Sandandlime

Don't bother giving it a thought. It sorts itself out. Mine is rarely 'fully charged', only after a long mountain descent. The system doesn't allow it get too low either, just diverts power generated by the engine to charge the battery if needed. One of those rare things that just 'works'. Enjoy your purchase!

I frequently avoid the autoroutes. I go to the Spanish Pyrenees fairly frequently and generally prefer a cross-country route as the A65 is expensive and only saves me around 45 minutes. Stopping and lunch options are aplenty and better than the autoroute, though to be fair French services aren't bad. Also, when touring in my Alvis, stressful at 100km/h, or TR4, happy enough at 130 km/h but too bloody noisy, the autoroutes are just unpleasant, despite being typically quiet when I use them. In an out of Bordeaux I use one or the other and they're mostly fine but best to to avoid busy times or you're just paying to park on them. North to South no other sensible option unless you are very flush with time and happy to overnight. Having tried various options I generally use Apple Maps but as far as I'm aware, they all have an 'avoid tolls option' . From Calais to where you're visiting would take around 3 hours more if you avoid the autoroutes (probably difficult to do completely) but saves a chunk of wad. Only you can decide the cost/benefit of the reduced journey time. The Ulys navigation app and ViaMichelin will give you péage costs.

Totally agree with a péage badge. I wouldn't be without mine and once dropped my card at a busy barrier and had to crawl beneath the car to find it. Not fun. Things are even harder in a right hooker, especially on your own. https://ulys.vinci-autoroutes.com/e-toll-badge-ulys-classic/

Being France, everything is complicated. I haven't checked the regulations for some time and there was talk of not showing alerts on navigation apps but its never been an issue as far as I can tell. My TomTom, which I use in my old girls when useful certainly warns of there presence, was purchased here and receives updates for France. Allegedly it avoids legal issues by highlighting 'Danger Zones' instead. When I purchased my ES it came preloaded with Coyote which gives route guidance based on live information but also announced speed cameras, including mobile ones. I believe Waze also announces Hazard Zones which is usually a euphemism for a camera. I'm not sure about Google as I don't use it but understand the camera option is turned off when operating in France though maybe that's also update with hazard warnings? Whilst driving in France differs from the UK its still fundamentally a civilised country with very much quieter roads, outside of the cities at least. In general if the 'don't be a ******' approach is adopted driving is pretty stress free (okay, too many like to park in your back seat but they're best just ignored). If the 'I enjoy being a ******' approach is hard things stop being fun. Just chill and enjoy the trip.

Given what you said then I reiterate what I said earlier: 'Go for it'! I doubt that you'll be wanting Sport+ when on the autoroute as you won't need the additional responsiveness and the sound might get a bit tiresome at 130k+ hour after hour. In towns, normal mode, or even heaven forbid granny mode if congested. Up in the hills on some 'interesting' roads Sport+ would be fun. The only potential issue there is not scaring cyclists (this is taken very seriously and a requirement to leave at least 1.5m clear when passing) and you may find a lot of them on the interesting roads. I haven't been over that way in a few years but some Departements have a non-autoroute speed limit of 80 km/h. Not where I am thankfully, though a bit further south it applies, I'm lucky as I'm allowed to roll at 90 km/h. Things can get really exciting! I was caught speeding in my 1947 Alvis once 🤣

Yeah, I suppose in summary it is a bit of a gamble. It depends on how much louder the mod has made it, where/when you are and what you're doing. Showing off an RC F's performance might attract the wrong attention. Only you know how old it is and what you're going to be doing. I believe similar rules are applied in the UK who, allegedly, also have roadside noise tests from time to time. French aggravation is definitely more aggravating so best avoided. If the vehicle isn't silly and obviously loud, driven sensibly then, if it was me, I'd enjoy a great blast down to the Auvergne and search out some interesting routes for when you're there. YMMV.

I've lived in France or coming on 20 years. Everything here is 'complicated'. Fundamentally, you are not permitted to alter an exhaust from the manufacturer's standard. Even where I am located in rural France young guns drive around every day sporting exhausts that no one could ever consider legal but apart from swearing as they roar past, usually with the rap even louder than the exhaust, they seem to do so with with impunity. Allegedly, roadside noise tests take place from time to time but I've never come across one. The non-standard restriction extends further than exhausts and basically includes any modifications to the vehicle. In addition to my ES, I have three other cars varying in age between 1947 and 1975 all of which have exhaust and other modifications. My TR4 is notably loud. No one is ever interested. One of the complex things with living over here is learning when laws/regulations etc (and there is always at least one for everything) apply and when they're ignored. Unless your exhaust system is unusually noisy no one is going to be concerned. On the other hand, in the unlikely event that you are involved in an accident, things may be very different.

Not sure its that safe as its a bit small for me!😱🤣🤣

I have a small Disklok that I use from time to time. I already had it for use on my TR4a and it fits fine. i asked a neighbour who is an upholsterer to make a condom to cover the wheel to avoid damage and recommend this as a good idea. The Disklok has some internal protection but it doesn’t do anything when fitting or removing, ie when damage is most likely to occur. The condom is made from a strip of exercise latex and takes about two seconds to fit and doesn’t impinge at all on the Disklok.

Hi Malcolm, Getting things sent over from the U.K. these days is fraught with issues and would be unlikely to finish up the bargain it started out as. Also, the prospect driving a high mountain pass in poor weather (its sure to be as that’s when the puncture will magically appear) with a car whose handling is now very suspect is not very enticing for me. The U.K. spacesaver would also not be legal here. That is unlikely to be an issue unless it was a really bad day and an accident followed the puncture. Which brings me back to the poor handling issue. I haven’t had flat for around 10 years so dealing with this potential problem slipped off my list but a friend has just had her second one in three weeks, the first on the motorway where she needed trailering off and the second when she was late for a training session she was leading. So her experiences lead me to seeing what I could do to avoid similar situations. Once I’ve made something to fit the recess in the rim it will be fine and won’t interfere with the use of the boot at all. Obviously I’m hoping that its never used and the tyre thrown away when its too old (I intend to keep the car for as long as its sensible and not causing me any grief) so just another insurance policy but this time a one-off rather than annual premium.

I’ve been following all of the posts about spare wheels and spacesavers with interest as I’m really not fond of relying on a pot of glue when the inevitable happens. I drive over the high Pyrenees and have also taken Romy 15 km off road so wanted a solution that works better, somewhat like a spare wheel that cars had in the olden days. Also, I live in France and the spacesavers are sold with certificates of conformity and that isn’t an option for an ES. So, after a bit of searching I found a full sized rim and added a Vredestein 235/45R18 all-season tyre to that and collected it from a local garage yesterday. I was quite surprised at just how much space it occupied in the boot. before purchase I’d measured the spare wheel bay and decided that it would fit and I’d deal with tools somehow. And it does fit. Albeit it’s a tad high at the rear but not really an issue. I need to cut something, probably celotex or similar to fill the void but no great rush as I don’t carry much in the boot generally. The rim/tyre combination cost me €246 plus €20 for fitting. More expensive than a spacesaver, and a damn sight heavier, but it’s a solution I’m comfortable with. After lunch today I checked it fitted, ‘cos it would be really disappointing to find that it doesn’t one cold, wet rainy night. I’m pleased to say that all’s good!

Welcome Chris. Good choice of colour. Here’s mine in it’s natural habitat 😉

She is indeed a Triumph. A 67 TR4a, one of the last few made. I enjoy my ES for longer distances, and will be heading off to the Pyrenees again on Monday, but my TR always brings a smile to my face. She is such a ‘mildly modified’ joy to drive. Did 1000 miles in her over and around the Pyrenees a couple of years ago and she never missed a beat, though I do need to add a heat shield between the carbs and downpipes to maintain a steady tickover when hot. Taking her out on a local rally tomorrow morning. As much as I’d like to bring Ludo into the kitchen, the photo was taken in the barn where I’ve installed pvc floor tiles. The ES is has her own covered parking but makes do with a gravel floor!

I too like a tidy engine bay and have been occupied with this one today, which had been neglected for longer than I’d like. Looking much better now. PS: it isn’t a Lexus!

I have the Mark Levinson system for which the controls may be different but I don't think so. Anyhow, page 121 of my Infotainment manual suggests the setting are in the Audio/Sound menu. Good luck!