I literally returned from Germany yesterday. Drove some 500 miles in the past week throughout Germany. Car I had was a VW Passat TDI (1.8 liter) wagon. My company would not pay for a Benz.

I was shocked at the torque the car possessed. Would blow my '84 300SD off the road.

I drove (when conditions permitted) easily at 200km+ with this car.

I seriously would consider one of these if/when they are available in the USA.

since we don't have the autobahn here. I will condition that reply with drive with the flow of traffic! 2 second rule. Use turn signals. Pass on the left! Stay to the right unless you are. I think most of you mentioned basic driving skills. But these are the ones that irk me the most.

I do service work and drive throughout the day in the DFW metroplex. There are hundreds of people, expecially in Dallas, who need basic driver training. Most, if not all, cause the accidents that back up traffic for miles. Most are damn rude!

Yet the ONLY traffic law I EVER see enforced is maximum speed limit! And this usually on a wide open interstate. I have even seen people cut in front of police cars without nary a signal and nothing happens. There is no such thing as enforcement around here, only revenue generation. Rant off.

I have never driven the autobahn but it sounds as if basic driving skills and common courtesy, really make it a pleasant driving experience. Even at faster speeds!

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I remember cruising along the autobahn doing 100mph and many cars were passing us. It was really an amazing site. I remember thinking to myself that I've got to remember that when I'm back in the U.S. putting along at 65.

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

My MB actually gets quieter at above 80 mph, the motor seems to have a sweet spot at about 3000 to 3500 rpm. I drove to Minneapolis and back last night 6 hours total, and after watching the autobahn show the other night, decided that I would make I-35 an autobahn of my own. 80mph+ all the way. Some left lane hogs though, but the light flashing technique usually works, I think because you never see that kind of thing out here, and the surprise factor gets the lard a**es out of the way.
Beautiful trip actually, and no speeding ticket. Didn't get very good mileage though...

DS
87 300D

I've had a great idea for years that will never happen. If you get rear ended in the left lane, legally it's your fault.

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

The flashing of lights usually moves most of the laft lane bandits out of the way. I have come up on a few people at 100 when they were hoging the left at about 60. That usually gets them out of the way!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The flashing lights make the twits slow down around here and try to block you with other traffic in the other lane.

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'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.