2007 MINI DEFECT
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: san francisco area
Having lived in Germany for well over 5 years now, I'll back him in saying that most people in the USA don't know what it is like to drive that fast. Some facts about the Autobahn that most people don't realize are:
1. The white dotted lines are longer and further spaced giving you the feel of driving slower than you are.
2. Material used on the roads is of a high grade for maximum traction.
3. Most turns are banked in some manner to aid in driving.
4. Areas that are marked for a limit are usally built up areas or there is a reason such as the material that was used to repair the road.
Now, the times are chaning and the Germans are not keeping the raods up to the same level as when I was station here in the late 80's, but they are still good.
When I was in Heidelberg I remember getting an e-mail from the motor vehicle office (written by a german) telling me that the B3 was under construction and that they were using "American" grade cement so please pay close attention to your speed and obey the limit. I got quite a chukle over that.
Bottom line is that there is nothing wrong with driving fast if you and your car are up for it. Most people here in Germany clear the left lane for passing only and never ride in it like we do in America.
1. The white dotted lines are longer and further spaced giving you the feel of driving slower than you are.
2. Material used on the roads is of a high grade for maximum traction.
3. Most turns are banked in some manner to aid in driving.
4. Areas that are marked for a limit are usally built up areas or there is a reason such as the material that was used to repair the road.
Now, the times are chaning and the Germans are not keeping the raods up to the same level as when I was station here in the late 80's, but they are still good.
When I was in Heidelberg I remember getting an e-mail from the motor vehicle office (written by a german) telling me that the B3 was under construction and that they were using "American" grade cement so please pay close attention to your speed and obey the limit. I got quite a chukle over that.
Bottom line is that there is nothing wrong with driving fast if you and your car are up for it. Most people here in Germany clear the left lane for passing only and never ride in it like we do in America.
don't ask me how i know. i'm just a dumb american who doesn't know how to drive properly
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
I have this same problem! I'm planning on taking it in to my dealer and telling them to reseal it...and maybe showing them this tread...i get the same noise even on cross winds or Big-Rigs passing me on a two lane highway.A friend of mine found that pushing the windsheild outward changes the noise....
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,925
Likes: 2
From: Laurel MD
I lived in Germany for three years and you definitely get used to driving consistently at speeds higher than 100mph. I would compare driving 100-115mph as the same as driving 70-85mph over here. Everytime I was on the Autobahn with my Saab, I was in triple digits. If you are only going 100mph or thereabouts, you need to be in the right lane because you will be run over. That being said, you do get a little relaxed. My first few weeks I was definitely white knuckled on the Autobahn. After that, I was a bit more relaxed
Bottom line is that there is a huge difference in driving over here and for the most of the Americans do very well at adapting to the new environment. What I do find amusing is the country boy who brings his quad cab F250 over here then goes downtown and tries to park. We watched for 20 min as a guy tried to park his truck in what only a Smart car or MINI would have fit.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: san francisco area
haters and old people
Sounds like you never left the American continent. The rest of the world does things differently. Arrogance...Experience....Success comes from pushing the envelope remember that when you watch NASCAR (lame). I am not a desk jockey nor am I a weekend warrior. I drive my car, I dont wash it and put it right back in the garage and go watch a race on Television. Its the smell of the rubber, the gas fumes burning your eyes, the High revs the whine of the turbo you just dont get it
...GEEEZZZZ dont talk about blowouts at that speed when you never ran a car at that speed.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,602
Likes: 107
From: Arizona
They can't park 'em here either. Try watching a lady driving a Suburban trying to park it in a Las Vegas parking garage sometime. Can't be done, cellphone or no cellphone. That's why they have valets.
Last edited by TheBigNewt; Sep 21, 2007 at 02:04 PM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: san francisco area
Do you race? Do you drive your car or are you just a passenger of the car
Sounds like you never left the American continent. The rest of the world does things differently. Arrogance...Experience....Success comes from pushing the envelope remember that when you watch NASCAR (lame). I am not a desk jockey nor am I a weekend warrior. I drive my car, I dont wash it and put it right back in the garage and go watch a race on Television. Its the smell of the rubber, the gas fumes burning your eyes, the High revs the whine of the turbo you just dont get it ...GEEEZZZZ dont talk about blowouts at that speed when you never ran a car at that speed.
Sounds like you never left the American continent. The rest of the world does things differently. Arrogance...Experience....Success comes from pushing the envelope remember that when you watch NASCAR (lame). I am not a desk jockey nor am I a weekend warrior. I drive my car, I dont wash it and put it right back in the garage and go watch a race on Television. Its the smell of the rubber, the gas fumes burning your eyes, the High revs the whine of the turbo you just dont get it
...GEEEZZZZ dont talk about blowouts at that speed when you never ran a car at that speed.thanks for setting me straight.
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
I can vouch for autobahn driving... been here in Geilenkirchen for over three years now, and we have LOTS of long autobahn stretches with very little traffic... especially where the A46 begins right in Heinsberg... its a drag race to top speed because there is never more than 10 cars in a 15 mile stretch... Perfect for high speed runs! Wide lanes, long dashed lines... I feel safer driving at 110mph here than driving 80 down I-75 to Florida.
Recent trip from Paris to Garmische, Germany... 2005 Toyota Sienna Minivan, Cruise control set at 110 (while in Germany)... doesn't feel any different from cruising at 75 mph down I-70 and I-20...
Oh, and cruising at 110mph in the right lane when a F-430 flies by and makes you think you're running 35mph, Priceless!
It's all a matter of what you're used to. When I got here I was white knuckle at 90 mph... and now I'm using cruise control at 110 yawning wishing there was no speed limiter...
RS
(MCS in production 1st week October)
Recent trip from Paris to Garmische, Germany... 2005 Toyota Sienna Minivan, Cruise control set at 110 (while in Germany)... doesn't feel any different from cruising at 75 mph down I-70 and I-20...
Oh, and cruising at 110mph in the right lane when a F-430 flies by and makes you think you're running 35mph, Priceless!
It's all a matter of what you're used to. When I got here I was white knuckle at 90 mph... and now I'm using cruise control at 110 yawning wishing there was no speed limiter...
RS
(MCS in production 1st week October)
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
I have this same problem! I'm planning on taking it in to my dealer and telling them to reseal it...and maybe showing them this tread...i get the same noise even on cross winds or Big-Rigs passing me on a two lane highway.A friend of mine found that pushing the windsheild outward changes the noise....
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
I had this same exact problem!!! I heard the noise at about 80mph on the highway a couple of times and thought it was the sunroof. After taking it in for service, the tech discovered the windshield had been installed improperly at the factory and had to re-install it.
It's been about 3 weeks and all has been good, but just today I saw there is a stress crack on the windshield. I'm taking it in and hope they don't give me much trouble about covering it under warranty.
It's been about 3 weeks and all has been good, but just today I saw there is a stress crack on the windshield. I'm taking it in and hope they don't give me much trouble about covering it under warranty.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
I had this same exact problem!!! I heard the noise at about 80mph on the highway a couple of times and thought it was the sunroof. After taking it in for service, the tech discovered the windshield had been installed improperly at the factory and had to re-install it.
It's been about 3 weeks and all has been good, but just today I saw there is a stress crack on the windshield. I'm taking it in and hope they don't give me much trouble about covering it under warranty.
It's been about 3 weeks and all has been good, but just today I saw there is a stress crack on the windshield. I'm taking it in and hope they don't give me much trouble about covering it under warranty.
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