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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » which of these cars should I rent for a 600km Autobahn trek?

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Feb. 14, 2011 7:24 p.m. irish44j Dork

Going to Berlin next month for work meetings. I'm going to go a day early and get off the plane at Munich and take the Autobahn through most of old East Germany (apparently the fastest part) to Berlin instead. MOAR FUN!

So...which of these cars under the ~$250 price range should I go with?

Seems kind of a shame to get a BMW since I can drive most of those here in the US, but looks like they are where the power is at...and the speed :)

I'm thinking about the VW Scirocco, but a co-worker who is 6'9 might be doing this little detour with me and not sure if he'd fit. Plus, my research tells me the Scirocco is pretty wimpy power actually, surprisingly. ANd my German buddy who suggested this rental agency says that in Germany only chicks drive Sciroccos, lol...

My favorite part is that almost all of these cars come with a manual transmission....most of them 6-speeds! Only a few come in auto, and you have to pay extra. woot!
Feb. 14, 2011 7:26 p.m. irish44j Dork

and no....I won't have time to make a much larger detour to the 'Ring...unfortunately.
Feb. 14, 2011 7:30 p.m. internetautomart SuperDork

I'd be looking at a little peugot or seat myself.
it's kind of a waste to drive a car you can get here over there.
Feb. 14, 2011 7:33 p.m. Feedyurhed HalfDork

It's hard to see the choices as the print is rather small but I would go with something with a big top end like a MB, BMW, Audi or Porsche. Likely be a premium in rental fee too but it sure would be nice to go first class on the Autobahn.
Feb. 14, 2011 7:34 p.m. forzav12 Reader

I usually rent Alfas when I'm over there. Benzs and Beemers are nice, but the Italians take the day. A 6 speed Td was particularly nice.
Feb. 14, 2011 7:34 p.m. Luke SuperDork

Of that lot, BMW makes the most sense, maybe a Touring.

Citroen C5 could be cool, but a C6 would be way cooler.
Feb. 14, 2011 7:43 p.m. irish44j Dork

Yeah, I'm using this agency because I can pickup at Munich airport and return it literally to the hotel I'm staying at in Berlin. Most of the other places I checked out would require me to return it to Berlin airport, which is a hassle I don't need.

Plus this place actually has a better selection of cars I'd want to drive than others that I looked at.

Italian cars are fun...but I lived in Italy for 3 years and drove plenty of them so I don't have that "need."

Still thinking of the Scirocco or the Citroen, only becaue they're somethign I'll never be able to drive here in the US.
Feb. 14, 2011 7:59 p.m. forzav12 Reader

French cars, for the most part, really blow.
Feb. 14, 2011 8:09 p.m. EvanB Dork

Citroen C5
Feb. 14, 2011 10:11 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

Anything with power and good brakes. I only drove in Germany once, and it was damn near 30yrs ago, but at the time to run Autobahnen, you needed the power to keep up with traffic when the road was clear, and brakes to keep from hitting someone else when it was closed. Like I said, I only had the one trip, but it seems they will shut down 3km of road to fix a single 6cm crack, and some of the Turkish "guest workers" won't clear the passing lane, even though their 20yr old Merc tops out at 130kph. Bang, crash, road closure while the Polizei investigate the accident.

Still, it was sweet when everything was going well. I consider m'self lucky that I struck it from the "bucket list" back when I was young enough to not even have one. Personally, I'd call the German buddy back, and ask him what it's really like out there these days. Knowledge is power.
Feb. 14, 2011 10:22 p.m. irish44j Dork
friedgreencorrado wrote:

Anything with power and good brakes. I only drove in Germany once, and it was damn near 30yrs ago, but at the time to run Autobahnen, you needed the power to keep up with traffic when the road was clear, and brakes to keep from hitting someone else when it was closed. Like I said, I only had the one trip, but it seems they will shut down 3km of road to fix a single 6cm crack, and some of the Turkish "guest workers" won't clear the passing lane, even though their 20yr old Merc tops out at 130kph. Bang, crash, road closure while the Polizei investigate the accident.

Still, it was sweet when everything was going well. I consider m'self lucky that I struck it from the "bucket list" back when I was young enough to not even have one. Personally, I'd call the German buddy back, and ask him what it's really like out there these days. Knowledge is power.

I chatted with him today about it actually (he lives 4 houses down from me). A few of his comments when I inquired about driivng on the autobahn (he goes back to Germany several times a year and says he usually likes a midsize benz for a rental)
- the part from Munich to Berlin in the east is not as heavy on traffic as other parts of the country.
- that section is the "newest, smoothest, and fastest" part of the road.
- he stressed that the road is much different from the Italian autostrade (whcih I brought up as something I dove often), as the autobahn has virtually no cracks, pavement issues, or any other thing that would cause one to NOT go fast. He said it is smoother than any road he's ever been on in America (he's lived her for 15+ years), and even in a stiffly-sprung car there is virtually no bumps to be felt, particularly in the section I'll be driving.
- he mentioned that "if you're going 120 (mph), people will still be flying past you"
- flashing headlights illegal
- left signal (like in Italy) signifies that you are staying in the left lane, even if faster traffic is behind you
- but you should be in the left lane ONLY when passing.
- said that on the section I'll be on it's mostly no speed limit, with a handful of sections that are 120kph.
He suggested a midsize benz or bmw. But he IS German, after all!
Feb. 14, 2011 10:40 p.m. Irish1 New Reader

I'd go for the BMW 530d Touring. Huge fun: 390 lbs/ft of torque I think in Euro form. Great roll-one when you're punching by the slo-goes. OR, down-scale it and get a little Peugeot 306: zippy, good-handling and Chic. Vive la France, Vive l'Allemagne.
Feb. 14, 2011 10:47 p.m. irish44j Dork

yeah, still trying to figure out what (if any) of the cars that they offer is a diesel - with the price of fuel I'd prefer that anyhow - because of the torque :)
Feb. 14, 2011 10:48 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork
irish44j wrote:

friedgreencorrado wrote:

Anything with power and good brakes. I only drove in Germany once, and it was damn near 30yrs ago, but at the time to run Autobahnen, you needed the power to keep up with traffic when the road was clear, and brakes to keep from hitting someone else when it was closed. Like I said, I only had the one trip, but it seems they will shut down 3km of road to fix a single 6cm crack, and some of the Turkish "guest workers" won't clear the passing lane, even though their 20yr old Merc tops out at 130kph. Bang, crash, road closure while the Polizei investigate the accident.

Still, it was sweet when everything was going well. I consider m'self lucky that I struck it from the "bucket list" back when I was young enough to not even have one. Personally, I'd call the German buddy back, and ask him what it's really like out there these days. Knowledge is power.

I chatted with him today about it actually (he lives 4 houses down from me). A few of his comments when I inquired about driivng on the autobahn (he goes back to Germany several times a year and says he usually likes a midsize benz for a rental)
- the part from Munich to Berlin in the east is not as heavy on traffic as other parts of the country.
- that section is the "newest, smoothest, and fastest" part of the road.
- he stressed that the road is much different from the Italian autostrade (whcih I brought up as something I dove often), as the autobahn has virtually no cracks, pavement issues, or any other thing that would cause one to NOT go fast. He said it is smoother than any road he's ever been on in America (he's lived her for 15+ years), and even in a stiffly-sprung car there is virtually no bumps to be felt, particularly in the section I'll be driving.
- he mentioned that "if you're going 120 (mph), people will still be flying past you"
- flashing headlights illegal
- left signal (like in Italy) signifies that you are staying in the left lane, even if faster traffic is behind you
- but you should be in the left lane ONLY when passing.
- said that on the section I'll be on it's mostly no speed limit, with a handful of sections that are 120kph.
He suggested a midsize benz or bmw. But he IS German, after all!
Hey, IMO..there's a reason so many German cars are so good. Funny story..when I first moved to Atlanta in the mid 1980s (and still had the grey market E21 323i that I had actually driven in Germany), flicking on the turn signal actually got the LLBs to move over. I guess it wasn't as rude as flicking lights. But in the 90s, the diamond (carpool) lanes were introduced here, and they all thought I was really going to go around them in that "empty" lane.

Dude, enjoy your trip! I'd love to go back. And if it's any source of solace fer ya..yeah, I didn't do the Nurburgring either. I just didn't have the time.
Feb. 15, 2011 12:38 a.m. ww SuperDork

You have to make the time. It's worth it. I drove five and a half hours from Fribourg Switzerland to drive the 'Ring and five and a half hours back. It was worth every single minute.

The only way it could have been better is if Sabine herself had been chauffeuring me around in a panel van! ;)
Feb. 15, 2011 4:35 a.m. ZOO SuperDork

Remember that gas is much, much more expensive in Europe. You may want to factor that into the question. Especially if you are driving at high speeds.
Feb. 15, 2011 5:44 a.m. dsycks Reader

Sure, you may be able to get a BMW here in the states but you are NOT going to be in the states. I would take the best car available as the thing you will remember is how much badassery you get into and not the merits the car itself... its going to be a whole package deal, ya know?

As such, BMW. 3 series if you don't have the tall chap with you and 5 series if you do. As is pointed out, diesel is going to give better economy and the price of fuel over there is crazy high but not AS crazy with diesel so if one can swing that I would go that way.

You also get all that luscious torque to play with in a car with great chassis and brakes. WHAT IS NOT TO LIKE?
Feb. 15, 2011 6:06 a.m. Jay SuperDork

Out of those cars, I would go for the Scirocco. I see loads of guys driving them, and even if they are a "chick car", who cares?

That said, my experience with renting cars here is as follows: pick out a cool one online, show up at the desk, get handed the keys to an Opel Astra no matter what you selected. Grrrrrfnrgr...

Berlin is a big city in the middle of nothing, so traffic tends to be fairly relaxed. Munich or the Rhine are a different story. I don't know if flashing headlights is illegal, but everyone does it. Another thing to watch for is, if you're in the left lane, and you see someone in your mirror who's put high-beams on and left them, move. That means they're going 200+ km/h and are expecting you to get out of the way.

Also, if you're going fast enough that you're passing the vast majority of traffic (like 200 km/h again) it's perfectly acceptible to sit in the left lane until someone faster comes along. No one expects you to jink into the right lane for 200m and then cross two lanes again to pass someone in the middle.

Honestly the autobahns are a bit overrated. The pavement is great but that's because there are road works every 10-20 km which slow the whole thing down to 80 or even 60 km/h. I find I usally average around 100-120 on long trips... You will find a nice open stretch or two to have some fun but it'll end quickly. You won't be able to cruise for hours on end with the pedal matted.

^^ This sign cancels any existing speed limit. If you pass one, feel free to bury your foot. (Only on a divided highway though! Otherwise it means "default speed limit", which is either 100 or 60.)

Gas is running €1.45/L around here, diesel is €1.35. Germany is actually cheaper than a lot of its neighbours.

Hit me up when you get here, we can go for a beer!
Feb. 15, 2011 9:41 a.m. Xceler8x SuperDork

You gotta write about this when you get back.
Feb. 15, 2011 9:59 a.m. Otto Maddox HalfDork

Things must have changed since I last drove that stretch of road in December of 1995. The quality of the road was about the same as interstate in the US, perhaps a little worse. There was a good bit of construction. Speed limits were common. In the unlimited sections, traffic flowed at around 80 mph. I was on the autobahn for hours and I am not sure I saw anyone going over 100 mph. I topped out the little Geo I was in at 105 for a while.
Feb. 15, 2011 9:59 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

write? he needs to mount a camera and shoot it and post on youtube
Feb. 15, 2011 10:41 a.m. NOHOME Reader

I seem to do this once or twice a year and have to say that the novelty has worn off a bit. As mentioned, the price of fuel becomes your speed governor as most rental cars become inefficient once you get much over 150 kmh. (About where the "middle" lane cruises.)

Get a German car since they really come into their own on these roads. If you find yourself alone, in the middle lane, on a stretch of highway, move over to the right lane. The goal seems to be keeping out of faster peoples way. I can't say I experience much of the fast lane blocking; the odd slow car making a dash into the fast lane to pass, certainly. But it is not like in the US where people on cruise control dart into the fast lane and just leave the cruise on while they pass some guy with a 0.5 mh speed differential.

It IS cool, just learn to look WAY back when you swing into the fast lane, cause some of those guys are really Hauling Ax. It is worth poking along in the middle lane at 150 if a guy in a Ferrari comes by at about 300 on your left; the noise is one you will never hear in the US.

In bad weather conditions, I find the German's are nuts. They hardly alter their pace from dry road conditions.
Feb. 15, 2011 11:10 a.m. Otto Maddox HalfDork

Upon further reflection, I think the highlight of my Eastern European automotive experiences was getting really drunk on fine Eastern European beer and putting a Trabant sideways in its parking spot (with the help of a couple of Slovaks).
Feb. 15, 2011 2:31 p.m. NickF40 Reader

calling Jezza to setup a challenge for the next episode
Feb. 15, 2011 2:50 p.m. Travis_K Dork

Someone I know was there last year and rented a golf wagon with a compound super/ turbo charged gas engine and they liked it. I'd probably go for some type of vw.

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