Overhyped German autobahns - experience
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,674
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From: FT. Bliss Texas
My Ride: 2008 528i, Space Grey, Nav, PDC, Premium, Sports, Grey Leather, Xenon, Cornering...
Try driving on the i10 going to work in el paso. I miss the autobahn. I dont care what none of you say, it is way better than any road here in America that I have driven on. I love America but I hate the roads. I lived in Germany for 7 years and I miss it.
Senior Members
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
My Ride: 2008 535i:
(8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans
Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps
Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's
1992 Camaro RS:
Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
Makes no difference. It's driver intimidation and gets you 3 points. If you also decide to "undertake" them on the right, same deal 3 points. Your only options legally are to stay behind them the safe distance and wait. I shit you not, that's it. Nothing else you can do. Even putting your left-turn indicator on implying you want to overtake isn't allowed, although that isn't an offence in itself. :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:
You might think that because it's Germany and they've got unrestricted sections that the rules aren't so strict here, but it's the exact opposite. They've as many rules as anywhere and they enforce them as rigidly as any other country. I got 2 points on my licence for being "ONLY" 35 metres behind the car in front while (legally) doing 103mph. In car-length terms, that's seven 5er car lengths, but apparently, at 103mph the minimum is 70 metres.
You might think that because it's Germany and they've got unrestricted sections that the rules aren't so strict here, but it's the exact opposite. They've as many rules as anywhere and they enforce them as rigidly as any other country. I got 2 points on my licence for being "ONLY" 35 metres behind the car in front while (legally) doing 103mph. In car-length terms, that's seven 5er car lengths, but apparently, at 103mph the minimum is 70 metres.
I totally agree with everything else - the most frowned upon driving offense in Germany (besides DUI) is tailgating.
Senior Members
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
My Ride: 2008 535i:
(8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans
Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps
Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's
1992 Camaro RS:
Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
I've been stopped quite a few times at sobriety checkpoints in Munich alone when I lived in Bavaria - and my ride at the time had the NATO SOFA license plates. The Polizei DO speak good english.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,594
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From: Europe
At 103 mph you travel at 45 metres per second, average reaction time is .66 seconds, so at that speed, if the car in front brakes you would be 15m behind it's ass before you even got your foot on the brakes.
Now I know the brakes on these cars are good, but they will not stop you from 100mph in 15m !!
Sounds like the cops did you a favour if it has made you keep a greater distance.
Now I know the brakes on these cars are good, but they will not stop you from 100mph in 15m !!
Sounds like the cops did you a favour if it has made you keep a greater distance.
Senior Members
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
My Ride: 2008 535i:
(8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans
Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps
Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's
1992 Camaro RS:
Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
Nice one 
Contributors
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 0
From: Chippenham, Wiltshire UK
My Ride: F11 535i M-Sport,, Silver, Black Leather, LED Adaptive headlights
Model Year: 2015
Engine: N55
Hey DD_545i, by the way, love your location. Couple of years ago in Austria my then 15 yr old daughter made the comment that there were a lot of signs for Ausfahrt, nearly wet myself laughing, she had no idea
Members
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Denmark
Hi - I spend 50000 km yearly on the road and many of them in Germany.. I have 3 things that specially comes to my mind!
- I have never seen such clean toilets on gas stations :-)
- Hate Audi Q7 drivers.. Why must they rub their ugly badge on my rear fender when they can see that I cant drive faster because of traffic in front of me
- Sadly it is also in Germany I have seen the worst accidents.. High speed accidents are many times fatal with many cars involved :-(
Senior Members
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
My Ride: 2008 535i:
(8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans
Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps
Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's
1992 Camaro RS:
Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
True. I once sat at a dead stop on the Autobahn for four hours while they cleaned up a wreck. I had friends that were stuck longer than that.
Members
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Bavaria, Germany
My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i Carbon Black
I was talking more about being able to drive fast. not about whether or not they enforce drinking and driving laws.