A8 Parts Forum

A8 Parts Forum (https://forum.a8parts.co.uk/index.php)
-   Daily banter (https://forum.a8parts.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=5)
-   -   Mannys A8 adventure to the Costa Del Sol 2013 (https://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6512)

mannyo 29th May 2013 06:25 AM

Mannys A8 adventure to the Costa Del Sol 2013
 
For those who have no idea what I am talking about, each year I write a short blog detailing the travels of my various cars.

To date, these have been:
Year/month, From - To, vehicle.

2008/8 - Stevenage (UK) to Madrid (ES), 2005 Skoda Octavia PD140 Estate
2009/6 - Stevenage (UK) to Malaga(ES), 2005 Skoda Octavia PD140 Estate
2009/9 - Stevenage (UK) to Genoa (I), 2005 Skoda Octavia PD140 Estate
2010/6 - Stevenage (UK) to Malaga(ES), 2008 Skoda Superb MK2 PD140 DSG DPF
2011/6 - Blandford (UK) to Huelva (ES), 2008 Skoda Superb MK2 PD140 DSG DPF
2012/6 - Blandford (UK) to Estepona(ES), 2001 Audi A8 3.7 Quattro Sport

and now for this year.

2013 - Blandford (UK) to Malaga(ES), 2001 Audi A8 3.7 Quattro Sport.

In just a few weeks time, I'll be heading off to Spain with a car full of family members on our annual holiday.

The main towns en-route are:

Blandford
Portsmouth
Le Havre
Le Mans
Tours
Bordeaux
San Sebastian
Burgos
Madrid
Granada
Malaga

I am not going to post the route, or dates until underway. The reasons for this, is that in Spain foreign registered cars are being targeted for property theft. I am not following the main tourist routes, but even so there is still a risk.

Hoping the car will run trouble free, just like last year. I am driving more of the route this time instead of using the ferry to northern spain, so the 8 will be on close to 190K miles when we get back (currently on 184K).

Watch out for more updates soon, just as last year.

notorious 29th May 2013 07:45 AM

I'm planning trip to Costa Brava this summer from the UK. Purchased Eutotunnel tickets, etc.

Are you saying this is bad idea because of the theft problem? Even for RHD cars?

David's8 29th May 2013 08:06 AM

Well enjoy the holiday and the drive. Look forward to your blog. There can't be finer car to do it in - unless it was an S8 ;)

mannyo 29th May 2013 06:14 PM

Sergey,

The main are with UK cars being targeted is around Barcelona following the coast road.

I have driven my UK cars through spain since 2008 and never had a problem, but some do. Spanish press say that the numbers having problems are very small compared to the ones who don't, but I certainly have no intention of becoming a statistic.

notorious 29th May 2013 06:50 PM

Hmm... No joy. Perhaps I should rent a car to go to Spain.

Goran 30th May 2013 10:31 AM

I have been to Spain twice with the S8, always left outside in various hotel car parks, no problem.
I also left it in Tangier for 7 days sitting outside the hotel, no problem. But I guess its just down to chance.

Enjoy your holiday Mannyo!
looking forward to pics.

oldnick 8th June 2013 06:15 PM

just in case you don't know , the N10 south of bordeaux has been transformed into a pay autoroute , so add another £12 to your budget , the detour to avoid it would cost you more in petrol , even at french supermarket prices !

currently petrol prices are similar to the UK [ except autoroute prices make uk motorway prices look cheap ]; however 98 in france is more and more difficult to find , so if you prefer that fill before you leave the UK ...what is happening is that the 98 pumps are being changed to 95E10 [ 10 % alcohol ] which is a little cheaper , but my 5cyl 20v doesn't like it ! haven't tried the A8

mannyo 8th June 2013 07:57 PM

N10, is that the road that goes on for miles of pine forest.

I'll be travelling through there late next week.

oldnick 9th June 2013 02:26 PM

umbrella pines

with the weather this year , you will still need an umbrella though

mannyo 9th June 2013 05:28 PM

I've found several articles about it now.

http://www.francebleu.fr/societe/la-...payante-514604

and it looks like the price is discounted until the end of this year, then it doubles.


All times are GMT. The time now is 11:18 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.