Thanks for all the advice and suggestions...I'll let everyone know how it goes!

 

the best thing to do when you get into traffic, stay in the left lane, and turn on your left blinker, that is a polite way to say "excuse me" or just blink your highbeams


have fun, and be safe, most autobahn high speed crashes don't have survivors

 

Forget the convertibles. Too much wind and noise at high speeds for hours on end if you are going any distance. Cool for a few minutes but then it gets old.

Which part of Germany are you going to? I jumped off the autobahn after the obligatory top sped runs and took the twisties through Bavaria. Now for that I highly recommend the convertibles.

 

If you rent the Z4 it's going to be a 2.0 and the SLK the 200 version. Both are not really worth it. You'll even get your a$$ kicked driving in Germany by the bigger diesels.
When it's not too crowded my cruising speed is ususally around 220 kph. When I see traffic coming up I usually slow down a bit to 180 and see if anyone's moving in my lane.
Most people on the Autobahn are driving somewhere between 130-160.
Whatever you do, don't overtake from the right and don't tailgate. Mostly around cities there are speed limits.

The more powerful BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Jaguar models have speed limiters at 250 kph.
If you'd like to rent faster cars, the cheapest and most comfortable option would be to rent something like a BMW 525, 730 or Mercedes S350.

 

That is pretty much what we figured about the convertibles...also we will have too much luggage, even packing light.

Most of our time will be in the South, Munich and Fussen to name a couple of cities. My geography is horrible but I believe we will spend most of out time in Bavaria.

 

You might want to check on the rental agreements pertaining to each vehicle. I rented from Hertz and their Z4's weren't allowed outside Germany, while many of the other german cars were not allowed to anywhere except France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. Now, the french cars I rented were allowed anywhere in Europe except the far eastern european countries.
And definately stay out of the left lane except to pass and continue checking your mirrors as you move into a faster lane. You would be surprised at just how fast cars can appear from nowhere. Also, though not always followed, it is illegal to pass on the right in Germany and most European countries. You'll like it. People are much better more sensible drivers than we are.

So where do you plan to visit?

Edit*
I just read your last post. If in Bavaria, France is a long way away, even by Autobahn. So I guess you'll probably visit Neuschwanstein Castle if in Bavaria?

 

Wow I'm learning how European drive. Is it true if a car want to past they might tap your rear a little bit?

 

Best part of Germany. I love Bavaria, still trying to figure a way to get a vacation house there. A few things not to miss..

Visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen if you can.
Take the train up to the top of the Zugspitz.
I took some backass road from Garmisch to Fussen on my way to Neuschwanstein castle that turned out better than the regular roads. The drive turned out much more fun. Just get off the autobahn and get lost to find the real cool stuff.

If in Munich I HIGHLY recommend you hit the Haxnbauer resturant. You won't find a place like this in the States. It is pretty close to the universal tourist trap the Hofbrauhaus.Hofbrauhaus Webpage

Haxnbauer Link

 

You don't want to be tapping anyone's rear at 120+ miles... So to answer your question, NO

 

There are big fines btw for tailgating.

The Autobahn between Munich and Salzburg is one of the best stretches in Germany IMO. There are a lot of factory test drives in the area around Munich, Stuttgart and Ingolstadt. The biggest Lamborghini dealer in Europe is in Stuttgart, so occasionally there's someone test driving.
Keep checking your mirrors or you wouldn't know what went past.