Driving down to south of France

[taylor20]

Hi all

Just wanted peoples opinion/advice. I have my 'new' 1984 230E and plan to drive her through France cool:) this summer (approx 2000miles). Any advice - I have changed engine oil etc - what tools/spares should I take etc....

Thanks

Rich

 

[anyweb]

a fan belt and adjustable spanners

 

[simon_wall69]

Hi all

Just wanted peoples opinion/advice. I have my 'new' 1984 230E and plan to drive her through France cool:) this summer (approx 2000miles). Any advice - I have changed engine oil etc - what tools/spares should I take etc....

Thanks

Rich

Beware the gendarmes - they have been doing frequent checks for viz vests, beam benders, warning triangles and such.

 

[Myros]

a radical pair of sunglasses

and some smooth lounge jazz with which to bemuse the locals. Miles Davis will do.
Have a look elsewhere about fluorescent lifejackets in another thread. Lots of good advice there.

 

[thlonguk]

A French-English auto translation book is a useful start. Knowing how to ask for brake service or air for the tyres etc.

 

[jp williams]

Hi all

Just wanted peoples opinion/advice. I have my 'new' 1984 230E and plan to drive her through France cool:) this summer (approx 2000miles). Any advice - I have changed engine oil etc - what tools/spares should I take etc....

Thanks

Rich

The main route from Paris to Montpellier now goes via the Millau Bridge---you really must see it and cross it. A wonder to behold.

Happy motoring

Regards

 

[alan782]

Also be wary when using toll roads as the Law Enforcement use your Ticket to work out your speed and fine you accordingly if you were speeding.

 

[hawk20]

Hi all

Just wanted peoples opinion/advice. I have my 'new' 1984 230E and plan to drive her through France cool:) this summer (approx 2000miles). Any advice - I have changed engine oil etc - what tools/spares should I take etc....

Thanks

Rich

We did the trip last year. Biggest godsend was a cheapish Garmin with euro maps. Took all the stress out of finding our way, plus hotels etc etc. Also it has petrol stations, places to eat, ATMs and so much more. Really useful. And when you park the car and go off to explore a new town or whatever, you save the positon where the car is and take the Garmin with you. It will guide you to all the places you want to see and take you back to your car afterwards.

AND it has all French speed cameras in it, which is useful, and even warns you where the handheld mobile units are. Can save you lots of bother. Halfords will advise which to buy and set it up and show you how to use. It is tres easy.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

The main route from Paris to Montpellier now goes via the Millau Bridge---you really must see it and cross it. A wonder to behold.

Happy motoring

Regards

Agreed - a spectacular piece of architecture, British designed of course!

There is an excellent 'viewing park' before the actual bridge (it's well signposted). It's a good place to stop and take some photographs.

You will soon realise that the French have something the British do NOT have - lane discipline.!!

Have a safe trip, and enjoy it.

 

[rf065]

AND it has all French speed cameras in it, which is useful, and even warns you where the handheld mobile units are. Can save you lots of bother.

I thought that was illegal in France & they can confiscate your car if you are caught using it?

Russ

 

[JEZ.S320L]

I thought that was illegal in France & they can confiscate your car if you are caught using it?

Russ

I think that refers to stand-alone radar detectors, not sat navs.

 

[rf065]

I think you're right, it is maybe Switzerland that will confiscate them & that is why the Swiss cameras were taken off the pocketgps database.

Russ

 

[teddycatkin]

rf--Check out car before going oil tyres water ect. --then get a proper petrol can and fill it 3/4 full -2 ltre clean water- 1ltre oil-check spare is ok-towrope-wheelbrace small toolkit and jack -you need by law the warning triangle -2x reflective jackets ( on display on parcel shelf )night driving glasses are good.
If you have not booked Seafrance are a lot better than PO and usually cheaper --you can go even cheaper Norfolk Line -- best time to drive weekdays at night or very early morning and cheaper crossings
I have probably missed things I always do --once got up the ramp at Dover to check in after a 280 mile drive--with no passport !
Have a good adventure--Teddy

 

[Blobcat]

Also be wary when using toll roads as the Law Enforcement use your Ticket to work out your speed and fine you accordingly if you were speeding.

Urban myth

 

[Blobcat]

rf--Check out car before going oil tyres water ect. --then get a proper petrol can and fill it 3/4 full -2 ltre clean water- 1ltre oil-check spare is ok-towrope-wheelbrace small toolkit and jack -you need by law the warning triangle -2x reflective jackets ( on display on parcel shelf )night driving glasses are good.
If you have not booked Seafrance are a lot better than PO and usually cheaper --you can go even cheaper Norfolk Line -- best time to drive weekdays at night or very early morning and cheaper crossings
I have probably missed things I always do --once got up the ramp at Dover to check in after a 280 mile drive--with no passport !
Have a good adventure--Teddy

I wouldn't carry fuel around, apart from the fire risk the smell can be enough to give headaches when the fuel gets hot. I would check that the fuel gauge works correctly and if driving off the main roads on a Sunday make sure you have plenty of fuel.
I've done it quite a few times on the bikes and not managed to run out even with only 140 miles per tank on the bike.

 

[teddycatkin]

If you dont carry fuel around --in the tank -you dont go far ! --no difference in a proper can in the boot --if it smells then you aint closed it and fire risk every car must be one then ?----I have stopped many times to help a fellow motorist like you who is stranded miles from anywhere -sometimes at night and has run out of fuel for various reasons--but refuse to carry a spare can !

 

[Blobcat]

If you dont carry fuel around --in the tank -you dont go far ! --no difference in a proper can in the boot --if it smells then you aint closed it and fire risk every car must be one then ?----I have stopped many times to help a fellow motorist like you who is stranded miles from anywhere -sometimes at night and has run out of fuel for various reasons--but refuse to carry a spare can !

Don't get it, there is a fuel guage on the dashboard that if working correctly will tell you how much fuel you have left. With this information you can decide the best time and place to refuel.
There is a big difference between the cars fuel tank and a spare can in the boot from a safety perspective. You are also carrying around excess weight for not other reason than it may come in useful, however how many times have you had to use it because you ran out of fuel? I'm not saying that it isn't a good thing to help fellow motorists who are in need (I've changed many wheels for people at the side of the road) but I wouldn't go around with a can of fuel just because I may come across someone who has ran out (unless I decided to work for the AA or RAC).

 

[hawk20]

I thought that was illegal in France & they can confiscate your car if you are caught using it?

Russ

I think it is radar detectors that are illegal. The Garmin uses posted info to show where the cameras are.

 

[alan782]

Urban myth

No it isnt, i had a fine to prove it whene i was doing a casino in Le Touquet and used the Toll Motorway twice a week for 6 months.

 

[Jay Gee]

I thought that was illegal in France & they can confiscate your car if you are caught using it?

Russ

I also thought that a speed camera warning device was illegal in France,possibly just ones that warn of non fixed detectors??.I'm assuming this is your first time(for a while?) of driving in France,so,hi viz vests for all occupants to be kept in the car(not the boot).If you wear spectacles to drive,you must have a spare pair.Spare set of bulbs.Have a great time with that nice car