Trip To Germany AMG - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

omegabenz · #1 03-27-2003, 12:06 PM

Hello All, I am planning on going to Germany May 15th through May 30th with the Engineering Department of NAU. For any of you that have gone there or lived there, I was wondering what some of your favorite places were. I plan on staying past May 30th for at least two weeks. I would like to visit the AMG plant, Mercedes plant, Porsche plant, etc. Any information would be greatly apprecaited.
Austin

Jim's500E · #2 03-27-2003, 03:27 PM

Stuttgart area is where you wanna be for MB and Porsche...Affalterbach (AMG) is about 20 min. outside the city to the east. Try calling/e-mail first to get a tour...they don't just let you in if you just show up. Definitely go to Sindelfingen and Zuffenhausen and the MB Classic center (its on the way to AMG). Sindelfingen just opened up a special area for Maybach deliveries. The 2-hour+ factory tour is free and not to be missed.

Try to go to the race bldg at AMG...I think its the 2nd or 3rd one on their block...when I was there (about the same time in May) they had all the new DTM CLKs and CLK-GTRs outside along with the race transporters...which are very cool by themselves. It was a fenced in area and no access but good enough for pix and drooling.

Of course, you should drive out to the Nurburgring a couple hours to the west and spend a day there. Pay the $250 and get yourself a ride in the race-prepped Viper around the Ring...and wear a diaper (so I've heard)!!

Have a blast and take lotsa pics and post !!!

omegabenz · #3 03-27-2003, 04:13 PM

Do you know about renting a car to drive on the autobahn? I will be 20 when I arrive to Germany. I can get an IDL at 18, which I already am going to try to get, but I dont know if I can rent a car.

I am definately planning on going to everything you have mentioned. I am working on geting a contact at AMG so I can get a tour. I will probably take greater than 1000 pictures.

Thanks.

Jim's500E · #4 03-27-2003, 04:42 PM

You may not be able to rent a car then...I think you have to be 25...double check Budget/Sixt.

Their public transport is quite good though. Especially in and around the big stadts.

omegabenz · #5 03-27-2003, 06:08 PM

I need to arrange a ride on the autobahn at the very least. My friend says the train system there is really nice.

Jim's500E · #6 03-28-2003, 08:22 AM

May I suggest you do a post on one of the German MB forum sites...I'm very sure someone would be happy to help you out with a ride at some point.

Many Germans speak some English or get a translator program off the web...if you don't sprechen sie.

omegabenz · #7 03-28-2003, 12:21 PM

Do you know any? Maybe your favorite?

Jim's500E · #8 03-28-2003, 02:48 PM

I can do better than that....e-mail this guy Mike in Stuttgart, he has a 500E and probably knows the best way to see all that you want. Make sure you tell him you want to join his 500E club (even if you don't have one, yet). He'll love that.

info@schaller-it.de

Maybe he can taxi you around for a day or two, or know someone who can hook you up in that sort of fashion.

omegabenz · #9 04-03-2003, 12:11 AM

Pay the $250 and get yourself a ride in the race-prepped Viper around the Ring...and wear a diaper (so I've heard)!!

it is EUR 250, but I havent been able to figure out how long the ride is. Wonder if anyone has gone on it.

I emailed your friend, I havent heard back.

Michael · #10 04-03-2003, 07:04 AM

Should take around 8 minutes to get around the Nordschliefe (north course), depending upon traffic

#11 04-03-2003, 09:30 AM

You should be able to rent any Merc you want to, but plan on spending some $$$, roughly 3-4x what we would pay in the US and the per mileage is ridiculous.

Check all the Big rental sites (National, Hertz, etc) or make life easy, contact a local larger Travel Agent in your area and ask them to price if for you.

omegabenz · #12 04-03-2003, 10:56 AM

8 minutes to get around the track isnt worth 250 to me.

I cant rent a car, I have to be 25 years old. I will be 20 when I arrive.

omegabenz · #13 04-04-2003, 12:54 PM

I found out that I can rent an A class mercedes or a VW golf. YA!!!

omegabenz · #14 04-08-2003, 12:47 AM

Michael, you are right 8-10 minutes, 400 horsepower. I dont think its worth the money.

I am in final stages of planning. Anyone have any cool ideas where else I could go.

Jim's500E · #15 04-10-2003, 11:31 AM

Nice...an A-class....that should be fun to drive around, or flip over! ...what company rents to under 25 year olds? That's cool.

I agree..$250 for 10 minutes in a car is alot for a student...or even a regular Joe. If one had a fat wallet I'd think the ride would be worth it. I think that Viper is over 600HP, btw.

Michael...what was it to get a ride in the BMW ring taxi? $75? Austin, maybe you could squeeze yourself in on that ride?

Euros are about the same as a US dollar nowadays, FWIW....