Cerbera to the South of France

[Alastairm]

Anyone done it? If so how did you get on? Was the heat in the summer too much for it and did you need to fettle it on the way down or back up?

Can they handle 3000 miles in 10 days for example?

[simonsparrow]

Only done Le Mans three times and Spa once. Was very hot this year at Le Mans, 40 degrees on the way back on sunday. Car was fine, but I wish that I'd fixed the aircon

[gazzab]

mine didnt really like the heat of 40+ degrees whilst in traffic but once on the go it was fine.

Might be worth upgrading the rad if going again.

[PetrolTed]

Yep, I did 3,000 miles in 10 days at the beginning of September. We went down to Italy on Eurohoon

The heat wasn't a major problem. A small pinprick in the radiator did manifest itself but that was cured with a radweld type product.

The most heat we encountered was probably only 25 degrees but we sat in a few traffic jams in that without any problem.

We had problems with the starter motor when hot, () but that was an ongoing problem from before we left.

Make sure the cooling system is in tip-top condition before you go and get it serviced a few weeks before you go and you'll be fine.

[speed8]

Not quite the South of France but we took the cerb to Bordeaux/Arcachon area about 2 months after buying the car. The only fettling needed was checking the oil and water. Temperatures were fairly high in the mid 30's, town traffic was fine.
It wasn't quite 3000 miles but still about 2500 over 10 days.

Like said, if the cooling system is ok then that's half the worry over with. If you are planning 3000 miles then you are probably not too many miles from the last service anyway.

[rmaurer]

I've been considering a similar journey to the South of France and maybe northern Italy next May/June. I spent 3 weeks touring round the south of France and the Alps a couple of years ago in my Chimaera and thoroughly enjoyed it!

I was wondering if it would be worth replacing the smaller cooling fan (car has aircon) with the larger spec one, as I can't understand why they are different sizes. That should increase the airflow through the rad when stationary and at slow speeds. The only problem I can see would be the front engine tray needing modifying to provide space for the larger fan.

Is there any reason why the smaller fan can't/shouldn't be uprated?

[easto]

Yep, did it in July. Only did about 1600 miles.
high temps experienced, however it coped well until the fan switch / sensor failed. Expansion tank released, sat in a busy toll booth queue.

Wouldnt put me of though. just unlucky

[DeathRace2005]

Lux - Leeds and back in 4 days 1600 miles and the only prob was in 1 hour traffic jams either side of London. Each time the second fan cut in the car has to be kept on throttle to stop her stalling !

[RUSSELLM]

I've bought the missus a Robbie Williams ticket for Milan on the 22/07/06, and I'm considering driving there.

My friend said that between the tolls in France, they can work out your average speed (makes sense) & fine you if neccesary, is that right or is he talking crap ?

[GCerbera]

I've done a few trips abroad all without incident - just a joy to do.
The usual Le Mans with 30+ degree temps to contend with and she was fine.

It also completed an excellent 2000 mile round trip with Driving Adventures
in September without incident and will be going out on another next year.

Only issue to watch for when hot, don't stop and restart the car a few times in
quick succession (queuing for fuel etc) as you'll get fuel vaporisation problems
for a short while.

[PetrolTed]

RUSSELLM said:

My friend said that between the tolls in France, they can work out your average speed (makes sense) & fine you if neccesary, is that right or is he talking crap ?

Urban myth although everyone seems to know someone who's it's "really" happened to.

However, the French police are hot on speeding now so it's not wise to really tank it anyway.

You could go down via Germany instead?

[targarama]

No toll road timing, but they do use a hidden camera car instead and pull you while you're paying at the toll plaza. Sometimes the camera is in an innocuous estate car on the hard shoulder(usually dark blue), or they also use a tiny tripod hidden in the shade under a bridge and pull whole convoys of speeders a few miles later en-masse.

I'm quite surprised the Top Gear boys didn't get a tug from Les Flics on the way down to Millau on the show last night. Or maybe they didn't show that bit. Why the heck did TG go into a hotel in the centre of Paris?

Following a number of brushes with the French Police, my next driving trip will involve extra careful speeding in France while heading for the fun roads of Germany and the Alps (I think they may still have an APB against me too ... but I'm sure they didn't get my plate on that occassion as I was overtaking a caravan when they tried to pull me )

[easto]

I got tugged in France..
Very resonably dealt with - no documents (due to being sent of in UK for 3 points!)but they didnt seem to mind
90 euro fine, on my way. Still got the receipt as well, so i dont think it was a cash in the back pocket job.

Loads of feds around the toll booths when i went...spoiled a few of the side by side drags to the m'ways!

[DeathRace2005]

PetrolTed said:

RUSSELLM said: My friend said that between the tolls in France, they can work out your average speed (makes sense) & fine you if neccesary, is that right or is he talking crap ? Urban myth although everyone seems to know someone who's it's "really" happened to. However, the French police are hot on speeding now so it's not wise to really tank it anyway. You could go down via Germany instead?

Myth it is not ! They move around and just turn up at the toll booths on a whim. If you're unlucky, you're unlucky. Fortunately they are generally PH-type enthusiasts and consider TVRs as individual as their god-given right to strike (Sorry to all those attempting-to-cross today) Russ, you'll get away with it anyway - especially when you tell them about your Oil Pressure and Calipers !!

Lemme Know and I'll try and meet up somewhere !

[RUSSELLM]

Hi Paul, I could get to Lux on the Thursday night (20th July), might have the boss with me, but I'm trying to convince her to fly out there on her own broom stick / plane.

2000 miles of "I've got a bad back, this car is uncomfortable, do you have to go that fast, it's like being on a go kart" will inevitably meen me having to kill her.

[spaceboy]

Sure should be no problem! I completed cannonball run last september. London to Rome, then back home. This included lap of the ring. Lot's of fast driving - speedin fines etc. Kept up with F430 and DB9 on the autobahn.
The year before - London to Monaco in a chimaera - easy.