them but have not needed to use them, yet.I use AA - not had to call them out yet. Topcashback etc give money back on cover to further reduce the cost
Forget who it was, but chap broke down near/in Nice, call to ADAC had transporter on it's way within 1/2 hour and a hire car organised from local branch of Eurocar. Follow up call later from ADAC requesting which garage in UK to deliver vehicle to.
It was a failed ECU.
Pretty good service I'd say.
Nick
I'm with LV and their breakdown service is excellent - shame I know that 
My TVR S1 broke down last year at Le Mans - 40 degC and the fuse/relay box started failing.
They uplifted the car and transported my mate and myself home to Teesside - taxi - train to Paris - flights and Enterprise hire car. Well worth the extra £26 for European cover - it is costed for the remainder of the years policy (much cheaper than taking for full year)
The policy I have covers any car and trailer for my wife and myself plus a named car(my daughters) all for less than £90.
My TVR S1 broke down last year at Le Mans - 40 degC and the fuse/relay box started failing.
They uplifted the car and transported my mate and myself home to Teesside - taxi - train to Paris - flights and Enterprise hire car. Well worth the extra £26 for European cover - it is costed for the remainder of the years policy (much cheaper than taking for full year)
The policy I have covers any car and trailer for my wife and myself plus a named car(my daughters) all for less than £90.
HKGriff said:
Invest in a Surrey Folding Roof. It proved invaluable for a 5 day road trip with SWMBO.
http://www.cambria-cirrus.com/
No relation to manufacturer.
There's an echo in here http://www.cambria-cirrus.com/
No relation to manufacturer.
Mr Jenks said:
I'm doing a very similar thing, body off chassis refurb finished just over a year ago with engine rebuild and anything else that needed attention sorted at the time. No issues since, around 2000 miles covered since, touch wood etc. Off over the Alps to Como in September and can't wait.
Breakdown with UK recovery through insurance for around £60. Going with a mate and his Chimaera so we plan on "share the spare" but taking all known weak points, Ign amp, coil, 2 plugs, 2 ht leads, dist cap & rotor, relays, fuses, throttle cable inner, alt belt, wire, terminals, gaffer tape, cable ties etc. All fits in a small bag tucked behind/under a seat. Tools wise, enough to fit parts carried plus a few spanners, pliers and a small multi meter. Wiring diagram, fuse layout etc saved on phone. If only I had a Surrey roof....
Just back from epic trip with Griffiths ... Hull-Rotterdam, through Germany, Black Forest, Switzerland, Splugen Pass (makes the Stelvio look like a Sunday school outing for Chimaeras) ... Como, Garda, Mille Miglia, and back via the St Gotthard, Lac Lucerne and Nurburgring FUN FUN FUN and brilliant photos and memories Breakdown with UK recovery through insurance for around £60. Going with a mate and his Chimaera so we plan on "share the spare" but taking all known weak points, Ign amp, coil, 2 plugs, 2 ht leads, dist cap & rotor, relays, fuses, throttle cable inner, alt belt, wire, terminals, gaffer tape, cable ties etc. All fits in a small bag tucked behind/under a seat. Tools wise, enough to fit parts carried plus a few spanners, pliers and a small multi meter. Wiring diagram, fuse layout etc saved on phone. If only I had a Surrey roof....
Mr Jenks said:
I'm doing a very similar thing, body off chassis refurb finished just over a year ago with engine rebuild and anything else that needed attention sorted at the time. No issues since, around 2000 miles covered since, touch wood etc. Off over the Alps to Como in September and can't wait.
Breakdown with UK recovery through insurance for around £60. Going with a mate and his Chimaera so we plan on "share the spare" but taking all known weak points, Ign amp, coil, 2 plugs, 2 ht leads, dist cap & rotor, relays, fuses, throttle cable inner, alt belt, wire, terminals, gaffer tape, cable ties etc. All fits in a small bag tucked behind/under a seat. Tools wise, enough to fit parts carried plus a few spanners, pliers and a small multi meter. Wiring diagram, fuse layout etc saved on phone. If only I had a Surrey roof....
Just back from epic trip with Griffiths ... Hull-Rotterdam, through Germany, Black Forest, Switzerland, Splugen Pass (makes the Stelvio look like a Sunday school outing for Chimaeras) ... Como, Garda, Mille Miglia, and back via the St Gotthard, Lac Lucerne and Nurburgring FUN FUN FUN and brilliant photos and memories Breakdown with UK recovery through insurance for around £60. Going with a mate and his Chimaera so we plan on "share the spare" but taking all known weak points, Ign amp, coil, 2 plugs, 2 ht leads, dist cap & rotor, relays, fuses, throttle cable inner, alt belt, wire, terminals, gaffer tape, cable ties etc. All fits in a small bag tucked behind/under a seat. Tools wise, enough to fit parts carried plus a few spanners, pliers and a small multi meter. Wiring diagram, fuse layout etc saved on phone. If only I had a Surrey roof....
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