Audi-Sport Road trip in August - Switzerland/Italy

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L60N said:
You forgot the kitchen sink Dave ;)
Click to expand...

That has to go in the trailer or on the roof rack!

But seriously, I have been asked for my V5 document at the border crossing into Switzerland. The border between France or Germany and Switzerland is still a full time check-point and the border police are quite like to check your documents and I have also been asked to show my spare pair of driving glasses - So be warned!! Much better to be prepared than be refused entry into Switzerland.

The other thing to consider is of course is insurance. If you break down for any reason Audi Assist will help, but if you did happen to have an accident and your car was not drivable, how would you get it home? It's well worth taking out breakdown/accident insurance. You can do it at the Channel Tunnel as it will only cost a few pounds but could save you a lot of money.

I know from bitter experience. I had a previous Audi written-off by someone crashing into the back of me when I was stopped at traffic lights. There is more to taking a car to Europe than just getting on a ferry!

Also remember than the alcohol limit in almost all EU counties is half what it is in the UK, so definitely don't drink and drive. Random testing is also allowed. Be aware of what the French signs for speed cameras are as they do have cameras on the Autoroutes as well. Their is at least one between the Channel Tunnel and the A26 to Reims. They don't paint theirs Yellow and the one-the-spot fines can be high.

Not trying to be a kill joy but as I said earlier, better to be prepared that fall fowl of, especially, the French police.
 
L60N said:
Stop it now, you gonna scare people away!! LoL
Click to expand...

Better to be prepared than be an ostrich. Driving on the Continent can be great fun and throughly enjoyable. I generally do it for two weeks, sometimes longer almost every year for a holiday. Mostly to France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

I'm sure you will all have a great time.
 
h5djr said:
Better to be prepared than be an ostrich. Driving on the Continent can be great fun and throughly enjoyable. I generally do it for two weeks, sometimes longer almost every year for a holiday. Mostly to France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

I'm sure you will all have a great time.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all your advice mate, very helpful :thumbsup:
 
Wes G said:
Thinking on the line of fuel-trying to keep up with you `S3 ers` I reakon I might need to stop more frequently-along with MB & the guy in the R32???
Click to expand...

Mines not too bad (high 20's), well when compared to the figures the S3 guys mention. But lets face it none of us will be driving for economy ;)

J.
 
When I come home with my 2.0TDI-170 from SE Switzerland via Germany and France on 29/30 June I should be able to make with only one fuel-stop door to door. What's more diesel is soooo much cheaper in Europe as well.

Switzerland - 100p/litre, Germany - 109p/litre, France - 104p/litre.
 
siu00adg's mate Rob here, just signing in to say hi and that I'm well up for this trip. Even if my turbo-less 1.8 will drop to double-digit BHP when we get into the mountains it'll still be awesome, and I'll be taking plenty of pictures. I'll need to take my car, I can't face another twelve hours in an S3 bucket seat, they just weren't built for a bloke of my size!
 
robreun said:
siu00adg's mate Rob here, just signing in to say hi and that I'm well up for this trip. Even if my turbo-less 1.8 will drop to double-digit BHP when we get into the mountains it'll still be awesome, and I'll be taking plenty of pictures. I'll need to take my car, I can't face another twelve hours in an S3 bucket seat, they just weren't built for a bloke of my size!
Click to expand...

So you gonna bring the silver dog (merc) or the big dog (daddys A8)?!
 
well I am on holiday, my S3 will be in London....erm.... if there is mate to come with me I might go for it... going alone is a ******...

Anyone interested... mine is a left hand drive so it is the only proper european tourer... ahahah

Pedro

P.S.: why not put this thread as sticky until it gets sorted... and put me on the maybe list...
 
mitch78 said:
Any news on a planned route or hotel yet?

I've got a mate that might be interested, and he's coming round for a chat tomorrow. If I could give him a few more details there'll be more chance of me convincing him.
Click to expand...

Sorry, nothing more yet, I've been really busy, I'll try to plan the details this weekend..

newbiecrg said:
well I am on holiday, my S3 will be in London....erm.... if there is mate to come with me I might go for it... going alone is a ******...

Anyone interested... mine is a left hand drive so it is the only proper european tourer... ahahah

Pedro

P.S.: why not put this thread as sticky until it gets sorted... and put me on the maybe list...
Click to expand...

Doing it solo is actually not that bad to be honest, but if you can bring a copilot it will make it a lot cheaper!

UPDATE:

MAYBE:
chasdrury
PNH80
mitch78
sjahS3
Wes G
S3 LTN
Crisis
jamiekip + another S3? + an R32?
marriedblonde
rhubarb4
newbiecrg

DEFINITE:
siu00adg + my mate Adam
L60N
S3 Big Andy
djakster
my mate rob in his merc
 
Spoke to my mate about this yesterday and persuaded him this will be better than a trip to the ring.

Waiting for the OK off him but we should be coming (8L s3)
 
Ian W said:
Spoke to my mate about this yesterday and persuaded him this will be better than a trip to the ring.

Waiting for the OK off him but we should be coming (8L s3)
Click to expand...


Great stuff!!

As soon as you guys know for sure get yourself in the Defo list so we can look at getting the hotel/s sorted ;)
 
Well Ive been looking at the options for us northern boys with a view to saving a few miles on the car. Its not good news
:
Using Hull - Zeebrugge costing £300, total mileage would be 764m

going out fri 22 aug- 19:00 - arrival 09:30 sat morning with 482 miles remaining, could take 6-7 hours driving which means i wouldnt land in Schweiz until maybe 4:30 on saturday :(

The full drive leeds/Schwiez would be 794 miles. ROFL

So thinking about it, I may head down south on Thursday night and stay in a hotel to be more fresh for the Friday aft start. Its only 500 ish miles from Calais which is merely warming the engine compared to last time :)


 
L60N said:
Well Ive been looking at the options for us northern boys with a view to saving a few miles on the car. Its not good news
:
Using Hull - Zeebrugge costing £300, total mileage would be 764m

going out fri 22 aug- 19:00 - arrival 09:30 sat morning with 482 miles remaining, could take 6-7 hours driving which means i wouldnt land in Schweiz until maybe 4:30 on saturday :(

The full drive leeds/Schwiez would be 794 miles. ROFL

So thinking about it, I may head down south on Thursday night and stay in a hotel to be more fresh for the Friday aft start. Its only 500 ish miles from Calais which is merely warming the engine compared to last time :)


Click to expand...

Mate, I've got plenty of space at my gaff if you don't mind sleeping on the couch or in a sleeping bag, my flatmate is often away in the summer on field work for her job, if she is you can have her room. Will save you some $$$
 
I did a 5 day trip in Sept 2006 driving down through France, into Switzerland, then Italy over Stelvio (the best pass and by far the hardest work to go up - 49 hair pins on one side) into Bormio, then back through Austria, Germany and back to Calais. 2000 miles in total, starting just south of London. The best 5 days driving I have ever done. Was with a mate in his RX8.

I'll dig out the details of the passes and other imortant bits for anyone who is going. Just don't think you can do everything in a few days as you would be surprised how long it takes to get from one pass to another especially in August with holiday traffic. There were only 2 cars with us, we we on the road by 8am each day and rarely stopped by 8pm. Just keeping everyone together will be a challenge, without all the photo stops and saying to each other "shall we do that one again?"!! Formula 1 and Ibis hotels were ideal and pretty cheap too.

Wish I could do it again this year - I am getting envious already!
 
h5djr said:
That has to go in the trailer or on the roof rack!

But seriously, I have been asked for my V5 document at the border crossing into Switzerland. The border between France or Germany and Switzerland is still a full time check-point and the border police are quite like to check your documents and I have also been asked to show my spare pair of driving glasses - So be warned!! Much better to be prepared than be refused entry into Switzerland.

The other thing to consider is of course is insurance. If you break down for any reason Audi Assist will help, but if you did happen to have an accident and your car was not drivable, how would you get it home? It's well worth taking out breakdown/accident insurance. You can do it at the Channel Tunnel as it will only cost a few pounds but could save you a lot of money.

I know from bitter experience. I had a previous Audi written-off by someone crashing into the back of me when I was stopped at traffic lights. There is more to taking a car to Europe than just getting on a ferry!

Also remember than the alcohol limit in almost all EU counties is half what it is in the UK, so definitely don't drink and drive. Random testing is also allowed. Be aware of what the French signs for speed cameras are as they do have cameras on the Autoroutes as well. Their is at least one between the Channel Tunnel and the A26 to Reims. They don't paint theirs Yellow and the one-the-spot fines can be high.

Not trying to be a kill joy but as I said earlier, better to be prepared that fall fowl of, especially, the French police.
Click to expand...


Does France not require you to carry a first aid kit in the car also?
 
RobB said:
I did a 5 day trip in Sept 2006 driving down through France, into Switzerland, then Italy over Stelvio (the best pass and by far the hardest work to go up - 49 hair pins on one side) into Bormio, then back through Austria, Germany and back to Calais. 2000 miles in total, starting just south of London. The best 5 days driving I have ever done. Was with a mate in his RX8.

I'll dig out the details of the passes and other imortant bits for anyone who is going. Just don't think you can do everything in a few days as you would be surprised how long it takes to get from one pass to another especially in August with holiday traffic. There were only 2 cars with us, we we on the road by 8am each day and rarely stopped by 8pm. Just keeping everyone together will be a challenge, without all the photo stops and saying to each other "shall we do that one again?"!! Formula 1 and Ibis hotels were ideal and pretty cheap too.

Wish I could do it again this year - I am getting envious already!
Click to expand...

Sounds amazing :) Any tips would be great!

mitch78 said:
I'm quite looking forward to the full drive from Leeds in one day. I quite often go up to Edinburgh and back in a day with work, so 500 miles would just seem like nothing special, I want to get back from this feeling like I've done something really out of the ordinary.

Still waiting for my mate to come over, but hopefully I'll be able to let you know one way or the other later today.
Click to expand...

Good stuff :)
 
L60N said:
Well Ive been looking at the options for us northern boys with a view to saving a few miles on the car. Its not good news
:
Using Hull - Zeebrugge costing £300, total mileage would be 764m

going out fri 22 aug- 19:00 - arrival 09:30 sat morning with 482 miles remaining, could take 6-7 hours driving which means i wouldnt land in Schweiz until maybe 4:30 on saturday :(

The full drive leeds/Schwiez would be 794 miles. ROFL

So thinking about it, I may head down south on Thursday night and stay in a hotel to be more fresh for the Friday aft start. Its only 500 ish miles from Calais which is merely warming the engine compared to last time :)


Click to expand...

If its ok with you mate i think ill follow you down and stop somewhere on the thursday also, I was planning on doing that anyway to save time on the friday. Maybe bring a tent and camp the night?
 
djakster said:
If its ok with you mate i think ill follow you down and stop somewhere on the thursday also, I was planning on doing that anyway to save time on the friday. Maybe bring a tent and camp the night?
Click to expand...

I've got a big living room, I could get 5-6 people in there with sleeping bags. Then we could all leave in convoy from Guildford to the Eurotunnel (about an hour and a half drive). It's up to you really, not sure how out of your way Guildford is?
 
JamS3 said:
Does France not require you to carry a first aid kit in the car also?
Click to expand...

I don't know, I think you get a first aid kit with the S3's bucket seats don't you? No idea where it is though!
 
siu00adg said:
I've got a big living room, I could get 5-6 people in there with sleeping bags. Then we could all leave in convoy from Guildford to the Eurotunnel (about an hour and a half drive). It's up to you really, not sure how out of your way Guildford is?
Click to expand...

That would be much appreciated thankyou! its not really out of the way niether so thats a bonus! :icon_thumright:
 
Mitch78, you'd be covering 800 miles if you did it in one go mate. Its do-able, but a big ask mate, I felt like **** when we finally got to the hotel, almost in a trance, but a few heinekens when we checked in solved that ;)

If you came down on the thursday, then set off fresh for the 500miles on friday you'd feel heaps better mate, trust me.

Alex, you are a gent! I might have to take you up on that, although camping sounds like a wicked option too!! You got a nice back garden? :p

Im really looking forward to this now ;)

Its gonna be a knees up in Alex's living room, i can see it already !!:beerchug:

p.s, i think im flying solo this time unless my mate Andy get time off.
 
L60N said:
Mitch78, you'd be covering 800 miles if you did it in one go mate. Its do-able, but a big ask mate, I felt like **** when we finally got to the hotel, almost in a trance, but a few heinekens when we checked in solved that ;)

If you came down on the thursday, then set off fresh for the 500miles on friday you'd feel heaps better mate, trust me.

Alex, you are a gent! I might have to take you up on that, although camping sounds like a wicked option too!! You got a nice back garden? :p

Im really looking forward to this now ;)

Its gonna be a knees up in Alex's living room, i can see it already !!:beerchug:

p.s, i think im flying solo this time unless my mate Andy get time off.
Click to expand...

Yeah, agree with you there, the more sleep you get the more you will enjoy the whole thing anyway.

Lol, I have no garden what so ever!, I live in a 2 bed flat, but we do have a "communal" pool/sauna/jacuzzi/steam room and the only people that use it are basically me and my mates!, ideal for pre-road trip relaxation! :thumbsup:

Kris not keen?
 
audi upgrades
UPDATE:

MAYBE:
chasdrury
PNH80
mitch78
sjahS3
Wes G
S3 LTN
Crisis
jamiekip + another S3? + an R32?
marriedblonde
rhubarb4
newbiecrg
Ian W

DEFINITE:
siu00adg + my mate Adam
L60N
S3 Big Andy
djakster
robreun
 
Kris can't afford to do it again, he's got a lot of other commitments... My old work colleague is interested, but hes just started his post as a fireman so time off might be difficult.

I wont mind doing it on my own if it comes to it, not gonna miss out either way ;)
 
mitch78 said:
UPDATE:

MAYBE:
chasdrury
PNH80
sjahS3
Wes G
S3 LTN
Crisis
jamiekip + another S3? + an R32?
marriedblonde
rhubarb4
newbiecrg
Ian W

DEFINITE:
siu00adg + my mate Adam
L60N
S3 Big Andy
djakster
robreun
mitch78 + mate Bob

Just got back from his house and he's well up for it! Get's paid on the Friday too, so he says he's got no problem with the cost at all.

What time were you thinking of heading down on the Thursday? I'll have a think about doing the same, ask my mate what he thinks and let you know. Would it be too cheeky to ask if there's room for 2 more on Alex's floor?
Click to expand...

Excellent news! :)

Thats fine mate, the more the merrier :)

I get home from work around 4:30, but to be honest I'm not too adverse to taking Thursday off as well as Friday so basically rock up when ever suits you.
 
Would it be possible to follow you Yorkshire lads down on the Thu? Sort of a mini convoy? Dont try and lose me in your 8Ps mind lol
 
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