driving through Europe
03-18-2009, 05:33 AM
#21
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Originally Posted by studavis' post='819787' date='Mar 17 2009, 11:59 PM
If you do get stopped, use this phrase: "was zum Teufel tat, ziehen Sie mich fur ya bier trinkend schwein-Poliizisten.?" This should get you just a warning
03-18-2009, 07:47 AM
#23
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Originally Posted by DD_545i' post='819877' date='Mar 18 2009, 07:25 AM
Watch out in France if you're taking the toll-roads because between toll booths they can calculate your average speed and can "get you" from the ticket evidence (so I hear).
Don't be fooled by the lack of Police on the French motorways. If they are present - it's right after the toll booth, where they efficiently and easy take you off on the side, present their calculations of your speed
and issue a ticket; for foreigners: to be paid on the spot (no big cash necessary though, small mobile ATM machines, like those on Swiss police radio-cars are becoming very common, as I hear from my French co-workers...)As far as German Autobahn Polizei is concerned, they're usually quite cool with reasonable E60 drivers
most of them are E60 or E61 drivers (at work anyway) Can't say that about Swiss autobahn radars though... There it's tough: apparently you can even get a ticket 1km over the limit, it's cheap but still ... c'mon!
I got one for 12 EUR
which surprisingly enough arrives efficiently across the EU borders long after you already forgot your trip to the Alps...
03-18-2009, 07:50 AM
#24
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If you want to see beautiful landscapes you shouldn't stop in France and Germany... France is green but ALL flat, Germany... I simply don't like it so much (just
From Germany you can reach, in less than 5h through Austria, Verona + Garda lake and something else in Italy.
Austria and SudTirol (it) have something good.
From Germany you can reach, in less than 5h through Austria, Verona + Garda lake and something else in Italy.
Austria and SudTirol (it) have something good.
03-18-2009, 08:19 AM
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Beware that real radar-detectors (so, non-GPS based detectors that measure radar-radiation) are highly illegal in the most of Europe.
The fines are REALLY high and you need to turn in your radar detector on the spot, even if it's been installed under the hood. In some countries they'll even impound your car!!!
Most police cars in Europe contain a "radar-detector-detector" that measure residual radiation (a radar-detector also transmits some radiation that's a few MHz higher that the common radar-frequencies), so they don't even have to see the thing, they'll just know it's in your car.
In some countries, GPS-only detectors are illegal too and will also be impounded.
So, general tip for driving thru Europe: don't use a radar-detector.
The fines are REALLY high and you need to turn in your radar detector on the spot, even if it's been installed under the hood. In some countries they'll even impound your car!!!
Most police cars in Europe contain a "radar-detector-detector" that measure residual radiation (a radar-detector also transmits some radiation that's a few MHz higher that the common radar-frequencies), so they don't even have to see the thing, they'll just know it's in your car.
In some countries, GPS-only detectors are illegal too and will also be impounded.
So, general tip for driving thru Europe: don't use a radar-detector.
03-18-2009, 08:25 AM
#27
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We drove about 1,000 miles thru Germany last fall, mostly autobahn. We often experienced very heavy traffic due to construction and national holiday travelers. We passed thru some nice scenery for sure, but the stress of the drives kinda took the fun out of it. You need to study up on the driving laws and signage, and make sure you have a good GPS system. Take plenty of change, as you have to pay to piss at the rest stops, etc.
Next time, we'll probably stay on the trains. Unless we do European delivery on the 2011 5er that I'm looking forward to . . .
Next time, we'll probably stay on the trains. Unless we do European delivery on the 2011 5er that I'm looking forward to . . .
03-18-2009, 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by OverSoft' post='820197' date='Mar 18 2009, 05:19 PM
Beware that real radar-detectors (so, non-GPS based detectors that measure radar-radiation) are highly illegal in the most of Europe.
The fines are REALLY high and you need to turn in your radar detector on the spot, even if it's been installed under the hood. In some countries they'll even impound your car!!!
Most police cars in Europe contain a "radar-detector-detector" that measure residual radiation (a radar-detector also transmits some radiation that's a few MHz higher that the common radar-frequencies), so they don't even have to see the thing, they'll just know it's in your car.
In some countries, GPS-only detectors are illegal too and will also be impounded.
So, general tip for driving thru Europe: don't use a radar-detector.
The fines are REALLY high and you need to turn in your radar detector on the spot, even if it's been installed under the hood. In some countries they'll even impound your car!!!
Most police cars in Europe contain a "radar-detector-detector" that measure residual radiation (a radar-detector also transmits some radiation that's a few MHz higher that the common radar-frequencies), so they don't even have to see the thing, they'll just know it's in your car.
In some countries, GPS-only detectors are illegal too and will also be impounded.
So, general tip for driving thru Europe: don't use a radar-detector.
03-18-2009, 09:24 AM
#29
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My Ride: 2007 530i, white/black manual, sports package, nav, PDC, etc.
I've done the route, in the reverse direction. It's about 500 miles.
If you take the Autoroute (the French equivalent to the Autobahn), you'll pay about 30-40 Euros in tolls, but the roads are quite nice and clear. The wind through very nice countryside. There is a 130 kph speed limit.
Once in Germany, you can open it up, provided you don't hit traffic, construction or bad weather.
It's a nice trip, although I think ought to consider some the B roads in France to visit more of the country.
If you take the Autoroute (the French equivalent to the Autobahn), you'll pay about 30-40 Euros in tolls, but the roads are quite nice and clear. The wind through very nice countryside. There is a 130 kph speed limit.
Once in Germany, you can open it up, provided you don't hit traffic, construction or bad weather.
It's a nice trip, although I think ought to consider some the B roads in France to visit more of the country.
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.
03-18-2009, 09:29 AM
#30
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My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Originally Posted by mja' post='820006' date='Mar 18 2009, 02:14 PM
Someone in my beloved home country was just fined €112000 for speeding. He did 82kmh when the limit was 60. Had he done 80 or less, he would've gotten only €115... 
It's here, but unfortunately in Finnish http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/yl...on-sakot/133576
It's here, but unfortunately in Finnish http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/yl...on-sakot/133576
Millionaires pay easy 50 - 100 KEuro tickets for almost nothing.
But if you are unemployed and don't have a drivers license, go for it!
It's much cheaper to kill people in this country. :thumbsdown: