I might be giving someone a lift to Germany in August, so tempted to make the most of the drive and visit the Nürburgring whilst I am over that way, and maybe do a cheeky lap whilst there.

Just wondering which vehicle to take though, the RRS TDV6, or my Merc Vito 110cdi

RRS - Slow, thirsty, extremely comfortable, air conditioning, cruise control, sat nav (albeit from 2006)
Vito - Faster, frugal, reasonably comfortable, no air conditioning, no cruise control, sat nav (more modern tom tom)

Which would you go for, and why  Current: 06 RR Sport HSE TDV6, Bonatti grey, black leather. Defender 90 pick up. Vito 110cdi

Previous: Mercedes CLS, BMW 330cd M sport, Nissan 200sx, Impreza STi, EP3 Civic Type R

Its a long drive, so i would ask them to find someone else to take them... If your doing the ring, make sure you have got insurance that covers you, i know mine doesn't, its stipulated on my policy documents.

To drive there, RRS all the way,......................but there's no way I'd be tracking it when I got there
Neither the RRS or the Vito is built for the track, so I'd just take in the scenery and book a lap in the Ring Taxi to see how it should be done. Plenty of Exotica in the car park and on the track to keep you out of trouble.  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

I'd want to take the RRS but reliability worries might make me take something else... 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

And this is a list of the things you need to have with you...
1: Hi Visibility Vests (1 for each person in your car, these MUST be visible while driving through France)
2: Spare bulb Kit
3: Warning Triangle
4: Headlight Beam Deflectors
5: First Aid Kit
6: Fire Extinguisher
7: GB Sticker / magnet
8: Spare Car Key
9: Locking Wheel-nut Key
10: European Insurance & Breakdown Cover (Please ensure you get it with Repatriation)
11: Driving License (Including paper section)
12: NEW for 2013 trip 2 x Portable Breath Testing Kits
13: Passports etc etc....
Is it really worth it i ask? Yes if you are planning on going as a group with a car club and making a few days of it. But not just to drop someone off.

I'll be taking the mrs (as it's her mum that we are taking) and was going to make a couple of stops on the way home to make the most of the trip probably across 3-4 days.

Cheers for the list  Current: 06 RR Sport HSE TDV6, Bonatti grey, black leather. Defender 90 pick up. Vito 110cdi

Previous: Mercedes CLS, BMW 330cd M sport, Nissan 200sx, Impreza STi, EP3 Civic Type R

Ady, are you saying that the hi viz vests have to be visible from out side of the vehicle whilst it's being driven? I presume that's not what you mean...

As for the rest, who doesn't carry spare bulbs, fire extinguisher, first aid kit etc anyway? And beam deflectors aren't needed on the sport because they can be adjusted internally. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Ady 555 wrote:

4: Headlight Beam Deflectors

7: GB Sticker / magnet

12: NEW for 2013 trip 2 x Portable Breath Testing Kits

RRSTDV8, No they don't have to be visable, you just have to have them incase you breakdown and have to get out of the car.

Flydive, i was just listing items to cover every eventuality. No12 i know is not compulsory yet, but it is recommended that you carry them.

Hi-viz has to be in the car not bottom of the boot so you can put it on before getting out the car

I did this run in may in the RRS it was the best car in the group I was with as I cud cruise at 80 all day long park were ever there was room around the ring closer than all the others car lol from the tunnel to the ring in 2/3 of a tank others had to fill up half way there

12: NEW for 2013 trip 2 x Portable Breath Testing Kits (you need it in France )

We went to berlin in the sport. By far the best car.

If your going into the city with green zone you will need the green plate with a German name Mike

2014 Facelift Discovery

FYI

http://www.environmental-badge.co.uk/en/environmental-badge.html

Regards

Wolfgang 2012 RRS SDV6, Pan European ST 1300
gone : Audi A6 Allroad, Toyota LC HJ 61,
Honda CB 750 Four

You don't need the breathalysers for France, the law requiring them is suspended. Like this site? Buy some RRSPORT goodies to show your support!

WolfgangK wrote:

FYI

http://www.environmental-badge.co.uk/en/environmental-badge.html

Regards

Wolfgang

Martin wrote:

You don't need the breathalysers for France, the law requiring them is suspended.

mse/Wolfgang,

Thank you so much for mentioning the German green zones Knew nothing about them. I tend to check the AA website for any regulations/requirements that could affect me before taking the car across the channel but typically do that no more than a week in advance. It could have been too late in this case.

We're off to Austria next month and on our way back will be passing through Munich and Frankfurt which seem to have green zones. Now I don't know if we will need to enter the zones but given the (in)accuracy of the RRS SatNav and my total lack of German language skills, I won't be surprised if we end up there even if we don't intend to.

How extensive are the green zones in these 2 cities? Is it worth getting the sticker just to be on the safe side? The Swiss have kept the vignette easy - you just buy at the border. Is there such a facility for the German green zone badge or will I be better off ordering one now. Last question, the price seems equal or close to the 40 EUR fine which doesn't seem right - am I missing something?

Thanks in advance