Shall I take my RS4 to the Alps

[Covkiller]

As I understand it from the daily rags, that it will stop, but I wouldn't be surprised if they carry on.

[MB2]

It might stop - but the stupidity is we decided it wasn't worth the bother to follow foreign drivers but every other country thinks it does make sense, so we blame the EU when really it is our government that is defective (just like the blue/black passport fiasco).

[Covkiller]

Agreed

[Covkiller]

Very quiet I know but I've only got crappy shots of the car parked in petrol stations and car parks.
We made it to La Rosiere safe and well and got flashed once outside of Reimns. Had a great drive on Friday, Cov to Reims via the tunnel. Lovely sunshine and clear toll roads. Bought a Liber-T Peage token. You need to get one of these if you use the French toll roads. Harry, (Harry's Garage), recommended it and I must say it is fukcking brilliant. Pull up to the peage, S button on in 1st, barrier lifts and hoof it, don't even have to wake the wife. Saturday left Reims and it was pissing it down all the way. Got up the mountain and the snow started falling, the RS4 just munched its way up and never lost traction. I'll try and post some interesting photo's over the coming days.

[marc1]

^ all you still on the summer tyres too?

[Covkiller]

Yes summer tyres. 6mm all round.
I forgot to says the mega sound in the tunnels. My wife said she would take a video on the way back. It absolutely screams at 8.5k revs in 3rd and 2nd. So I hope the clarity is good, but what the hell.

[marc1]

It’s impressive that the summers don’t give you any issues up a snowy mountain. Enjoy the tri. Look forward to the pictures and videos.

[neil_f]

Is it not law to have winter tyres fitted over there ?

[Eddie555]

Is it not law to have winter tyres fitted over there ?

You don’t know Cov!! He doesn’t give a flying fook about the law.

[MikeFish]

Is it not law to have winter tyres fitted over there ?

You don’t know Cov!! He doesn’t give a flying fook about the law.

Same could be said for most of Coventry.

[Covkiller]

As said, I don't care
The temp was 8'C all the way there, the mountain road only had a small layer of snow at the top and the town was snowy, so I can't justify snow tyres for 15 minutes worth of very slow driving. Many people drive like complete nob ends in the snow, ie, try to pull off in 1st gear and no tread on their tyres. Even in my car I pull off in 2nd or 3rd in the snow.

Here's some boring photo's

Serviced and washed by me and ready to go

Filling up at Shell Folkestone

Waiting to board the train and what a beautiful day

Outside the hotel in Reims

Reims hotel car park

Chalet car park


I'll be venturing out in the RS in the coming days so will get some interesting snow, great mountain view photos, the Chalet, road etc.

[JCviggen]

As said, I don't care

There's nothing cool or commendable about driving with your insurance effectively invalidated, grow up.

Even if some other moron drives into you, chances are very high you would be found liable anyway.

It's all fun while you remain lucky, when it runs out for someone like you eventually it ruins lives.

The Swiss of all people have zero sense of humour about something like this, that alone would have been enough for me to do things properly.

[Dolphie]

The French have no requirement for winter tyres. They might stop you half way up the hill if they think you are ill equipped for the conditions.

It's a different story in Switzerland and Austria.

I'd still not risk it though as I've driven all the way back to Zeebrugge in the snow and I drive up the hill each day. If I was only there for a week occasionally I'd maybe take the chance though.

[Covkiller]

I have been stopped by the French Police many times and they have never checked my tyres. Even when the Police were stopping everyone to check they had snow chains on the way up to La Plagne some years ago in snowy conditions, they saw me and just waived me on and stopped everyone else. JCviggen I am no law breaker and respect the law in all countries so I have no need to grow up. What I don't care about are people who can't take tongue in cheek comments to make things more interesting.

[KWheeler]

I'm off to La Plagne in 3 weeks, wish I was driving

I have been stopped by the French Police many times and they have never checked my tyres. Even when the Police were stopping everyone to check they had snow chains on the way up to La Plagne some years ago in snowy conditions, they saw me and just waived me on and stopped everyone else. JCviggen I am no law breaker and respect the law in all countries so I have no need to grow up. What I don't care about are people who can't take tongue in cheek comments to make things more interesting.