Road trip through France to Spain...

dar2008 · 09-02-2008, 04:21 AM

Just returned from our 2,300 mile roadtrip through France to Spain in the new e93 M3. After getting the car at the middle-end of July, I managed to do enough miles to get the first service out of the way before we travelled.

I was pleased with the luggage capacity and was able to load the car so we could still put the roof down. It was just my other half and myself going, so not too much luggage. Coming back, we had my young daughter and numerous boxes of wine and beer, so no chance to put the roof down then!

Once through the tunnel and into France, I switched the speed display to KM's which also had the affect of changing the Sat Nav to KM's as well. This was a good thing and made it easier to keep a check on my speed. Another good thing was that from the top of France to the bottom, we saw just 3 speed cameras... if I drive 5minutes from my house, I'll come across at least 10!

At one motorway stop off, I noticed an older M3 and parked up next to it, took a picture and went off for a coffee. When I returned, both cars were surrounded with people taking pics.

Got lots of admiring looks on the trip (the car, not me), and was finally pulled up by the police just in the foothills of the Pyrenees before entering Spain. I was very nervous having just overtaken in 'M' mode a couple of KM's before, but all they wanted to do was look at the car

They checked my license, but not my other documentation and sent me on my way, relieved!

One of the pics below is taken next to the world's highest suspension bridge, in Millau, southern France... we did a 250mile detour to drive over it.

Coming home, we took the ferry from Bilbao to Portsmouth, a day and a half's trip. But given my wife and daughter's sea sickness, I so wish I'd driven home back through France... next time.

Enjoy the pics below, one of which really shows off the 'blue' that Jerez Black can look in certain light.

torredresen · 09-02-2008, 04:39 AM

Nice, looks like you really enjoyed it.
I will make a trip myself when I get mine

booforty · 09-02-2008, 04:42 AM

Looks the nutz mate! Great write-up too and glad you had a great trip.

Looking forward to meeting up for the first E9x M3 meet!

I'm off to the Ring this weekend with my missus driving through France, Belgium, Netherlands and into Germany so looking forward to my road trip!

mkoesel · 09-02-2008, 07:51 AM

Wow, looks like huge fun. Very cool trip. Can't wait to do ED next year.

M2381 · 09-02-2008, 03:51 PM

Looks like fun! Glad it went well

positiveions · 09-02-2008, 04:11 PM

God that is beautiful. I am wondering when will BMW have the European delivery on the E9x M3. I'll be first to sign up.

S38 TO S65 · 09-02-2008, 04:20 PM

WOW

Do you have any other pics of the road trip? I did one from Georgia to Florida during the summer, but once I get the E92 M, I'm driving from Georgia to Cali

mkoesel · 09-02-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatrach73

God that is beautiful. I am wondering when will BMW have the European delivery on the E9x M3. I'll be first to sign up.

You can do it today, always have been able to.

If you mean with the discount, then it will probably never happen.

Davinhci · 09-02-2008, 04:42 PM

congrats beautiful car and sites

sayemthree · 09-03-2008, 02:26 AM

nice trip!!!

except the speed camaras! time to throw the tea into the harbor!

inmotion · 09-03-2008, 04:39 AM

Beautiful car, excellent scenery, sonorous V8, and to top it off a nice trip with your family. Now that's what life is about!

BimmerRob08 · 09-03-2008, 05:06 AM

Must have been a very nice trip except the sea sickness part! My plan is to take the M3 from the UK (home) to Civitavecchia Italy (my other home) next summer some time. Did it summer of '07 in my Saab 93 Aero and it was probebly the best road trip ever.

dar2008 · 09-03-2008, 07:22 AM

A few more pics from the trip, as requested...

Pic 1 was taken on-board the Eurotunnel train.

Pic 2 was taken just before entering the Bielsa tunnel that connects France to Spain through the Pyrenees. It's a perfectly straight tunnel a few KM's long... it would have sounded better with the roof down, but the altitude meant we were at about 15degrees centigrade,... just a bit too nippy for me.

Pic 3 is lower down the mountains on the Spanish side. You can see my 5year old daughter who excitedly keeps saying "push the superfast button Daddy".

booforty · 09-03-2008, 07:34 AM

Awesome pics!

The car looks great

Flying_Dutchman · 09-03-2008, 03:52 PM

Great write-up.
Must've been a nice trip indeed

.

I did the Stelvio Pass in Italy this summer when I was on holidays in nearby Tirol - Austria. That's a wild ride to do in an M3 as well.

Doc · 09-03-2008, 04:44 PM

Fantastic pics! beautiful color combo you have there.. enjoy safely

ModBargains.com · 09-04-2008, 05:50 PM

Wow, Beautiful pictures!!!

montreal red · 09-04-2008, 07:13 PM

the bridge picture is amazing... looks like a really good trip!

pirharun · 12-29-2011, 04:48 AM

Did this tour this morning with Rick. He was a fantastic guide and teach Ed. His instructions for the Segway were very clear and as a result I felt very safe whilst using it. It was great fun to ride, although would recommend rugging u p as much as possible as the breeze was very cool. Rick gave a great commentary on the sights we stopped at and also some good tips on things to do and places to eat at whilst in Paris. Overall the company was very friendly and knowledgable and a fantastic first experience in Paris. We highly suggest www.privatetoursinistanbul.com

dhoggm3 · 12-29-2011, 05:21 PM

Need I say that I think that is a beautiful car?

09-02-2008, 04:21 AM	#1
dar2008 Major 303 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: E93 M3 and E92 M3 Comp Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Road trip through France to Spain... Just returned from our 2,300 mile roadtrip through France to Spain in the new e93 M3. After getting the car at the middle-end of July, I managed to do enough miles to get the first service out of the way before we travelled. I was pleased with the luggage capacity and was able to load the car so we could still put the roof down. It was just my other half and myself going, so not too much luggage. Coming back, we had my young daughter and numerous boxes of wine and beer, so no chance to put the roof down then! Once through the tunnel and into France, I switched the speed display to KM's which also had the affect of changing the Sat Nav to KM's as well. This was a good thing and made it easier to keep a check on my speed. Another good thing was that from the top of France to the bottom, we saw just 3 speed cameras... if I drive 5minutes from my house, I'll come across at least 10! At one motorway stop off, I noticed an older M3 and parked up next to it, took a picture and went off for a coffee. When I returned, both cars were surrounded with people taking pics. Got lots of admiring looks on the trip (the car, not me), and was finally pulled up by the police just in the foothills of the Pyrenees before entering Spain. I was very nervous having just overtaken in 'M' mode a couple of KM's before, but all they wanted to do was look at the car They checked my license, but not my other documentation and sent me on my way, relieved! One of the pics below is taken next to the world's highest suspension bridge, in Millau, southern France... we did a 250mile detour to drive over it. Coming home, we took the ferry from Bilbao to Portsmouth, a day and a half's trip. But given my wife and daughter's sea sickness, I so wish I'd driven home back through France... next time. Enjoy the pics below, one of which really shows off the 'blue' that Jerez Black can look in certain light. Attached Images __________________
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-02-2008, 04:39 AM	#2
torredresen Captain 53 Rep 712 Posts Drives: M3 09 E93 JzB Fox Red extended Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 Z4; 2.0 [0.00] 2005 Z4 [0.00]	Nice, looks like you really enjoyed it. I will make a trip myself when I get mine
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-02-2008, 04:42 AM	#3
booforty Major General 337 Rep 8,811 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	Looks the nutz mate! Great write-up too and glad you had a great trip. Looking forward to meeting up for the first E9x M3 meet! I'm off to the Ring this weekend with my missus driving through France, Belgium, Netherlands and into Germany so looking forward to my road trip!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-02-2008, 07:51 AM	#4
mkoesel Moderator 7512 Rep 19,368 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	Wow, looks like huge fun. Very cool trip. Can't wait to do ED next year.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-02-2008, 03:51 PM	#5
M2381 Major 32 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: E92 M3, GTI Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Looks like fun! Glad it went well __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-02-2008, 04:11 PM	#6
positiveions Lieutenant General 961 Rep 11,722 Posts Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upland, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2016 VW Golf Sports ... [0.00] 1998 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	God that is beautiful. I am wondering when will BMW have the European delivery on the E9x M3. I'll be first to sign up.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-02-2008, 04:20 PM	#7
S38 TO S65 New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 92 BMW M5 and 66 Ford F100 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Atlanta, Georgia iTrader: (0)	WOW Do you have any other pics of the road trip? I did one from Georgia to Florida during the summer, but once I get the E92 M, I'm driving from Georgia to Cali
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-02-2008, 04:42 PM	#9
Davinhci Colonel 55 Rep 2,484 Posts Drives: 08 M3 E92 & 08 E70 X5 4.8 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (6) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	congrats beautiful car and sites __________________ 08 E92 AW M3 \| HRE P40 19" \| APE Air Filter \| BMW Performance Grills \| White Side Gills \| CF Mirror Covers \| BMW Performance Pedals \| F1 Pinnacle Tint \| V1 Hardwire \| Dinan Performance Software \| Gintani Exhaust \| H&R Sports Springs \| RPI Scoops \| BMW CF Spoiler \| Challenge Diffuser \| Lux H8 V3 \| LCI Tail Lights \|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2008, 02:26 AM	#10
sayemthree Major General 597 Rep 5,448 Posts Drives: ‘20 X3mC ‘20 Raptor ‘04 X3 6mt Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa so cal , AZ iTrader: (0)	nice trip!!! except the speed camaras! time to throw the tea into the harbor! __________________ Fore Sale Rare 6 speed manual X3 3.oi silver over grey. PM me
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2008, 04:39 AM	#11
inmotion Lieutenant 10 Rep 528 Posts Drives: where do I start? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Newport Coast, CA iTrader: (0)	Beautiful car, excellent scenery, sonorous V8, and to top it off a nice trip with your family. Now that's what life is about! __________________ E60 M5 Silverstone, Balloon White Gallardo Spider, Rosso Corsa F430, Audi CG Q7 Sportline, IS R8 before and DG R8 now, Basalt Black Carrera GT, SG M3 DCT, Orange GT3RS, IS CLK63 Black Series On order: 2010 R8 V10
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2008, 05:06 AM	#12
BimmerRob08 Major 110 Rep 1,311 Posts Drives: 2008 M3, Space Gray Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KIKR (ABQ), NM iTrader: (0)	Must have been a very nice trip except the sea sickness part! My plan is to take the M3 from the UK (home) to Civitavecchia Italy (my other home) next summer some time. Did it summer of '07 in my Saab 93 Aero and it was probebly the best road trip ever.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2008, 07:22 AM	#13
dar2008 Major 303 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: E93 M3 and E92 M3 Comp Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	A few more pics from the trip, as requested... Pic 1 was taken on-board the Eurotunnel train. Pic 2 was taken just before entering the Bielsa tunnel that connects France to Spain through the Pyrenees. It's a perfectly straight tunnel a few KM's long... it would have sounded better with the roof down, but the altitude meant we were at about 15degrees centigrade,... just a bit too nippy for me. Pic 3 is lower down the mountains on the Spanish side. You can see my 5year old daughter who excitedly keeps saying "push the superfast button Daddy". Attached Images __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2008, 07:34 AM	#14
booforty Major General 337 Rep 8,811 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	Awesome pics! The car looks great
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2008, 03:52 PM	#15
Flying_Dutchman Private 0 Rep 62 Posts Drives: M3 Coupe DCT since July Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Europe_Belgium iTrader: (0)	Great write-up. Must've been a nice trip indeed. I did the Stelvio Pass in Italy this summer when I was on holidays in nearby Tirol - Austria. That's a wild ride to do in an M3 as well. __________________ '03 - '05: MY 00 911 Carrera 3.4 (Sold) '05 - '07: MY 01 911 Biturbo 3.6 (R.I.P.) '08: MY 08 ///M3 Coupe / SS II / M-DCT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2008, 04:44 PM	#16
Doc Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 288 Posts Drives: E92 M3 AW/Blk sunroof 19s Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cape Town, South Africa iTrader: (0)	Fantastic pics! beautiful color combo you have there.. enjoy safely
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-04-2008, 05:50 PM	#17
ModBargains.com Banned 475 Rep 13,583 Posts Drives: JB E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631 iTrader: (51)	Wow, Beautiful pictures!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-04-2008, 07:13 PM	#18
montreal red chris 278 Rep 12,144 Posts Drives: White Boat Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (31)	the bridge picture is amazing... looks like a really good trip! __________________ Current: 2013 F10 M5 & 2016 Mini JCW 2013 GLK350 (gone), 997.1 GT3RS (gone), 2009 WRX STI (gone), e92 M3 (gone)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-29-2011, 04:48 AM	#19
pirharun Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: volvo Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: istanbul iTrader: (0)	Did this tour this morning with Rick. He was a fantastic guide and teach Ed. His instructions for the Segway were very clear and as a result I felt very safe whilst using it. It was great fun to ride, although would recommend rugging u p as much as possible as the breeze was very cool. Rick gave a great commentary on the sights we stopped at and also some good tips on things to do and places to eat at whilst in Paris. Overall the company was very friendly and knowledgable and a fantastic first experience in Paris. We highly suggest www.privatetoursinistanbul.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-29-2011, 05:21 PM	#20
dhoggm3 Major 269 Rep 1,282 Posts Drives: 850i C, Gated R8 5.2, E63 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Central PA iTrader: (1)	Need I say that I think that is a beautiful car? __________________ M850i Vert with RaceChip E46 M3, Euro Headers, Rasp Pipe, Kassel Tune Alpina B8, zero performance mods
	Appreciate 0 Quote