Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi everyone!
Would appreciate any advice, tips, do & don't or ideas on our plan!
We've had 'mexi' for 2 years and she's due a good run, so decided it would be nice, instead of flying to St.tropez to meet the in laws on holiday we will drive, which then turned into getting ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam and going to southern France via Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Monaco!
Has anyone ever done similar? Would love some success stories cos we just have nay Sayers at the moment!
Cheers!

I've driven from Merseyside to south Central of France many times in my 924 my parents have a house down there . I usually do it in one hit too its best part of 900 miles and usually takes 14-15 hours depending on traffic down to dover and around Paris I tend to get around 35 mpg or nearly 500 miles to a tank.

We are looking forward to it! Was thinking of just going for it straight down but thinking of taking 5 days and going touristy! We live in Newcastle area so close to the ferry. Used a website 'viamichellin' which was useful for route. I've heard some modifications are needed on the lights for L/H side driving so looking into that.

Sounds like a great trip. I've used viamichelin too. Last time I went I took the scenic route along the coast and stopped ina château alençon and went through le mans. The only problem is the tolls it cost a fortune



You can buy stick on light beam changers so it's fairly easy. But I remember doing the same trip in my calibra, the headlights had a lever that you can change the beam direction for driving on the left or right which seems like a good idea that no one else took up.

Hi

Driving in Europe is a joy compared to over here, you will have a great time in the Boxster.

When planning your route check out the D roads they often run parallel to the Auto Routes and are free.

There are lots of ways down to your destination, the Eifel region is very nice with some great roads. Voges through Alsace is also beautiful. Personally I find Switzerland a pain and try to avoid the place at all costs. There are some great routes through the Alps though.
You will need a Vignette for Switzerland €40.

If you drop me an email, I will send you a link for a Sanef toll pass, for France. It's so nice just driving through the tolls without having to stop at the booths and saves scuffing wheels.

I am not sure if the Boxster headlights are switchable they are on my 996.

Boxster headlights are only switchable if HID (Xenons) (I think) the standard ones are not. You'll need beam deflectors or insulating tape to knock the kick up to the left off. Beam deflectors never worked too well on mine as the headlights slope so much, so I always used the tape, cheaper too!
Yours are HID Sean so will be switchable.

Make sure your paperwork is 100%, insurance certificate (some companies want to be told you're going abroad others don't), V5C. Only ever been asked for my documents once & all they wanted was V5C & our passports!
Make sure you have breakdown cover (Stop laughing Sean ) if you breakdown on French motorway, you have to phone the French police as motorways are private. Getting hauled off will cost you dear without some European breakdown cover.

These are exactly the sort of info I was hoping for, thanks for your help! ive been looking online comparison sites at european cover and it seemes quite good ranging from £75-£110. Not usually one for taking the cheapest quote but that is with AXA so a reputable name. Never thought about notifying the insurance company though. any advice on what i should think about replacing before travel? MOT next week but will sail through but was thinking new tyres and brake overhaul. Air conditioning could be on the agenda too.

As an AA member I used to get AA 5 star cover & the once we used it they were fantastic.
Some insurers give Euro cover, Asset Trust did & my current insurers do.
As for what to do, get it decently serviced, get the front PU (bumper) dropped & the radiators & condensers checked. Together with hoses & water pump. You'll be running faster & longer, in higher temps & cooling issues can be a concern.
You should have Climate rather than standard AC in an S so yes get it serviced at the same time as the overall service.
Minimum tread in Europe is 3mm (certainly in Germany) so if your tyres are wearing then this may influence an early change. Tyres are horribly expensive in Europe & Porsche sizes won't be available outside big cities. You only have a space saver limited to 50MPH so don't want Tyre issues in Europe. You'll be doing mountains & fast motorways so brakes are important as well.

Don't forget to have two hi-vis jackets. Not sure if you still have to carry two breathalysers in France ? Also things like spare bulbs, triangle, spare glasses - requirements vary from country to country, even in the "harmonised" EU

Not sure what is required now but I always carry Hi vis jackets spare set if bulbs triangle 2 breathalysers magnetic GB badge and light beam adjusters. Even if some of the parts are no longer required its still worth carrying it all as some of the gendams aren't the nicest of people. Although some can be really nice, I forgot everything one time I went as it was a bit of a rush. Worked 9 till 9 got home loaded up and set off as ferry was at 2am. Anyway got pulled just north of orleans the guy spoke good English looked around my 924 said buy a GB sticker and light adjusters at the next services and let me go.

Thanks for the tips. We are meant to be going for 7 days in St.Tropez thinking 5 days travel down then 2 days home ( straight run up then euro tunnel then boring A1) so 14 days in total but not sure how much space I'll have for anything! Travel light will be the word for this trip! Luckily the wife only collects fridge magnets from each place we visit!
I'll try and get the link for the route on see if anyone had any suggestions on places to visit/advice because we are really going from a novice idea here.

"I've heard some modifications are needed on the lights for L/H side driving so looking into that."

"Boxster headlights are only switchable if HID (Xenons) (I think) the standard ones are not."

Not sure about earlier Boxsters but the headlights on my 2003 car can be adjusted manually for Europe by popping them out then turning the white plastic knob (you can just about see it in the top right corner of pic below). Its the same for the 996 version 911 too. Its a 5 min job at most with a 5mm socket or the crappy plastic tool Porsche supply if you still have it/or it hasnt broke.

Thumbs up from me for the scenic option too & I have found keepingthe milage down to around 300 miles gives you chance to see places when you arrive rather than arrive later at hotel, eat, sleep, leave without seeing anything due to lack of time.



HTH

Thanks for the pic, I'll have a look tonight and put my results on. Think I'll get my hands dirty this weekend and get a few things sorted. Went to get the air conditioning regassed and they told me I had a leak, prob on the unit near radiator they said but they wanted £680 to do it which seems over the top. So that will need sorting soon. Anyone had similar problems?