Driving to Italy for the 1st time.

[bertg]

If you do drive round Milan, then be aware motorway tolls are collected by camera (like Dartford crossing) not at toll booths. So you have to go online to register your car and make a payment. Details here

Thanks very much, very useful indeed, as we have to head towards Milan then branch off to our final destination of Venice then i guess this is relevant.

 

[bertg]

thanks everyone for the tips i do get the car regularly serviced by MB so apart from a new set of tyres i should be good to go.

 

[umblecumbuz]

I'd worry about the drivers in some Italian towns more than I would worry about your car. Don't think there are any road rules over there - they just cut in and smile at you.

Avoid Milan.
Far worse if you cross over to Sicily.
Dents are street cred there.

 

[bertg]

As long as it's been serviced it should be perfectly fine for the journey.

I'd have some breakdown cover just in case, some nice travel sweets and a decent playlist, that would be about it for me.

Tyres at the correct pressure for extended high speed driving goes without saying (although I just did...)

Silly question, do we still need beam benders? I thought that the beam on my 2013 B class adjusts automatically!!

 

[Blobcat]

Silly question, do we still need beam benders? I thought that the beam on my 2013 B class adjusts automatically!!

It depends... Some are so flat as not to need, some need and some you can switch (either in the dash or by a lever in the light)
RTFM is unfortunately the option for your actual car and what lights you actually have

 

[LostKiwi]

A quick rule of thumb:
If you have LED lights you're probably ok as is.
If you have HiD you can probably flick s lever.
If you have H7 bulbs you'll probably need beam benders.

As above though, RTFM to be sure.
A quick check is to shine the lights at a wall on low beam. If the beam pattern is horizontal you're good to go. If the pattern kicks up to the left you'll need to figure out how to sort it.

 

[andys320]

Just back from a round trip to Lake Garda in my 10 year old 116k E-class, as stated as long as car is serviced i think you'll be fine. Be aware if using autoroute and autostrada toll costs exceed any diesel costs!

 

[Craiglxviii]

Our 2018 summer trip to Italy in an 18 year old, 160k mile car. Normal service a few months prior to the trip; check of fluids, tyre pressure before we left, that was it.

Some Alpine scenery.


It’s all about maintaining the average speed!




This is the town square of Assisi.


And yes, we really DID squeeze an S class through that gap.

 

[NJS5]

Some nice photographs there. I recognise Florence & Assisi.

Do beware of the various Italian Police forces. Tickets can, are are, issued for 1kph over the signed limit!

They also record all infringements committed by foreign motorists. The punishment for foreign drivers having built up 20 penalty points in 1-year time is a 2-year ban from driving in Italy. In case they have built up 20 penalty points in 2-year time the punishment is a 1-year ban from driving in Italy. In case they have built up 20 penalty points in a period of 2 to 3 years the punishment is a 6-month ban from driving in Italy. In addition to the speeding offences above, these offences will reward you with points (there are many more): Driving on a red light – 6 points No seat-belts – 5 points Drive in the left lane, when the right lane is free – 4 points

http://www.speedingeurope.com/italy/

France too are much stricter than they were in the past.

NJSS