Madrid in July? Spain closes pretty much down for mid July 'till September, everyone leaves Madrid. They say NY never sleeps but Madrid really never sleeps, good memories.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

Traveling by car in Europe is my choice too. Wonderful experiences available to you that are not available any other way. If you see something interesting you can stop and look it over. Lovely place to meander. Where all you going?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Very likely to be diesel powered. You will come back wondering what's wrong with us....

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

We toured Italy in 2001 right after 911. I took my four daughters, my wife and my Mom. We had a Renault van with a four cylinder turbodiesel with five speed. Lovely driving but simple and practical vehicle. 9 passenger and got mid twenties fuel economy while cruising any speed that was desired. Very nimble and car like in its handling. Great time!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

If you liked a Renault it is just as well you didn't get a Ford Transit - they'd have had to pry you out of the seat.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Where all are you going in Europe?

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

I did it in Asia earlier this year. They had a little more in diesel pumps but it was still dirty around the pumps and on the pumps. Fortunately for me I didn't have to get my hands and shoes stinking of diesel nor did we have to worry about gelled fuel. I was glad to be back in my gas machines.

The truck has to be diesel to tow and the wife wants to push the 210 to 1 million miles but if we did replace it, I'd be only buying gas vehicles. So no, I won't be wondering what is wrong with us.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Yes, I very commonly rented some really good diesel cars in Europe when doing lots of business travel there 2000 through 2003. When you rent a car in Europe and it gets low on fuel, you need to make SURE that you know what kind of fuel it needs because there are some diesels that you just can't tell they're diesels by driving them.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

I was bumming around the south of England last weekend in a rented Ford Focus. Nice enough car, it had the petrol 1.6 engine, but was very gutless, especially at low RPM.

When you pickup the car, they will very clearly tell you whether it is petrol or diesel. One thing to be aware of is that the color of pump handles is reversed from what Americans are accustomed to. In England and Scotland, petrol pumps have green handles and diesel have black handles. Do double check before filling the tank to insure you've selected the correct fuel. I am trying to remember if it is the same on the continent.

Madrid for 3 days then driving towards the southern coast of Spain. 10 days in total. We are renting a villa overlooking the Alhambra. I think Segovia is on the list too. I just do what the wife says man.

I started an online Spanish course but I just could not get into it. I will have to rely on my kids with their high school spanish to get by.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

You ALWAYS need to know what fuel you are in need of. I don't care if it is a motorcycle, lawn tractor or a car.

Besides, when you fuel up, you either have a rush of gas or not which should give you a clue. Stick your finger in it and the spout should have a different smell. If it has a strong stink, it would be diesel. If it goes away quickly, gas. Don't know about E85 or if they have it there.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Seville if you get a chance, beautiful architecture, and Malaga's beaches. My 22 year old daughter spent Springbreak there and said people were friendly and no problems with the locals.

Well sure, if I were a 22 year old college girl I'd probably find the locals friendly also. On the other hand an old married fart like Ben with his wife and kids along...

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“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

Along the east coast are some impressive roman structures, and many places throughout spain. IN the southeast near the coast are some interesting homes carved in the rock as well. The Spanish are honorable people and very hospitable. Do go to local places to eat. Eat seafood if on the coast especially.

There is a little town in the mountains near the east coast called Rhonda with a bull ring that is a roman amphitheater. Cool drive to get there too.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Make sure your car has a working ac.
It is rather warm in spain (85 to 105) in august.

There is someting else to keep in mind.
After the economic explosion (with european money) the cost of living has dramatically increased.
With the present collapse over 27% is unemployed, for youger people even 60%.
The result is that there are a lot of peaple desparate for money.

Keep a low profile and never leave your car unattended with luggage ore anything of value in is, not even for 5 minutes.

Rob