RE: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] Offtopic - speeding now

[Dave Lloyd <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Thu, 4 Dec 2003, Heivilin, Jim wrote:

> When my attempt to buy a BMW while stationed in Germany when awry
> (thanks President Reagan) I looked into getting a BMW motorcycle and a
> license for it.  From what I remember most Germans have to go through
> driving school to get their license and it was going to cost me
> something like 2300 DM to attend.  So I would say that in general
> they're better trained drivers.  

Now it's E3000 for driver education, and you lose your license if you
get anything more than a minor parking ticket the first two years.  You
then have to pay the cash and start all over again.  Motorcycle licenses
are E2000 according to the owner of the Hotel Uhland in Munich (her
daughter just got her license).  France's requirements are similar, but
slightly less costly and stringent, I believe.  Spain, as far as I could
tell, has the same liensing requirements as Mexico.  

Too bad you couldn't pick up a BMW in Germany.  I can vouch that it's a
complete blast. :)

> I want to say I saw something years ago that said they have a lower rate
> of accidents but a higher rate of fatalities in those accidents.
> However I have no facts to back it up with.  And for the record there
> are places that have speed limits both on and off the autobahn.  

Right.  Lots of places are 90km/hr, others are 120km/hr.  The entire
system has an "advisory" limit of 130km/hr on unrestricted stretches.
It's difficult to get to very high speeds on the unrestricted stretches,
though, because of all the traffic.  Man, there sure was a lot more
traffic than I expected!  I thought that the high gas prices would keep
'em from driving, but most of them drive diesels, anyway.  The 320dT gets
about twice the mileage of my 325iT, has slight less horsepower, a bit
more torque and no diesel smoke, rattle or noise.  Great cars.  If I
could have bought a 330dT (6 cylinder common rail diesel) that has 150kW
and 410NM torque, you bet I would have!  For comparasion my 325iT has
141kW and 245Nm torque.  Fuel consumption is 9.2l/100km versus
6.8l/100km for the diesel.  What a great car!

I'll buy the fewer accidents but higher fatalities/accident, espically
when many of the cars they drive are far smaller and passenger side
airbags aren't mandatory yet.  Cars like mine are more common, but not
everybody has them.  

-- 
--dlloyd

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