Going to germany

[DJ_B4L]

was wondering if any one been to germany here by car

how much does it and cost and what do you need to take with you as in paperwork?

its e30 related going to go and pick up a few bits which are too big for posatge

[Wiggy]

I spend a lot of my time driving in Germany and I have Polish plates which leads to me being stopped a lot. I've also been breathalised by the German special branch because I drove the wrong way down as one way street in Dortmund when I was seriously lost.

My experience is that they are only interested in your passport. Any time I've been stopped they have not really taken any interest in the cars papers. Obviously just bring your insurance details and get ready to enjoy some autobahn driving.

Where abouts are you heading to??

[DJ_B4L]

ermm i think St. Wendel

any idea how much it will cost to go there by car? any ferry cost etcc.. and how many times would i need to change

how far is it im tryin to find info on the net cant seem to get much

[Cabrio]

Take it you go by Dover...you need a good travel co to book the crossing poss 5 day ticket...a sat nav to prevent you getting lost and a map in case it fails...just plan your route and leave contingency for maybe an accident or weather etc and will be fine...ferry about Ԛ£60-70...fuel was cheaper in Holland last time I went...for unleaded

good luck

[GDBN]

You can check first using viamichelin.co.uk
That will plan your route and times etc.
Would borrow a GPS from someone as cabrio says.

G

[DJ_B4L]

cheers i got a sat nav so that should be kool just need to sort the date out before hand

any idea how much the mileage is to germany from the uk? and how long can it take

[Wiggy]

Check out the following site.

http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/ ... mePage.htm

for the route map and below for the ferries

http://www.poferries.com/tourist/inbound.html

I would reckon it will cost you about 100-120 quid in fuel I reckon and you're looking at a 1540 km round trip

Remember to factor in staying some where over night or kipping in the car. I have done 1200 kms in 12 hours but at that speed you'll be spending a lot more on fuel. Best approach would to get someone to go with you and switch up the driving. I've done over 1500km runs on my own in as rush and tbh it can get to be a major struggle to stay away.

Get out of Germany before dark if you can. No lighting on the autobahns and with your route through Belgium (all motorway fully lighted) it's actually a pleasue to drive through at night.

[DaveD]

Its 300 miles from the coast but i would go via luxemburg as its cheap petrol there...went last year via Dunkirk,, Norfolk line,
http://www.directferries.co.uk/dover_du ... _ferry.htm
cost now for a weekend return (3 days) about Ԛ£65...hotels about Ԛ£45 for the room in a nice hotel ...absolutely no probs buyng my wheels there,,,go for it.

[Fushion_Julz]

was wondering if any one been to germany here by car

how much does it and cost and what do you need to take with you as in paperwork?

Yep...loads...
Cost will be dependant on where you are going....Mighty long way between Aachen (in the west) and Frankfurt am Oder (in the East)!!

If you're just taking a car, cheapest channel crossing is Dover-Bolougne with SpeedFerries...But the closest short channel port to Germany is Dunkerque. However the distance isn't great and it is less than an hours' drive between Bolougne (in the west) and Dunkerque (East almost on the French/Belgian border). Shorter for the drive in Europe would be either Hook of Holland (from Harwich) or Hamburg (from Felixstowe or Hull)....but the crossing to Hamburg is both expensive and takes 12+hrs!

Driving in Germany is a pleasure. German drivers are (generally) pleasant and have exceptional road manners...
Most Autobahns are only 2-lane, though...It is important to keep to the right (inside lane) except when overtaking...Germans drive at immense speeds on unrestricted sections...You can have a big Merc, BMW glued to your bumper in seconds (literally)...

Things to note:
1. It is illegal to flash to pass...use the left hand indicator

2. It is illegal to drive in any other lane (on an Autobahn) than the right hand one except when overtaking...and the police DO enforce it..

3. The speed limits are STRICT (and the Germans are anal about conforming)...police use unmarked fast cars (even Porsche, Ferraris, etc) and use the drive in front of you to pull you over technique...

4. There are plenty of forward-facing (truvelo type) speed cameras on the restricted or limited roads...including Autobahns and Germany DO have a cross-border agreement to prosecute with the UK.

5. Beware of the mobile customs vans....Germany no longer has any border controls at the borders. (Because all its borders are with EU/Schengen countries)...However, they have replaced the customs officers at borders with travelling vans that can (and do) pull over foreign registered vehicles..especially on Autobahns. They have the power to search you and your vehicle and can seize the vehicle and contents if there are any illegally transported goods on board....
Don't take any knives, or anything that could be considered a weapon, drugs, large quantities of alcohol or tobacco, for example (probably plenty of other things they don't want to see, either).

6. Your car MUST conform to the road regulations in Germany...You MUST have a spare bulb kit, a warning triangle, fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit on board...Also your car must be fully roadworthy...especially tyres. If you have an accident the police may remove your car for examination...Make sure they don't find that it has dodgy tyres (must be same make/model per axle, correctly inflated and with 2mm of tread minimum), or it is rusty or the brakes are dodgy (even the handbrake) or you could forfiet the vehicle AND be fined for illegal use...

7. NEVER leave the scene of an accident without the police giving the go-ahead...Especially if you have damaged any armco or any other street furniture.

8. Make sure your paperwork is in order and you have the insurance details (in German) to hand...

Other than that, have fun and enjoy driving on some of the best maintained roads in Europe, if not the world...If you get off the Autobahns and out of the towns you will find excellent country, drivers roads....

[GDBN]

I went in January from Copenhagen down to Dortmund to pick up a hardtop. Took about 22 hours there and back, journey being around 1800km. Didn't help driving in the worst blizzard I have been in ie wipers frozen to the windscreen, for the last 6/7 hours. Had a mate with me to help with the driving.
Autobahns are easy .. german drivers in general are very polite and in no way aggressive.

G

[DJ_B4L]

thanks for everyone that has replied to my post got alot of usefull info that i didnt know

GDBN
how much you pick up your hard top up for?

il prop take a mate with me or someone who been there already

[DaveD]

try this

http://search.ebay.de/search/search.dll ... category0=

[GDBN]

I won it ebay for 500 euro.
Absolute tip top condition
It's an original BMW.

[DaveD]

just spotted yours...if you don't win it the one below in Werther is much nearer (315 miles ) you can do it easy with one overnight stop....good road to there did it last november

[DJ_B4L]

yeh true im gona check how the other one goes so its 315 miles to the place and 315 back to the uk?

[DaveD]

starting from Dunkerque...but i made a mistake they are both about the same distance ...so take your pick

[DJ_B4L]

yeh i was jus checkin that lol they not far apart mite aswel go and pick both up lol

[DaveD]

you would do well if you could...one would pay for the other

[ad318i]

im in berlin at the mo with the e30..


i went the dunkirk way a tiring but good drive!!

midlands-berlin just under 2 tanks of fuel...

[DaveD]

what goodies are you bringing back

[ad318i]

not much jus loadsa fags fir friends and booze from france (gotta save my money cos im back at uni in 2 weeks)