Am I mad driving to Poland with my Z4C?

S

sapphire_nick

Member
Hi all,

I thought this would be such a great laugh - looking forward to driving through France and Germany and then into Poland, but now I am really panicking...

Aside from some unfinished roads, I am told that Poland is a hot spot for car crime and the thieve's fave is the BMW!? Is this scaremongering or am I really not likely to come back home with the Z?

Starting to think that maybe I should blow the speed ferry fare and bail out and just fly like normal people. I would be gutted to do this though as I have been looking forward to this all year.... :headbang:

I was just sent this article:
http://polandpoland.com/driving_poland.html

Not sure if it is up to date and whether it used to be more common for car theft in Poland. I want frank and honest opinions please and if anyone has personal experience, please share! I am prepared for poor road conditions, but not crime...

Anyone care to chip in? :thumbsup:
 
Poland's roads are in general of a very poor quality, and are badly designed and maintained. Roads are often full of deep potholes or track-like ruts, where the wheels of heavy trucks have passed along time and time again. Some minor roads have not been improved since they were first built decades before.
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Sounds like you should feel at home :)

Seriously, I would be a wee bit worried about getting carjacked or something like that, but IIRC your girlfriend is Polish, so it's not like you're just any old tourist or anything like that, she should be able to help spot trouble, or avoid dodgy neighbourhoods.
 
Do what I do....carry a weapon on you, not in the console or anyplace other than on yourself. Small firearms are easy to conceal. Good luck with this.
 
The Polish girls I know said it was a very bad idea to take mine there. They are all from Krakow but told me a fast RHD BMW with Brit plates in Poland is basically wearing a neon sign with 'nick me' on it...and if the thieves didn't get it the road quality would. Polands building a massive new motorway network that will be among the best in Europe...but its not done, and half of whats there is from the 'good ol days'......

Could be scare mongering though as I see plenty of decent cars with Polish plates on them driving around here (port of entry).
 
First, I completely respect your concerns as I'd definitely have them too. But considering I'm not in your situation, here's my thought.

If we gave in to every fear we had, we'd lock ourselves in our house and never leave. So at some point we have to say, "screw it! It's something I love and I'm going to enjoy it!" With that said, I certainly wish you the best and hope you get to keep motoring...SAFELY!!!
 
Do you have insurance that covers you in Poland (and all other countries between?)
If so, then go, and don't worry about it. Enjoy the drive.
Be careful where you park, and try not to be excessively paranoid.
Can bad things happen? Sure. But they could happen at home too.
Life is no fun if we hide inside.

(no, I've never been to Poland. But I have driven through Slovenia, Bosnia, and Croatia (and many other European countries). Does that count for anything? Probably not.)
 
I think you've covered this in a thread somewhere earlier when you were planning.

IMHO Poland and a Z4 are not a good combination. Your car is too low for the roads if you go anywhere other than the main roads. The country is fantastic, people great but the infrastructure has not yet caught up with the booming economy.
What this means in real terms is that the main roads are reasonable, side roads poor, main towns are great rural areas you are stepping back 50 years (no spares, credit cards, etc.)
Crime is rife, as is corruption. Will you be safe - yes. Will your car be stolen- who knows. Would you park it up in a side street in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester or any other big UK town?

You will see every sort of car from the new affluent in their Cayenne's, Mercs to former Russian Zil's and heavy 50's trucks

You could drive side to side and say 'no problem - fantastic' or hit one hole, knock a wheel off and ask 'why did I do it'

I don't know what you plan to do or where to go???, and that makes a huge difference. but If I did it I would either take an older reliable car or a more 4x4 oriented vehicle

Be insured, be cautious, carry basic spares and full car recovery.

I broke the toughest Jeep imaginable in Sweden a few years back. In the most civilised country imaginable it was still a real challenge and despite me carrying 100kg+of spares I was stuck for days...

My experience - working in over 20 cities of Poland for the last 2 years. Driving in almost every European country over the last 20.

Not in any way meant to deter you but provide my little input.
 
Thanks so much to you all! I think I am just going to go ahead and do it.

I am definitely insured fully comp and the car is less than a year old and I have checked it has BMW assist which includes breakdown in Poland, so I should be okay and at the end of the day I have 2 years warranty, so I guess we will stick to main roads and following other people's advice, too - maybe avoid Krakow and if I park, I will go to a proper car park and not a side street.

I think as you say, Louv, enjoy it and don't stay inside. As long as my personal safety is not at risk, then the rest is insured. I will be sure to post the outcome of my trip on here, I leave on the 14th of August and *hopefully* return on the 24th!!

Thank you all again for your thoughts and to you cj10jeeper as always :thumbsup:
 
Hey Sapphire - you've done the right thing and balanced it out in your mind.

Don't worry about Krakow it's one of the most touristy towns they have. The scariest thing is Brits running around mooning at night on stag does....If you go there do go down the salt mines and vist Wawel Castle. Both very impressive. Aushwitz - I could not do - too much I thought.

The people are realy friendly so don't worry about personal safety. Same as in any country - do something stupid and locals will take advantage.

Enjoy it
 
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