Long car trip break down supplies?

[JOEPRO]

I will soon be taking my 2003 S600 Merc on a 2 day road trip through Ireland. Maybe cork something similar so covering a few hundred miles.

The car has alot of systems inc hydraulic suspension etc.

I will pack the following:

It has a full size spare wheel and basic tool kit.
Tyre inflator
Noco jump pack
Usb charger and cables
Spare hydraulic fluid and coolant
Zip ties and hose repair tape
Duct tape
Mini fire extinguiser is in the car all the time
3/8 socket set
Spanner set
Spare fuses and circuit tester

Anything else I should bring with me?

 

[CompoSimmonite]

AA, RAC etc breakdown cover / recovery to home "base" in case of breakdown that can't be repaired by the side of the road.

 

[Melvyn Best]

Tow rope, I know you shouldn’t tow an automatic but better that than have the car stuck in a dangerous position if it breaks down

 

[Bouledogue]

Warm, waterproof, brightly-coloured coats for you and all your passengers. Sitting under-dressed on a rainy embankment in a gale soon saps your morale. Put a bar of chocolate in each coat to munch on as a pick-me-up while you contemplate your life-choices...

 

[MoreWellie]

Has this car only just been completely rebuilt? Have you just bought it? Is it not used very often? Otherwise you should know whether the car is capable of covering a few hundred miles especially over a couple of days

I would expect a relatively young luxury motor like that to be something you just jump in and take off across europe without giving a second thought as to whether it will make it back under its own steam

I would still have my AA membership for the odd time that something went wrong though

 

[dobbslc]

I wouldn't worry to much after all it's not a JLR product.

 

[JohnH]

£500 in your pocket to cover fuel bills.

 

[voipio]

My preference, after any significant work on a vehicle, either mine, or done by a garage, is to take it for a short spin first, then go on gradually longer and longer journeys. Radio off and listen for any dodgy sounds, and smells. .

 

[JOEPRO]

Has this car only just been completely rebuilt? Have you just bought it? Is it not used very often? Otherwise you should know whether the car is capable of covering a few hundred miles especially over a couple of days

I would expect a relatively young luxury motor like that to be something you just jump in and take off across europe without giving a second thought as to whether it will make it back under its own steam

I would still have my AA membership for the odd time that something went wrong though

It has been sitting around for a few years. Classic car. Thread on it on here too.

Thread 'Mercedes S600 V12TT Resurrection'

Apr 6, 2023

I mentioned my 600 in a few different posts. It is a 2003 w220 LWB S600.



It is the 5.5L V12 Twin Turbo m275 engine same as a Maybach.

I bought this car cheap 4 years ago sight unseen with known misfire from England. Got it over here to NI and fitted a reman coil pack from USA on one bank of cylinders and the car was amazing. Massive history folder has had tens of thousands maintenance spent on it over the years.

I have 11 MBs so unfortunately it has sat around my house for about 2 years now so it's high time I got her back on the road again.

I'll share that on here for...

• JOEPRO
• Replies: 125
• forum: Automotive, Bike & Trailer Build discussions

• 
• 

It is in very good general repair especially for its age.

£500 in your pocket to cover fuel bills.

14mpg average and high octane only for m275 engine means yes itll burn at least a full tank a day! Smiles per gallon

My preference, after any significant work on a vehicle, either mine, or done by a garage, is to take it for a short spin first, then go on gradually longer and longer journeys. Radio off and listen for any dodgy sounds, and smells. .

I took it for a 100 mile drive on sat. It was perfect no issues. Im driving it to work this week too. (30 mile return trip over a mountain)

 

[MoreWellie]

Mini fire extinguiser is in the car all the time

I was a bit worried about whether this would be compatible with a merc

14mpg average

That seems reasonable given the weight of the car and engine size

I took it for a 100 mile drive on sat. It was perfect no issues. Im driving it to work this week too. (30 mile return trip over a mountain)

Then you should be fine for your road trip, you may have a random breakdown but they are difficult to plan for and unlikely to be coped with at the roadside unless you are extremely lucky with your spares selection
It isn't like you are planning on crossing any major deserts

 

[JOEPRO]

It isn't like you are planning on crossing any major deserts

Have you seen the potholes lately?

 

[bricol]

You sound like my mate back when we were at uni in the late 80s/early 90s. He packed so much crap into the luggage space of his Skoda Rapid (when Skodas were proper Skodas ) just-in case, you couldn't actually get any luggage in there.

He continued the theme when he bought a new Citroen ZX Volcane. Probably still does with his Subaru and new Citroen.

Currently in my 34yr old Lancia here in the works car park, I have the spare wheel, the Lancia tool kit and a shovel - just in case it snows, or I need to bury anyone. That's it. I would happily set off in it to anywhere driveable with nothing more.

I do have an RAC card and a credit card though

 

[Bornfree]

It's a mercedes from 2003 you only need petrol money.

 

[JOEPRO]

Several people have mentioned breakdown cover. For my cars I am the breakdoewn cover

If I should require it lifted ill find and pay a local recovery outfit to suit. I have 2x freinds in NI who own recovery compainies too.

 

[JOEPRO]

It's a mercedes from 2003 you only need petrol money.

Caveat that with its got 24x spark plugs, 24x brake pistons 8 or 9 radiators etc etc

 

[skotl]

Met up with a guy at the weekend, for the first time in 11 years, that I used to go offroading with back in the L200 Forum days ("RobL200" for the other ex forum members on here!).

He completely rebuilt his K74 engine, got it put back together on the Friday morning and his "shakedown" was to drive it 150 miles to Inverness that afternoon and then off road it with us on a tortuous trail for the rest of the weekend!

So you only need Rob's level of belief in your workmanship

 

[Bullet2012]

sandwiches, 12v kettle and stuff to make a brew, big pack of werthers to keep your teeth stuck together ( minimises pothole shock damage )

 

[JOEPRO]

Met up with a guy at the weekend, for the first time in 11 years, that I used to go offroading with back in the L200 Forum days ("RobL200" for the other ex forum members on here!).

He completely rebuilt his K74 engine, got it put back together on the Friday morning and his "shakedown" was to drive it 150 miles to Inverness that afternoon and then off road it with us on a tortuous trail for the rest of the weekend!

So you only need Rob's level of belief in your workmanship

Ive done that too dont worry. My bother recalls and laughs often about when I was 18 working on one of my first mercs. He came into the garage where I was hoisting the cylinder head back onto the engine. He asked if we were still heading out that evening to Belfast - I replied - yes why do you ask?

I just like being prepared that's all. Always better be prepared and not need it than to be caught out IMO.

 

[voipio]

A set of flashing beacons, something like this, can be handy for when you've no option but to stop in a vulnerable position:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rechargeable-Emergency-Charging-Roadside-Batteries/dp/B0C68FKDPC

 

[Bullet2012]

are the v16 flashing triangles a requirement for all of europe or only spain ?