Ready for the big journey

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:21 am

Off to Germany this Thursday in my trust (but beginning to get sick) 6.

In preparation I have the following:

- New Oil
- New Oil Filter (OEM)
- New Air filter (OEM)
- Tires with 90% tread
- Spare Oil and Bulbs
- Haynes Manual and Tool Kit
- Spare tire checked and ok, kit also ok
- Exhaust checked, middle section replaced under warranty

I think I'm ready to take my 6 across to the continent.
Taking the 17:30 Ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam.

The clutch is behaving, though still slips when I really push. Engine is running sweet, quietly and with plenty of power.
All the fluids are at the recommended levels.

Air-con isn't working, but of a bummer for the 30+ degrees C Germany is experiencing right now... but thats what windows are for. Besides Air con hasn't worked since I got the 6. Well, it did for 2 weeks after a regass, but not since as I haven't bothered regassing and now I feel she's simply too old to be worth repairing this non essential MPG hogging bit of kit.

Thats it... everything that needs to be checked has been.

Here's hoping my 6 doesn't let me down.

puggy · Post by **puggy** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:02 am

Good luck on your trip Blue... hope you got your triangle , first aid kit , spare bulbs and
fire extinguisher... where in Germany you going ...

Post by **Welly** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 8:39 am

Yes, all the best Bluey I'm sure you'll be fine.

turbolag · Post by **turbolag** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:21 am

Add to that spare throttle cable, basic tools, torch fuses and a can of tyreweld (nothing like 2 punctures at once, or a puncture in the spare 10 minutes on to mke tyour day!). Oil and water are useful to have at hand.

Good luck - sounds like an adventure in the offing!

Eric · Post by **Eric** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:38 am

My old man has a 1.9 D9 and lives in France.
He always drives between here and there and although his air-con has packed up as well the car has never missed a beat.

You'll be fine

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:34 am

Ah yes, I forgot about the tyre weld. Yep, already in the boot.
High vis jacket, first aid kit, torch, basic tool kit with socket set and a fire extinguisher too. (Need to buy some fuses me thinks!)

Haven't got as spare throttle cable though

but I do have a supply of water and oil on board. Always do, just enough to keep topping up to get me to the next service station.

Also handy I've found is a wet rag laced with fairy liquid in a plastic bag. Perfect for getting thos bug splats off the windscreen when you stop for a quick loo break.

I'm sure I'll be fine. My 6 has been to Germany and back twice before and never missed a bit. Only now she has 20K miles extra on her since the last trip and has been suffering an oil leak and slipping clutch for 10K. But she's behaving herself just now. We have friends dotted around Germany who can render assistance in the worst case scenario.

I'm headed for the state of Nord-Rhein Westfalen. To the former garrison town of Minden. Tis my Grandmothers 65th birthday on the 18th.
After that its off to Mulheim. Lastly to Mönchengladbach where there is a huge Military barracks that I lived in for 3 years. There I will visit my old high school, places of residence, stomping grounds and to cap it off... the ranges and fire off some rounds from a 9mm pistol, SA 80-A2 (the standard weapon for the British Army) and if I'm good... an LSW (Light support Weapon).

After that, its off the Phantasialand, before heading home!

With all the running around, I expect to bring my car back with atleast 195K on the clock. She currently sports 193K.

Hence my nervousness.

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:17 pm

Blue406 wrote:lso handy I've found is a wet rag laced with fairy liquid in a plastic bag. Perfect for getting thos bug splats off the windscreen when you stop for a quick loo break.

I *always* have a bottle of Fairy Liquid, a roll of Bounty (cheaper kitchen roll doesn't work well at all) and a 5 litre bottle of water.

Bad windscreen? Dribble some water over it, then some fairy, then rub in with the bounty before cleaning off with your washers+wipers. Gets anything off and best of all stops the wipers smearing in the rain (fairy is a fantastic de-greaser)

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:45 pm

mjb wrote:
Blue406 wrote:lso handy I've found is a wet rag laced with fairy liquid in a plastic bag. Perfect for getting thos bug splats off the windscreen when you stop for a quick loo break.
I *always* have a bottle of Fairy Liquid, a roll of Bounty (cheaper kitchen roll doesn't work well at all) and a 5 litre bottle of water.

Bad windscreen? Dribble some water over it, then some fairy, then rub in with the bounty before cleaning off with your washers+wipers. Gets anything off and best of all stops the wipers smearing in the rain (fairy is a fantastic de-greaser)

This, I am quickly realising

Post by **Welly** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:13 pm

Perhaps you guys would like to come to my house - there's a sh*t load of greasy Pots and Pans to do

xplosiv · Post by **xplosiv** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:22 pm

greasy Pots and Pans to do

See this is where you are going wrong the custard goes in the pots and pans and the oil and grease in the car

Andy

Post by **Welly** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:37 pm

*Bugger*

MaDc0w · Post by **MaDc0w** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:23 pm

Blue406 wrote:I'm headed for the state of Nord-Rhein Westfalen. To the former garrison town of Minden.

DUDE! Minden????????????????????????????

Like 54310 Minden???????? by Irrel/Echternach???

I live like 15min from there LOL.

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:17 pm

MaDc0w wrote:Like 54310 Minden???????? by Irrel/Echternach???

There also seems to be a Minden between Hannover and Osnabruck, which as it goes I'm not going to miss by far on my travels to Germany at the end of next month

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:51 pm

MaDc0w wrote:
Blue406 wrote:I'm headed for the state of Nord-Rhein Westfalen. To the former garrison town of Minden.

DUDE! Minden????????????????????????????

Like 54310 Minden???????? by Irrel/Echternach???

I live like 15min from there LOL.

Leider Minden bei Hanover. Nordlich von Bielefeld und Vlotho.

Will aber nach Phatasialand am 23ten. Wenn du lust hast, koennen wir uns da treffen?

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:52 pm

mjb wrote:
MaDc0w wrote:Like 54310 Minden???????? by Irrel/Echternach???
There also seems to be a Minden between Hannover and Osnabruck, which as it goes I'm not going to miss by far on my travels to Germany at the end of next month

Thats the one I'm headed to.
Just out of interest, its where I was born.