Autobahn trip

rholyoake · Jan 29, 2014

Hi - I'm arranging a trip in April with a few guys from work (they have Bentleys, AMGs) who are keen to take their cars on the autobahn and visit a few places whilst in the area. I did a trip a couple of years back down to the Black Forest and stumbled across various sections of autobahn, stayed in Fussen and did the neuschwanstein castle which was lovely as driving flat out does becomes draining! Could anyone suggest from recent experience some good landmarks (hotels, good roads/passes, touristy stuff, etc) to incorporate over a long weekend in/around Germany as well as any reliable sections of autobahn to head for? I wondered if there were any previous PCGB or region events that I could copy to keep it simple? Many thanks.

garyw · Jan 29, 2014

This was a trip we did a few years ago now, had a fair bit of everything.[

]

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=656029

The Sinsheim Museum is just north of Stuttgart and involves some of the mentioned Autobahns you're after.

rholyoake · Jan 29, 2014

Many thanks Gary.

blueSL · Feb 1, 2014

It's unfortunate that speed limits are gradually being introduced on the Autobahns and the Germans have the habit of trying to micro-manage them so when you do come across an unrestricted section, you have to take advantage. Generally, staying away from heavily populated areas is good because it's junctions and interchanges and, increasingly, "laermschutz" (noise reduction) which are the reasons for limits being imposed. Sundays are good because most HGVs are banned but you'll find there's a lot of road works which slow your average speed.

So, if you were to head for Stuttgart, go to Spa Francorchamps in Belgium and head down the western side of Germany towards Trier. There's a decent amount of no-limit driving and you can take in the Nurburgring and further south, as Gary says, the museum in Sinsheim which has a Concorde and Russian Tupolev 144 on stilts, one behind the other. In Stuttgart, there's the Porsche and Mercedes museums, both of which are excellent but, of course, you need to be interested in that historical perspective. AMG are in Affalterbach near Stuttgart but there isn't a huge amount to see beyond the beautifully designed campus on the edge of a small town.

The Black Forest is quite a stretch for a long weekend but has wonderful driving and a great place to stay is a hotel called Traube in Tonbach. Have fun!

rholyoake · Feb 1, 2014

Hey, thanks Mark for your advice. I think that with Gary's itinerary and the route you suggest down to Trier I can put together a decent 3 day trip now. The Traube hotel looks very nice also. It suggests about 7 hours to get down to Stuttgart area from Calais, so just need to be mindful of that and not end up driving constantly for 3 days, although the out and back pretty much will be that! Will let you know how I get on. Thanks again.
Rob

Rodney Naghar · Feb 1, 2014

I know you've already been on the autobahns but just be very careful. I go every year and I always experience a few drivers pulling out on me onto the 'fast' lane without indicating at much slower speeds. Some very scary moments indeed. Terrible lane discipline there in my experience. Make yourself as visible as possible and be prepared for stupid driving.

rholyoake · Feb 1, 2014

Thanks Rodney for reinforcing that message. Good advice, as its not a playground. I have told my friends about the risks, particularly on the 2 lane sections. Its a sensible group and certainly not some Gumball across Europe. The guy in the CLSAMG will be pegged at 155 anyway, but chap with with Bentley GT may want to be on it. I found that once you've done the high speed thing for a few moments it does get monotonous and tiring as I said. There's more enjoyment to be had strolling around the countryside, maybe with a few quick blurts [

]I haven't taken this particular car over as yet, so not sure I want to hang on 'till it gets to 200 anyway. Lights on and PCCB at the ready I guess.

kasspa · Feb 1, 2014

Hi Rob,

I stayed at Hotel Heiligenstein on outskirts of Baden Baden, very close to B500 into Black Forest & return journey from Sontheim (560 miles) was done with tolls unchecked on satnav which took us on some nice unlimited & pretty empty roads on an elevated section of autobahn through/near Aachen

Visited Porsche museum while based there, approx 1 hour drive

hth

Paul

rholyoake · Feb 1, 2014

Thanks Paul, very helpful as Marks suggested hotel is already fully booked for early April. Looks like a great base. How long did your journey home take out of interest?

kasspa · Feb 2, 2014

From my friends house in Sontheim Brenz, it is 560 miles to Calais & we did the 1st 460 in about 5 hours....... wasn't particularly seeing how quick I could do it, just wanted to drive the car at a speed for which it was designed[

]

Unknown route, was just following satnav but did have some enjoyable periods of 160mph watching fuel gauge drop with wife sleeping next to me [

]...... BUT the beauty is you can do it & not risk losing your licence.....
With mixed driving I averaged 27.3 mpg over 1800 miles

It wasn't until we hit Belgium that we really experienced any traffic & that was a Saturday.

We are doing a similar trip this year, staying on in Europe after our R24 WOTY & incidentally going back to the same hotel (Heiligenstein) as it was so nice.
I told the owner that her website doesnt do the place justice & she said "we like to surprise"......

From there we're going to Salzburg back into Germany to visit our friends again & hopefully the same route home.
The roads through the outskirts of Aachen were on an elevated section & were a joy to drive on with stunning views, if you could take your eyes off road to look!!

hth

Paul