I have reservations for an Opel Omega in the UK and a Mercedes C200 in France. I am getting conflicting information, however, as to how big the cargo space is in either of these cars. <BR> <BR>We'll have 4 people total, each with a 30" suitcase (I know - too much stuff...), plus miscellaneous carryon stuff. <BR> <BR>Will we fit, or do I need a rental car enlargement?

Whether you have too much stuff or not, I strongly urge you (all of you) to reconsider those 30" suitcases - - two 21 inch rollaboards will be so much easier to live with - - or better yet - - one 21 inch rollaboards and something totally structureless - - like a nylon duffel bag. One of my first rules of luggage is - - your heaviest piece of luggage should not exceed eight pounds when empty - - and any others you take should not exceed eight OUNCES when empty. <BR> <BR>You can still easily take 66 pounds of stuff (if you insist on being that crazy - - and I have before) and not violate this rule. <BR> <BR>And I have brought home more than 100 pounds worth - - and still didnt violate this rule (one 21 inch rollaboard and TWO eight ounce nylon duffel bags). <BR>

I believe that the 30 inchers we are bringing meet your test of 8lbs. empty. (Eagle Creek soft sided luggage - 2 30" wheeled Latitude expandables and two 30" wheeled duffles.) Still concerned whether they'll fit in the trunks of the ("full size") cars we have reserved, though. <BR> <BR>Any thoughts?

You could ask for the "break" version of these cars. You'll have plenty of space for your luggage then.

Go to your nearest AAA travel agency and look at their chart of rental cars...pictures and dimensions. The Mercedes we have rented have not been too big in the trunk area.

What what does it mean to request a "break" version of the rental cars, as suggested above?

Omega has a cavernous trunk (530 litres) and should swallow your luggage. C200's trunk is given as 455 litres, and may not take all your cases. Why not change it to something like Peugeot 406 Break (SW) if possible?

Thanks for the replies. If those experienced with the cars in question have specific recommendations as to models that might work for us, I would greatly appreciate it! We are just going by recommendations of the car rental companies. They kept trying to get us to rent the Ford Mondeo, but I know that that is the same as the Contour in the States - and it would be much too small, both for the passengers and the luggage. <BR> <BR>Like someone else inquired, what does it mean to request a "break" version? I am not familiar with that terminology. <BR> <BR>Any recommendations as the "best" "full size" car available for rental in UK and France?

I believe that the Opel Omega is the same as the U.S. Cadillac Catera, if that helps. Not a very big trunk, at least for a Cadillac.

I've done 4 large suitcases (30") a few times and found that only station wagons will fit them. Opel Omega wagon in the UK will do and in France Renault Laguna Wagon. I believe these two are the most economical to rent. <BR>

Another word for "break" is "station wagon" or "caravan". The height of the trunk of these cars is the same as the roof of the car. I think the Opel Omega break has a larger trunk thank the Mercedes. <BR>Another optionwouild be a monovolume car like Chrysler Voyager, Renault Espace, Citroen Evasion, etc. etc.

And in the UK, the term to use is "estate". <BR> <BR>i.e. "Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Renter, do you have this car available in the estate version ?"

I went touring New England a few years back, and found I couldn't get all my luggage into the car I had rented - ended up with a Lincoln Town Car. <BR> <BR>A few days later, we stopped at The Red Lion in Stockbridge. The porter who helped with the cases advised me that I should come back in half an hour, as by that time he would have filled the boot with water and I could have a Jacuzzi. <BR> <BR>Similar dual function cars are not so widely available in Europe.

Hi Roddy <BR>4 of us rented a Ford Mondeo station wagon in 1999 for a 21 day driving trip including 9 nights in France. It originally concerned me being so open when we were going into Eastern Europe and Italy, which we had been informed were higher potential theft areas. Like most it has the cover in the baggage compartment. No need to worry, we had no problems, theft or otherwize. We had a 30 inch suitcase, a 26 inch rolling duffel, Two 21 inch rolling carrying ons, and a 22 inch non rolling and a tote. All fit in the back under the cover, with the exception of the tote which sat in the back seat as an arm rest between the two people. We also as the trip progressed had a soft carrying tote for souvenirs that expanded to about 24 inches by 15 which fit under the cover as well. <BR>When we did leave luggage in the vehicle, we followed the recommendations of the places we stayed, whether we needed a garage or could park in a surface area. <BR>Have a great trip!

I found myself in your same situation - 4 adults with four 30" suitcases. We're doing a driving tour of the Scottish <BR>Highlands and after much discussion, decided on a minivan (i.e., Ford Galaxy or Toyota Previa)which will give us ample luggage space but also the "security" factor a few other posters mentioned of not being able to look right in at your luggage, like in the back of an "estate" wagon.

Pam: Who did you end up renting the van through? Were you able to get a good rate? We have avoided the vans so far because the rate seems significantly higher. <BR> <BR>The problem so far with "full size" cars has been that most of the major rental agencies offer the Opel Omega as their default. Of the full size cars, the Omega seems to have the smallest trunk. <BR> <BR>Arranging the "right" vehicle has been one of the more problematical aspects of our trip planning. Everything else has gone without a hitch so far. <BR> <BR>Regards.

We usually get full-sized cars that can comfortably seat 4 people, even 5, for daily excursions. In Italy, we have been most happy with the Citroen, the model starts with an X I think, otherwise blanking on its name. In France the Lancia was wonderful. Both of these cars had room in the trunk for four 30" suitcases, side-by-side, and room on top for an opened out suit bag (my own personal choice of luggage!)--or in your case, the incidentals. In Italy we try to use a company called Prestige, in France AutoEurope. Neither car is so big it seems like a great snorting road hog!

I can tell you for sure that the Opel Omega trunk won't take your 4 30" suitcases. Don't know about the Mercedes but I'd bet it won't either. <BR> <BR>Do yourselves a favor and instead of looking for other rental options (like stationwagons or vans) take Rex's advice: a 21" suitcase each, and totally flexible bags as complements (it's amazing how many of those flexible bags a trunk can take!). <BR> <BR>Even though the Omega's trunk has a capacity of 530 litres, it won't take your 4 30" suitcases standing (suitcases are too high). On the other hand, even though the height is enough to take two 30" suitcases laid down on top of each other, there's no space in width to accomodate them side by side. <BR> <BR>Paulo

We have done the 30" 4 suit case trip. <BR>Only a wagon would hold them. we also found them very heavy when you carry them up to the 3rd floor. So on our next trip with the same couple we changed the rules to use only 26" bags. <BR>we were just able to fit them in a Mercedes along with 3 carry on bags, one carry on went up front.

to the top - - for Shelley - - this one was actually easy to find using the word "trunk"... <BR> <BR>Postscript: If this forum had an easier way to locate and direct readers to a specific (previous) posting by a unique identifier (timestamp), it would not be necessary to top (and repeat) information so tediously. This is my new crusade, and I am thinking about adding this postscript (when applicable) to every new reply I make here. If you agree with me, then please write to Danny Mangin or David Downing - - [email protected] - - and encourage them to move forward with this improvement (and any others they have up their sleeves) to this best-on-the-web travel forum! <BR>