driving across Europe in the V6 later in the summer

[andy willi]

i am setting off to tour France on Tuesday in my zt it has been sat in the back garden for 2 years and now back on the road just done a 600 mile round trip in uk no problems so off to France for 3 weeks and no breakdown cover taken out,will be taking some tools and spares but wont really worry as it is a British made car.
it will do all i ask of it . if it dose breakdown i will fly home and go back and repair it there and drive it home,
.


what can go wrong .


andy

you need
warning triangle / gb sticker/ hi vis for all in car / spare bulbs / first aid kit / full size spare Tyre /breathalyzer kit/

and big balls and plenty of petrol

where can i go wrong

[Colbo68]

Originally Posted by ProfDave

OK planning a slightly bonkers trip to Belgium and then up round Germany and France in one of the V6s later in the summer. Should be fun. Wondering out loud what sort of bits I should stock up on and ram into the boot for emergencies (aside from the obligatory triangles and safety stuffs)

I'd take a big bottle of coolant.
Mine seems to get through fluid like no tomorrow.
There are no apparent leaks anywhere, it just seems to want to be watered.

[ProfDave]

Originally Posted by andy willi

i am setting off to tour France on Tuesday in my zt it has been sat in the back garden for 2 years and now back on the road just done a 600 mile round trip in uk no problems so off to France for 3 weeks and no breakdown cover taken out,will be taking some tools and spares but wont really worry as it is a British made car.
it will do all i ask of it . if it dose breakdown i will fly home and go back and repair it there and drive it home,
.


what can go wrong .


andy

you need
warning triangle / gb sticker/ hi vis for all in car / spare bulbs / first aid kit / full size spare Tyre /breathalyzer kit/

and big balls and plenty of petrol

where can i go wrong

breathalyser kits good call!! Forgotten that one. Will order a few

[andy willi]

Originally Posted by ProfDave

breathalyser kits good call!! Forgotten that one. Will order a few

all from andrew pages i have a trade account cost me £19 for the lot



andy

[aguy]

Originally Posted by Colbo68

I'd take a big bottle of coolant.
Mine seems to get through fluid like no tomorrow.
There are no apparent leaks anywhere, it just seems to want to be watered.

I've heard they like a drink but since Trikey put me a new thermostat in 6 weeks ago due to some damp in the vee, I have done about 600 miles, checked the water ( and oil) twice a week and the levels have stayed the same.

Maybe it's just some cars that are more prone than others ??

Harry

[Anon3]

Blimey!
O ye of little faith

I'd check the oil and water and be on my way, no worries.

Yes, we hear of problems all the time on these forums, but for me it's a couple of thousand miles and no big deal whatsoever.
Hence I'd see any breakdown as really bad luck.

A full size spare, especially for this trip?
Why?
Don't other European countries sell tyres?

That said, perhaps I'm a bit blaze.
The only problem I ever had on a european trip was when I was tired on the way back and asked the missus to drive from Warwick services on the M40.
It was snowing lightly, yet she managed to turn the Rover 216 into a banana after hitting a tree about 3/4 of a mile from our house.

If it's going to end up a disaster, it doesn't matter what you take, imo.

[colintf]

Originally Posted by andy willi

i am setting off to tour France on Tuesday in my zt it has been sat in the back garden for 2 years and now back on the road just done a 600 mile round trip in uk no problems so off to France for 3 weeks and no breakdown cover taken out,will be taking some tools and spares but wont really worry as it is a British made car.
it will do all i ask of it . if it dose breakdown i will fly home and go back and repair it there and drive it home,
.


what can go wrong .


andy

you need
warning triangle / gb sticker/ hi vis for all in car / spare bulbs / first aid kit / full size spare Tyre /breathalyzer kit/

and big balls and plenty of petrol

where can i go wrong

Good on ya Andy

[andy willi]

Originally Posted by Anon3

Blimey!
O ye of little faith

I'd check the oil and water and be on my way, no worries.

Yes, we hear of problems all the time on these forums, but for me it's a couple of thousand miles and no big deal whatsoever.
Hence I'd see any breakdown as really bad luck.

A full size spare, especially for this trip?
Why?
Don't other European countries sell tyres?

That said, perhaps I'm a bit blaze.
The only problem I ever had on a european trip was when I was tired on the way back and asked the missus to drive from Warwick services on the M40.
It was snowing lightly, yet she managed to turn the Rover 216 into a banana after hitting a tree about 3/4 of a mile from our house.

If it's going to end up a disaster, it doesn't matter what you take, imo.

the full size spare is there because if you want a tyre in france they will want you to buy two they wont sell one they must match across the axle i have been told so just in case i will take the full size one and a puncture repair kit . plus i would have to pay retail price when i get trade here .

have just changed oil and filter and done a coolant change so all should be good there



andy

[ProfDave]

Originally Posted by andy willi

the full size spare is there because if you want a tyre in france they will want you to buy two they wont sell one they must match across the axle i have been told so just in case i will take the full size one and a puncture repair kit . plus i would have to pay retail price when i get trade here .

have just changed oil and filter and done a coolant change so all should be good there



andy

aha!! Did not realise the 'axel' thing. Good call obviously Michelin have more influence on government policy there!!

I will prepare a spare and lose some wine storage....

[murphyv310]

Two Euro trips in Skodas one in 1981 in a 120 LSE went to Czechoslovakia and Poland no problems apart from an ambulance running into the back of the car in Prague, could have been a disaster. Second trip to St Raphael near Cannes in 1992 driving a Favorit. Again no problems. A good service and thorough check on the V6 and you will be fine.
Enjoy!