Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: tunnie on 11 November 2012, 09:18:41
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So I'm currently considering a road trip to Austria, one the issues I've discovered is I need winter tyres as a legal requirement.
If I do the trip, I'd be driving from London to St Anton in January, so quite possible its blazing heat on M25, but snow in the Alps. I've been to French Alps in January & most roads were fine, but cannot risk not putting them on.
I know I could get steelies to pop winters on (which would be cheaper), but I've got to go and source them, I might as well use the set of 16" alloys I have in the garage.
I've also got to buy the right size, as if I have an accident don't want to have any legal issues.
So been looking at:
Nankang Snow SV-2 @ approx £66 a corner
Quite good reviews: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nankang/SV2.htm (http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nankang/SV2.htm)
Falken HS-439 @ £78 a corner
Excellent reviews ::) http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Falken/Eurowinter-HS439.htm (http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Falken/Eurowinter-HS439.htm)
Question is really, can it damage winter tyres driving in normal conditions? Anyone driven to Austria recently?
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I'd say it would be cheeper to pay the baggage and fly ;)
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I'd say it would be cheeper to pay the baggage and fly ;)
So far, its considerably cheaper to drive, even buying tyres :o
Plus I have all my gear to take, plus air-beds, bedding and stuff.
So far, rough breakdown:
Fly
Flight £120
Transfer Austria £70
Getting Heathrow £10
Extra Weight £100 (£50/way)
Total £300
Car
Fuel £212.40
Ferry £90.00
Breakdown £64.00
Tyres £65.00
Total /3 £147.13
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Also add in fact, driving means room to carry lots of beer + food. Have you seen the cost of a beer in the Alps? :o
We figure chuck £30/40 in each, stop at a German supermarket & thats us sorted for the week
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Dad used to drive to Livigno skiing, but only because Amy had cf and oxygen tanks etc
It was WAY cheaper to fly and get the train. Way cheaper.
Livigno is northern Italy though. No idea re Austria.
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Dad used to drive to Livigno skiing, but only because Amy had cf and oxygen tanks etc
It was WAY cheaper to fly and get the train. Way cheaper.
Livigno is northern Italy though. No idea re Austria.
But was that splitting the cost? Driving along or with 2 flying is cheaper, but with 3 people splitting transport costs (fuel,ferry+extras). Its coming out a lot cheaper...
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If the useless student is driving, they'll want dropping off at Gatwick, while you carry on.
;)
Check the tyre sizes of steels btw. I'm sue you can get hold of four spares given the number of omegas in Brackley.
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If the useless student is driving, they'll want dropping off at Gatwick, while you carry on.
;)
Check the tyre sizes of steels btw. I'm sue you can get hold of four spares given the number of omegas in Brackley.
Done many a road trip before, Germany, Switzerland & so on, all really enjoyable. It's all about the journey, tunes, snacks. What does it matter if you do 70mph rather than 90mph? :-\
Now looking at stopping in Luxembourg, make the journey enjoyable :)
Could source steelies, from ones we have, but that would leave MotherT & FatherT without a spare, sods law the week I borrow them, they get a flat
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The only thing I recall seeing in Luxembourg was Ikea :-\
Do like driving on the Continent though :y
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The only thing I recall seeing in Luxembourg was Ikea :-\
Do like driving on the Continent though :y
Indeed, smooth roads, cruise control and just enjoy some of the views.
Took a Senator to Switzerland, and previously took 2.2 to Langraaf near German border, great trips!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Misc/Switzerland/DSC_0433.JPG)
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So I'm currently considering a road trip to Austria, one the issues I've discovered is I need winter tyres as a legal requirement.
If I do the trip, I'd be driving from London to St Anton in January, so quite possible its blazing heat on M25, but snow in the Alps. I've been to French Alps in January & most roads were fine, but cannot risk not putting them on.
I know I could get steelies to pop winters on (which would be cheaper), but I've got to go and source them, I might as well use the set of 16" alloys I have in the garage.
I've also got to buy the right size, as if I have an accident don't want to have any legal issues.
So been looking at:
Nankang Snow SV-2 @ approx £66 a corner
Quite good reviews: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nankang/SV2.htm (http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nankang/SV2.htm)
Falken HS-439 @ £78 a corner
Excellent reviews ::) http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Falken/Eurowinter-HS439.htm (http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Falken/Eurowinter-HS439.htm)
Question is really, can it damage winter tyres driving in normal conditions? Anyone driven to Austria recently?
Yes.
But minimal. The point is that winter tyres are designed and manufactured to operate at their best at 7 degC or less (I think), so high temperatures can cause damage. But realistically, the few hundred miles you MAY do in higher temperatures ain't gonna make a great deal of difference.
It is more a case of being aware not to continously drive in warmer climates on winters.
I have known (disorganised) people who are still running on winters in April and May. No real issue. It might shorten the life a little, but for the one trip you are doing, just pop them on before you leave and change back on return
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Thats good to know, cheers :y
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The only thing I recall seeing in Luxembourg was Ikea :-\
Do like driving on the Continent though :y
That was Belgium ;)
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The only thing I recall seeing in Luxembourg was Ikea :-\
Do like driving on the Continent though :y
That was Belgium ;)
Never been to Luxembourg, looking at maps/miles makes a nice half way point.
Looks interesting enough:
(http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/1d/1a/f0/view-to-petrusse-valley.jpg)
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The only thing I recall seeing in Luxembourg was Ikea :-\
Do like driving on the Continent though :y
That was Belgium ;)
Never been to Luxembourg, looking at maps/miles makes a nice half way point.
Looks interesting enough:
(http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/1d/1a/f0/view-to-petrusse-valley.jpg)
Feel free to get in touch prior to your trip. If you want a day or so in the area, we can sink a beer or 2. I live 20 - 25 mins from Luxembourg centre
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The only thing I recall seeing in Luxembourg was Ikea :-\
Do like driving on the Continent though :y
That was Belgium ;)
Never been to Luxembourg, looking at maps/miles makes a nice half way point.
Looks interesting enough:
(http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/1d/1a/f0/view-to-petrusse-valley.jpg)
Feel free to get in touch prior to your trip. If you want a day or so in the area, we can sink a beer or 2. I live 20 - 25 mins from Luxembourg centre
Very kind initiation, thanks :y
Can you recommend any hotels in the area? Looking for triple room (3 separate beds)
Current plan/aim is to go down mid/late January.
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The only thing I recall seeing in Luxembourg was Ikea :-\
Do like driving on the Continent though :y
That was Belgium ;)
Never been to Luxembourg, looking at maps/miles makes a nice half way point.
Looks interesting enough:
Feel free to get in touch prior to your trip. If you want a day or so in the area, we can sink a beer or 2. I live 20 - 25 mins from Luxembourg centre
3.5 hours from Calais on a normal run.
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January, so quite possible its blazing heat on M25
Fantastic ;D ;D ;D ;D
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The only thing I recall seeing in Luxembourg was Ikea :-\
Do like driving on the Continent though :y
That was Belgium ;)
Never been to Luxembourg, looking at maps/miles makes a nice half way point.
Looks interesting enough:
Feel free to get in touch prior to your trip. If you want a day or so in the area, we can sink a beer or 2. I live 20 - 25 mins from Luxembourg centre
Very kind initiation, thanks :y
Can you recommend any hotels in the area? Looking for triple room (3 separate beds)
Current plan/aim is to go down mid/late January.
Plenty of hotels. City centre not so cheap but a a few mins out of the city (city ain't big) there is an Ibis hotel near the airport. Alternatively you could try an "auberge" in there centre. I'll post a couple of links in a while
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January, so quite possible its blazing heat on M25
Fantastic ;D ;D ;D ;D
I would not be surprised to have +15 on M25 + -15 in the Alps ;D
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The only thing I recall seeing in Luxembourg was Ikea :-\
Do like driving on the Continent though :y
That was Belgium ;)
Never been to Luxembourg, looking at maps/miles makes a nice half way point.
Looks interesting enough:
Feel free to get in touch prior to your trip. If you want a day or so in the area, we can sink a beer or 2. I live 20 - 25 mins from Luxembourg centre
Very kind initiation, thanks :y
Can you recommend any hotels in the area? Looking for triple room (3 separate beds)
Current plan/aim is to go down mid/late January.
Plenty of hotels. City centre not so cheap but a a few mins out of the city (city ain't big) there is an Ibis hotel near the airport. Alternatively you could try an "auberge" in there centre. I'll post a couple of links in a while
Yes saw that, think there is a second slightly closer to the city. 1 room but 3 beds, just 45EUR all in for the night. So just £11.60 each per night! Bargin :)
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The hotel which is in the pic you posted is http://www.hotelcravat.lu/en/grand-hotel-cravat/
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The hotel which is in the pic you posted is http://www.hotelcravat.lu/en/grand-hotel-cravat/
Bit outside our planned budget that ;D
Quick question if I may, LPG at German petrol stations, do most have it? Current research indicates few in Austria, although one just past the border (taking A43/A14)
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The hotel which is in the pic you posted is http://www.hotelcravat.lu/en/grand-hotel-cravat/
Bit outside our planned budget that ;D
Quick question if I may, LPG at German petrol stations, do most have it? Current research indicates few in Austria, although one just past the border (taking A43/A14)
Hmm, dunno really as I don't have LPG. And being on the border of Luxembourg I never fill up in Germany unless I need to, as Luxembourg fuel is considerably cheaper. You want to arrive in Luxembourg empty and leave full. I guess internet research is your best bet. Sorry I can't be of more help.
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The hotel which is in the pic you posted is http://www.hotelcravat.lu/en/grand-hotel-cravat/
Bit outside our planned budget that ;D
Quick question if I may, LPG at German petrol stations, do most have it? Current research indicates few in Austria, although one just past the border (taking A43/A14)
Hmm, dunno really as I don't have LPG. And being on the border of Luxembourg I never fill up in Germany unless I need to, as Luxembourg fuel is considerably cheaper. You want to arrive in Luxembourg empty and leave full. I guess internet research is your best bet. Sorry I can't be of more help.
No probs :y
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Your not wrong on the price, defo filling up there:
Local name: Autogas, GPL, LPG
Adapter: ACME adapter
Price of LPG: 0.723 €/L (11.11.2012) *
Price of Unleaded: 1.322 €/L (11.11.2012) *
Price of Diesel: 1.276 €/L (11.11.2012) *
Price of Heat oil: 0.82 €/L (11.11.2012) *
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Your not wrong on the price, defo filling up there:
Local name: Autogas, GPL, LPG
Adapter: ACME adapter
Price of LPG: 0.723 €/L (11.11.2012) *
Price of Unleaded: 1.322 €/L (11.11.2012) *
Price of Diesel: 1.276 €/L (11.11.2012) *
Price of Heat oil: 0.82 €/L (11.11.2012) *
Yep. Unleaded 98 oct is around 1.38 / 1.40
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The only thing I recall seeing in Luxembourg was Ikea :-\
Do like driving on the Continent though :y
That was Belgium ;)
Never been to Luxembourg, looking at maps/miles makes a nice half way point.
Looks interesting enough:
Feel free to get in touch prior to your trip. If you want a day or so in the area, we can sink a beer or 2. I live 20 - 25 mins from Luxembourg centre
Very kind initiation, thanks :y
Can you recommend any hotels in the area? Looking for triple room (3 separate beds)
Current plan/aim is to go down mid/late January.
Plenty of hotels. City centre not so cheap but a a few mins out of the city (city ain't big) there is an Ibis hotel near the airport. Alternatively you could try an "auberge" in there centre. I'll post a couple of links in a while
Yes saw that, think there is a second slightly closer to the city. 1 room but 3 beds, just 45EUR all in for the night. So just £11.60 each per night! Bargin :)
You'll not do better than that, pricewise :)
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Tunnie, forget about the cost..
This kind of trips , is done rarely .. so ask yourself a question do you want to drive your car and enjoy the trip despite the many risks involved?
thats the question..
and will you go lonely or not ?
winter tyre is a minor subject and my choice personally would be the best, goodyear or conti as you may use them for at least 4 years..
and to answer your question: I use winter tyres for five months and 5 years under dry conditions rarely snow, rarely wet but they are not damaged.. the only important point is that dont use them above 15 celcius and dont go over 70-80 mph on dry..
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Tunnie, forget about the cost..
This kind of trips , is done rarely .. so ask yourself a question do you want to drive your car and enjoy the trip despite the many risks involved?
thats the question..
and will you go lonely or not ?
winter tyre is a minor subject and my choice personally would be the best, goodyear or conti as you may use them for at least 4 years..
and to answer your question: I use winter tyres for five months and 5 years under dry conditions rarely snow, rarely wet but they are not damaged.. the only important point is that dont use them above 15 celcius and dont go over 70-80 mph on dry..
Doubt it with 2 mates who would also be in the car, driven further before in an older car (Senator)
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The only thing I recall seeing in Luxembourg was Ikea :-\
Do like driving on the Continent though :y
That was Belgium ;)
Might have been on the way out of Lux. On a hill to the left heading north ::) We were taking the (very) scenic route from Basle to Dunkirk via Alsace, Nancy, Luxembourg, Belgium and Cite Europ ::) The basic premis was to avoid the Toll roads in France :y
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The only thing I recall seeing in Luxembourg was Ikea :-\
Do like driving on the Continent though :y
That was Belgium ;)
Might have been on the way out of Lux. On a hill to the left heading north ::) We were taking the (very) scenic route from Basle to Dunkirk via Alsace, Nancy, Luxembourg, Belgium and Cite Europ ::) The basic premis was to avoid the Toll roads in France :y
Indeed. It is 1-2 km from border. Ikea originally wanted to open a store in Luxembourg, as the next nearest is Metz in France or Saarlouis in Germany which are both 45min - 1 hour drive from Luxembourg. The Luxembourg authorities (stupidly) declined planning permission, so they popped over the border and serve the Luxembourg population from just over the border.
Yeah, the route you took is a sensible one. France is toll free from Nancy to Luxembourg (but restricted to 110 kmh, 90 in places). From Luxembourg up to Dunkirk, the best is via Belgium anyway, but there are more and more cameras nowadays. When I was first around here you could plod on through Belgium at 90 - 100 mph no probs. Not anymore.
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Tunnie, forget about the cost..
This kind of trips , is done rarely .. so ask yourself a question do you want to drive your car and enjoy the trip despite the many risks involved?
thats the question..
and will you go lonely or not ?
winter tyre is a minor subject and my choice personally would be the best, goodyear or conti as you may use them for at least 4 years..
and to answer your question: I use winter tyres for five months and 5 years under dry conditions rarely snow, rarely wet but they are not damaged.. the only important point is that dont use them above 15 celcius and dont go over 70-80 mph on dry..
Doubt it with 2 mates who would also be in the car, driven further before in an older car (Senator)
if you wont be lonely then its ok.. go for it with the car.. but prepare a long necessary list ;D :y
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Tunnie, you have only priced one tyre in your calculations ;)
Also, be aware that LPG is not that common in Luxembourg ;) Make sure you fill in Belgium though :y
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Tunnie, you have only priced one tyre in your calculations ;)
Also, be aware that LPG is not that common in Luxembourg ;) Make sure you fill in Belgium though :y
Wouldn't worry too much about that. The country ain't big. Even if you have to tour the capital city looking for some, it'll only take you half hour ;). You'll be coming in from Belgium. I believe the first services after the border has LPG. Don't quote me on that, yet - but I can check tomorrow morning as I will pass it in both directions.
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Tunnie, you have only priced one tyre in your calculations ;)
Also, be aware that LPG is not that common in Luxembourg ;) Make sure you fill in Belgium though :y
I know, Oops! :-[
Sorted that, still way cheaper than flying though:
Fuel £212.40
Ferry £90.00
Breakdown £64.00
Extras £10.00
Tyres £190.00
Hotel £65.00 (45EUR/night)
Total /3 £210.47
Fuel use I've put at worse case, highest price and lowest MPG.
Although if we get a chance between now and 2013, I would not mind a check over on my LPG if thats ok? I can come to you :y
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Tunnie, you have only priced one tyre in your calculations ;)
Also, be aware that LPG is not that common in Luxembourg ;) Make sure you fill in Belgium though :y
Wouldn't worry too much about that. The country ain't big. Even if you have to tour the capital city looking for some, it'll only take you half hour ;). You'll be coming in from Belgium. I believe the first services after the border has LPG. Don't quote me on that, yet - but I can check tomorrow morning as I will pass it in both directions.
One I found is just on the outside of the city, not far from the hotel, so perfect for filling up. Think I can do High Wycombe to Luxembourg on a single tank, as above, want to be empty when arriving there at that price :)
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Think I can do High Wycombe to Luxembourg on a single tank, as above, want to be empty when arriving there at that price :)
I managed Wheatley to Puivert (not that far from Andorra) on a single tank of fuel in the summer ::)
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Think I can do High Wycombe to Luxembourg on a single tank, as above, want to be empty when arriving there at that price :)
I managed Wheatley to Puivert (not that far from Andorra) on a single tank of fuel in the summer ::)
I assume that was in the Insignia ::)
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http://www.mylpg.eu/stations/luxembourg/station/Shell-Howald-8DA0D618-1DA9-60B3-5169-D5D17A7A7B62 . This one is a few mins from the centre.
http://www.mylpg.eu/stations/luxembourg/station/BP-Autoroute-A-6-D6758729-8EB2-1F69-71F1-5CEBF1DF2FFF . This one is the one I referred to on the motorway in from Belgium.
So no issues. :y
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Think I can do High Wycombe to Luxembourg on a single tank, as above, want to be empty when arriving there at that price :)
I managed Wheatley to Puivert (not that far from Andorra) on a single tank of fuel in the summer ::)
I assume that was in the Insignia ::)
Yup, sure as heck not any of my current Omegas ;D
Tractor *may* have made it if I behaved, as its all motorway, so the auto wouldn't suck the mpg
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and to answer your question: I use winter tyres for five months and 5 years under dry conditions rarely snow, rarely wet but they are not damaged.. the only important point is that dont use them above 15 celcius and dont go over 70-80 mph on dry..
The Goodyears are surviving quite well for me, despite being used to thunder plod up and down the length of the M40 on a weekly basis at .. why, the legal speed limit, of course. :-[ :-X
I've also used mine up to about 15C like you, Cem, and seen no ill effects so far - in fact they still look brand new and this is their second year on the car :y In fact they've been on the car about a month now - so locals will know roughly what the temperatures have been like over here in that time :)
I've even added plastic wheel trims to the steel wheels.. :-[ ;D
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and to answer your question: I use winter tyres for five months and 5 years under dry conditions rarely snow, rarely wet but they are not damaged.. the only important point is that dont use them above 15 celcius and dont go over 70-80 mph on dry..
The Goodyears are surviving quite well for me, despite being used to thunder plod up and down the length of the M40 on a weekly basis at .. why, the legal speed limit, of course. :-[ :-X
I've also used mine up to about 15C like you, Cem, and seen no ill effects so far - in fact they still look brand new and this is their second year on the car :y In fact they've been on the car about a month now - so locals will know roughly what the temperatures have been like over here in that time :)
I've even added plastic wheel trims to the steel wheels.. :-[ ;D
glad to hear your tyres performing well Aaron :) :y