Renting a car in Germany, tips?

[2mAn]

I just booked my trip and now I need to get the nitty gritty on a rental car. We are staying in Paris for about a week and traveling certain parts of Germany for the other week. We want a rental car while we are in Germany because it would be easier to travel around, plus I promised myself that next time I am in Germany I was going to tak a few laps around the Ring. I know any rental car company close to it will have a good idea of what I am planning on doing, but we have a big loop that just happens to pass the Nurburgring :)

I have looked at a few of the rental places and most of them have boring cars. Mind you Im not looking for anything wild, but I think taking a bone stock VW Polo around the ring might end in tragedy if I push it, or be too boring to make it enjoyable.

I found a couple places that I can rent a 3 series and a 1 series and am considering that. I also saw a Scirocco which I would LOVE to drive, but the cost will be too much.

Any tips?

[10Toes]

What are you going to do if you wreck the car on the ring? I would just rent a normal car and drive it to get to places and then rent another car for the ring.

Something like this

http://www.rent4ring.de/en/info/rentals-for-the-nordschleife.html

[2mAn]

I dont plan on driving it like I stole it, but I think that an underpowered FWD car would need to be pushed to get any enjoyment out of it and at that point it could get sketchy. That said, I already planned on getting every possible insurance they offer.

[E30_Pare]

Might as well buy a super cheap e30 to smash around the country.

[2mAn]

Might as well buy a super cheap e30 to smash around the country.

haha good idea!

http://www.ebay.de/itm/BMW-316i-E30-in-Alpinweis-mit-213-953-km-/221185581756?pt=Automobile&hash=item337fb022bc

I could steal bits off of it to make my money back when I come back

[E30_Pare]

Wow that's perfect

[SmokeE30]

My buddy rented a Mercedes estate wagon in diesel and 6 speed to tool around europe with when he went plenty of room good on gas and still can hustle down the autobahn

[10Toes]

haha good idea!

http://www.ebay.de/itm/bmw-316i-e30-in-alpinweis-mit-213-953-km-/221185581756?pt=automobile&hash=item337fb022bc

i could steal bits off of it to make my money back when i come back

316 lol

[Rigmaster]

A good friend of mine just went through this late last year. I suggested he just rent a car from one of the major rental car places, like I did when I went to Germany on my honeymoon in 1996 (!!). I took it on the 'Ring for a bunch of laps and it was a blast.


What he found was that all of the rental car companies specifically prohibit you from driving their cars on the 'Ring, and the penalties are pretty expensive if they find out you did. He ended up renting a "regular" car for getting around and then a track-prepped car from a place near the track and had a blast. Yeah, it was a bit pricey, but he figured it was worth it since he'd probably never do it again.


YMMV, EAD, LAYV.

[evol911]

When you're at the rental car counter, ask for the "Hasselhoff".

[Wschnitz]

You really think you need a rental car I'm Europe? Have you researched anything? You can get pretty much anywhere by train or bus for less then 30euros. I say use public transit (its faster and cheaper anyway) then rent once at the ring.

[SmokeE30]

You really think you need a rental car I'm Europe? Have you researched anything? You can get pretty much anywhere by train or bus for less then 30euros. I say use public transit (its faster and cheaper anyway) then rent once at the ring.

public transport is all well and good, but carrying all of my lugage for a month long stay abroad onto a bus does not sound like fun to me.

[Eric]

What he found was that all of the rental car companies specifically prohibit you from driving their cars on the 'Ring, and the penalties are pretty expensive if they find out you did. He ended up renting a "regular" car for getting around and then a track-prepped car from a place near the track and had a blast. Yeah, it was a bit pricey, but he figured it was worth it since he'd probably never do it again.

exactly. The ring officials know what cars are rental cars and they report you (probably get some kind of kickback). They will stiff you with a fine for going on the ring.

rent from Sixt for normal driving, and rent-a-racecar for the ring.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Honestly, after spending time on the Autobahn, I really dont' see much point to the Ring.

I mean, on both you can drive as fast as you want(on certain areas of the Autobahn), and on both, you'll get shoved into the slow lane if your not actively passing in the passing lane.

I had an Opel Astra twice, one with the 1.6 stick, and one with the 1.8. I was able to get up some serious speeds on the Autobahn with it and had a blast! We went all over Switzerland and Western Germany. I'd do it again in a heartbeat

[Stanley Rockafella]

Also remember, gas is STUPID EXPENSIVE IN EUROPE!!!!! If you think we Canadians are getting raped, you should see what they pay per litre of fuel over there!

There's a reason why having a car in Europe is considered a luxury! When you get over there, you'll understand what I'm talkin about

You'll be loving the low cost of living and dirt cheap gas prices of the States when you get back home