driving through Europe
#1
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Queens/Long Island NY
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 550i Black Saphire/Black Dakota Leather- Loaded- M5 Appearance Package, Sport Package, Pro logic 7 Premium Sound, Navigation, Cold Weather Package, Comfort Package, Heads-up Display, park Distance Control, Bluetooth, Active Steering, Electric Rear Sunshade, Rear Folding Seats, Front/Rear Heated Seats, Xenon lights, Satelite Radio- Extended Maintenance, CPO (Considering Tire/Wheel Insurance)
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Thinking of taking a week for my anniversary to drive through france,beglium and germany (starting from London by train to france). Picking up car in France and driving through to Munich.
Would this be a memorable ride with the best scenery or not worth it?
Thanks.
Would this be a memorable ride with the best scenery or not worth it?
Thanks.
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
Posts: 7,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by gregg2gs' post='819457' date='Mar 17 2009, 05:25 PM
Thinking of taking a week for my anniversary to drive through france,beglium and germany (starting from London by train to france). Picking up car in France and driving through to Munich.
Would this be a memorable ride with the best scenery or not worth it?
Thanks.
Would this be a memorable ride with the best scenery or not worth it?
Thanks.
You should try taking the roads through the land where the road curves and you can drive fast.
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
#3
Senior Members
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Midlands, U.K.
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I think parts of the German autobahn's are still unrestricted, i.e. you can do any speed you wish
sure some of the German members will be able to confirm this is still the case, so its definately worth it if you have a something with some power.
![Big Grin](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/biggrin.gif)
#4
Senior Members
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '04 530d Executive, all options except sunroof and comfort seats
ECU remapped by ZipTuning to 260+bhp.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Almost 60% is unrestricted.
It's however not very easy to see if it's unrestricted or not.
Things to look for are:
This sign:![](http://www.rijscholen-overzicht.nl/images/verkeersborden/verkeersbord-F8.png)
When you see this on an autobahn, this means all restrictions are no longer in effect, so floor it.
Also, after each on-ramp to the autobahn, there should be a maximum speed sign. If there isn't or there is a sign like the one above, it means you can go flat out.
But the easiest to see if the road is unrestricted is if you're doing 130km/h and every German is overtaking you, it's highly likely that you're driving on an unrestricted road.
On restricted autobahns, your maximum speed is 130km/h unless otherwise indicated.
Also, please, don't stick to the left, no matter what car you drive, there will always be somebody that's faster than you, and it's just rude to think: screw him, i'm doing 230!
It's however not very easy to see if it's unrestricted or not.
Things to look for are:
This sign:
![](http://www.rijscholen-overzicht.nl/images/verkeersborden/verkeersbord-F8.png)
When you see this on an autobahn, this means all restrictions are no longer in effect, so floor it.
Also, after each on-ramp to the autobahn, there should be a maximum speed sign. If there isn't or there is a sign like the one above, it means you can go flat out.
But the easiest to see if the road is unrestricted is if you're doing 130km/h and every German is overtaking you, it's highly likely that you're driving on an unrestricted road.
On restricted autobahns, your maximum speed is 130km/h unless otherwise indicated.
Also, please, don't stick to the left, no matter what car you drive, there will always be somebody that's faster than you, and it's just rude to think: screw him, i'm doing 230!
#5
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
Posts: 7,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Do you know some of the basic rules for driving in Germany? Especially the autobahn?
You can only pass to the left on the autobahn. They'll kill you for tailgating and the richer you are the more you have to pay for the ticket.
You can only pass to the left on the autobahn. They'll kill you for tailgating and the richer you are the more you have to pay for the ticket.
#6
Senior Members
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '04 530d Executive, all options except sunroof and comfort seats
ECU remapped by ZipTuning to 260+bhp.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Krozi' post='819546' date='Mar 18 2009, 12:18 AM
... and the richer you are the more you have to pay for the ticket.
Of course you can only pass on the left. I thought that was a worldwide rule, it would be dangerous to allow passing on the right.
Tailgating is very very frowned upon in the whole of Europe and the fines are really high.
#7
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
Posts: 7,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by OverSoft' post='819556' date='Mar 17 2009, 07:36 PM
Nonsense... That's only in Finland, not in Germany.
Of course you can only pass on the left. I thought that was a worldwide rule, it would be dangerous to allow passing on the right.
Tailgating is very very frowned upon in the whole of Europe and the fines are really high.
Of course you can only pass on the left. I thought that was a worldwide rule, it would be dangerous to allow passing on the right.
Tailgating is very very frowned upon in the whole of Europe and the fines are really high.
Also, it's illegal to run out of gas.
#8
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA / Bangladesh
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 525i (not LCI) - Alpine white, M sport package, Comfort seats, Logic 7, Bluetooth, Xenon adaptive headlights, PDC, sunroof, A/C with extended features, etc.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by gregg2gs' post='819457' date='Mar 17 2009, 02:25 PM
Thinking of taking a week for my anniversary to drive through france,beglium and germany (starting from London by train to france). Picking up car in France and driving through to Munich.
Would this be a memorable ride with the best scenery or not worth it?
Thanks.
Would this be a memorable ride with the best scenery or not worth it?
Thanks.
absoulutely...do it...i took a trip across europe last summer...we started off with a car from England, and drove through 13 countries...went all the way to Hungary...it was fantastic....the drive was the best I ever had...and the sceneries were amazing...u must do it...
#10
Senior Members
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '04 530d Executive, all options except sunroof and comfort seats
ECU remapped by ZipTuning to 260+bhp.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Krozi' post='819565' date='Mar 18 2009, 12:48 AM
Trust me it's the same in Germany. I lived there for 11 years.
Also, it's illegal to run out of gas.
Also, it's illegal to run out of gas.
Code:
within city limits (especially in 30km/hr zones) as of 10 km/h 15,- EUR 11-15 km/h 25,- EUR 16-20 km/h 35,- EUR 21-25 km/h 50,- EUR, 1 Point 26-30 km/h 60,- EUR, 3 Points 31-40 km/h 100,- EUR, 3 Points, 1 month suspension 41-50 km/h 125,- EUR, 4 Points, 1 month suspension 51-60 km/h 175,- EUR, 4 Points, 2 month suspension 61-70 km/h 300,- EUR, 4 Points, 3 month suspension over 70 km/h 425,- EUR, 4 Points, 3 month suspension Autobahn and country roads as of 10 km/h 10,- EUR 11-15 km/h 20,- EUR 16-20 km/h 30,- EUR 21-25 km/h 40,- EUR, 1 point 26-30 km/h 50,- EUR, 3 points 31-40 km/h 75,- EUR, 3 points 41-50 km/h 100,- EUR, 3 points, 1 month suspension 51-60 km/h 150,- EUR, 4 points, 1 month suspension 61-70 km/h 275,- EUR, 4 points, 2 month suspension over 70 km/h 375,- EUR, 4 points, 3 month suspension
They can take your license even if you're from the US.
They can't fine you according to your income, because they simply do not know what your income is. They can only do this to German citizens.
Running out gas is true, but only if your gas meter is working (dumb law, i know, but if you can prove your gas meter is out of order, they rip up the ticket).
Oh, and IF you get a ticket, be prepared to pay on the spot. They can not collect tickets from foreigners from outside of the EU, so you'll need to pay immediately.
Maybe it's an idea to read this:
http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/driving.html