Driving in Germany

philhod · Post by **philhod** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 5:21 pm

In Sweden we don't bother with any supplementary stuff,
Every car by law has to have a set of winter wheels and tyres. The tyres have metal studs implanted but later types have very hard plastic inserts
You can't sell your car to anyone without the spare set either. They only plough the roads, no salt, but they do use a grit over the residual surface.
I find it works fine provided you slow down a bit too.
There are specific dates when you have to change over, 1st of Dec and march sometime. But the Opel had them on last week and the Seat got them on yesterday, as the snow has already arrived and it was 10 degrees cold last night.

scarecrow · Post by **scarecrow** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:16 pm

And to think, you do all that whilst stark-bollock-naked

philhod · Post by **philhod** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:02 pm

No no only when we're in the bastu.
I went over to Finland a few years back, a works do with my son im law (all day pissup really)

We go in this sauna to sober up a bit for the session on the boat back.
1/2 way through they all up sticks and go roll in the snö outside. I got to the door and thought ....err....no!

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:18 pm

I've done the snow thing! With a lady called Ruth on the roof of an office block on the South Bank in 1988 (drifting deep snow and about -5). Very exhilarating! (even without Ruth being there doing it too)

Those were the days!

Wooscary · Post by **Wooscary** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:47 am

So, made it there and back. Didn't use the chains once.

The car was pretty faultless really. Only real moment of drama was ten minutes after getting off the ferry, driving through France in the dark and having a rock chip the screen twice in one attack! I've never had a chip before, is having it repaired a pain?

1 by Wooscary, on Flickr

We parked up outside where we were staying in Berlin, metered bays. The guy came out to say hello and told us not to bother paying, as they never check, certainly not in snow, and even if they did the fine is only €5 a day! So we covered the car in snow and left it. No fine. And no problem with the Umwelt Plakette either.

Two BX sightings, but both late at night after too much excellent quality, cheap, beer, so I couldn't find them again in the snow.

Loads of Citroens though.

The BX in Leuven, Belgium

2 by Wooscary, on Flickr

4 by Wooscary, on Flickr

3 by Wooscary, on Flickr

All in, a great time. Mileage now stands at over 287000.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:21 pm

Nice pics! That BX of yours really is lovely.

Post by **Defender110** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:17 pm

Can't see the piccies yet on the computer at work but in answer to your question IMHO having the screen repaired is a waste of time. I would get a new screen it is a lot cheeper than you may think and much longer lasting (flying stones dependant)

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:22 pm

I'd agree with Kev. We had the Bora screen repaired last year after a meteorite-sized rock bounced off the screen leaving a chip in it.

Waste of time. A large semi-opaque patch in the screen that doesn't wipe cleanly when it rains and that's already starting to come out.

A fairly typical UK quality repair really.

I'm going to pay for a new screen, myself, in the spring.

Wooscary · Post by **Wooscary** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:32 pm

Cheers all. Wish I'd taken more photos really, they have some great cars over there, and why is it that Euro spec vehicles just look some how cooler?

Anyway, right, point taken about the screen. I just assumed they were really expensive/hard to get hold of. Just out of interest, how much are we talking? It's already pretty scratched up in the middle, so a new one would be nice.

rmattila · Post by **rmattila** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:40 pm

For price reference: I had a windshield (for the spare Van) replaced a month ago due to a similar chip. Price was 185 euro (including work & material).

Post by **Defender110** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:00 pm

Price today £105 + VAT removed and fitted.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:44 pm

Just claim on your insurance if you can, the windscreen excess (if there is one) might be smaller than you think?

Wooscary · Post by **Wooscary** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:53 pm

Very true, just looked at my policy, 70 quid excess on windscreen replacement. Does that mean I lose no claims bonus though? And would they just pay for it to be repaired? Insurance companies...argh.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:55 pm

Check with them, i'm pretty sure that its not classed as an actual accident claim on your insurance.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:53 pm

Yeah, shouldn't affect No Claims but do ask! Just had my BX screen replaced - certainly no supply issues.

Love that CX shot. Beautifully framed.