i am military and i am going to germany in a few days and i am bringing my mini with me hopefully for some spirited driving, but i know nobody over there and i am hoping maybe someone here will either be able to point me in the right direction or to the right person.

 

Where are you being stationed?

I'm in Kaiserslautern.

 

That's the $.50 questions. I know a few near Wiesbaden, and some south of there (and a decent one near Wurtzburg).

 

The Nurenburg ring is a public road (although a toll is required). I am not sure exactly where it is, but it would be great to drive it.

 

I lived around Kaiserslautern for 7 years. In the local area, I remember some fun roads up around Spangdahlem AB... the Weisbaden area. There's also some good twisties up around the Sembach area (almost rolled my 300ZX up there one time).

On a bigger scale, head down to Bavaria, of course. Between Augsburg and Munich there are some great roads.

And remember, watch your "6" on those autobahns so you don't get run over by some 7-series Bimmer doing 290 KPH. You might think you belong out there when you're hauling butt at 140 MPH, but that's not always the case.

 

The Nordschliefe. A MUST do.

 

I hear that there new fangled autobahn is a dang good road!

Seriously, I remember there being some great roads near Innsbruck, but it's been a loooong time since I was there.

 

 

Due to the terrain of the Eifel Area, there are tons of beautiful twisties strechcing from North of Nurburgring down to the K-Town area. Spangdahlem AB, where I work, resides about 40 minutes south from the Ring and it stradles the Lux/Belguim area where many great roads lie.

Between Koblenz and Wiesbaden there are some really great roads. Northern Bavaria near the Odenwald area is also a prime spot. Can't speak for East Germany as I havn't driven my MINI over there yet.

The one thing you MUST do over any roads, is the Nordeschleife at Nurburgring. For many, its a slice of pure driving pleasure . For me, its the mecca of all roads. Once you do, get the decal and place on your vehicle.

Stuggart is about 4 hours from Spagndahlem and about 3 or 2.5 hours from Ramstien (guestimate )

hotrodgearhead / bmf31c: For more information on Germany/American MINI events, join us over at the Call out for Germany Mini owners Thread here in NAM. Also don't forget to check the "Europen" section of the forums for any news. Any events I get news of, I post there. With winter here, there probally won't be much going on . With rumors of MINI United coming back, this summer is already shapping up to be a great year of motoring.

 

There are countless great roads there, however, if you find yourself in the Eiffel near the city of Bitburg, follow the main road into Vianden, Luxembourg. From there follow the road to Ech'Sure into Clairveaux. You won't be disappointed. The area around Stuttgart is a little congested. You can't go wrong driving south of Munchen towards Salzburg, Austria. Once you leave the city, leave the autobahn. You will be glad you did. The speed limit on the autobahn is soft, but remember, if you travel at your top speed, and you come upon a car travelling at the legal minimum, you will close on them faster than you would a car stopped in the middle of a US interstate. Have a great time, and remember to share pictures!

 

Uh Autobahn. thats where i would spend all my time.

 

You obviously have the NEED for SPEED and prefer the wide open road to the twisties. My personal preference, too.

Of course, some portions of the autobahn do have speed restrictions and some get very congested so you have to pick your autobahn carefully when out for a red-knuckle ride.

 

It was my preference when I got there too. I didn't have the MINI yet, but I had a modded Miata, and my Honda CBR. There is something primal about driving as fast as your little engine will carry you, it's better when it's legal. After a while though, the novelty wore off for me. I could still wear out my sidewalls, and grind down my footpegs though. Wherever you drive, have fun and happy motoring!

 

Yes, it's so exhilerating to drive at those speeds and it's so nice to do it without worring about the revolving/flashing lights coming up behind you.

I spent nearly 7 years in Germany and the novelty never did wear off for me. What did cause me to slow down (at least for a little while) was the time the front end of my 300ZX started to lift up off the road. For a brief second, I was sure that I was about to get the front end airborn. That was NOT a pleasant feeling.

 

If you don't mind a little drive to get there, take a look at this site. They are bikes, and the riders are mentally unstable, however, the roads are fun in a Miata, and they should be fun in a MINI. Keep the shiny side up!

 

Well i have never been there but would love to someday. It would be so nice to just once be able to go as fast as the car will take me with out having to be on a track or worry about getting my car impounded. So thanks for the heads up.

 

In my Uncle's M3 which I'd swipe on occassion, my favorite was the trek from Baumholder to Thal Lichtenberg. In Autumn, beware of the extra, extra slip - the M3 made for good practice in drifting when the leaves were down though it became a bit hairy at times. I'd imagine the MINI would be more stable but still a challenge although picturesque with the ruins of Lichtenberg in the background...ah, the suffering.

Oh and for the straightaways am autobahn, keep the left blinker on and crank up the polka while yelling, "Ich habe vorfahrt!"