Anyone used French AutoTrain (Paris-Nice)?

[kryten22uk]

Looking at booking the AutoTrain (its the one where you travel down independently of the car) from Paris down to Nice this summer. Anyone used it?

Oddly the website says that Carrera2 and Carrera 2S are accepted, but Carrera4 and turbo are too big. I thought S, 4S and Turbo were all same dimensions? Either way I'm booking in as a 2S and hope they dont notice.

[cragswinter]

I thought they'd stopped this thing-can you post up a link? Does mean you miss out on the route napolean though-don't suppose you can get off at Grenoble?!

[Diesel130]

if you're referring to the 997, then the 4, 4S and turbo's are wider than the 2 and 2S.

[kryten22uk]

There are a few different types; Motorail was the one that went bust I think. This one survives but is only a freight service and you have to make your own way to your destination. You can go to a number of destinations including Avignon and Frejus which are good for south france Napolean areas. Ive already done Napolean so this year im doing the Riviera/Ventoux/Millau.

Following website is a good explanation:
http://www.seat61.com/Motorail.htm

[kryten22uk]

Diesel130 said:

if you're referring to the 997, then the 4, 4S and turbo's are wider than the 2 and 2S.

Ah! Ok, so now I hope that (a) they accept the car and (b) the margin of error they have left themselves with means that the car will still easily it and no come off with pretty go-faster stripes down the side!

[Diesel130]

kryten22uk said:

Ah! Ok, so now I hope that (a) they accept the car and (b) the margin of error they have left themselves with means that the car will still easily it and no come off with pretty go-faster stripes down the side!

From an old posting...
997 2 - Width = 1,808 mm
997 2s - 1,808 mm
997 4 - 1,852 mm
997 4s - 1,852 mm

So, assuming the turbo is the same as the 4/4S, you are 44mm wider. Hopefully their margin of error is not that small - one would assume that they leave enough room to open a door...

[madala]

....rather you than me.....

[neil-f]

madala said:

....rather you than me.....

+1 I would not like to chance it....

The fact they do not mention the turbo 997 cars suggests they don't fit!

[cragswinter]

cheers kryton,
not really worth doing in that case for me personally

[kryten22uk]

Diesel130 said:

From an old posting...
997 2 - Width = 1,808 mm
997 2s - 1,808 mm
997 4 - 1,852 mm
997 4s - 1,852 mm

So, assuming the turbo is the same as the 4/4S, you are 44mm wider. Hopefully their margin of error is not that small - one would assume that they leave enough room to open a door...

Thanks. Can't get too worried about 2cm either side; all will be fine.
I'm definitely in the live-life camp. If it gets scratched it gets scratched, and I get it a respray. Euro tours are still worth it.

[kryten22uk]

Well it was all fine. They accepted the car no problem, and plenty of width space. Very good service; you turn up at Paris Bercy, and almost immediately your car is put on the train, no hanging around in massive carparks like the old days. They cover the seats with protective sheeting, and also the steering wheel with cling-film type stuff. So quite meticulous.

Very pleased with the whole affair.

[AdvocatusD]

Ill be giving them a call soon to discuss what they can do.

I just wanted to ask if anyone has taken a Ferrari 360 Modena on board? I see from the post above that the Porsche was fine, but was just wondering if there was a specific experience I could benefit from?

The website won't let me book for the dates I want quite yet. How long before you get to pick your car up at the other end? Overnight?

Any advice, etc would be gratefully received.

Cheers!