Holiday drive

[jjrodger]

Being that time of year again, I have just returned from my annual holiday to France. The SL performed faultlessly. In particular, I drove 888 miles this Saturday. I stopped three times only: twice for fuel and a pee (about 5 mins on each occasion) and once while we went through the channel tunnel (about 3/4 of an hour). Otherwise at the wheel from 7am (CET) to 7pm (BST), a total of 13 hours, an average speed of 69mph (including the tunnel journey). When I stepped out of the car I felt no worse than I do after a day at work. What a car! On the way there (last Saturday) we covered the distance from Dordrecht in Holland to the Dordogne in France in about 9 1/2 hours, again, non-stop.

This time I fitted the panoramic top for the journey, removing it when I arrived at our holiday house in France. IMHO the soft top is too noisy for long distance high speed work. On the French autoroute I set my cruise control to 93mph (150kph), which I was able to maintain for extended periods, occasionally stretching the legs to 140mph on long clear straights. (The Gendarmes are getting hot in France, so no real high speed stuff anymore.) I went a little slower here in Blighty as I'm holding on to my licence by the skin of my teeth. In Holland and Belgium I cruised at about 85mph (their limit is 120kph).

While in France I was able to enjoy some wonderful motoring. Some of the mountain roads are unbelievable: look up Souillac to Rocamadour on your Michelin map and dream about those bends, those hills and those views! Reality was even better: next to no traffic. Even my wife didn't complain about spirited driving! I will add a few pictures for your delectation. This is how to use your SL: with fine but simple food in your belly, a rough local red in your blood, sun on your face and a never ending ribbon of blacktop ahead!!

[Pete Geither]

Just did a long tour in the SL also last week. Did around 2000 miles and like you , I think this is one of the best cars I have ever been in for high speed and long distance cruising. A funny part of the trip was that I followed 3 of my friends who were on motorcycles. At the end of the week, I think they were a bit envious of the car. 95 degree days put the top up and the A/C on while they almost died in slow traffic. Same for the occasional rain storm. They couldn't show the SL anything in the twisties either, and as I was a bike rider for over 30 years, I can say this,,,, I'll never go back.

[jjrodger]

If you're interested, here are a few of my pictures (naturally the ones with the SL in):

Here I took the SL for a little off roading down a track by the river Vezere, where we pulled up for a picnic of cheese, sausage and wine:


Me at the wheel in the twisties on the N20:


Yours truly again:


And finally my wife and I on the way back from yet another dinner:


It all just makes me want to get back in that car and drive!

[elau]

jjrodger, thanks for sharing. Now you make me wanting to jump into mine and go for a long ride

Was planning to do a 500 mile one day
round trip from San francisco to Reno & back.
Taking in some gambling but mainly to drive
the sl. Turns out there are snow warnings this weekend and
chains will be required. So the sl has to stay in the barn.
No snow driving for this puppy.

Happy trails

steve '84 280sl 5 speed stick 184k.

[aspire]

Looks like you had a great trip. I'm jealous! I'm looking forward to a great weekend at my sis-in-law's wedding, will drive up from Glasgow 200 miles north, this weekend .

Snag is, my wife & I have agreed to take my bro-in-law along, and he's just too big to fit in the back of the SL! We'll have to take the hatchback .

Derek