Driving through France - Advice Needed

[Londonscottish]

Hi All,

In August I'm off to stretch my E500's legs on a canter to SW France and I've got a few questions; please chip in if you've been doing this recently

COMAND
I've got the DVD version - do I need to order/buy a COMAND Nav DVD for France?

Xenons
I don't think I have bi-Xenons (how can I check - I presume I need to get the wifey to switch them on when I'm standing in front to see if they do the little levelling dance?). In any case I seem to recall there's a way to reset Xenons for driving on the left? Or do I just buy normal headlight sticker-things?

Recovery
I think my AA cover is UK only so I can pay to extend. I think I may also have recovery under my Autprotect Warranty - again I may have to pay to extend outside the UK. And as my Merc has fully MBSH I may also have MOBILO recovery too - any advice as to how to pick the best option?

Insurance
I need to call the insurance company to check on fully comp abroad

Other mandatory stuff
I'm assuming I need to buy a high vis jacket.
And a spare set of bulbs (?).
And a GB sticker as plates aren't Euro ones.
And take copies of reg and insurance docs

Other optional Stuff
I might buy some window blinds to keep heat out of the rear.
And I'll have a quick check at the local indy to make sure everything is tickety
boo.

 

[DITTRICH]

Bulbs, Fire Extinguisher, Warning Triangle, HiVis jacket are I think required items.
The AA give advice pdf files by country.
I would make sure of the wheel locking nut being in the car somewhere.
There are loads of "lists" in the "what is in your boot" thread.
Your insurance already gives TP in the EU.
Les

 

[Londonscottish]

Bulbs, Fire Extinguisher, Warning Triangle, HiVis jacket are I think required items.

Got two of the three - just need the jacket.

The AA give advice pdf files by country.

I'll have a look ta.

I would make sure of the wheel locking nut being in the car somewhere.

Good point - will have a look tonight.

Your insurance already gives TP in the EU.
Les

Yeah - I just fancied fully comp and only just realised there may not be automatic cover in place.

Now I think about it's up for renewal shortly - another reason to call them up.

 

[Ltech]

Some insurance companies send you a green card for insurance cover which is whats used in France and some other European countries, I think, and some companies just tell you to take your cover note with you. You'll need a high viz for each passanger and warning triangle (this is usually in every Merc's boot anyway)

 

[flango]

I'm not sure if France is one of these but some European countries like Germany require you to have a hi vis jacket for every occupant of the vehicle and they are very good at policing it in a stop. So I found the easiest way was to get 5 jackets which are kept permanently in the door pockets (EU requirement means they must be in the car not the boot or hatch, this includes France) Also don't forget about any speed camera warning devices the French are pretty hot on confiscating those too as well as your car in extreme circumstances

 

[Londonscottish]

So I found the easiest way was to get 5 jackets which are kept permanently in the door pockets (EU requirement means they must be in the car not the boot or hatch, this includes France)

Nightmare! I HATE clutter in the car - but thanks for the tip.

Also don't forget about any speed camera warning devices the French are pretty hot on confiscating those too as well as your car in extreme circumstances

Yeah I've heard about this issue - I don't use one, luckily.

 

[Londonscottish]

According to these people I only need one vest. I'll double chack with the AA

Driving in France - Overview by Country - Eurosafedrive.com - Driving in Europe? Warning Triangles and High Visibility Vests are Law!

 

[Londonscottish]

The AA says one high vis jacket. Spare bulbs are optional

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/france-monaco.pdf

 

[smillion]

TOLLS

Go on-line and subscribe for a little box that glues to the windscreen and you can use the tolls pay-as-you-go without bothering with cash - it also means you can use the (often emprty) left hand gate instead of queing - had one for years and well worth it. 1Euro a month subscription

Liber-t, automatic toll payment system motorway, france tolls*› ASFA



Marc

 

[219]

Going by the misfortune of another member's current thread , make sure you have a 'proper' spare wheel , puncture repair kit or otherwise be prepared to be stuffed royally by tyre centres who won't repair tyres that will be fixed here and charge approx double the UK tyre prices - option 3 - spend the rest of your trip at 50 mph on a space saver - and where do you put your full size flat ?

 

[Londonscottish]

TOLLS

Go on-line and subscribe for a little box that glues to the windscreen and you can use the tolls pay-as-you-go without bothering with cash - it also means you can use the (often emprty) left hand gate instead of queing - had one for years and well worth it. 1Euro a month subscription

Liber-t, automatic toll payment system motorway, france tolls*› ASFA



Marc

Top tip! Thanks - I'll subscribe to that.

 

[Londonscottish]

Going by the misfortune of another member's current thread , make sure you have a 'proper' spare wheel , puncture repair kit or otherwise be prepared to be stuffed royally by tyre centres who won't repair tyres that will be fixed here and charge approx double the UK tyre prices - option 3 - spend the rest of your trip at 50 mph on a space saver - and where do you put your full size flat ?

Luckily mine has a full size spare

I'll dig it out and make sure it's all fine.

 

[bh13coupe]

dont forget the std 100euro's cash per speeding fine if nicked below 160KPH

 

[Londonscottish]

dont forget the std 100euro's cash per speeding fine if nicked below 160KPH

Yup. E500. Goes with the territory.

 

[Londonscottish]

looks like this might be the answer to COMAND Nav - £220! (ouch)

Comand Online Ltd :: Mercedes SatNav/COMAND :: Mercedes Navigation Disks :: Comand APS Map DVD Europe 2010/1011 (V11.0) for E (W211), SL, SLK, Maybach, S (W220), CL (W215), CLS

 

[Spin_bowler]

Spend less on a tom-tom with Europe on it already. Ebay it after the trip.

You will also have the benefit of being able to route plan outside of the car like in a pretty town square with an ice cold Kronenbourg on the go.

 

[Londonscottish]

Spend less on a tom-tom with Europe on it already. Ebay it after the trip.

You will also have the benefit of being able to route plan outside of the car like in a pretty town square with an ice cold Kronenbourg on the go.

Good lateral thinking. All I can think of now is (a) that square and (b) that beer

 

[Spin_bowler]

Where and when are you going? I'm off on 11th August to the Pyrenees and away for seventeen days. I can't wait.

 

[PXW]

looks like this might be the answer to COMAND Nav - £220! (ouch)

Comand Online Ltd :: Mercedes SatNav/COMAND :: Mercedes Navigation Disks :: Comand APS Map DVD Europe 2010/1011 (V11.0) for E (W211), SL, SLK, Maybach, S (W220), CL (W215), CLS

I think the DVD is a Euro one anyway - mine works over there, always has. Check on the menu whether you can change country. But if you want the latest uptodate maps, then yes, comandonline will be the place to call.

 

[Londonscottish]

I think the DVD is a Euro one anyway - mine works over there, always has. Check on the menu whether you can change country. But if you want the latest uptodate maps, then yes, comandonline will be the place to call.

Aha - this could be the answer.

I'll have a look.