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I'm starting to understand why you Brit's love the SLK so much..

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479 views 36 replies 15 participants last post by  Rick_In_Tas  
#1 ·
I'm planning an Ireland/Scotland/London trip in late September and early October. To orient myself I've been binging on YouTube videos on everything from road tours to road signs, not to mention all the tourist "must see" stuff. What strikes me is how incredibly narrow many of their roads are! Particularly the many that we Americans would call "one way". I've driven in Germany, Austria Switzerland, France and the Czech Republic. I can't say I have ever seen anything like it, at least not to that degree.

To that end I can see where an extremely compact sports car like the SLK fits right in. I suspect even a regular SL seems large there. I can't imagine driving our large American cars there. I'm looking forward to experiencing how you folks go about it.
Cheers,
H
 
#2 ·
Nah, quite wide, if nothing comes the other way.

Scotland may see snow during that period.

Our 2017 Scottish tour thread.
28 cars and 4 groups of 7.

And our tour of the NC500 later that year.
www.slkworld.com

North Coast 500: 20th-23rd September 2017

A few weeks ago I drove the NC500 on a recce mission with a view of organising a club run. Following the success of the "Scottish Spring Weekend 2017" I am very enthusiastic in driving the route again but this time with my SLK World friends. If you are interested can you please indicate your...
www.slkworld.com www.slkworld.com
 
#3 ·
If you're planning to do the NC500, that runs around the top and top-west of the mainland, beware of google estimated times that you can get around. There are 60mph limits up there, but the single track roads mean that a 30mph average is more likely, doubling the time that google says it will take you to get around. Scotland is fantastic...but may be wet, Ireland similar. The driest part of the country is East Anglia. Wales and Cornwall are "There Be Dragons"!!! They are exited about there own language and culture. Good luck, and happy holidays. :D (y)
 
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#4 ·
@ccmano
Not sure if you have driven on the left before.
Ignore if you have.

Very easy to slip into normal (right side) driving at junctions, fuel stops and breaks when tired.

A sticker with an arrow pointing to the left, positioned in the centre dash acts as an aide memoir.

Speed limits.
Max on roads and highways is 70 mph.
Lots of cameras too.
20 mph limits near schools, villages and housing estates are quite widespread.

Have a look at Waze, or similar for your phone.
Speed limits are as up to date as you can get.
There are many settings to play with but I set mine to warn if above limit. It dings once and displays your speed next to limit in red.
Also good for showing queueing traffic, sleeping police cars, hazards etc.
Worth reading up on.

Not sure if you are hiring a merc, but our regional recommends for shops (not all are merc only) may come in handy.
Covers all nations you are aiming for.
www.slkworld.com

Regional Recommends as a list.

If you wish to add a recommended business then post a new thread and it will be added. ENGLAND (Scroll to further posts for Scotland, Wales, Ireland etc) BEDFORDSHIRE Fensomes BMW Mercedes Specialist 100 Crescent Road, Luton(1 neg review) Bedfordshire LU2 0AH Tel: 01582 486677 Email...
www.slkworld.com www.slkworld.com
 
#5 ·
ccmano said:
What strikes me is how incredibly narrow many of their roads are!
Click to expand...
Many of these roads, called country lanes around here, have a 60 mph speed limit.

You’ll know you’ve wandered onto an especially narrow, quiet one when moss and grass run down the centre line and both wing mirrors brush the hedges as you pass!

And yes, before you ask, these are 60 mph “roads.”
 
#6 ·
And if visiting Cornwall, Devon, Wales, Cotswolds and some other areas where what may look like a generally soft hedge or bank is often hiding a stone wall and or included rocks:eek:
Most locals in the sticks know where the passing places are on narrow lanes but beware tourists, many of whom hire large SUVs and then panic when meeting an oncoming vehicle. Oh, and if you meet a Range Rover just stop - they automatically have a God given right of way it seems:rolleyes:
 
K
#31 ·
I would agree as I live in Cornwall. Watch out for people who think 60mph speed limit means you must do 60mph .. there are far too many and the accident statistics prove it. Also, if there is a tractor coming towards you then reverse - they won't are cannot if they are double trailers which is very common where I live (and no good saying you have right of way, they will wait as mostly are driven by kids anyway). Enjoy the trip, some really good advise on this thread.
 
#8 ·
Watch out for traffic calming measures.

Many two lane roads have yellow stripes at 90 degrees to road.
These are usually slightly raised and it sounds like the car has an issue.

The link below is AI but gives some idea of other measures. The big one to watch for is black and yellow striped “half pipe” across the road. They truly give the hump. Often on entrance/exit approach to car parks and shopping malls.

Judging by Jeff’s Friday with Frank vids , the following is the same.

Just because you have right of way does not mean the other will yield.
Many do not indicate.
Just because you are doing the speed limit don’t be surprised to find the following car examining your trunk badging.
A solid white line on your side of the centre of the road is absolutely no overtaking (bobbies hate that), but if broken your side and solid the other you can overtake if safe. Looks similar to US methinks.

Best bet is our Highway Code for guidance on road signs & markings.

This gov’t link may be helpful.
www.gov.uk

The Highway Code - Traffic signs - Guidance - GOV.UK

Traffic signs used, including signs giving orders, warning signs, direction signs, information signs and road works signs.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

Like you guys, plenty here will offer help if stuck (except with the bar bill sometimes) .
 
#10 ·
Have done multiple trips to that area. Used to navigate by point general direction go; but that once had me going through what I suspect was a farmers paddock. Three blokes watched me go through in a ford sierra cosworth. I’m sure we were the topic of conversation in the local pub that day. This was all back in the day before GPS.
Best advice is to learn to use roundabouts . After 40 years of no incidents, I finally got “bit” about a year ago. Other driver was Eastern European, but these roads are really busy sometines with all nationalities. Keep your wits about you.
Most people are super friendly if you’re polite and kind too.
Best of luck
No whining now…
 
W
#11 ·
ccmano said:
I'm planning an Ireland/Scotland/London trip in late September and early October. To orient myself I've been binging on YouTube videos on everything from road tours to road signs, not to mention all the tourist "must see" stuff. What strikes me is how incredibly narrow many of their roads are! Particularly the many that we Americans would call "one way". I've driven in Germany, Austria Switzerland, France and the Czech Republic. I can't say I have ever seen anything like it, at least not to that degree.

To that end I can see where an extremely compact sports car like the SLK fits right in. I suspect even a regular SL seems large there. I can't imagine driving our large American cars there. I'm looking forward to experiencing how you folks go about it.
Cheers,
H
Click to expand...
Hi, I've driven in all those "wrong side" of the road countries (and yes, I am an American). A compact car is a must if you're driving in the country side. As others have said, there's often only room for 1 car, so there are usually pull off areas. And sometimes you might find shrubs, weeds, brushing your car. As far as driving on the left side, I found I got used to it mostly after a day or so. But you do have to remind yourself, and be especially careful if your mind wanders...find a country road at home (USA?) with a long sight line and try driving on that side of the road some. It's not exactly the same (steering wheel is on different side), but it gives you the gist of it. Have fun!
PS round abouts go in the opposite direction. DON'T PANIC! If you're not sure what exit to get off of, just go around again!
 
#15 · (Edited)
When driving along narrow country lanes, keep a mental note of the last pull-in you passed, which might be anything from a field entrance to a slightly wider spot in the road, so you'll know where you'll potentially need to reverse back to if you meet another car.

When you do come across someone travelling in the opposite direction, it generally becomes a battle of wills as to who's going to back up, especially if you've encountered a driver who doesn't like reversing and/or there's not an obvious pull-in behind them.

In Scotland, they have a great system of marking all the passing places with white signs on tall poles so it's really easy to spot them and proceed accordingly.

If you're visiting Scotland, you should definitely do at least some of the NC500 (I'm sending this message from one of the Orkney Isles, where we're half way through our annual NC500 pilgrimage, with a slight detour, in the SLK). The scenery on the west coast part of the road is the most dramatic. It's also worth hunting out the various tourist routes that allow you to bypass the A9 around Inverness, many parts of which are grindingly dull and blighted by average speed camera.

Happy travels!

Car Bumper Car door Hood Alloy wheel
 
M
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
ccmano said:
I'm planning an Ireland/Scotland/London trip in late September and early October. To orient myself I've been binging on YouTube videos on everything from road tours to road signs, not to mention all the tourist "must see" stuff. What strikes me is how incredibly narrow many of their roads are! Particularly the many that we Americans would call "one way". I've driven in Germany, Austria Switzerland, France and the Czech Republic. I can't say I have ever seen anything like it, at least not to that degree.

To that end I can see where an extremely compact sports car like the SLK fits right in. I suspect even a regular SL seems large there. I can't imagine driving our large American cars there. I'm looking forward to experiencing how you folks go about it.
Cheers,
Click to expand...
Hi. You might also want to consider the scenic (and often quiet) roads in North, West and Mid Wales!
 
#25 ·
Just thought.
A reminder that US gallon is 3.8 L
A UK gallon (imperial) is 4.5 L

Rough fuel prices.

Text White Screenshot Font Number


If using the motorway network, fill up before an after and not at services on the network.
Can be 20p a litre more than above list.

Roughly £12 more for a full tank vs elsewhere.
If you have a Costco card, they do have fuel at some sites.
 
#27 ·
Last week I paid £2.03 a litre for Esso Supreme+ petrol (E5 higher octane) on the M6 motorway services. Then at home in south west London I paid £1.75 a litre for the Same Esso petrol. So yes I agree, about £12 more if you fill up on the motorway for about 50 litres or so. Or 3 cups of coffee if you're buying it in the centre of London!!
 
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#29 ·
They used to tell us nowhere was more than 80 miles from the sea. Always had to wear a "Mae West" (inflatable life jacket) every flight. Wonder if that's still "a thing"?
 
W
#35 ·
If you've driven in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Czech Republic, then you won't find the road widths any different to those countries. The BIG difference is that here in the UK, we drive on the left, unlike the countries above. As someone said earlier, we use miles not kilometres. In the Republic of Ireland, they also drive on the left, but use kilometres. Northern Ireland uses miles, so crossing that border is a bit like crossing from the USA to Canada (miles to kilometres). Don't over worry about the driving, just concentrate on remembering to drive on the left. The vast majority of UK drivers manage to drive safely on the right whenever they go to continental Europe or the USA etc
 
#36 ·
And even if driving a left-handed car when you are used to right handed (or vice versa), it's not difficult to adjust.

Canada is drive on the right (steering on left of car) but at one point in the past I owned a '48 Humber. No difficulty at all driving from the wrong side of the car on the right side of the road :rolleyes:;)
 
R
#37 ·
The thing I found was operation the gear lever with my right arm instead of my left....that felt rather strange for a long time! When we got out Jeep it got weirder....3 speed manual box with Reverse where first had always been and first where second normally was. You had to be super careful taking off at the lights!
 
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