Driving around London

[GreiginFife]

Morning all,
Saturday coming I plan to drive from Fife to Medway in Kent to pick up a new car. My route is planned out as M6 to M1 and then M25 around the top of London and through the Dartford Tunnel.
Alternatively I could go around London on the West and round underneath but that adds a fair bit of mileage.

My question to those that know the area is simply, which will be quicker as I am aware that although more mileage in the alternate route, if I am moving rather than being stuck in traffic it may be quicker anyway.

I await your collective (or individual if you really know the area) wisdom :thup:

 

[Rooter]

Go round the m25 no question. Town is an arse. Specially on a Saturday, m25 'should' be fine...

Ps. Have you looked at flying down? Is it a private car sale? I sold a car to a guy from Glasgow whom I met at gatwick. Easier all round for us... Just be aware, us southerners don't like those funny twenties you use! My bank spat the dummy when I went to pay in £10k in Scottish twenties!

 

[GreiginFife]

Cheers, I have it estimated at 8 hours. Maybe a bit optimistic on a Saturday as I will be hitting the M25 at around 12pm...

is the M25 not notorious for being a "car park"? Or am I thinking of something else?

It's a PX mate so need to have my motor with me. Looked at selling mine first and then getting the train down but just wasn't happening.

 

[Rooter]

Cheers, I have it estimated at 8 hours. Maybe a bit optimistic on a Saturday as I will be hitting the M25 at around 12pm...

is the M25 not notorious for being a "car park"? Or am I thinking of something else?

Midweek it can be very busy, Saturdays are typically ok. They tend to do roadworks on the weekends etc, but I would say you will be fine.

 

[Rooter]

It's a PX mate so need to have my motor with me. Looked at selling mine first and then getting the train down but just wasn't happening.

Have you got a deal in writing? Make sure you are 100% honest about yours, and expect the same back. If the dealer knows you are driving from fife, he will tr and turn the screws on you! He knows you don't want to be driving your old car home! You are old enough and wise enough I'm sure, just be careful and enjoy your new shiney! (Even if it is a car and not golf clubs!)

 

[User20205]

Cheers, I have it estimated at 8 hours. Maybe a bit optimistic on a Saturday as I will be hitting the M25 at around 12pm...

is the M25 not notorious for being a "car park"? Or am I thinking of something else?

It's a PX mate so need to have my motor with me. Looked at selling mine first and then getting the train down but just wasn't happening.

Saturday will be fine unless there is an accident & you can't compensate for that. Go the shorter route, the bridge may be slow (bridge south/Tunnel north) but around m40-m3 including heathrow will be as bad. You should be fine at midday on Sat.

 

[patricks148]

Cheers, I have it estimated at 8 hours. Maybe a bit optimistic on a Saturday as I will be hitting the M25 at around 12pm...

is the M25 not notorious for being a "car park"? Or am I thinking of something else?

It's a PX mate so need to have my motor with me. Looked at selling mine first and then getting the train down but just wasn't happening.

I used to go to History confs in kent (Rochester) and always went across the bridge (clockwise) deff less traffice than West on the M25.

 

[Alex1975]

Morning all,
Saturday coming I plan to drive from Fife to Medway in Kent to pick up a new car. My route is planned out as M6 to M1 and then M25 around the top of London and through the Dartford Tunnel.
Alternatively I could go around London on the West and round underneath but that adds a fair bit of mileage.

My question to those that know the area is simply, which will be quicker as I am aware that although more mileage in the alternate route, if I am moving rather than being stuck in traffic it may be quicker anyway.

I await your collective (or individual if you really know the area) wisdom :thup:

Not stopping on for a quick round??

 

[GreiginFife]

Deal basically done mate. Dealer knows that I won't hesitate to just drive home in the trusty Beamer if he messes me around - be a nice day out

Cheers all for the advice. Not got time for a round anywhere Alex, be a 16 hour trip as it is and playing Sunday morning early doors.

 

[CMAC]

more importantly Greig. what's the new motor?

 

[Alex1975]

more importantly Greig. what's the new motor?

Hmm good point!

 

[GreiginFife]

more importantly Greig. what's the new motor?

Nowt fancy. Alfa GT in Lusso Red with the Collection Spec pack

And yes, I know - it's an Alfa. BUT, it's the Fiat Diesel block that's in it so just the leccy's to worry about and my mate is an autospark that owes me a few.

 

[Alex1975]

It will have rusted away before you get back home....


Only kidding, it will be lovely!!

 

[gripitripit]

Nice car.
Barring any accidents the 25 will be alright..maybe a little bit of a queue before you get on the bridge itself but nowt major.

 

[patricks148]

Nowt fancy. Alfa GT in Lusso Red with the Collection Spec pack

And yes, I know - it's an Alfa. BUT, it's the Fiat Diesel block that's in it so just the leccy's to worry about and my mate is an autospark that owes me a few.

I had one of those a few years ago when they came out. A very nice car to drive, though mine was a petrol 3.2litre.
Got rid for some thing that could fit dogs and golf clubs in.

I would still rate it as the nicest driving exp and i've had, Mercs, Porsche 's Audi 's Jags VW's and BMW.

I don't think you will be disappointed, apart from the cost of parts

 

[GreiginFife]

I had one of those a few years ago when they came out. A very nice car to drive, though mine was a petrol 3.2litre.
Got rid for some thing that could fit dogs and golf clubs in.

I would still rate it as the nicest driving exp and i've had, Mercs, Porsche 's Audi 's Jags VW's and BMW.

I don't think you will be disappointed, apart from the cost of parts

That's the kind of review that drove me to get it.
Parts won't be much worse than BMW I would guess. £190 for two brake discs last month oo:

 

[patricks148]

That's the kind of review that drove me to get it.
Parts won't be much worse than BMW I would guess. £190 for two brake discs last month oo:

Yeah, i can't remeber about disks but the last service i had done by the dealer was about £500 ish.

It was great for hitting the back roads up here, you could really get the best out of it on those corners.

 

[Val]

That's the kind of review that drove me to get it.
Parts won't be much worse than BMW I would guess. £190 for two brake discs last month oo:

I wouldn't count on it, I had an old Alfa 146, clutch went and it cost me a grand to repair inc minor damage to gearbox.

 

[patricks148]

I wouldn't count on it, I had an old Alfa 146, clutch went and it cost me a grand to repair inc minor damage to gearbox.

Thats because you drive wearing lead diving boots

 

[GreiginFife]

I wouldn't count on it, I had an old Alfa 146, clutch went and it cost me a grand to repair inc minor damage to gearbox.

That's also because the 146/156 were the worst cars ever built by Alfa

Clutch no bother as I have all the necessary gear in the garage for replacing. Only service it will touch a dealer for is the oil servicing and that will be just to get the book stamped.