1000 mile drive...

[russman68]

Hi Guys,

I havent really had to post much as every question i've ever had i've managed to find the answer for on here... great bunch of people, very helpful.

Ok i've had my LCR for about 7 months now and all i can say is 'what a car!'
i've somehow managed to pump 12,000 miles out of her so far... and i only live 6 miles from my work

Now though i'm reaching new heights and going on a 1000 mile roadtrip from London to Holland through Belguim to Germany to France back to Holland then to London, i'm doing this with a CTR and over the period of 6 days, 5 nights... going to be pretty insane!

Heres my question.. if you were doing this what precautions etc would you take? i have SMC cover all the way and my insurance is fine. I will be takin black tape - my favourite extra, spare oil, lots of water. anything else i should think about? maybe coilpacks as i hear these can go without warning?
any help/thoughts would be much appreciated. thanks!!

Russ.

 

[sheffboy]

A good selection of cd's

 

[russman68]

lol, got 30 CD-R's which i plan to fill up before we leave

 

[sheffboy]

Sounds like a really good trip mate. Don't know if you've driven on the autobahns before but there really fun. Just dont speed in the restricted areas or they will throw the book at you.
You'll notice that in germany people can actually drive. No lane hoggers over there. Just watch out for RUF porsches passing you at 180!

 

[autodave]

check the tread on your tyres your using at the moment, there going to take some beating over 1k. and the spare, see if its in good condition.

 

[Funkyfin2000]

coil packs for sure.... take them!!!

vag.com it if you can and check it all thru for errors...

give it an oil and filter change before you go...

check ur pads and disks....

 

[Ruddmeister]

Bulb Kit, Warning Triangle and first aid kit - compulsory in some EU Countries

Spares -
Check the obvious - Spare Wheel, locking wheel nut, jack
Maybe washer fluid (concentrate) you'll find water easy enough
Long nose pliers usefull for the side lights if you have not replaced them
If you are going to the 'Ring spare front pads and tyre pressure gauge


A Remap to make overtaking easier ;-)

 

[Ruddmeister]

VAG dealers / specilaists in these countries should be able to source parts pretty quick, pointless trying to take a spare 'everything' MAF's etc IMO

Make sure you have 2 credit cards with space on them and buy what you need

 

[russman68]

Thanks for all your replies...

for the tyres... i'm gettin four new F1's next week so thats cool, after recently having to change a wheel i know that the wheel/jack etc is fine.

I've just recently had a service and front pads changed so no problem there. Do you recommend i take 4 coil packs or realisticly am i only gonna need 1 or 2?
Vag.com is a good idea but i'm not sure if i want to drive across europe with my lappy

Ruddmeister - do you know if there is a cheapish bulb kit i can get? i.e not from stealers as i plan on getting HIDs fairly soon. Dont think i'll be attending the ring - gonna wait til next year when i have a remap and ARBs etc.

gonna take loads of pics so i'm gonna get a beesting ariel - is it best to go to honda for a s2000/civic one? and fabia rear wiper - again straight to skoda?

Thanks again!

 

[russman68]

You'll notice that in germany people can actually drive. No lane hoggers over there. Just watch out for RUF porsches passing you at 180!

will happily move over for a RUF CTR-3!!!

http://www.auto-power-girl.com/cars-2007/ruf-specifications/porsche_ruf_ctr3-1847

 

[Ruddmeister]

Ruddmeister - do you know if there is a cheapish bulb kit i can get? i.e not from stealers as i plan on getting HIDs fairly soon. Dont think i'll be attending the ring - gonna wait til next year when i have a remap and ARBs etc.

gonna take loads of pics so i'm gonna get a beesting ariel - is it best to go to honda for a s2000/civic one? and fabia rear wiper - again straight to skoda?

Thanks again!

Fabia wiper parts from Skoda

Bulbs maybe try just buying main beam and brakes or see if Halfrauds do a kit

 

[Sam20v]

Now though i'm reaching new heights and going on a 1000 mile roadtrip from London to Holland through Belguim to Germany to France back to Holland then to London, i'm doing this with a CTR and over the period of 6 days, 5 nights... going to be pretty insane!

Heres my question.. if you were doing this what precautions etc would you take? i have SMC cover all the way and my insurance is fine. I will be takin black tape - my favourite extra, spare oil, lots of water. anything else i should think about? maybe coilpacks as i hear these can go without warning?
any help/thoughts would be much appreciated. thanks!!

Russ.

In June we took the FR (beeza) on a ferry and drove through spain up into france and back to the uk (2500miles)
get the triangle kit (need it in europe, not sure if you get them with your car....we didnt have one) yellow hi vis vests and as already stated a spare bulb kit (poss a few fuses too!)....check out the AA site for driving in europe...very informative....
in spain we needed an international driving permit....(didnt bother in the end) but i dont think you need it elsewhere in europe, but take a look....good luck with it....its great fun! you may find in the deepest darkest depths of europe that other brits (UK number plated cars) will randomly flash and beep you with a wave.....such a friendly bunch abroad!!!!

 

[russman68]

Thanks everyone... Amazing, i'm really looking forward to this now.
i think i know about everything i'm going to need now. just out of curiosity does anybody know of any de-restricted autobahns or just generally good driving roads in north-west of germany? i.e between holland and france and same for in north-east france? i've been searching for well rated roads but just seeing if anyone from here has any experience.

cheers for all your help... i'll take loads of pics and vids of the drive.

 

[EMMH]

Hi took my LCR across EU during the summer and had great fun,took the usual kit but didn't bother with the coilpacks.
My LCR performed brilliantly,I even had it running continuesly for 24hours from Slovakia to Calais and took it to top speed, not a single hiccup.
You'll know when there's no restrictions on the autobahns cos the germans are passing you on well over a ton!
My only tip is to slow down a little(stick to the speed limit) when you see the sign for roadworks cos it gets very tight and narrow between you and the arctic next to you.
Also fuel prices are the same if not more expensive than here specially the higher octane we need- most expensive place I found Holland.
Have a good trip....

 

[Deleted member 16792]

take a bottle of octain booster incase you have to fill up with 95 petrol.

 

[russman68]

Do they have Shell garages out there? if not whats a good 97+ RON petrol to go for?

 

[Feel]

Sat nav with POIs for petrol stations...
A selection of hose clips and one of those halfords flexi hose screwdriver things.
Latex gloves.

The 31 is derestricted in places, I only used to do Dusseldorf to Enschede (ish) and back though.

 

[EMMH]

Never had any problem with petrol including Shell V-power,loads of them about. I stuck to the autobahn though.

 

[Nutkin]

Petrol is fine.

My advice go to tesco and get the Bulb kit and triangle and a high vis vest which is composory in switzerland and germany, you need one for every passenger in the car.

Water is good, Spare parts are fine tbh if you need to id go out and find a garage with your mate. Maybe print out some garage locations en route beforehand. Keep them in a folder with a spare map and some pin point locations.

May i also suggest a tyre weld thingie if you have a scond flat. always good to be prepared. and a fire extingquisher.

 

[jhlcr]

98 ron is at every station, dealers are good, got my pads done in france at dealers but they had never seen an r in the flesh!!!! at a dealer!! car will run forever on motorways done a 1000 miles in one, 17h none stop, have a good trip. oh and police, they can hide behind trees in europe and can hand out points now too