Car swap - who wants an AMG Merc for 3 months?
Discussion
XC60 with (wait for it)....heated steering wheel!
Surprisingly good!
Sadly only 2WD, although we have Thule easy-fit chains - they are WELL worth the money the first time you pop them on as a blizzard increases - took me about 2 minutes, and we cruised on up to Arc 2000, passing many vehicles. Also have winter wheels/tyres, which puts off the need for chains a little bit. Mind you, I've taken out SMax up there when loads have been by the side struggling with their chains - the tyres make a difference!
Sounds like a helluva break, I am sure you & the fam will have a great time!
Surprisingly good!
Sadly only 2WD, although we have Thule easy-fit chains - they are WELL worth the money the first time you pop them on as a blizzard increases - took me about 2 minutes, and we cruised on up to Arc 2000, passing many vehicles. Also have winter wheels/tyres, which puts off the need for chains a little bit. Mind you, I've taken out SMax up there when loads have been by the side struggling with their chains - the tyres make a difference!
Sounds like a helluva break, I am sure you & the fam will have a great time!
Mcfazz79 said:
I would gladly proffer my 2010 FFRR TDV8 Vogue SE - with the essential rear screens to entertain the infant child....
I have also recently replaced the well know and highly temperamental ventilated seat heater unit and intercooler pipes so no risk of blanket fogging the continentals on the mountain passes.
I have also recently replaced the well know and highly temperamental ventilated seat heater unit and intercooler pipes so no risk of blanket fogging the continentals on the mountain passes.
Hah – you go away for a boozy lunch and all hell breaks loose on the thread! This is brilliant!
To answer some questions in order: where am I going? Morzine, in the Portes du Soleil. Renting a chalet, so not a small endeavour. So your vehicle will be garaged overnight and perfectly safe (not that vehicle crime is a thing over there, frankly)
The car will be used not quite daily, as we are a walk to the local Nyon lift. Major uses will be driving to the Ardent lifts to access Avoriaz, and for regular trips to Chamonix.
Snow socks/tyres on the Merc will not do (and frankly I’d rather not have one thing to put on/take off). My favourite place to ski from is the Ardent car park, for swift access to my favourite areas. That means an icy, snowy, car park. Fine for a snow tyre shod fwd car, or 4x4 on normal tyres. My CLS will be horrendous there. And as I have said, I like to go out in the worst weather, as that’s when the powder happens. BSS speed skier Jan Farrell, who uses a CLS63, is not a powder hound. I am. So I’d like a 4x4 over the AMG. As for putting winters on the CLS, read Chris Harris report of doing that on this very car. I think he described it as “scary”. If the Monkey found my car frightening on winters, I’ll drive a proper 4x4, thanks!
To walm, who has offered a Nissan GTR. I love you. My wife, however, will not. If you ever fancy a driving swap back in Old Blighty, I would be happy to oblige!
W00dy – I’ve followed your Espace Quadra purchase on the retro thread. I love it. But I’d like something a bit less, well, mental. And yes, I do own a fluorescent, one-piece ski suit and reflective wayfarer sunglasses. Genuinely.
With immense gratitude to everyone who has offered cars (what a place PH is!), I am very much leaning to the Range Rovers. Partly because I really wanted to buy one, but scratched the AMG itch instead, and partly because it is pretty much the perfect winter vehicle to me. The CLS is very luxurious inside and is a special place to be – it would be nice to drive something with a similar sense of occasion in the Alps…
To answer some questions in order: where am I going? Morzine, in the Portes du Soleil. Renting a chalet, so not a small endeavour. So your vehicle will be garaged overnight and perfectly safe (not that vehicle crime is a thing over there, frankly)
The car will be used not quite daily, as we are a walk to the local Nyon lift. Major uses will be driving to the Ardent lifts to access Avoriaz, and for regular trips to Chamonix.
Snow socks/tyres on the Merc will not do (and frankly I’d rather not have one thing to put on/take off). My favourite place to ski from is the Ardent car park, for swift access to my favourite areas. That means an icy, snowy, car park. Fine for a snow tyre shod fwd car, or 4x4 on normal tyres. My CLS will be horrendous there. And as I have said, I like to go out in the worst weather, as that’s when the powder happens. BSS speed skier Jan Farrell, who uses a CLS63, is not a powder hound. I am. So I’d like a 4x4 over the AMG. As for putting winters on the CLS, read Chris Harris report of doing that on this very car. I think he described it as “scary”. If the Monkey found my car frightening on winters, I’ll drive a proper 4x4, thanks!
To walm, who has offered a Nissan GTR. I love you. My wife, however, will not. If you ever fancy a driving swap back in Old Blighty, I would be happy to oblige!
W00dy – I’ve followed your Espace Quadra purchase on the retro thread. I love it. But I’d like something a bit less, well, mental. And yes, I do own a fluorescent, one-piece ski suit and reflective wayfarer sunglasses. Genuinely.
With immense gratitude to everyone who has offered cars (what a place PH is!), I am very much leaning to the Range Rovers. Partly because I really wanted to buy one, but scratched the AMG itch instead, and partly because it is pretty much the perfect winter vehicle to me. The CLS is very luxurious inside and is a special place to be – it would be nice to drive something with a similar sense of occasion in the Alps…
Harry Flashman said:
To walm, who has offered a Nissan GTR. I love you. My wife, however, will not. If you ever fancy a driving swap back in Old Blighty, I would be happy to oblige!
Assuming you are back in time...Goodwood
Friday April 26th 2019
https://ticketing.goodwood.com/PagesPublic/Product...
You know it makes sense...!
W00DY said:
Much rarer than any of the other suggestions. It's a Quadra with working 4WD and yellow fogs (a legal requirement when driving in France*)
I shall finish my application with a vision of your future. Magnifique:
*Possibly.
Harry; small world; I have a place in Morzine and live half the year there. In fact, I’m heading out there day after tomorrow; in a Disco... someone on the thread has offered you one; there’s no better road going snowmobile than a Disco 4 on snow tyres. I’ve had a 4matic ML over there in bad conditions and it did well too.
Aside from all that. I have an old 4x4 RAV4 that lives in Morzine all year round. If you found a way to get over in your Merc, you’re welcome to it whilst you’re there, as I’m not sure I’ll be there that period. It’s had me up to Avoriaz in the worst conditions.
Amazing photographs by the way!
Aside from all that. I have an old 4x4 RAV4 that lives in Morzine all year round. If you found a way to get over in your Merc, you’re welcome to it whilst you’re there, as I’m not sure I’ll be there that period. It’s had me up to Avoriaz in the worst conditions.
Amazing photographs by the way!
TheJimi said:
Mcfazz79 said:
TDV8 Vogue SE has remote/timed parking heater - so arriving back after a day of snow and -20 to a clear car and 24 degrees ambient temperature might at that time make it the greatest thing ever invented.
This. Is. Awesome.How does it work? Via an app on your phone?
We have a different set up on our crappy little run around we keep in Sweden, it's a heater in the front passenger footwell that can be remotely triggered from the house and you get into a warm car.
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