Unfortunately I'm not going to be taking the 300zx as I imagine that when I will be going in February there will be a fair bit of Ice and snow. So instead I'll be taking the Beema.

 

I'll be dropping the wife and kid at the airport where they will fly to Macedonia. From here I will be grabbing the ferry to France and then driving all the way to Skopje in Macedonia.

 

The challenge is to get there no more than 24 hours after they land. It's only going to be me in the car and there will not be any drugs involved to keep me awake. I will be taking regular breaks and probably grab a sleep in a hotel somewhere along the line.

 

I'm in the process of sorting out travel insurance, AA European cover and car insurance.

 

I will also be taking 2 cans of petrol, 4 litres of oil, a good few litres of water, tyre foam for repairs (as well as the spare tyre), snow chains and a shovel.

 

The cars going to get a good service before it starts off and I'll be equipped with lots of music, food, coffee and red bull.

 

I assume I need a GB sticker and some headlight deflectors.

 

I'm just wondering if anyone else has drove across Europe. If so can you give me some tips of what is useful.

 

I'll be using my Tom Tom Europe, I just need to download the eastern European maps.

You now have the have a Flourescent jacket, first aid kit and a reflective hazard triangle, which i think im right in thinking the last two is standard equipment in the boot of the beemer (i know it has been for the last 4 years).

 

You also need a Green Card as well

Yes... one of the work mens reflective waist coats is a must in europe...

 

Never done it, always wanted to drive to spain... only 1500 door to door lol. should take 24 hours of pure driving...

 

dont get bored lol

Not worth the risk mate take decent breaks, get some sleep and make sure your wife and daughter see their daddy safe and sound!

Not worth the risk mate take decent breaks, get some sleep and make sure your wife and daughter see their daddy safe and sound!

 

I will be taking regular breaks and probably grab a sleep in a hotel somewhere along the line.

 

Don't worry, If I'm there 2 days late, then I'm late. Safety and comfort are my main priorities. I'm really excited about driving across europe, seeing the sites and experiencing the jouney in whole. If I'm tired I'll stop and have a sleep. Thanks for the concern though mate, I know my wife would appreciate you saying that :).

You now have the have a Flourescent jacket, first aid kit and a reflective hazard triangle, which i think im right in thinking the last two is standard equipment in the boot of the beemer (i know it has been for the last 4 years).

 

You also need a Green Card as well

 

Yup, got the triangle and the first aid kit as standard. I'll grad a flourescent jacket.

 

When you say green card is that something that car insurance can provide or something else ?. How do I get it ?

Not worth the risk mate take decent breaks, get some sleep and make sure your wife and daughter see their daddy safe and sound!

 

Sorry didn't mean with out brakes... i wouldn't do it in 1 go....

here you are

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Motorinsurance/DG_067624

Sorted I think.

 

Driving License Photo card and paper copy

Original V5 document

Motor Insurance Document

Passport

Breakdown cover card and contact numbers

Travel insurance

Credit Card

Euro’s

GB Sticker

Reflective Jacket

Headlight reflectors

Warning Triangle

Wheel Chains

Replacement Bulbs

 

 

I'm just wondering if anyone else has drove across Europe. If so can you give me some tips of what is useful.

 

 

 

Yeah, drive on the right! LOL

 

I've done quite a bit of driving in Europe. Much better fun, especially in France and Germany. Good long smooth roads, deserted in comparison to overcrowded poorly surfaced UK roads.

Earlier this year I rode all the way down to Albania on a motorbike which is very nearby. I wanted to go to Macedonia but ran out of time.

 

Are you going through Serbia or down the Croatian coast or another route?

 

We couldn't get insurance for Serbia (as the US embassy in Kosovo had just been attacked then) when we went. The roads in Serbia looked much faster though. Once the motorway runs out in Croatia it was very slow going IIRC.

A mate of mine is driving to Poland soon, that looks like fun.

 

Back to the reflective jacket - it needs to be stored inside the car, where you can put it on before you get out. I notice that lots of Frenchies leave it hung over the back of the passenger seat - that way the plod don't stop you to see if you have one and then nick you for stepping out to remove it from the boot etc.

Your list of things to take looks spot on.

 

I live in Germany now, and always carry colour copies of my passport, car docs, license etc.

 

If you get stoped for any reason, you can leave copies with the plod at the roadside. It has happened a couple of times that they ask you to come to the station to verify your details / copy papers etc, esp if you get busted for speeding or have a bump.

When i did the Student Gumball rally i found that

 

1.Cops wait on the Exit of Service station Ramps to catch you speeding along and they are more difficult to spot

2. They have Speed Cameras on Motorways (In the central Reservation) BEWARE!!!

3. Radar Detector was Useful (Can post you mine as no need for it if you like)

4. Sat Nav will be your Best Friend :D

5. If you get bored find an A Road going along the motorway as staying at a constant tires you out quicker than when you are being alert by doing corners etc

6. Living off Redbull's works well but after 4days solid of it you Crash Hard!!!

7. Swiss will be a pain! Have all your Documents :D

8. Pick up lots of postcards from different Service Stations :D

 

Good Luck!

3. Radar Detector was Useful (Can post you mine as no need for it if you like)

 

just check the legality where you're heading... hefty fines in some countries, and they're wise to GB car carrying them!!

just check the legality where you're heading... hefty fines in some countries, and they're wise to GB car carrying them!!

 

As i understood the Rule is

 

* Nothing wrong in having it but if you are caught using it to prevent Police Catching you then your in trouble! What i did was put it by the Apillar and when it went mad slow down and took it down!

 

Few False alarms but was pretty good on the Motorway!Found alot of the speed Cameras as well :D

As i understood the Rule is

 

* Nothing wrong in having it but if you are caught using it to prevent Police Catching you then your in trouble! What i did was put it by the Apillar and when it went mad slow down and took it down!

 

Few False alarms but was pretty good on the Motorway!Found alot of the speed Cameras as well :D

 

Not in france!

3. Radar Detector was Useful (Can post you mine as no need for it if you like)

8. Pick up lots of postcards from different Service Stations :D

Thanks mate, I won;t be taking a radar detector a I know in most countries even having one will get you busted even if it's not turned on.

Will pick up lots of postcards. ;)

If you get stoped for any reason, you can leave copies with the plod at the roadside. It has happened a couple of times that they ask you to come to the station to verify your details / copy papers etc, esp if you get busted for speeding or have a bump.

Good idea, I'll get some copies mate up of all my doc's before I go.

 

Are you going through Serbia or down the Croatian coast or another route?

 

We couldn't get insurance for Serbia (as the US embassy in Kosovo had just been attacked then) when we went. The roads in Serbia looked much faster though. Once the motorway runs out in Croatia it was very slow going IIRC.

Reading up Serbia isn't a problem now, it must have passed over after the war. I'm going to try and avoid bosnia and albania but will probably head down through serbia as it's the closest country to Skopje where I'll be heading (capital of Macedonia)

Back to the reflective jacket - it needs to be stored inside the car, where you can put it on before you get out. I notice that lots of Frenchies leave it hung over the back of the passenger seat - that way the plod don't stop you to see if you have one and then nick you for stepping out to remove it from the boot etc.

Nice Tip Andy, I'll make sure it's hanging in the rear for display from the side window.

just check the legality where you're heading... hefty fines in some countries, and they're wise to GB car carrying them!!

Done that and the majority of the countries I'll be passing through don;t like you to hve radar detectors so I'll go without. I don't intend on getting through as quick as possible, the title was more of an attention to the thread for feedback and ideas. Where I can I will stay within the speed limit.

Hey Stu.... don't forget fuses like you blew on Saturday..... you don't want to be driving down the autobahn with negligible boost !

 

Seriously though.... as said before, better to arrive late than not at all..... and if you're tempted, just imagine you've your wife and babe in the car with you.... they will be in their minds anyway ! Good luck

Hey Stu.... don't forget fuses like you blew on Saturday..... you don't want to be driving down the autobahn with negligible boost !

 

I'm not taking the 300 mate, I'm taking the beema and it doesn't have turbo's :).

 

I found the cause of the blown fuse. It was due to black jack setting off the alarm. For some reason when the alarm goes off it blows this fuse. But it only happens if the incorrect code is entered a few times. Safety feature or dodgy install. I know which one I think it is. :)

Oh ok.... best of luck then..... would be a magic blast in a zed across Europe.... I'm thinking of driving across to Poland in the zed 'cos Liz is of Polish origin (Her Parents) and she's got family over there

Don't know if you know about vignette stickers for Austria and other countries, it's basically a toll charge, you have to buy them at petrol stations before you enter each country or you risk a hefty fine. And have plenty of change for all the other tolls.:rolleyes:

Also don't forget the green card (proof of insurance) I didnt have mine in Bosnia and had to ask nicely (£££) if I could proceed. :rolleyes:

By the way tom tom maps only go as far as Slovenia, you're on your own after that.

I drove to Croatia last year, I tell you now, that's going to be some journey. :D

Watch out for Dodgy cops as well! Fellow team was stopped and they said 'we know uv drugs in the car sniffer dogs on the way give us 500EUROS and we will let you pass' 1 team gave the money the other called there bluff and were let on there way after about 30mins!

 

Just beware! Also Vignettes you can buy before you go as well! dont know the sight but can be bought! best to buy them before as if you go through a toll without 1 Blue lights coming your way :D

Don't know if you know about vignette stickers for Austria and other countries, it's basically a toll charge, you have to buy them at petrol stations before you enter each country or you risk a hefty fine.

Thanks mate I'll make a note of that.

 

Watch out for Dodgy cops as well! Fellow team was stopped and they said 'we know uv drugs in the car sniffer dogs on the way give us 500EUROS and we will let you pass' 1 team gave the money the other called there bluff and were let on there way after about 30mins!

That team that paid up obviously had something to hide LMAO !!. No way I'd pay E500 for anything. I'm totally legal so don't have to pay to hide anything.