Back from trip to France

[Kilmarnockbunne]

Hi All
Just back from a trip down to the south of France. Had the car 1 month now and it is a delight on a long trip. Managed to clock up 3500 miles (not bad considering it only had 16k on the clock when I got it a month ago). Previously done similar trips in my wife's E220 but the 280 is a delight on a run.
Highlight of the trip was 50mpg down an alp, however the low point was 16mpg going round Monaco! Never again...
Only problem I had is a pain in my side after a few hours (well 4 or 5 actually). The drivers seat is not square to the steering wheel, which I think is the cause of my problem. Are they all this squinty (ie typical left to right hand drive issue) or is there a fix?

 

[survey]

Lovely driving on the continent - and the police know how to keep traffic moving after a breakdown or accident, unlike here! I recently came back after a month driving around France and Spain. I managed to achieve a true tank best of 53mpg and worst of 47mpg.
My last C Class and to a lesser extent my present E coupe have offset pedals and it is not the best seating position for long drives, giving a pain in the side. I guess this is the price one pays for having a car designed for the lhd market.

 

[allegoricus]

I guess this is the price one pays for having a car designed for the lhd market.

Back in the early eighties I had a Renault that represented this in spades, even having no space to pass your foot to the left of the clutch pedal.
I never overcame the irritation this caused, and exchanging the car became a mission.

 

[st4]

Driving these cars on an extended tour is amazing,

your post brings back two of the best weeks of my life

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/94267-i-am-back-wow-2-best-weeks-ever.html

I will do this again, your post has made me think than I should do a massive two weeks grand tour

(I got 65mpg down an Alp, 150+ mph and a touring average of 38mpg IIRC)

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hi Steve, 65mpg is obscene. In truth a marvel of modern engineering that allows a comfy heavy car to travel at speed and return a good mpg.

 

[st4]

Hi Steve, 65mpg is obscene. In truth a marvel of modern engineering that allows a comfy heavy car to travel at speed and return a good mpg.

I had it at 70mpg at one bit...


Tell you what I did....we stayed in this little mountain town nr Bormeo, and it was about 5 miles going down a hill on the overun and just braking for the tighter turns, but no power was needed.

By the time we got to the top of the Stelvio 3hrs later, it was below 30mpg but I blasted it up there....

God I miss the continent for driving, I will be going back.

 

[Benzmanc]

We did the stelvio last year and averaged over 3100 miles 36.4mpg not bad for a petrol

 

[allegoricus]

Reminder for future travelers to/through France: IAM Driving Road Safety - driving abroad - France

 

[brucemillar]

I grew up in Kilmarnock..Kay Park. How is the old place?

 

[A210AMG]

We are off to Annecy soon in the bus,

Roof box and bikes on the back, boot full yet we normally get around 38mpg.

I cannot enjoy the mountain roads as I once did...wife and kids start moaning... but I still have the occasional squirt.. love the roads around the Alpe d'Huez. Not built for this car but in other cars I have had...some real fun on them

 

[allegoricus]

I cannot enjoy the mountain roads as I once did...wife and kids start moaning... but I still have the occasional squirt.. love the roads around the Alpe d'Huez. Not built for this car but in other cars I have had...some real fun on them

If I get too exuberant, my wife is likely to throw up. Useless as a navigator, although of course that matters less these days.