Citroen XM Forum

Having very recently crossed France both on peage autoroutes heading north, and later avoiding them heading south, I'll say there is no contest. Peages cost something heading towards €100, and while quick, really didn't allow you to see and enjoy the real France. N-roads are mostly a real delight (some are near autoroute standard, others two-lane rural), and a good few towns (if you want to avoid them) are N-route by-passed anyway.

Back in the '70s, I used to have a paperback called something like 'Five routes across France, good food and accommodation all the way'. Used it more than once, with hardly a motorway touched. Magic.

Nothing beats seeing rural France by Citroen. It's what they were built for, amongst other things.

Yeah deffo avoid the toll routes,the French ones are expensive that £100 Euro could be spent elsewhere.

Will I’m reading fuel is expensive in France. I was going to fill up here on good stuff and my 2 stroke mix and see how far we get, if we get a fair old way into France I’ll just top up enough to get us into Spain then fill again over the border as it’s about €1.15 a litre I believe.

And if anybody else wishes to join us for a day out or a run, just let us know. Although no date is set yet as we’re waiting for Mother Natuer to deliver a baby. We’re planning on crossing the channel via Dover to Dunkirk, it’s cheaper, I’ve not been, and it’s not too Far East on the French side, and making an earlyish start from the other side of The Channel. first stop Reims raceway for photos and then maybe the museum in Reims, it’s been highly recommended.

If you stick to Repsol in Spain - as good as Esso in the UK - you'll have no problem.
What's all this about 2-stroke, Ray? Moped in the boot, a Wartburg engine transplant, or a bit of chainsawing? Intrigued.

The jury is out about adding two-stroke oil (mineral, not synthetic) in the old diesel. I did use it in mine sometimes when it was on diesel and always when it was on alternative fuels which needed extra pump lube. The thinking is that it helps add lubrication to the pump (maybe old diesel had more) and changes the cetane rating. Who knows if it is true but I didn't notice any adverse effects.

*stands back and prepares for a roasting from experts*

2T possibly has some benefit, after all that's what Redex is.

I'm surprised diesel is more expensive in France, it has always been more in the UK.

As far as using Autoroutes. If you want to get somewhere quickly (like 1,000 miles the Cote Azure), there is no contest, but for meandering around N routes are fine.

I’m in no rush..... it’s about the journey, not reaching the final destination.

I’ve long added 2 stroke to diesels, even my modern-ish 307 1.6 HDi got the treatment on long runs and consistently achieved 65mpg on a run with cruise set to 72mph. If MOT is duesome 2 stroke goes in the tank and we go for an Italian-ish de-coke down the Motorway. Never had a problem with emissions. You need the low ash stuff. I use Car lube 2 stroke from GSF, bout £4 with discount. 200mls per 60 litres is advised. It maybe a placebo effect but I do notice quieter running, more mpg and slightly better performance. Again could be placebo, could be true. I’ll be doing it for the run tho. And I’ve never had a problem with poor running.

To add a little to the fuel/distance debate.....I have driven in a straight line down the western side of France en route to the Algarve nore than a few times in 2.1 autos.
I once filled up with veg oil in a Tesco car Park in London and set off....cruising at about 65 mph and ran out just short of my next refuelling place at Miranda de Ebro ( a Spanish E LeClerk supermarket ... 99c a litre a few weeks ago!!) ...I'd covered 929 miles and a 5 litre can got me to to the cheap fuel. The car was heavily loaded, too. I wasn't pottering around small villages but I do usually avoid tolls and go RN's. London to Spain on a tankful of veg which, if memory serves, was on offer at 49p a litre at the time.
The supermarket in Gib has fuel at prices that we can only dream of here, so aim to fill up there.
Wish you well on your trip, Ray. Rodders

You probably would have made 1,000 miles on diesel. Vegetable oil has a noticeably lower calorific value.

On this journey, would I benefit from adding a good oil treatment to help clear out any built up sludge etc or shall I leave well alone?