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I am thinking of driving down to the south of France this summer for our holiday, I would normally fly but now I have an rs4 was thinking it might be good just to drive. Does anyone have any info on driving in Europe? I was thinking on fuel and things, also someone has mentioned the toll roads?? I am really looking forward to it, should be some good roads to blast down. Any info would be great thanks.

brett123 wrote:I am thinking of driving down to the south of France this summer for our holiday, I would normally fly but now I have an rs4 was thinking it might be good just to drive. Does anyone have any info on driving in Europe? I was thinking on fuel and things, also someone has mentioned the toll roads?? I am really looking forward to it, should be some good roads to blast down. Any info would be great thanks.

We've taken the RS4 to France every year since we bought it in 2006 so that we can stock up our wine direct from the growers.

We always use the peage toll autoroutes, IMHO the extra cost of the toll is worth it for the much easy and faster journey times (and the sound when doing a full throttle accelerate away from the toll booths is addictive!).

Super unleaded is widely available, only once have I had to fill up with normal unleaded.

In France be aware that you must carry hi-viz jackets for EVERY occupant, and they are making it compulsory to carry a disposable breathalyser from 1st July, and I seem to remember hearing something about making GPS speed camera warning devices illegal?

Yeah I've heard about the high viz thing, do I still need G B Stickers? Going down to the south of France, think I will defo be using the toll roads, a few people have said there quicker. What's the sat nav like over there, was thinking of getting the latest disc as mine is only 2006 at the moment.

What about tyres? Do they have the same tread limits? I've still got winter tyres on at the moment, have not got round to replacing with summer tyres as its in at Audi, engine managment light is on.

brettRS4 wrote:do I still need G B stickers?

Either GB stickers or, like I've got, "EU" style number plates with the blue GB section on the LHS.

brettRS4 wrote:What's the sat nav like over there, was thinking of getting the latest disc as mine is only 2006 at the moment.

Sat nav is very good even on the real back roads, but you definitely need a newer map DVD. I've got an unused 2011 one (I've got the 2012), if you're interested PM me.

brettRS4 wrote:What about tyres? Do they have the same tread limits? I've still got winter tyres on at the moment, have not got round to replacing with summer tyres

AFAIK the tread limits are the same. You definitely don't want to be running winter tyres in summer in the south though. Also check the can of tyre "gunk", you don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a flat tyre - or even carry an extra tyre as some people do.

PetrolDave wrote:

brett123 wrote:I am thinking of driving down to the south of France this summer for our holiday, I would normally fly but now I have an rs4 was thinking it might be good just to drive. Does anyone have any info on driving in Europe? I was thinking on fuel and things, also someone has mentioned the toll roads?? I am really looking forward to it, should be some good roads to blast down. Any info would be great thanks.

We always use the peage toll autoroutes, IMHO the extra cost of the toll is worth it for the much easy and faster journey times (and the sound when doing a full throttle accelerate away from the toll booths is addictive!).
Super unleaded is widely available, only once have I had to fill up with normal unleaded.
In France be aware that you must carry hi-viz jackets for EVERY occupant, and they are making it compulsory to carry a disposable breathalyser from 1st July, and I seem to remember hearing something about making GPS speed camera warning devices illegal?

Hi Brett
some news from France (I live in Monaco/Monte-Carlo, near Nice, Côte d'Azur).
Could be a pleasant trip, even if there will be much much cars
PetrolDave is right about hi-viz jacketssssss, toll highway (best roads), SP98 availability, breathalyser beginning 1st of July/11€ fine (http://www.motoringspy.co.uk/2995/new-f ... stupidity/).
About GPS + speed camera, there was a big war between government and GPS/radar makers, they have been authorised as long as they don't speak "radar" but "road dangers" !!! quite ironic, but if your GPS is up-to-date, it can warn you about danger ahead, the distance can be up to 4km ahead (no precise distance anymore), and it can be radar, car accident, traffic jam, whatever
But all agreed that the police has no authority to go inside your car to check if your GPS have been upgraded not to mention radar (not easy). My Coyote is up-to-date

Have a good trip

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... 95#p468495

We had a brilliant time, would do it again over flying anytime.

Jay.