Autobahns for beginners

Post by **stu** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:48 pm

Fingers crossed I'll have an excuse to zip down through part of Germany in a few months time. I'm doing a few snowboard trips to Chamonix and Austria so I'll do my best to drive rather than fly for one of them. Is there a guide on autobahns somewhere on the internet?

Thanks.

Post by **HYFR** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 5:34 pm

what do you mean a guide ?

you have a driving license right ? so you already know how to drive ?!

when you see a speed limit, there is a speed limit, then you see the equivalant of our NSL slight, then it is derestricted until you see a speed limit.

say out of the "fast lane" unless you are overtaking or doing 150 mph

if traffic free, it will flow at about 100mph.

Post by **Ian_C** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:10 pm

Just in case you don't already in the UK, xenons on permanently if you are doing 100+

Post by **sonny** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:19 pm

Its only unlimited speed if weather conditions permit. If wet then its not unlimited. I think it drops to 110kph

Post by **amanda1** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:56 pm

Ian_C wrote:Just in case you don't already in the UK, xenons on permanently if you are doing 100+

Doesn't always work as you still get prats pulling out in front of you doing 65 kms when you are doing over 130 + mph

Post by **F@tBoyF@t** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:29 pm

amanda1 wrote:
Ian_C wrote:Just in case you don't already in the UK, xenons on permanently if you are doing 100+
Doesn't always work as you still get prats pulling out in front of you doing 65 kms when you are doing over 130 + mph

& therein lies the problem with the Autobahn - 2 lanes -less able motorists pulling out without giving a thought to high-flyers such as Amanda doing 130+mph.
Drive within your limits - things can go wrong very quickly.

Generally the fastest/hardest driven cars are the TDi drivers (certainly over long distances)
I had a thoroughly miserable time driving my Integrale down to Munich ten years back, & was very jealous of the TDi guys.

One thing to bear in mind is that the restricted sections are restricted for a reason & generally heavily policed by the Polizei.

Mobile speed traps are quite common.

M-B owners think that they own the roads and drive accordingly - generalisation, I know, but generally true.

When there are accidents on the Autobahn, they are generally major ones due to the disparity in speeds between the slow inner lane and the lightning fast outside lane.

At full bore you'll be fortunate to get 140 miles out of a tankful & that tends to focus the wallet.

BTW - do not give a German *The Finger* - as you could end up in serious trouble.

The international signal indicating "OK" to your dive buddy can easily be interpreted as "Arschlocher" (translation on request) by a German Bobby & then you'll be locked up for sure.

Post by **stu** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 10:45 pm

Cheers fellas, that was the sort of thing I was after. I'm not scared of a bit of speed but I've always driven in a boringly safe (read: slow) when things are unfamiliar.

I take it the unrestricted parts are dotted all over the country, interspersed with speed-restricted stretches?

Post by **sonny** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 2:13 am

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_aut ... eed_limits

Post by **Ian_C** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:27 pm

F@tBoyF@t wrote:
amanda1 wrote:
Ian_C wrote:Just in case you don't already in the UK, xenons on permanently if you are doing 100+
Doesn't always work as you still get prats pulling out in front of you doing 65 kms when you are doing over 130 + mph
& therein lies the problem with the Autobahn - 2 lanes -less able motorists pulling out without giving a thought to high-flyers such as Amanda doing 130+mph.

I agree that its no guarantee, but less likely with xenons lit

Post by **stu** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 6:22 am

sonny wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_aut ... eed_limits

That's really useful. I really should've done a wikipedia search

Post by **randomshenans** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 7:24 pm

They also have speed cameras in the speed limited sections as well. If you're heading to the Alps watch the Swiss speed cameras as they're tiny and not signed.

I have set off a fair few. Best is 190kph in 110. I then bought a new car so they couldn't find me.

Post by **sonny** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 2:18 am

Only down side to a road with an unlimited speed limit and that's stopping distance......

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=6e6_1348414792

Post by **stu** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:27 am

sonny wrote:Only down side to a road with an unlimited speed limit and that's stopping distance......

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=6e6_1348414792

That was unpleasant to watch.

Maybe it's hard to tell, but to me he only really started braking hard at the level of the lorry. I didn't see any forward lurch before that.

Post by **sonny** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:45 pm

Yep he did not even lift off. So im guessing he was not paying attention.

Post by **bam_bam** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 7:18 pm

stu wrote:Is there a guide on autobahns.

Drive fast. Don't die.

RS246.com Forum :: The World's #1 Audi R, S and RS Enthusiast Community