Romendo

I have rented cars from Avis and Hertz that had limits of 240 km/h (due to the tires). The highest speed I travelled was about 225 km/h (140 mph).

mihaelb

I don't think 200kph is a problem these days. A ~year 2000 Renault Megane Scenic, with a 1.9 turbo diesel engine that we rented would reach 200kph without much effort.
We kept it below 193kph, as there was some vibration from the tires above that, though.

mdsbuc

That's pretty much what I'm hearing right now and probably a good part of the reason that BMW does many more EDs each year than MB does; at least so I hear. Volvo has a great deal, if you care to drive one, in that they offer two round trip flights to Sweden, 7% off MSRP, and a night in a nice hotel. But, like I think you said earlier, it's more about the car than it is about the pick up experience. I agree with that, and it is why at this point, with this beautiful new C Class MB, I think I would like to pick the car up here and forgo the ED. In fact, in contrast to BMW, it appears that it is cheaper to pick up an MB here than it is to do an ED. This is based on my dealer here telling me he'd offer 10% off of MSRP, and be able to include any manufacturer incentives on top. According to him, with MB, you can't combine the incentives with an MB ED. With BMW, sometimes it is possible to combine these. Also, with BMW, if you have been a member of the car club for at least 12 months, you can get check after delivery from BMW, for $500. More cash back is available on the upper models. From what I understand, the national MB car club has a similar offer. I think I need to join soon!

Likewise for BMW. What I can say about BMW is that their lease offers are usually quite spectacular.


Each of our trips were about 4 weeks long and we too had to purchase the extra insurance. I just don't remember it being quite so much, but perhaps it was. Still, it's a small amount to pay compared to otherwise renting a car there for a month.

On our first trip we were totally on our own like you assumed. All of our nights were spent in hotels and B&Bs. On two subsequent trips we were fortunate to have become friends with two different German families. They've spent numerous nights in our home as well as we in theirs. That's been an incredible cultural experience for all us.

Yes. That's an American build car, with a U.S. speedometer. Note that these opportunities became available when traffic was light, away from the city, which probably accounted for a little faster than usual pace.

I can only say that your experiences are different than mine in that regard. Indeed I have been on sections of the Autobahn that are very much like you say, but depending on the day of the week, and the time of the day, things can change. Even in the fast lane, doing 150+ mph, one must frequently check the rear view and side view mirrors because that little speck on the horizon can become a massive object on your tail in just a moment. I know that cars passed me that appeared to easily be doing 200 mph.

gfmohn

You're braver than I am! Maybe I should have written,"safely do 200 kph." Who knows what the condition of those rented tires is.

mihaelb

Didn't consider that...I assumed that cars in Europe were built (and maintained) to handle the Autobahns and Autostrade. I was also a lot younger on that trip, where the destinations were the goal, and the drive was just a way to get there.
On the most-recent trip, where we had a Peugeot 3008 never passed 150km/h, as I also took more time to enjoy the scenery.

gfmohn

It's also $500 with the MBCA (no more on high-end models). You must also a member of the MBCA for at least 12 months.

mihaelb

$750 in Canada with MBCA

mdsbuc

Thanks. I'll be joining soon!

vsnlweb

What is MBCA?

gfmohn

Mercedes-Benz Club of America. It's mentioned whenever I used my signature on page 1. mdsbuc referred to it in post #28 as "the national MB car club". So when I replied to him, I knew that he was familiar with the "MBCA". However, neither one of us linked the acronym to the MB club.