jonthetourist
Active Member
I am at the early stage of planning a September tour in France.
We have to be in the Loire Valley in late Sept for an event, but have been offered stays in friend's holiday homes in the Alps and the Dordogne, so I am thinking of a grand tour. Tunnel and overnight in Champagne district, a few nights in the ski apt, long day's drive to Dordogne, a few days by the pool, then up to the Loire for a nice weekend, followed by the ferry home. Total mileage circa 1800.
First question is, do I set off with the hardtop on? Sounds illogical in September, but a lot of the driving will be driving rather than touring, and the cabin is a quieter place on a fast road with the hard-top on. We could then whip it off at each stop and go pottering about with the top down. Any views on this?
Second one is preventive maintenance. My mileage is approaching 100k, which is reckoned to be head gasket replacement time on the M104 engine. Am I right in thinking I should get some advance warning in the shape of an oil leak? Nothing at present. Anything else I should be thinking about, bearing in mind I will be doing higher mileages at higher temperatures than the car is getting at present.
All thoughts welcome!
Thanks
Jon
We have to be in the Loire Valley in late Sept for an event, but have been offered stays in friend's holiday homes in the Alps and the Dordogne, so I am thinking of a grand tour. Tunnel and overnight in Champagne district, a few nights in the ski apt, long day's drive to Dordogne, a few days by the pool, then up to the Loire for a nice weekend, followed by the ferry home. Total mileage circa 1800.
First question is, do I set off with the hardtop on? Sounds illogical in September, but a lot of the driving will be driving rather than touring, and the cabin is a quieter place on a fast road with the hard-top on. We could then whip it off at each stop and go pottering about with the top down. Any views on this?
Second one is preventive maintenance. My mileage is approaching 100k, which is reckoned to be head gasket replacement time on the M104 engine. Am I right in thinking I should get some advance warning in the shape of an oil leak? Nothing at present. Anything else I should be thinking about, bearing in mind I will be doing higher mileages at higher temperatures than the car is getting at present.
All thoughts welcome!
Thanks
Jon