Moving to Stuttgart, Germany

[S4ilorJerry's]

Is anyone in here from or familiar with Stuttgart? I have many questions about the area. I'm also trying to find out how best to prep my Stage 2+ B5 S4 for TUV inspection.

[VTAudiA4]

Well, as a kid I lived 20 minutes outside of Germany in a town called Bernhausen. I lived there for 6 years and went into Germany frequently. Its been 9 years since I've been there but shoot me a PM and I will try to help you as much as possible.

You will love it there though.

[S4ilorJerry's]

Everyone has told me that I will love it there so many times, I am starting to believe I will... hahaha. Well, my boss lived there around 20 years ago as well, and I got lots of info from him. I am trying to find some specifics on TUV inspection and the town itself today.

[ringofsteel]

I live nesr there now. Are you in the Military? If so it is just a Saftey Inspection. Must have cat, and no tint on front windows, No rust. Brake check. Now if you are going throught he German System, you are fucked. The TUV states per your chassi number the size and width of tires. Horespower check, because insurrance is based on amount of HP or PS. No chip tunning unless it comes with a TUV rating. Germany is not mod freindly. There are exceptions. But it cost money. PM if you have more questions.

[S4ilorJerry's]

PM sent ^^^

[ba5]

PM sent ^^^

good luck with the tuv, better off selling it, theres an american selling a Rs4 avant for 20k that would be a good buy. My friend brought over his 2005 jetta and had it tuv approved. They found a crack in the front subframe and made him replace it. Then, any part that isnt stock will need to have a TUV #, that means any US made aftermarket parts will have to be taken off. As an an example... my friend with the jetta has had his car TUV approved for over a year now, but he was driving on a local road when a german cop pulled him over because he noticed how flush his wheels were and gave him a ticket because his wheel spacers were not TUV approved...
of course if you come over under SOFA anything can get thru, just go on a german holiday when soldiers are working..

[BigByrdman]

LOL Germany holidays are the best time for inspection!!!

[S4ilorJerry's]

Well since I am military it's looking like I am ok since I'd be coming over under SOFA. I shouldn't have to worry about the aftermarket stuff in that case right? I should look up those holiday dates...

[BigByrdman]

Nah you should be fine, As long as you arn't slammed, have cats, don't have tint on your front windows, and have a decent set of tires on.

[S4ilorJerry's]

Thanks all for the info, I am gonna get all the little things ready then, tires, brakes etc...

How difficult was it to get a license to drive over there for all those who came from the US? I am going to try to get that done as soon as I get back from my current trip in Canada.

I hear you have to get out of the populated areas to get a good stretch of the Autobahn to go all out. I'm really looking forward to doing that.

[scottyuk]

More important than anything else : you'll only be 3 hours from the Nurburgring ! [cool]

[BigByrdman]

The license wasn't too hard. You just need to study thats all. You can study here: http://www.hqusareur.army.mil/rmv/drivers_handbook/ss190-34.htm. For the Autobahn you do have to get to the country side to go all out. It takes me about 15 min to get to a "sweet spot".

[S4ilorJerry's]

More important than anything else : you'll only be 3 hours from the Nurburgring !

I know! I have dreamed of going there since Gran Turismo came out on Playstation, how long ago was that? I think about it all the time, can't stop searching for "S4 Nurburgring" on Youtube, hahaha...


The license wasn't too hard. You just need to study thats all. You can study here: http://www.hqusareur.army.mil/rmv/drivers_handbook/ss190-34.htm. For the Autobahn you do have to get to the country side to go all out. It takes me about 15 min to get to a "sweet spot".

This is way better than what I had! Thanks so much, you all have been so helpful I really can't thank you all enough.

Oh, 15 minutes to find a sweet spot is well worth getting some all out action. I drive an hour a day and a sweet spot here is 75 mph with out getting pulled over.[down]

[BigByrdman]

Well i'm getting excited about you comming also...another S4 to play with. I'm actually going to the ring on the 31st. I'll take some pics for ya. If you have anymore questions ask em and I'm sure we will do the best we can to answer.

[S4ilorJerry's]

Please do post pics! It will be awesome to meet up with you guys this summer. Hopefully I'll get the S4 back and registered quickly enough.

I do have another question and probably many more to follow. So, next question... I will need new brakes and tires before I get there, mostly tires though. I really want to save the RS4 reps I have for winter tires maybe and rock some 18's with some G-force all season tires. Do the wheels have to meet any specs or will I be able to rock whatever without getting harassed by the Polizei?

[BigByrdman]

no tire and rims size doesn't matter. I run 19' BBS RS-GT 2's on all season 235-35's.

[S4ilorJerry's]

Well, it's not tire size I'm worried about but just the wheel itself. Does it have to be a TUV approved wheel or will I be ok with any brand?

[BigByrdman]

any brand should be fine, all they check is the tire thread

[S4ilorJerry's]

Well i'm getting excited about you comming also...another S4 to play with. I'm actually going to the ring on the 31st. I'll take some pics for ya. If you have anymore questions ask em and I'm sure we will do the best we can to answer.

I saw your post on your trip, great stuff! What do you have to do to drive the ring?

A question for shipping my car over there. I have two sets of wheels, I want to leave my nicer set (OZ SL's) on and pack the winter set with my good's. Will I be safe that way to avoid damage to my OZ's? How far in advance to my departure do you recommend shipping it?

[BigByrdman]

All you have to do is pay for your laps and go. LOL its pretty crazy, no helmat, roll cage, or anything. I wouldn't really worry to much about the rims, the car will just be drove onto a sem a few times and onto the ship. They do a really good job of inspecting the vehicle before it is shipped so if there is any damage you can claim it. I would ship it about 2 months in advance coming from WA.

[BigByrdman]

Oh ya I'm headed back out the the ring this weekend for Recaro Days so i should have some more really good pics.

[S4ilorJerry's]

All you have to do is pay for your laps and go. LOL its pretty crazy, no helmat, roll cage, or anything. I wouldn't really worry to much about the rims, the car will just be drove onto a sem a few times and onto the ship. They do a really good job of inspecting the vehicle before it is shipped so if there is any damage you can claim it. I would ship it about 2 months in advance coming from WA.

WOW 2 months in advance!!!! Yikes, that means I need to ship in out in a week and a half or so. Why so far ahead of time? I know it takes a while, is it because of customs?

For the ring, how much per lap? That does sound insane, not helmet or anything! Must be such a thrill that way. How did you learn the track? Are you driving the ring this time?

[BigByrdman]

It took 1 1/2 months for my car to get here. I shipped mine from Atlanta so these was less distance to travel. Once your car gets to Germany it will pretty much sit at the port until they ship it down. Mine was at the port for 2 weeks. I'm sure some people have gotten theirs faster...thats just my exp.

Last time I drove it cost me 70 € for 4 laps. I got a basic idea of the track from videos and Forza 2. Once I got on the track I just took a few laps nice and slow to try and get feel for it. I'm still not an expert of anything, the track is really difficult. Ya i'm going to drive this time.

[S4ilorJerry's]

Awesome price, Pacific raceways over here costs so much more with tons of rules and expensive classes. I have watched so many Youtube videos and time attack laps on Forza 2 in my AWE tuning S4 of the ring. I should try to build one close to mine on the game and see how that does, haha.

Thanks again for the heads up on shipping time, I'm getting the front windshield replaced tomorrow and it'll be ready to go.

[WSH]

If your in Germany, visit "Raeder-Motorsport" and "MTM-Tuning". They are one of the best in the world...

Greetz from Stuttgart

Werner

[BigByrdman]

MTM is great, I run their Stage 4 from time to time.

[S4ilorJerry's]

I forgot about Raeder-Motorsport, where are they at? WSH, Nice to hear from someone in Stuttgart, how is it there?

[WSH]

Look: http://www.raeder-motorsport.de/

A great Team.

Stuttgart is very nice. The home of Daimler Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. [:D]

[S4ilorJerry's]

So I've heard, I'm looking forward to the Mercedes and Porshe museums I keep hearing about there. Thanks for the link, I need to do a little more studying on my German reading/ speaking to get anywhere with the car it seems.

How's traffic in the area?

[WSH]

OK, we try it in german:

Das Mercedes-Museum und das Porsche-Museum sind sehr sehenswert. Stuttgart selbst ist eine sehr schöne Stadt mit vielen Einkaufsmöglichkeiten und einem tollen Nachtleben. Wenn du mal hier bist, können wir uns gerne einmal treffen. Das Verkehrsaufkommen ist gewaltig. Es ist immer sehr viel los - auch nachts. Aber es gibt Autobahnen, die sind leer...

I hope, you understand.

My english is not really good.

[S4ilorJerry's]

So.... The museums are worth seeing! Stuttgart is beautiful and has a lot of shopping with a large night life... There's a lot of traffic, but it clears up at night. The Autobahn is usually empty?


That's my direct translation word by word, then I summarized it.

[BigByrdman]

pretty good, you will fit right in.

[WSH]

Ok, really good.

1 Thing: it`s a lot of traffic every time. But some Autobahnen clears up at night.

AND:

Welcome to germany. Shout "HERE" if you bin there.

[S4ilorJerry's]

Ok, that makes more sense. I keep hearing the traffic is not so good there.

[EYE4SPEED]

Can anyone confirm that winter tires need to be used once the temp hits a certain threshold? This might be an old rule, but I recall that once the temp hits "x" deg C, you have to switch over to winter tires or you will be ticketed.

I have only been there a few times, but I really enjoyed the downtown area. Watch out for the speed cameras and enjoy the unregulated parts of the autobahn.

[BigByrdman]

Can anyone confirm that winter tires need to be used once the temp hits a certain threshold? This might be an old rule, but I recall that once the temp hits "x" deg C, you have to switch over to winter tires or you will be ticketed.

I have only been there a few times, but I really enjoyed the downtown area. Watch out for the speed cameras and enjoy the unregulated parts of the autobahn.

Yes, by law you are required to have winter tires in Germany. I believe the temp they need to be changed is 7 degrees celsius or the 1st snow. This is usually around October.

[S4ilorJerry's]

Will All-seasons suffice? I have winter wheels but the tires were bald, shoppin for tires now. Should I get them here or over there?

[BigByrdman]

All seasons are good. You will probably want an all season tire here b/c of all the rain and temp changes during the spring and summer. Anything you can get in the States I suggest you get there. The exchange rate here is pretty bad.

[S4ilorJerry's]

That's what I was thinking. I might just go all season on my 18's and snow on the 17's. Only problem is that I just dropped the car of at the port to be shipped this morning...I miss it already. Looks like I'll be buying tires there.

Anybody have recommendations for insurance over there? I need to set that up ASAP!


Thanks

[BigByrdman]

USAA for insurance. https://www.usaa.com/inet/ent_logon/Logon?redirectjsp=trueThe best by far. When are you going to be out here?

[S4ilorJerry's]

Sweet, already have USAA, just haven't called them about it yet. I'll be there in exactly one month from today.

[BigByrdman]

Alright sounds good. I know you are missing the S already. I know I did.

[jojostar]

check www.rs-quattro.de for all relevant info you need !!!!!!!

[Nebone]

I have been living in Niedersachsen for almost a year now. Your USA license is good for one year from your arrival date but it would help to get one of those phoney looking AAA international documents. If you need to stay longer, you can have your USA licence transfered into a German one but it all depends from what state you are from.

Here is a link for you...Helpful Link (http://www.amcham.de/location-germany/drivers-license.html#12)

I have been to Stuttgart to see the Porsche and MB museums and to hang out. I was there like 3 years ago as well and met some locals who showed me some interesting places ;). I really like the city and you should as well.

If you have a Bank of America account, you can open up a Deutsche Bank account and not pay for ATM withdrawal fees since they are partners.

If you are military, then you get some special plates that say USA and not DE on them. I have seen that few times before.

[S4ilorJerry's]

I have been living in Niedersachsen for almost a year now. Your USA license is good for one year from your arrival date but it would help to get one of those phoney looking AAA international documents. If you need to stay longer, you can have your USA licence transfered into a German one but it all depends from what state you are from.

Here is a link for you...Helpful Link (http://www.amcham.de/location-germany/drivers-license.html#12)

I have been to Stuttgart to see the Porsche and MB museums and to hang out. I was there like 3 years ago as well and met some locals who showed me some interesting places ;). I really like the city and you should as well.

If you have a Bank of America account, you can open up a Deutsche Bank account and not pay for ATM withdrawal fees since they are partners.

If you are military, then you get some special plates that say USA and not DE on them. I have seen that few times before.

Thanks for the info, I didn't know about the USA plates. I can't believe how many people have nothing but good things to say about living in Germany and even in Stuttgart. I am currently booking my flight and will be there by the end of the week! I am pretty sure my car is just about there now, can't wait!

[S4ilorJerry's]

Soooo, I have been here in Stuttgart for a week now and I am loving it!
Still waiting for my car so I am driving some hatchback Mercedes of some sort.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3435/3881038835_9564333422.jpg
Had my first drive on the autobahn today and did it by myself and Tomtom. Anyways, I have a lot to do and see I am lovin it!

[BigByrdman]

Welcome to Germany. I told you it would be a while on that vehicle shipping. Whenever you get settled in we should meet up.

[S4ilorJerry's]

Most definetly, I'd love to see another S4. I have yet to see a modded B5 S4 but my friends nieghbor has a nice B5 A4.

[BigByrdman]

Lol I know what you mean. I've yet to see a modded s4 here. A few RS 4's that's all.

[GaroBlu]

Damn this thread was a great read. Even so many of my questions about Austria (like insurance) were answered. My s4 FINALLY arrived in Vienna on Monday and even though I am a couple hours away from that part of Germany, it would be nice to see some other S cars [race]

[BigByrdman]

Ya maybe one day we could all meet up, i'm down to drive.

[S4ilorJerry's]

I am glad this post has helped those moving in the area. BigByrdman, BIG BYRD props to you for the help! You definetly fill the gaps of info to get everything done. My car came 4 days early, so when I saw it I took my exam the next day (last Friday) walked to pick up the car and passed inspection with flying colors. First stop was the Esso gas station second was the A8 Autobahn! It was a blast! I only hit 205kph/138mph or so because of sparse traffic, but it was the longest time I have ever spent at those speeds. One doucshe in a truck got into the left lane doing like 85mph when I was at 135 or so, I am sure my brakes where glowing bright.

Anyways, here are some pics:

picking her up!

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs224.snc1/7119_260492465366_741075366_8828250_4563385_n.jpg

The wife took these to the best of her ability, haha...she was so scared.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/3915728421_bf0a502981.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3916513084_dd180c91ce.jpg

And I took these on my iPhone after the first drive!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2611/3915728781_797c968cc9.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/3915728499_4177174d60.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2552/3915728673_0100823d6b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2574/3916513754_1559e2f919.jpg

Bada$$!

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs210.snc1/7719_1105751771949_1471424814_30238000_1252282_n.j pg
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs224.snc1/7119_261346065366_741075366_8842708_1417622_n.jpg

Oh, I saw this today, it was kinda cool.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs210.snc1/7719_1106143781749_1471424814_30239122_2949536_n.j pg

[jsanders608]

this pic was taken in nurmberg? i live in grafenwoher, for the next 3 years or so haha. im not bad ass like you guys and have an s4, but i did just buy myself a german spec a4. whens the next time everyones hittin up nurmbergring?

[BigByrdman]

I just went this past Sunday. I didn't get a chance to get on the track due to rain, but did get some pretty good pulls on the A62 w/ some guy in a E90 M3. I can go pretty much any weekend just let me know when you are down and we can meet up.

[S4ilorJerry's]

this pic was taken in nurmberg? i live in grafenwoher, for the next 3 years or so haha. im not bad ass like you guys and have an s4, but i did just buy myself a german spec a4. whens the next time everyones hittin up nurmbergring?

All these pics were taken in Stuttgart, good to hear you got the right chassis at least.[up] I start a very crazy schedule this week so I don't know when I can make it to the Ring just yet, I am guessing it would be a Saturday?

[BigByrdman]

I am guessing it would be a Saturday?

It would most likely be a Sunday. Most races on the Nordschleife are on Saturday. You can look at the schedule here http://www.nuerburgring.de/en/events-dates-nuerburgring.html . The "Touristenfahrten" are the days you can drive the track.

[A3Danimal]

Hey guys, just wanted to say hello in this old thread as I have also just moved to the Stuttgart area. I brought over my modded A3, but I'm looking into buying a S model from autoexchange possibly. Anyway, some sort of GTG would be awesome. I work on Patch and live in Waldenbuch south of the city

[S4ilorJerry's]

Hey guys, just wanted to say hello in this old thread as I have also just moved to the Stuttgart area. I brought over my modded A3, but I'm looking into buying a S model from autoexchange possibly. Anyway, some sort of GTG would be awesome. I work on Patch and live in Waldenbuch south of the city

Is your A3 dark gray with a throaty dual tip exhaust? I was sitting in my car when I saw that car drive past the food court/gas station area yesterday. I have a silver B5 S4 with an RS4 front bumper. I just started driving it again since my Golf III went kaput on me a few weeks ago.

[tp1_kenobi]

Guys,

I will tell you if you are in the military it's really easy to get around the German TUV if you have had aftermarket parts done to it. I'm in a headache right now with the TUV as I just got to Munich and trying to register my American spec' S4 as a civvy. They are wanting certification and technical documents around my vehicle for each non-OEM part they have seen! If I cannot provide them with this, I can get charged thousands of Euros for them to try to certify each part. One example being 5k Euros for just my aftermarket exhaust.

What a nightmare! [=(]

Any tips would be much appreciated...

[lunamarA4]

is there such a thing ...that applies like here in US that any car over 20yrs old can be imported without any problems?

when inporting into Europe?

Is there a country that is easier to deal with car import than Germany?

[Lance.Hawk]

Just wanted to drop in and introduce myself. I'm working on Patch and live in Zuffenhausen. I have been here for 2 months now. I have a B7 S4 DTM and am glad I found some other Audi owners.