DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

I was covered by RAC in Europe a few years ago. Boxster went onto 5 pots (plug top) in Austria.
Called the RAC assist number and the response was magic. The office was in France somewhere, all in English etc. Local garage came to see the car, was stunned i had a spare with me(!) and fixed it the following morning perfectly.
Neil, check you are calling the right number?

Good luck with it all.

Yes definitely the right number. I will not come to Europe again without better cover. A quick Google and it appears I was right to stop and try to fix in Belgium as getting recovered off the France motorways seems a pain

Almost at Calais. Bus delayed by 90 mins. Run by Polish chaps. Cheap buses almost everywhere in Europe! My friends that cycle a lot recommend the Flix bus as they allow bikes on the back.

Then a taxi to the outskirts of London and someone is going to pick us up. Of course no trains running this weekend on the line we need as they are working on the line!

Baby steps forward on getting the car back to the UK. They are calling the garage for a quote and thinking.

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What a trip back! Taxi to local train gare. Ran onto the train without tickets as leaving in 1 min. Approached the conductor (I think it always works better that way) and bgt tickets to Lille. Initially our idea was to take a connecting train to Calais but on the way I rememberes Lille has the Eurostar to London. A quick Google said we could use it for 440 eur but it also suggested a bus for 105 eur.

Dragged our luggage 300m to the bus stop but the bus was delayed by 90 mins! Enough time to get lunch.

Unfortunately, no trains running from Euston to Northampton as they were fixing stuff so we phoned a friend.

We arrived at Victoria at 19:10. Uber to Macdonalds near M1 and lift home

Up at 4:15am (UK time) in Belgium and in the door at 9:20pm.

Now to get the car back. I tried calling the garage directly but my french isn't great. Begging a Belgium colleague for help.


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Glad to hear that you finally got back OK but sorry to hear your car woes.

However, at least it happened right at the end of your (mammoth) trip so didn't cause you to miss out on any of your planned itinerary.

Hope the car gets repatriated soon & that it's a relatively simple fix.


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We know of people who have their engines partially stripped by the nominated garage then shaken down for 5000 euros before they would do anything else. Before you leave make sure you know exactly what is going to happen, or not happen, next. If you have a language barrier problem call us here and ask for Amanda. She's fluent in French, German & Porsche .

Thank you

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Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly Neil - as above at least you got to enjoy your epic trip nearly to the end

Sorry to hear about your woes Neil, hopefully you will get your car back soon.

camperco wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 1:40 pm We know of people who have their engines partially stripped by the nominated garage then shaken down for 5000 euros before they would do anything else. Before you leave make sure you know exactly what is going to happen, or not happen, next. If you have a language barrier problem call us here and ask for Amanda. She's fluent in French, German & Porsche .

This is why I love DDK

That’s a dramatic finale to your trip Neil, I hope the car is an easy fix, with my trip to Spain and France in the 911 starting next weekend - it’s reminded me that I need to sort out my recovery should anything go wrong with the car. Are there any other recovery options other than calling AA/RAC that people can recommend?


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Many/most classic car policies include European/UK breakdown cover - so, best to check with your ins co./broker first ...

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I'm sure many offer a service, just depends on what level you need of course.
IIRC the RAC has 2 or 3 levels, just the price goes up.
2 years ago I did quite a search as an alternative to RAC/AA but found the RAC offered the best all-round package for us.

When my Boxster played up we were on the RAC basic, but all was well.

They all will try to minimise the costs to them, but it seems to be a lottery. I was obviously very lucky.

Sorry to hear about this Neil, you were filling me with confidence for my trip later this year. Now i'm worried as I am nowhere near as mechanically competent as you if anything goes wrong. Let us know how you get on with bringing the car back as I am sure this will be useful knowledge for all of us.

what a saga Neil and how brave you are taking your little old car all these distances.
i have always done long continental trips with Jaffa 911 and will do with Flachbau once i get through current health issues.
Key issue on insurance is not just that insurer provides domestic and continental breakdown cover- but to check who it is actually provided by and what it really covers.
As i have mentioned before , chubb - my insurers provide european coverage that provides a lift to wherever i want car to go - not just a local depot.
At the other end of the spectrum they will lift a non- starting car from my garage at home to wherever i want - in this case 924 only 25 miles or so but still invaluable.
Caveat- Chubb are not cheap- but certainly fulfil the old " you get what you pay for" adage.
C

Can't you just get a new battery?