Hi all, I’m off to France (South West) in a few weeks and have been busy preparing my 1990 Mk1 for the trip. In my boot I intend to stash a few emergency breakdown items such as jubilee clips , cable ties, coolant etc.
My question to you guys is, what would you take ?? Thanks in advance for your help and replies.
Alan
BREAKDOWN??? in a 5? don’t be silly 
don’t forget the high vis. jacket we are required to have in france.
back to the silly side, hip flask, mars bars & my wife bought a flat packed potty, seriously.
someone will be along soon with proper suggestions but have lots of fun. we are also going to Bordeaux region next year.
no2 phillips screwdriver & flat blade screwdriver
10/12/14 sockets and bar same in ring spanners
wrap it all up and stash behind the spare wheel
bulb set and warning triangle required
edit: and gaffer tape 
The AA has some very good info.
We are also going over to France in August.
This gives info on Compulsary items
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/compulsory_equipment.pdf
This is info specific to France
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/france-monaco.pdf
I am going to check the car out before I go and may do the Timing belt and Water pump.
I always carry a pack of the garage wipes a small tool roll and a roll of electrical tape.
Tool roll;
Adjustable Spanner 8" & 4"
Small and large flat + philips screw drivers
17, 14,10, 8,mm spanners
Swiss army knife or leather man type tool.
I always think that if I need more than the above items, I am in real s*it and the breakdown cover will be needed.
If you have the OC supported Insurance with FJ you are covered for breakdown, my car will be 23 years old and its still covered
Regards
If you have a radar trap detector, DON’T TAKE IT! The Police will confiscate it and fine you big bucks! You will need a HiVis for all travellers, the driver’s will need to be within arms reach inside the car. Make sure that you have plenty of Euro’s because a lot of petrol stations don’t take cards. Keep the bulb set within easy reach because the police often stop GB cars and ask to see the HIVIS and bulb set. If you can show these quickly they will usually let you on your way. Have a super holiday.
“wrap it all up and stash behind the spare wheel”
but I leave the spare wheel at home so we have more packing space.
Good tips guys, keep em coming. Thanks for the holiday wishes Gary. I will take pics and scribble some notes and hopefully post them on the forum upon my return. Just purchased Breathyliser kit, whatever next !!!
Having just read through the AA guide that stevemc linked (thanks) I guess I will have to update my cross channel bag.
Driving licence (both parts) Insurance Doc’s, V5, AA Card, Bulb Set, High Vis vest (each), fire extiguisher, first aid kit, warning triagle (two if Spain), breathalizer kit, empty fuel can, At this rate there will be no room for a passanger let alone luggage.
The compulsary breathalyser kit is pretty funny actually…as Clarkson said,
‘So you have to have a breathalyser…so you come out of the pub after a half of shandy and use your breathalyser to check you’re ok and you are…cool…but now you don’t have a breathalyser so you can’t drive your car!’
What’s the general concencus re spare tyres ? Would you leave it in or take it out and carry repair gunk and benefit from extra storage space ??
Take the gunk
MX5s are worse than my motorbike for lack of luggage space - so I’ve honed my “emergency kit” to just two items: 1) a roll of gaffer taper and 2) a tin of WD40. If it moves and it shouldn’t - use the tape. If it doesn’t move and it should - use the WD40. No need to thank me - all part of the service. 
currently for France you need 1 hi vis in the car, not in the boot. None needed for passenger
You need GB plate of some description.
You need headlight convertors. Well actually you are obliged not to dazzle, so if you don’t use your lights then don’t fit them (I have just got back and didn’t bother to stick on as never drove after dark!)
You need warning triangle.
You need to carry documents.
All the rest is optional including a spare bulb set. Breathalyser not required until July sometime.
For more room buy you car it’s very own “bum bag” ie a boot bag. Put bulky, squashy not very heavy items in it and it will almost double your luggage space. My partner and I have done a weeks’ holiday in each MX and managed to pack walking gear inc boots (size 10s for him indoors) waterproofs, fleeces etc, a bottle of wine (essential for France) bit of pork pie and stilton (essential for sanity), bottles of water, a few emergency spares including the spare tyre and enough clothes for a week each. Also included 4 pairs of shoes for me!
While away we purchased part of a dinner set (don’t ask), several books, a table top protector and still managed to get it all back from Northumberland without any damage to anything!
mucho euros for the speeding tickets especially if you’re driving on one of their (many) public holidays.
mseur plod gets v p*ssed off on such days and it’s 90 euros straight out of the wallet…although you never know, by then the euro might have dropped so much that 90 euros will only be 5p
their favourite ploy is to camp about 2/3rds the way down a hill and catch you out if you’ve let momentum take you over the speed limit
bitter…moi…non, je ne regret rien!!
have a great time
The Swiss “busies” are the worst, they take great delight in delaying you for as long as poss while they go thro’ all the docs with a fine tooth comb - then do it all again! Total P in the A. We had a very lucky escape a few years ago just after crossing the Swiss border.I was following a mate doing about 90ish when a car coming in the opposite direction flashed his lights at us so we slowed right down - crested a hill and there were two Swiss cops with a hand held speed cam. We managed not to look too snug as we pootled past at 40mph.