[aid]

ok peeps im planning a wee trip / mini adventure in my MCS around north europe my route is kinda open but ive put a possible below

glasgow(i live there) to paris possibly by ferry or euro tunnel
paris to brussel's
brussels to frankfurt or colonge
frankfurt or colonge to amsterdam
amsterdam to glasgow

ive got 2 weeks to do it all and will be doing it in janurary or feb

ive been to france quite a lot but ive only been to germany once and never to belgium or holland
so im looking for any advice you can offer from the point of view of the smooth running of the car or good places to vist on the way e.g Spa ( im a huge motorsports fan) and i enjoy an alpine enviroment. Im 23 and my girlfriend is 21 and we both like a wee bit of culture were not the ibiza ****ed for 2 weeks kind of people

any ideas?????

[stuvoi]

Given the time of year you're going, are you expecting to get some skiing in?

From a "things to do" viewpoint, it might be a little "bleak" (but given the weather this summer - who knows?)

I found a site of events in Belgium (it was for 2007, but these things tend to be annual I think)

Belgium 2007 Calendar of Events from Kemwel

Below is another site for Germany

German Travel - Germany's Seasons and Weather - When to Visit -Winter in Germany

I don't think too many of the racing circuits will be open in January though, (ice and slicks are not a good combination)

Don't forget the snow chains and shovel

Stu

[aid]

cheers stuvoi

i am a keen skier but i think i will keep to the citys as im planning a diffrent skiing trip later in the season although i would be open to driving throught the mountain passes as they are kinda fun roads

[Jaffa Racer]

Jan or Feb would be a little early to go chase mountian passes Im guessing due to snow.

Wigley on here organsed the Grand Dolomites Challange for June tihs Year and we still encounterd snow. Check ut this thread http://www.mini2.com/forum/uk-irelan...in-passes.html if you ask him Im sure he still has the Auto Route and TOM TOM files

[The Red Baron]

If it's Belgium you're visiting don't miss Gent, with its many Beer Kellers.

Brugge is also wotrh a visit for its old world charm and architecture.

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Hi,
I've done this several times and it's a blast, lowest temp I ever had was -15 just outside Grenoble - the Mini has loved it every time, see pics.
I just hope the new S will cope as well.

My advice:

Take the tunnel, it is absolutely brilliant - very efficient, lovely atmosphere and fast.
The ferry sucks so bad, never again.........

Get a Tom Tom or similar SatNav and old school map book.

Make sure you fill up with very low freeze screen wash - do you have the heated washer jets?
I also make sure to give all the glass a good dose of Rain-X and new wiper blades at the start of the winter as it makes a huge difference, especially in icy, snowy sub-zero temps.

You can't use chains on the Mini, in fact Mini themselves advise against this.
Get some of these instead - http://www.autosock.co.uk/
I've always been on the Pirelli Eufori's - they've been fine but I've driven very, very carefully.
Winter tyres are not a bad idea if you have the budget for them.

While you’re stocking up go to Jack Wolfskin and get a couple of fleece blankets (great for keeping the interior scratch free when carrying luggage, Ikea, B&Q stuff etc too) and a good thermos.

Make a survival box - energy bars, dried fruit etc.

Keep your cell charged, have a spare if possible (I’ve got an old handset with a pay-as-you-go sim) – carry a car charger.

Carry change for toilets at petrol stations and tolls on the Motorways, you will need to pay an annual Motorway fee if you enter Austria or Switzerland (can't remember which) - it's around £40 and you do get a very cool sticker for your windscreen.

Practice switching you Xenons from UK to EU if you have them, that way it will take 2 mins - I even made my own tool from a chopstick for doing this.

Some of this may seem OTT, but if you are over prepared it’s almost guaranteed nothing will go wrong – if it does you’ll be able to get help quickly and you’ll be comfortable while you wait.

Have fun!!
I'll be taking the S from London to Nice in October - can't wait, driving on the European motorways is just pure pleasure and the scenery is spectacular.

Cheers, Geoff.

[aid]

i dont have heated washer jets but i dare say i can over come this or get them retro fitted?????

also when you say changing the lights from uk to eu on the mini what do you mean? i thought it was a clear plastic film put over the light didnt know there was anyother way to do it

ive been to brugge before i once went to the mercedes factory in bremen to collect a new sl55 and we drove accross from bremen to brugge to get the boat back to scotland and we stayed there overnight had a great time the bars are really nice and the beer is fantastic, so depending on how i get home i may be heading there also, as there is a boat to edinburgh and there is the boat to newcastle from amsterdam.

as for getting there the tunnel is the main option as ive traveled by the ferry quite a lot and never by the train.

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Hi, if you have Xenon's then there is simpy a lever to switch between right and left hand drive.
If you don't then yep, it's those ugly little stickers.

Trust me - take the Eurotunnel, it's great and the atmosphere is brilliant - you'll get families having picnic lunch, people just quietly reading the paper etc. No drunken yobs a la ferry.

Door to door the whole thing can take less than an hour.

Cheers, Geoff.

[aid]

ok ive got xenon's so where is the wee switch?????

[goodingm]

Aid, Definitely take the tunnel , very quick and puts you out right on the motorway. I did a run right up the Moselle and then down the Rhine that was excellent to say the least. Otherwise , Brussels is great , my favourite is Salzburg and the surrounding area of southern Germany , including Munich, run down the Romantic Strasse is superb. Be chilly at that time of year but vey picturesque. Hope you enjoy.

[MINIMANIAUK]

Driving in Europe, you will require a first Aid Kit, spare bulbs,warning triangle, I believe. I would take a tyre kit(compressor and tyre gel) and the thing no one ever thinks of -Spare fuses
Not the standard blade type ,but the small square ones unique to BMW ,the dealers seldom have them in stock and your car could be stuck for the want of a fuse!!
I think in Germany you also need a fuel can- a good idea as not knowing where the nearest or next petrol station is can be a bit of a worry when the fuel light comes on
The proposed route you indicated have very good roads and they are very good at snow clearance in all the Euro countries(unlike the UK!!) so you would be fine -the chances of Skiing are greatly reduced due to the total absence of any hills
Paris -you are better of stopping short of Paris and getting the train in /out -far more convenient ,
you can drive in but whilst your other half sees the sights, you will be eyes glued on some Citroen trying to carve you up!! and parking!!!!!!

Your greatest Challenge would be the M25 round to the Euro tunnel-- take plenty of drink/food/phone/board games /a book ...

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIMANIAUK (original)

Driving in Europe, you will require a first Aid Kit, spare bulbs,warning triangle, I believe. I would take a tyre kit(compressor and tyre gel) and the thing no one ever thinks of -Spare fuses

Why would someone only take these things when driving in Europe?
I had all of the above thrown in by the dealership as part of the deal when I purchased my car - I would never consider driving a car anywhere without them.

Well, minus the tyre kit - I have runflats.

In regards to the Xenon headlamps:
Turn the car and the headlights OFF - extremely important or this may be the last thing you ever do.

Lift the bonnet and at the back of each headlamp there is a square plastic cover that unclips.
With the cover removed when you look at the back of the headlamp you will see a small silver lever - best tool to move this is an insulated screwdriver or a chopstick.
The lever on both lamps should already be in the up position (UK), you just need to slide them to the down position (EU).

As I mentioned before, practice this a couple of times so it becomes familiar and then it takes a minute or two.
I change them when I park at the Eurotunnel terminal so that I'm ready to go when I depart the train.

Cheers, Geoff.

[mderijke]

When driving in Germany (and maybe also France) you need a first-aid kit and a yellow safety vest (also for passenger). This is mandatory.

In Germany and Switserland it is illegal to have a GPS navigation that can provide you warnins of speed traps. Especially in Switserland the police is actively enforcing this rule.


If you go from Amsterdam back to Glasgow, you can take the ferry from IJmuiden to Newcastle. Otherwise you will have to drive back south all the way to Calais.

I agree on not entering the Paris area with your MINI , because the French drivers in Paris do not really care for another more dent in their cars... Just go by public transport!

[aid]

yeah i had heard the problems with driving in paris so i may just find a hotel on the out-skirts and commute in my train etc i have now located the silver lever on the back of the lights just need to find a chopstick (used to have loads).

as for the route back to glasgow its open to changes as the last time i did a route like this was with the merc and we got the boat from zebbruge back to edinburgh and it was great ( not least as i won the cost of my fair back at the card tables on board).

[J0nesy]

Hi Aid,

I wish I was in your shoes, I did a similar thing last year & it was amazing!! the link might be of some use to you.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...ml#post2657272

PS We drove on the outskits of Paris & it was frightening enough!!! AVOID it but definatley go by public transport!! I was so lucky to do what I did and come back with a scratch free car


Cheers

Dave,

[jammythart]

Hi all

I am about to do a trip of my own - I am travelling through France for several days, then to Spain for more days, then back through France and home.

The only things i have not got sorted yet are the following -

GB sticker - I have the England flag on the number plate at present, do I need one?

Headlights - I am going to try the switch tonight

Breakdown cover - hopefully not needed, but my wife is about to buy AA cover, but I was wondering what we get with a new mini?? I am sure there is a breakdown number on the tax disc holders....does this actually do anything?

Spare bulbs - do I need to get replacements for all?? or just the crucial lights?

Fuses - it was mentioned above, do everybody take them? I have some spare ones that came with the car.

I think that is it for now!!!, but I will let you know.

Cheers

Tom

[jammythart]

As an update, I have bought the fuses, bulbs, warning triangles etc, but could still do with any additional information on what the mini emergency breakdown cover does....is it exactly the same as getting AA / RAC cover? or is it just a very expensive way of getting a mechanic to attend somewhere in France?

Any help

[mab01uk]

You don't need the GB sticker if you have the blue GB Euro flags on your no.plates but I think you do if you have England flags as these were just a concession allowed by the UK government after a protest.
Its best to take all major bulbs in the unlikely event you get stopped you want min. hassle from French police as they can fine you on the spot if you can't replace a duff bulb.
Check with MINI to see if there cover is Europe wide but I always buy it separately. Check also if your Insurance company like to issue a Green card for full ins cover. Mine charge for it (Admiral).
Have fun I love driving through France, went to Spain last year via the Millau Bridge and off to Italy via the Swiss Alps on Friday!

[aid]

both the breakdown cover and fully comp insurance will cover you in europe but the have to tell both organisations before you go most policys only allow for up to 28 days outside the uk

all you do if phone them and notify them of when your trip will be

have fun!!!!!!!