Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: tunnie on 28 January 2013, 16:03:37
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So I'm back from the Austrian Alps, stayed at a mates flat in St Anton for the week. Driving down one weekend, having a weeks boarding, then driving back. So blasted my 13 year old 159k 2.2 down & back with a mate.
Started off from a very cold Dover on Saturday 19th..
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050303.JPG)
With reports of "chaos" everywhere, Heathrow having heavy delays and such, I left earlier than planned. Got to Dover way ahead of time, what was all the fuss about?
The plan was to stop about half way down in Luxembourg & explore a bit in the afternoon, as never been there before.
Roads were empty in France & Belgium, while news back home was battern down hatches, snow is going to stop everything ::) - Snow was just has bad, but all main roads were clear.
At times it was ages before even seeing another car...
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050307.JPG)
I had the car washed before I left, wanted to give my trusty steed a treat, don't know why I bothered really, few hours into trip it was worse than before ::)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050312.JPG)
Luxembourg was nice, very good prices for food and beer. Brakes felt numb driving around, but I had been -6 all day at fairly high speeds, once I got some heat into them, they started to bite better.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050321.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050328.JPG)
After waking up and going down to the car, I was expecting to defrost it for a few mins, but I was not expecting this...
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050341.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050342.JPG)
Sprayed de-icer on it, attempted to scrape, nothing, spray about half the bottle on one window, scrape, still nothing. Solid thick ice, like a glaze all over the car. Took best part of an hour to get it off, most of the time spend just getting the cabin heat hot enough to heat up the glass from within. :o
This would amuse OmegaMan2.2 as our resident Apple fan boy, I was using my old 3G-S for tunes on the way down, sadly I don't think Californian developers see much ice
::) ;D
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050346.JPG)
Pushed on to fuel up, as Luxembourg had LPG a lot cheaper than Germany. Even after about 90 mins, ice was still all over the car....
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050349.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050350.JPG)
LPG was just 60 cents a litre, also got a nice little bag of sweets free after filling up, not sure if thats standard or because I used gas? Also used the adaptor for first time, as they use a screw thread for LPG, must say, I actually prefer it it. Maybe as my filler is so low, sometimes lugs miss-align, if I don't rotate it to right position first, but with screw fitting no probs.
Progress was somewhat slow in Luxembourg though, as it was a Sunday perhaps they don't bother sending out ploughs? Roads were empty but thick slush all over motorway, exits much deeper, but winter tyres gripped very, very well.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050355.JPG)
After about 2 to 3 hours or so I stopped, as washer jets froze up. Some tit did not put a strong enough anti-freeze mix in ::)
The main feed pipe iced up as did the pump, managed to disconnect it all, take to service station bogs and heat it all up under hot tap. Love this about the Omega, would have been up sh!t creak in a modern car with everything impossible to reach.
One thing I found, 5L of -20 screenwash mix in Luxembourg, 8.99EUR, Germany? 26.99EUR :o :o :o :o :o :o
Wish I stocked up first, had I known the price difference. Luckily only needed 1L in Germany...
Ice still coated the car, headlights only the spot bulb bit actually melted anything. You could "peel" bits of the ice off:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050360.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050361.JPG)
Although at least all the slush kept the alloys clean! ;D
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050357.JPG)
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But, it made it! 800 miles odd, all through Europe it was snow everywhere. Never saw a green field. Why do we always have problems dealing with it?
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050424.JPG)
Had great weeks snowboarding with old work mate:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/2013-01-24%2014.54.01.jpg)
Going up one chair lift, we saw the medical chopper fly within 25/50 feet of the lift, mega, mega close. It then landed at the lift exit, in a cloud of snow, i expected them to stop it, but no, off we got right next to it. After a while it took off again, I think to pickup supplies or someone, but it came back and landed further up the piste, impressive flying though, lands so quick, everyone has to just get out of the way!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050399.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/P1050404.JPG)
Returning, I was quite nervous about starting old girl up, gets mighty cold at 2,100 metres during the night. On Saturday I got in to start up, everything felt numb. By habbit i always depress the cluch and waggle the gearstick. Clutch felt very odd, gearstick too, but it was feking cold.....
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/2013-01-26%2008.54.16.jpg)
But it started, turned over very, slowly, worried for a split second it was going to stop, but fired straight into life. Although I left it on petrol until hot, as when cold it’s a tad lumpy on gas with UK cold ness. Felt -18 it should have petrol for little while longer!
As TheBoy has often pointed out, the facelifts do sufffer from some draft from the door handle area, it did result in some mild internal frost ;D
But the washers still worked, glad I put in pure -20 stuff!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Austria/WebPics/2013-01-26%2009.19.40.jpg)
Going back I had only one problem, from -18 had heaters on full, it steamed up inside, joining motorways was a bit of a pain, could nothing see so popped rear window down to see traffic, did so, joined. Went to put up window, press button, nothing! Press again, nothing. Frack!
Pulled over, damn thing was jammed solid. I could however hear the motor clicking. Thankfully I was just about to enter a huge tunnel, 14km's long, last time it was about +21 in there. I hoped warm air would fix it, drove in, went from -18 to around +9, asked mate to pull up window as we drove along as I tried the window button. Thankfully it started to go up, few attempts but it finally closed. Such a relief with about 800 miles to go! ;D ;D ;D
But to some up, my trusty steed of a 2.2 did it, with that minor issue. Apart from some idiot not putting correct mix in screen wash, it never missed a beat, just blasted on and on at 80+ fully loaded.
Not bad for 13 year old car with now 161.5k on the clock! :)
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Looks like a right hoot, well done :y :y
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looks like you had a good time nice photo's as well :y :y
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Youve certainly had your moneys worth and then some out of that car Tunnie.Just goes to prove,even with the 4 pots - well maintained, they wil go on and on and on.... :y
Plenty of 5 year old cars with a quarter of the miles on the clock would have found some excuse to break down.Especially in those temperatures. ;)
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Looks like a good trip, bloody cold mind ;D.
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Youve certainly had your moneys worth and then some out of that car Tunnie.Just goes to prove,even with the 4 pots - well maintained, they wil go on and on and on.... :y
Plenty of 5 year old cars with a quarter of the miles on the clock would have found some excuse to break down.Especially in those temperatures. ;)
Yes I'm quite proud of my trusty steed, constant blasting through Germany at -6 nearly all the way. -18 starting temp, freezing rain. Not once did it miss-fire, not start or give any running issues. Window issue I can't really blame it, think sensor for fingers in window might have been bit seized.
Saw couple of breakdowns on route, much newer examples than my Omega.
So comfy too, no back ache, just sat back and enjoyed views!
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But not quite as comfy as a senator. :y :D ;D
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But not quite as comfy as a senator. :y :D ;D
Much as I loved the Senny, the Omega does tend to ride bit better. But its not really a fair comparison as Senator was much older
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I found the opposite tbh.Long journeys in the Sennie were noticably less tiring at the other end than the Omega.Maybe Im a strnge shape. :D
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I dont think you can beat a good road trip. A few years ago I took VR from work and me and the Mrs spent a few months driving around europe. More recently me and a few mates drove a battered m-reg toyota lucida from St Helens to Rome... Brilliant adventure!
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That's good travelling Tunnie! Nice one :y :y :y
Love the pictures as well 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) ;)
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My door has a draft too, it wasn't there prior to disturbing the door membrane.
Good job though Tunnie. Welcome back to England and much MUCH warmer climes. It was a barmy +8c earlier. ;)
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Thanks all :y
My door has a draft too, it wasn't there prior to disturbing the door membrane.
Good job though Tunnie. Welcome back to England and much MUCH warmer climes. It was a barmy +8c earlier. ;)
tell me about it, bloody boiling here. Walked to shop in T-shirt earlier, everyone else wrapped up like they are off to the North Pole. Got some odd looks! ;D
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Well done :y
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nice one mate :y :y
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Nice one Tunnie. :y
That's a serious film of ice on there, I shan't moan about a frosty windscreen after seeing that. :o :o
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Good photos. Good trip by the sounds of it. Well done.
Yes, a little bag of sweets is normal at Esso stations in Luxembourg when you fill up, regardless of type of fuel. Bizarre to see that photo of the filling station. It's 5 mins from my place - use it regularly.
In winters gone by that ice stays on the car for days - even weeks. Although -6 deg C is warmer than winters past. Same really - use to love the crisp clear -10/-12 deg. Only had that temperature for 2 days so far this winter
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That bloody car just won't die, will it ;D
Got one tiny patch of snow left on the grass, and that was from the 3' pile on Thurs, where it had all be shovelled. More snow needed !
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Yes, a little bag of sweets is normal at Esso stations in Luxembourg when you fill up, regardless of type of fuel. Bizarre to see that photo of the filling station. It's 5 mins from my place - use it regularly.
Did wonder, nice touch, went down well! :D
That bloody car just won't die, will it ;D
It just keeps doing what ever I ask of it! Love my 2.2 :-*
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It just keeps doing what ever I ask of it! Love my 2.2 :-*
As long as it doesn't involve more than 5000rpm, or corners :P
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It just keeps doing what ever I ask of it! Love my 2.2 :-*
As long as it doesn't involve more than 5000rpm, or corners :P
It does both.
Be it on petrol, or two wheels :D
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Thats some serious ice on the car :o The car done really well in those temperatures , glad you had a nice time .
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phew.. really interesting pictures.. thanks Tunnie.. :y
seems you had an adventure with cold and ice ;D
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Thanks all, yes the ice was interesting. I've had a very mild form of it once or twice in the UK. But nothing like what I got there, best bit was I popped bonnet to top up screen wash, ice was so thick, it cracked, but I could not put my fingers under the lip to release the catch.
Had to use my foot to break some of it off so I could reach it ;D ;D ;D
Engine & LPG ran perfect, spot on for temp. Going to treat it to some fresh oil and a full wash and hoover again. Its deserved it!
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how do you find the winter tyres ?
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Looks like one hell of an interesting journey :y
And this iPhone bit typical apple build quality go into hibernation ;D
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how do you find the winter tyres ?
Excellent.
Hotel carpark was slush, a bus that came in had full lock on but just slid for bit.
Some of the slipways were untouched and had fresh snow, tracked well. On slush I find summer tyres could "skate" around or sit on stop of the slush, could really feel the grip. Unless I was stupid with the throttle, it never broke traction. I attempted an emergency stop in the slush, just as a test, very good results.
Suspect I've had my use of them for UK weather now, will keep them on for another month or so I think then swap back.
Very handy having a set that can go on any one of our 4 Omegas :)
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And this iPhone bit typical apple build quality go into hibernation ;D
< american accent >
Shit, there is life beyond the Eastern Seaboard?
< /american accent off >
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great pics mate :y
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In your absence, Tunnie, I said I'd do a test of your winter tyres, if we have more bad weather, as there has been a heated debate...
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In your absence, Tunnie, I said I'd do a test of your winter tyres, if we have more bad weather, as there has been a heated debate...
Oh did you now ;D
By the time you give them back, you would have shaved, what 3mm off them? ::) ;D
Sure I could arrange a loan of them.... but need snow to see how they really perform. I saw M6 was fubared when I was away, I would have liked to try them in really deep snow.
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how do you find the winter tyres ?
Excellent.
Hotel carpark was slush, a bus that came in had full lock on but just slid for bit.
Some of the slipways were untouched and had fresh snow, tracked well. On slush I find summer tyres could "skate" around or sit on stop of the slush, could really feel the grip. Unless I was stupid with the throttle, it never broke traction. I attempted an emergency stop in the slush, just as a test, very good results.
Suspect I've had my use of them for UK weather now, will keep them on for another month or so I think then swap back.
Very handy having a set that can go on any one of our 4 Omegas :)
use them :y
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Looks like a good trip... I quite fancy one like that now ::)
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.............-18C. :-\ :-\.You should have taken the bike, Mr Tunnie. ;)
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.............-18C. :-\ :-\.You should have taken the bike, Mr Tunnie. ;)
;D ;D ;D ;D
Ridden in -3, that was more than enough for me.
Snowboarded in -22 ish, at 30mph ish I can get up to. You know its cold when then sweat in your gloves would freeze, locking your gloves in a fixed position.
I forget the speed + wind chill ratio, every 10mph is 1 degree or something? so 60mph would be -24? Brrrr!
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Looks like it was an interesting and enjoyable trip. Beating the elements mush have made it that much more enjoyable. :y
Very good photographs. :y
-10 is no fun on a motorbike, especially when it is a total pig to start in cold weather like my Triumph T150V was.
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Nice one Tunnie - glad you enjoyed trip and good pics. Seen ice like that in the States - left a rental parked up in Atlantic City and when we got back car iced up as in your pics, except the ice on the seaboard side was approx 1" thick!! We had to use the other side to get in/out for 2 days.
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Looks like it was an interesting and enjoyable trip. Beating the elements mush have made it that much more enjoyable. :y
Very good photographs. :y
-10 is no fun on a motorbike, especially when it is a total pig to start in cold weather like my Triumph T150V was.
Trident man, I see. :y My older brother once owned a BSA Rocket 3..........complete with "fishtail pipe"
That would be worth a bob or two today. :y
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I love these write ups of your trips Mark, it's like we've been there with you! :D ;D :y
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In your absence, Tunnie, I said I'd do a test of your winter tyres, if we have more bad weather, as there has been a heated debate...
Oh did you now ;D
By the time you give them back, you would have shaved, what 3mm off them? ::) ;D
Sure I could arrange a loan of them.... but need snow to see how they really perform. I saw M6 was fubared when I was away, I would have liked to try them in really deep snow.
I wouldn't worry too much Tunnie, until next winter anyway. ;)
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I love these write ups of your trips Mark, it's like we've been there with you! :D ;D :y
Like "ride reports" from BMW GS forum I'm on, I always found it interesting reading other peoples trips :)
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Tunnie - see carjacking post.
I refrained from writing that before your trip - did not want to spoil it ;) . This happened on the stretch of autoroute you took near Charleroi, at night. Oh, and I also know someone who had their M5 stolen at gunpoint at Charleroi airport.
Anyway a 2.2 Omega, X number of years old does not have the same desirability as a 1 year old S4. Oh, and you travelled in the day, yes?
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I love these write ups of your trips Mark, it's like we've been there with you! :D ;D :y
Like "ride reports" from BMW GS forum I'm on, I always found it interesting reading other peoples trips :)
+1 its a free trip :y
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.............-18C. :-\ :-\.You should have taken the bike, Mr Tunnie. ;)
;D
A good set of thermals heated grips and a will to survive and you would be fine ;D I know ive been to scotland in the winter on a bike ::) ::)
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In your absence, Tunnie, I said I'd do a test of your winter tyres, if we have more bad weather, as there has been a heated debate...
Oh did you now ;D
By the time you give them back, you would have shaved, what 3mm off them? ::) ;D
Sure I could arrange a loan of them.... but need snow to see how they really perform. I saw M6 was fubared when I was away, I would have liked to try them in really deep snow.
I wouldn't worry too much Tunnie, until next winter anyway. ;)
I reckon we'll have another cold snap before the proper warmer weather comes...
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In your absence, Tunnie, I said I'd do a test of your winter tyres, if we have more bad weather, as there has been a heated debate...
Oh did you now ;D
By the time you give them back, you would have shaved, what 3mm off them? ::) ;D
Sure I could arrange a loan of them.... but need snow to see how they really perform. I saw M6 was fubared when I was away, I would have liked to try them in really deep snow.
I wouldn't worry too much Tunnie, until next winter anyway. ;)
I reckon we'll have another cold snap before the proper warmer weather comes...
See, law of sod said says...
Prior to your post, there probably would have been. Now though ;D
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In your absence, Tunnie, I said I'd do a test of your winter tyres, if we have more bad weather, as there has been a heated debate...
Oh did you now ;D
By the time you give them back, you would have shaved, what 3mm off them? ::) ;D
Sure I could arrange a loan of them.... but need snow to see how they really perform. I saw M6 was fubared when I was away, I would have liked to try them in really deep snow.
I wouldn't worry too much Tunnie, until next winter anyway. ;)
I reckon we'll have another cold snap before the proper warmer weather comes...
See, law of sod said says...
Prior to your post, there probably would have been. Now though ;D
Precisely why I keep chains in the boot. Purely so I won't need them.
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In your absence, Tunnie, I said I'd do a test of your winter tyres, if we have more bad weather, as there has been a heated debate...
Oh did you now ;D
By the time you give them back, you would have shaved, what 3mm off them? ::) ;D
Sure I could arrange a loan of them.... but need snow to see how they really perform. I saw M6 was fubared when I was away, I would have liked to try them in really deep snow.
I wouldn't worry too much Tunnie, until next winter anyway. ;)
I reckon we'll have another cold snap before the proper warmer weather comes...
See, law of sod said says...
Prior to your post, there probably would have been. Now though ;D
Precisely why I keep chains in the boot. Purely so I won't need them.
Does that work on the superior Elite as well? Because they don't fit.
Does the weather know they don't fit? :D
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In your absence, Tunnie, I said I'd do a test of your winter tyres, if we have more bad weather, as there has been a heated debate...
Oh did you now ;D
By the time you give them back, you would have shaved, what 3mm off them? ::) ;D
Sure I could arrange a loan of them.... but need snow to see how they really perform. I saw M6 was fubared when I was away, I would have liked to try them in really deep snow.
I wouldn't worry too much Tunnie, until next winter anyway. ;)
I reckon we'll have another cold snap before the proper warmer weather comes...
See, law of sod said says...
Prior to your post, there probably would have been. Now though ;D
Precisely why I keep chains in the boot. Purely so I won't need them.
Does that work on the superior Elite as well? Because they don't fit.
Does the weather know they don't fit? :D
TBE scares me in the dry, I don't use it when its icy ::)
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In your absence, Tunnie, I said I'd do a test of your winter tyres, if we have more bad weather, as there has been a heated debate...
Oh did you now ;D
By the time you give them back, you would have shaved, what 3mm off them? ::) ;D
Sure I could arrange a loan of them.... but need snow to see how they really perform. I saw M6 was fubared when I was away, I would have liked to try them in really deep snow.
I wouldn't worry too much Tunnie, until next winter anyway. ;)
I reckon we'll have another cold snap before the proper warmer weather comes...
See, law of sod said says...
Prior to your post, there probably would have been. Now though ;D
Precisely why I keep chains in the boot. Purely so I won't need them.
Does that work on the superior Elite as well? Because they don't fit.
Does the weather know they don't fit? :D
TBE scares me in the dry, I don't use it when its icy ::)
Gay!
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Brilliant journey mate, nice to see some :o icey pics and good to know the miggy kept going :y :y
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Looks like you had a good time Mr T :y
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Nice pictures Tunnie, glad you had a good time..... :y :y
We will not get any more snow, I still have the Jeep...... :D :D ::)
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Thanks again all. It was so much better than flying!
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tunnie...may i ask if you had a backup plan in case car broke down... ie AA RAC thinking of taking car over that way too...
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Looks like a really good trip!
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Impressive stuff Tunnie - really well done
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tunnie...may i ask if you had a backup plan in case car broke down... ie AA RAC thinking of taking car over that way too...
AA/RAC are stupidly expensive, I used ADAC (German AA). Costs £70 for the year, full Europe cover (including UK with AA)
AA wanted over £120 just for one week!
Should add they have excellent English speaking advisers, they just transfer you to one :)
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Because of the age of my vehicle i ended up taking out a 12 month policy which was for UK and Europe use and competitively priced.
https://oqs.rescue24.com/quickquote.aspx?id=ef020b5d-bb59-49a7-b6cf-42ec08cdec37&covertype=25&Offername=AXAMSME01
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No limit with ADAC, same price no matter what age of car :)
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The ADAC cover looks very good, just what I'm looking for when travelling back and forth to the Ukraine. :y