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[Mike Tee]

Hi all,

I wasn't able to speak with anyone who would know about the B-class CDI issue - just a sales lady who was able to get us brochures! I too would have considered the CDI had it been available when we got our car, but now that we have the B 200, it'd be difficult to construct a case for trading ours in for a big loss and getting a CDI, on economic grounds anyway. It would be nice to have the choice though. On the CO2 front, I'd have to average 6.6 L/100 km in a CDI to produce as little of the greenhouse gas as I do at 7.5 L/100 km in the petrol-engined car.

The static speed cameras in France are all forewarned with a large sign (smaller in the fast lane ) which does give the attentive driver a chance to slow down. They are also marked on Michelin's yellow atlas of France. But we did see a few speed traps of the old-fashioned kind. I came to the conclusion the last time we were there (2005) that it'd be better to not speed. The Gendarmes will confiscate the car and suspend your license if you are going fast enough. This happened to some British auto journalists a while ago, and their loaner Lambo was impounded. Way to go boys!

Traveling with 5 was a little expensive, as we had to rent two hotel rooms each night, but the money spent was well worth it and we have another series of experiences to last our kids an entire lifetime! Who knows how long air travel will remain affordable, with oil prices the way they are....?