Driving to Germany
Discussion
In 2001, I went to the Nurburgring and back in my 6 year old Chimaera 500, staying in F1 motels in Lille and Charleroi en route. Had a blast. Still got a polo shirt I bought from the shop. People were taking photos of it in the paddock area, although the Cerbera light conversion on the front at the time was quite new.
The low emissions stuff mentioned above is news to me, but I would advise good breakdown cover (not because they are fragile, mine never did break down, but because parts will be almost non-existant, and you don't have a full size spare). The most surprising thing is just how much stuff you can fit ion the boot to bring back with you.
The low emissions stuff mentioned above is news to me, but I would advise good breakdown cover (not because they are fragile, mine never did break down, but because parts will be almost non-existant, and you don't have a full size spare). The most surprising thing is just how much stuff you can fit ion the boot to bring back with you.
Thanks for the comments people., I was sort of aware of an emission tax, relevant if you want to drive into Munich as I understood it, so I need to investigate further.
I take your point about the spares availability, so yes will arrange some cover, but will still take basic tools with me, just in case.
The more I think about what could go wrong, the more I ask my self; should I be really be doing this? I am hoping the benefits will out weigh the risks.
I take your point about the spares availability, so yes will arrange some cover, but will still take basic tools with me, just in case.
The more I think about what could go wrong, the more I ask my self; should I be really be doing this? I am hoping the benefits will out weigh the risks.
PxMetro said:
Thanks for the comments people., I was sort of aware of an emission tax, relevant if you want to drive into Munich as I understood it, so I need to investigate further.
I take your point about the spares availability, so yes will arrange some cover, but will still take basic tools with me, just in case.
The more I think about what could go wrong, the more I ask my self; should I be really be doing this? I am hoping the benefits will out weigh the risks.
no need to worry about the emissions as the car is on non german plates. be carefull not to hoon at road building sites and in front of munich. cant tell if the sent the speeding tickets to the UK.I take your point about the spares availability, so yes will arrange some cover, but will still take basic tools with me, just in case.
The more I think about what could go wrong, the more I ask my self; should I be really be doing this? I am hoping the benefits will out weigh the risks.
don´t forget to take some spare parts e.g. throttle cable some relays just in case
I did The Ring and a week of touring about 3 years ago in my old 4.6, had a brilliant time.
We toured a lot off motorway, hood down all the time, fantastic.
The Germans are such accomodating people and loved the car.
I took minimal tools, usual ignition spares and a couple of cans of tyre weld.
We stayed at such nice places that I never put the roof on for the week, it stayed in the boot even at night.
The only downside for me was every time I flexed my basic knowledge of the German language, they replied in perfect English!
Do it!
We toured a lot off motorway, hood down all the time, fantastic.
The Germans are such accomodating people and loved the car.
I took minimal tools, usual ignition spares and a couple of cans of tyre weld.
We stayed at such nice places that I never put the roof on for the week, it stayed in the boot even at night.
The only downside for me was every time I flexed my basic knowledge of the German language, they replied in perfect English!
Do it!
For the munich area there is 'Auto Sautter' with knowledge of TVRs (http://www.auto-sautter.de/)
There is also a list on http://www.acs-pro.de/index_2.html and the guy running this shop/website knows everything about the TVR repair scene in Germany. Maybe you should write down his number (http://www.acs-pro.de/6.html). He also supplies all kind of spare parts.
There is also a list on http://www.acs-pro.de/index_2.html and the guy running this shop/website knows everything about the TVR repair scene in Germany. Maybe you should write down his number (http://www.acs-pro.de/6.html). He also supplies all kind of spare parts.
Hi PXmetro,
I drove down to Heidleberg, Freiburg, castle Neuschwanstein (Near Munich) and Nordschlife a few years ago and apart from the terrible weather it was a blast. The car did use a lot more oil after a few days on the autobahn so definitely take 1-2 litres and check every day. An up to date sat nav took all the stress out of roads that are other wise a joy to drive on (Belgian roads terrible!). There are a few stretches of road with the unrestricted '3 line' signs, but they become restricted at junctions and the speed limits drop quickly and are often enforced with mobile speed cameras/plod - you have been warned!
I didn't see that many cars doing much more 100mph+, but as others have said, if a few locals are out for a high speed blast then a car that can appear to be a mile behind you when you pullout can be right up your jacksy within a minute. The German's like unusual performance cars and I found a lot of people wanted to see what car we were driving!
It's easy to get hung up an what spares to take with you. I took one box which mainly had all fluids as well as spanners, relays, HT leads, rotor arm, tape, cable ties, wrench. The only other things were the essential first aid kit, warning triangle, hi-viz, headlight deflectors, GB sticker etc...
Have a great time, I must consider another Euro-hoon next year, Norway always appeals!
I drove down to Heidleberg, Freiburg, castle Neuschwanstein (Near Munich) and Nordschlife a few years ago and apart from the terrible weather it was a blast. The car did use a lot more oil after a few days on the autobahn so definitely take 1-2 litres and check every day. An up to date sat nav took all the stress out of roads that are other wise a joy to drive on (Belgian roads terrible!). There are a few stretches of road with the unrestricted '3 line' signs, but they become restricted at junctions and the speed limits drop quickly and are often enforced with mobile speed cameras/plod - you have been warned!
I didn't see that many cars doing much more 100mph+, but as others have said, if a few locals are out for a high speed blast then a car that can appear to be a mile behind you when you pullout can be right up your jacksy within a minute. The German's like unusual performance cars and I found a lot of people wanted to see what car we were driving!
It's easy to get hung up an what spares to take with you. I took one box which mainly had all fluids as well as spanners, relays, HT leads, rotor arm, tape, cable ties, wrench. The only other things were the essential first aid kit, warning triangle, hi-viz, headlight deflectors, GB sticker etc...
Have a great time, I must consider another Euro-hoon next year, Norway always appeals!
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