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[Rog]

This news item got me thinking. We often hear talk about the no speed limit Autobahns, and it all sounds very exciting etc, you know, foot down without worrying. In fact today not much of the German autobahn system is no-limit. Although the fact that Germany makes some of the fastest cars around, and the German motor industry is incredibly powerful, means that a complete national speed limit is unlikely for quite some time.

I've driven on autobahns, and I know one is supposed to be all macho about it, but it can be pretty terrifying. You can be doing 120+ (mph not kph) or much more, but there will always be a big Merc or BM sitting on your tail trying to push you over. I once got to 140, and yes someone was tailgating me. I have to say the Germans really are insanely bonkers in their driving. Last year I was with some Germans and commented on the ridiculous tailgating at ridiculous speeds, the response I got was " Ya, off course . . . . so ? "

Any experiences . . . . . ?


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22538856

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[Sir Tigger KC]

Driving an arctic at 56mph come up behind a slower truck, look in mirror and road behind clear, by the time you've pulled out there's a BM or Merc behind flashing and hooting....    

[Rog]

Driving an arctic at 56mph come up behind a slower truck, look in mirror and road behind clear, by the time you've pulled out there's a BM or Merc behind flashing and hooting....    

Sounds about right. Also part of the reason why so much road in Germany is single file only for HGVs, they can only go as fast as the slowest truck. Must drive 'em nuts. 

[SteveAvfc.]

Had some experience of the old Autobahn last year. Drove from Dortmund to Ypres with a mate in 520 BMW found it quite terrifying at times giving it some serious welly then being told to move over.
Found them peskie Belgies worse though only seeming to indicate once they have pulled out WTF. 

[paul.lovejoy]

should try driving in southall, the rule is there are no rules

[05omegav6]

Had some experience of the old Autobahn last year. Drove from Dortmund to Ypres with a mate in 520 BMW found it quite terrifying at times giving it some serious welly then being told to move over.
Found them peskie Belgies worse though only seeming to indicate once they have pulled out WTF. 

The Belgians can't drive. Full stop. End of.

Keep meaning to take the Omega over there...

[Kevin Wood]

Had some experience of the old Autobahn last year. Drove from Dortmund to Ypres with a mate in 520 BMW found it quite terrifying at times giving it some serious welly then being told to move over.
Found them peskie Belgies worse though only seeming to indicate once they have pulled out WTF. 

The Belgians can't drive. Full stop. End of.

Keep meaning to take the Omega over there...

They can't repair pot holes either. 

[tigers_gonads]

When for a drive in my new car (Re2000 Golf) 
Sat at a nice 100 mph in the outside lane heading south on the 61.
Just about to pass a couple of lorries when a trabant pulled out from between them 
I don't know what smoked the most, my tyres / brakes or his 2 stroke engine 
Managed to get down to his speed with about 6 inchs to spare 

Very little of the autobahn network is unlimited now days sadly 

[paul.lovejoy]

When for a drive in my new car (Re2000 Golf) 
Sat at a nice 100 mph in the outside lane heading south on the 61.
Just about to pass a couple of lorries when a trabant pulled out from between them 
I don't know what smoked the most, my tyres / brakes or his 2 stroke engine 
Managed to get down to his speed with about 6 inchs to spare 

Very little of the autobahn network is unlimited now days sadly 

i bet that left a skid mark

[dbug]

A few years back coming back to Dusseldorf late at night, opened the car up (Carlton 3.0 GSi) to a genuine 150mph, and was overtaken by a Porsche who went by me as if I was standing still - we estimated he was close to 200mph.  Moral - how ever fast you drive there will always be someone faster - something I learned on the race track - although sometimes the faster guy didn't always make the bends!!

[paul.lovejoy]

A few years back coming back to Dusseldorf late at night, opened the car up (Carlton 3.0 GSi) to a genuine 150mph, and was overtaken by a Porsche who went by me as if I was standing still - we estimated he was close to 200mph.  Moral - how ever fast you drive there will always be someone faster - something I learned on the race track - although sometimes the faster guy didn't always make the bends!!

lush motor always wanted a drive of one of those had a saab areo 9-5 which i got up to 150mph on a motorway close by in the direction of London town buttocks were clenched in case i made a mess

[Rog]

lush motor always wanted a drive of one of those had a saab areo 9-5 which i got up to 150mph on a motorway close by in the direction of London town buttocks were clenched in case i made a mess

Just remember that people have been jailed for doing that  , not banned and fined, I mean locked up.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Driving an arctic at 56mph come up behind a slower truck, look in mirror and road behind clear, by the time you've pulled out there's a BM or Merc behind flashing and hooting....    

Sounds about right. Also part of the reason why so much road in Germany is single file only for HGVs, they can only go as fast as the slowest truck. Must drive 'em nuts. 

Something I think should be used over here between certain hours on major routes (like the A14 etc).....the same as on four lane plus sections where lorries should only be able to use the first two

[paul.lovejoy]

lush motor always wanted a drive of one of those had a saab areo 9-5 which i got up to 150mph on a motorway close by in the direction of London town buttocks were clenched in case i made a mess

Just remember that people have been jailed for doing that  , not banned and fined, I mean locked up.

it certainley was not in rush hour Rog aledgedly ;)your honour, come to think of it i wasnt there

[Kevin Wood]

Driving an arctic at 56mph come up behind a slower truck, look in mirror and road behind clear, by the time you've pulled out there's a BM or Merc behind flashing and hooting....    

Sounds about right. Also part of the reason why so much road in Germany is single file only for HGVs, they can only go as fast as the slowest truck. Must drive 'em nuts. 

Something I think should be used over here between certain hours on major routes (like the A14 etc).....the same as on four lane plus sections where lorries should only be able to use the first two

Agreed. Any lanes HGVs are allowed to use will be fully occupied by them, due to their love of 5 mile overtakes with a sub-MPH speed difference.

My experience of derestricted autobahns has mainly been on 2 lane roads where HGVs have monopolised the inside lane, leaving the outside lane for all vehicles travelling between 60 and 160+ MPH.

On one occasion, I was in a hired Twingo which would do about 90 MPH wringing its' neck. I quickly discovered that pootling along with the lorries was the key to self-preservation in that POS!

The other time, in the Omega, you had to be pretty aware of what was going on ahead and behind. As a car pulled out from between lorries when stretching your legs you ended up closing on it pretty fast, and normally with a Merc right up your @rse too.

Sadly I haven't experienced autobahns with little to no traffic, where I'm sure they are fun but with any normal level of traffic I find our motorways a much less stressful place to be!