Well the wife and I are going to France and Germany the end of July. Instead of taking the Eurail all over, we decided to rent a car. So now I get to drive on the Autobahn and I have 3 options for rental cars. Anyone have any imput on any of these 3 vehicles? Pro, cons, likes, dislikes etc. Thanks

Mercedes C180
BMW Z4
Mercedes SLK

 

which z4 and slk?

 

I don't have any model specs...unfortunately.

 

Might as well take the Z4, even though I'm sure its a 2.5. At least you can drive something similar to the S2000 while touring through Europe.

 

I'd say rent a S55 AMG or BMW M5, these are the KING of autobahn.. but if you are absolutely limited to those cars, get the C180. Autobahn is not about topdown cruisin or acceleration. U need a car that can maintain 150+mph comfortably and for hours. Z4 & SLK are fun cars to drive around town but on the autobahn, foggitboutit


have a good trip and enjoy the 'bahn.. be prepared to see unmarked or oldskool bimmers (and benzes & audis) marked "520d" pass 996TTs at 160+.. these are M5s w/ fake badges. hahaha

 

I do not know which models are available for SLK in Europe, there are only two SLK's in US: SLK350 and SLK55 AMG. If you can get either one, then either SLK is a better choice.

 

I'll take the Z4 for Autobahn cruise.
The SLK is probably a 200 model.

 

Actually, you only need a car that is comfortable at 130 kph for hours. Even my old '00 civic could do 150 kph for hours on end and be comfortable. Any car he chooses will handle the autobahn fine at speeds of over 200 kph if he so chooses to drive that fast.

 

ummm, 98% of cars on the autobahn don't even have a top speed of 150.

 

Exactly! Just stay out of the left lane when other cars want to pass you. The key is to keep traffic flowing at the rate it wants to flow... don't go too slow (keep it over 130 kph), and at the same time, don't be a foreigner going in there and wanting to do 250 kph (some sections DO have a speed limit).

Most German cars are limited to somewhere in the neighbourhood of 210 kph anyhow.