[Palmnuts]

I decided to go to the Geneva motorshow this year and I wanted to drive there to see some of Switzerland (I lived there until I was 7 so it's kinda nostalgic to me!). Problem is....I only had 3 days of holiday left to take (and this is why I couldn't make UK7)!

So, at 3am last Wednesday the missus and I left for Dover with the aim of getting to the north Swiss region (not too far from Zurich) by mid-afternoon to check out my old home (surprisingly, things haven't changed much in 23 years). We then drove down to Geneva by early evening so, all in all, a successful first day with a touch over 800 miles covered!

On the Thursday we visited the Geneva motorshow which was significantly better than the rubbish they put on for us in the UK every couple of years - there was some genuinely new stuff on show as well as a whole host of crap that we fortunately don't get over here.

On Friday I decided to head down over the Alps to south Switzerland to an area called Ticino where we stayed in the Lake Lugano region. That was another 300 miles and a fantastic days driving, taking in some awesome sights on some of the best roads I've ever driven on (and some 'interesting' weather conditions!).

On the Saturday we had a hotel booked in....Paris! I decided to go south into Italy in order to come up through the Monte Blanc tunnel. Those italian autostrada's are great....so straight and fast. I had much more chance to open up the M3 than on the german autobahns (if not quite so legally!).

Indeed, I spent a good few miles travelling in convoy with a brand new 911 Carrera S and can confirm that the M3 is more than capable of staying with one - between an indicated 100-170mph we were always neck and neck!

Anyway, after 9 hours of solid driving and a further 650 miles, we arrived in Paris just in time to go to bed!

And finally...on Sunday we spent the morning in Paris and then made the 450 mile drive home in the afternoon...and got home just in time to go to bed!

Overall, we covered just over 2200 miles in 5 days and saw some great sights. However, I think I'll give myself more time next time round as doing all the driving myself was quite tiring and we didn't have any time to spend in any of the locations!

And the M3? Well, what a great car to do this kind of trip in...comfortable, fast and great fun. It also attracts so much attention in Europe - I reckon far more than it does over here. However, the reliabilty wasn't flawless (see the main forum for more details). I also managed to average over 21mpg on the journey which, given the speeds I reckon was a great result!

[beemerbird]

Nice road trip you had there and no doubt some of the scenery was rather pleasing. You must be a bit tired though!

Has the M3 been derestricted as part of your tuning mods then?

[Palmnuts]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

Nice road trip you had there and no doubt some of the scenery was rather pleasing. You must be a bit tired though!

Has the M3 been derestricted as part of your tuning mods then?

I'm knackered..glad I've got today off work to recover!

Yes, it has been derestricted but there was far too much traffic in Germany to get it over 150mph and only in Italy did I get it up to 170mph - the roads were sooo straight, wide and empty! But the missus was shouting at me so I had to slow down (and then the Porsche got away)

[dxb335d]

Great write up. Sounds like you had a great time. Bet the M/// was dirty lol.

Any pics from the show?

[booforty]

Sounds like a great trip!

Sometimes you need a trip like this to really find out what your car can do. You should plan for another one, but next time, make it a little more leisurely!

[Speedtrap]

Sounds fantastic mate Who did you get to get the car limiter's taken off?

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by Palmball

So, at 3am last Wednesday the missus and I left for Dover with the aim of getting to the north Swiss region (not too far from Zurich) by mid-afternoon to check out my old home (surprisingly, things haven't changed much in 23 years).

Really, whereabouts did you stay ?

I normally do the trip in reverse - going from near Zurich to Scotland, using the Ferry to Hull. Although the last time I left Switzerland at 5am and was in London at 6pm (first time to try out Chunnel)

Haven't made it to Geneva this year.

D.

[Palmnuts]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Really, whereabouts did you stay ? D.

The area is a little village called Egliswil in the Aargau region....about 30 miles south-west of Zurich. It's a lovely little place which appeared to be the same as my memory told me it was 24 years ago! But I may be wrong...theres only so much you can remember from when you're 6!

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by Palmball

The area is a little village called Egliswil in the Aargau region....about 30 miles south-west of Zurich. It's a lovely little place which appeared to be the same as my memory told me it was 24 years ago! But I may be wrong...theres only so much you can remember from when you're 6!

Not far from me I'm in Wettingen, near Baden.

It's true, not much changes in the small villages (I was working it out and I have been here for about 15 years). Although they have started using roundabouts. Give way to the left, just means they all attack them at warp speed !

I take it that you speak a little Swiss German ? [not me]

D.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Not far from me I'm in Wettingen, near Baden.

It's true, not much changes in the small villages (I was working it out and I have been here for about 15 years). Although they have started using roundabouts. Give way to the left, just means they all attack them at warp speed !

I take it that you speak a little Swiss German ? [not me]

D.

I lived in Turgi, near Baden, for a year in 1999 when I worked for ABB Power Automation (if you know Baden you know ABB, or Brown Boveri as was).

Beautiful place, and so many more beautiful place to visit on your doorstep!

[Palmnuts]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Not far from me I'm in Wettingen, near Baden.

It's true, not much changes in the small villages (I was working it out and I have been here for about 15 years). Although they have started using roundabouts. Give way to the left, just means they all attack them at warp speed !

I take it that you speak a little Swiss German ? [not me]

D.

Yes...roundabouts!! My parents tell me that we we used to live in Switzerland there was one roundabout in the whole country. Now they are used on every junction!!

I used to speak fluent Swiss German but have forgotten most of it now...I can still say 'Hello, do you speak English' though! Oh...and I can count with no problems. This level of vocabulary didn't help me very much last week though!