We're planning a bit of a tour this summer including Germany / Italy / France in the FF.

Whilst not meaning to be a killjoy, I'm a great believer in "failing to plan is planning to fail" . . . .

FF is in tip top condition, but has anybody had any direct experience of breakdowns / repairs to their FF's whilst doing something similar ?

We've got Euro breakdown cover etc, but personally, if I broke down here, I'd want to be recovered to a recommended specialist, not a main dealer - does this apply "over there" ?

Can anyone recommend various specialists, or main dealers from 1st hand experience on the Continent to ease the burden ?

Ta V Much . . .  Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

Well I have the SC 06 Model which really let me never ever down.

It started when it was -22° or I drove in the city when it was close to 40° C

my dealer (main dealer) is good.

When I go to a tour I always have a small notebook with me.

I have this one: http://fastrackcomputing.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2081

and I use it with my iphone 4 to go to the net when there is no WIFI.

google is always a great help.


Have a good trip and let me know if I need some nice driving roads in Switzerland/ France(onroad/offroad)

You ask for specialists on the Continent, and you are not visiting Portugal, but for anyone else, all my vehicles are serviced/repaired in Viseu, at BMC Car. The owner speaks good English, and is an Engineer of Machinery. He was the workshop foreman for the importer of Land Rover, and was sent to the factory in England , when the FFRR appeared on the market.He left the dealership to start his own place.They do have computers for diagnoses and lots of experience of all SUVs , but especially Land Rover.Last year I saw a Porsche 911 from FRANCE at their shop, to be painted, as well as a BMW, here, last week.(Also from France.) When Mercedes Benz had a defective paint booth, 7 MBs were there for paint jobs.I find them totally trustworthy, and their workshop charges are 22Euro per hour, plus parts and materials.To this is added VAT at 23%.(Bosch here charge 34EU per Hour, and Volvo 30-40Eu per hour.They are serious, honest and knowledgeable guys. ( There is also an Official Land Rover dealership, run by Volvo, but I would not take my vehicles there)
If you should have a breakdown in Portugal, Road Assistance (used by most of the insurers here, )guarantee a flatbed will arrive within an hour, to load your vehicle.As you can see from the Internet, there is an extensive dealer network throughout the country.
Enjoy your trip!

Thank you both, HUGI & farrellelion - Portugal sounds very tempting, but we've planned a rough route already. In particular, HUGI, we'd be interested in your recommended roads in Switzerland - I've always wanted to drive the Alpine passes. Can you offer suggestions for the best ones ?

Thanks !  Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

Send me your email adress in a PM.

I will send you some suggestions.

There are many passes which go over 2000m or you may even want to drive over Stelvio Pass

Top Gear named it the best road in the world

If you are running through Belgium then not so many indy's available [not that i would trust anyway!]. Western side of the country LandRover Kortrijk, North Eastern ish LR Herent - Avoid LR Leuven - a bunch of ford mechanics with there back-to-front hats covering there eyes!. South east england - super indy at Hailsham - Bob Pilbeams, Diplocks Way.

Stelvio is good as a tourist spot and a road to marvel at, but it is usually crammed with RVs and bicycles. Visit in the week for slightly less traffic. Not wanting to dis' the FFRR in anyway, but there are better cars for a blast up Stelvio

Don't forget to cross through Luxembourg for cheap fuel - currently 1.14 euro for diesel

Thanks DavidP and azure111s - I like the sound of Luxembourg (for the diesel !)

I get your pointers for the Stelvio, but the Panda won't fit the 'other arf / junior / camping gear in !

Anyone any ideas for nothern Italy / Germany / France ? Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

Lux' is also a beautiful (and small!) country and the capital city is well worth a visit. Let me know if it's on your route and I can give tips, as lived there for 2 years. Any border points have at least a few petrol stations as all Belgian, French and German neighbours buy their fuel in Lux'.

A Panda wasn't exactly what I was thinking of for a blast up Stelvio, so you'll be fine in the FFRR

Nurburgring not far away from Lux', in the Eiffel region of Germany - just call in and there's bound to be something interesting lapping. Well worth a stop, however brief.

We have always taken out AA European cover which paid off last year when car started losing water heading home north of Cahors in France. Rang the AA who said couldn't help whilst on Autoroute as controlled by Gendarmerie so filled all our containers with water and pulled over at nearest town and then rang back. This was on a Sunday over the August bank holiday weekend and low loader was with us within 20minutes and we were back at a garage within the hour with the car up on ramps though having young kids probably helped in the priority stakes. Had to return to uk with hire car and then back following weekend to collect car with a garage bill for 100Euros parts and labour.
What could have been an awful experience turned into an enjoyable adventure and full marks go to the AA team at Lyon for their support through it all - it's not often these days that you can compliment a large company on customer support.