Kuro Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Ring Report: (it’s long – grab a coffee!) Hi Folks After what seems like months of planning, we finally got over to the Ring last week, and without doubt it was one of the best driving experiences so far, so much so that I thought I would bore you all to death with a ring report! From the top We opted for the Dover to Dunkirk service, which was ok if a little sparse. Dover is pretty uninteresting and the area around Dunkirk looks like the London Docklands did 20 years ago. From a Zed perspective the ramps and everything were fine, and the space aboard was good, and they weren’t over enthusiastic about cramming all of the cars together, so space around the Zed was fine. Getting out of Dunkirk was easy enough thanks to our good pal Tom-Tom. Without the Tom-Tom the trip would have been much more painful! France was over and done with in a few miles (no tolls) and Belgium was one long, boring road. Although, the ring-road presented challenges even with the tom-tom. The first thing you notice about crossing into Holland and then into Germany in the quality of road. You switch almost instantly to lovely black asphalt rather than the loud brown concrete of Belgium. You also get much better signage too! The Autobahn Oh my, what a joy to drive on. Most of the Autobahns around Koln and Koblenz were two lane carriageways, and looked a little like some parts of the A1, but better maintained and less twisty. Not all of the stretches are unlimited (derestricted sign a little like ours) so you have to be a little careful, you’ll know when they become derestricted as magically an M5 will appear from nowhere and make you look like a complete snail… As the Germans seem to have excellent lane discipline (and no truck overtaking rules!) there are plenty of opportunities to stretch the Zed, but it took me a little time to get used to the feeling. I’m fairly compliant with UK driving laws, and so getting the “I’m gonna get banned/where’s the plod†Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Great write up mate. Glad you enjoyed and came back safe and sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
live2themaxuk Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Good clean safe fun . . . . glad u enjoyed so what did ya top it out at then . . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Fantastic write up mate!! Looks like you had a really good time!! Nice one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wes.brook Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Top stuff! If you decide to post the remainder of your photos on a pic-hosting site, be sure to leave a link here. You have earned the right to a Nordschleife bumper sticker! Makes me wonder how many people who have these stickers have in fact driven the circuit (for real, as opposed to on rFactor, GT4 or Forza). Great write up, looking forward to a drive there myself one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuro Posted September 9, 2007 Author Share Posted September 9, 2007 a few more pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesterfield Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Excellent pics and write up, it is a brilliant experience. I was nevous as hell when going to the entrance gate for the first time, I really do want to go back. Great town, great atmosphere, great sightseeing, and Lots of non ring related activities and places to visit too. Yes - you should get yourself one of these: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 why didn't you stay in one of the many places much closer than Koblenz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuro Posted September 9, 2007 Author Share Posted September 9, 2007 Koblenz made sense because the trip wasn't just about the Ring, althought it did start out that way Besides, it was fairly close, and a good base for the Mosel Valley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuro Posted September 9, 2007 Author Share Posted September 9, 2007 Yes - you should get yourself one of these: Yup, bought two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesterfield Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 You'll get asked what it is from time to time. One Z owner who shall remain nameless confessed to almost asking me why I had a map of Australia in my window but thought it wasnt quite the right shape... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 That's a great write up and excellent pictures. Glad you enjoyed the trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zzzz... Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 That german ZED in black... am i right in thinking that was a custom paint job in MATT black...(not just photography effects) looks uber- really nice pics...and much better weather than i had on my trip... i have the ring bug now... i want to go again and again ... and again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_350z Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Excellent write up! We always stay in Bad Munstereiffel - its a brilliant 25 min drive from the Ring. We got diverted the last time and ended up chasing each other (I was with another Z, two Scoobies and an M3) through alpine trees on an amazing windy road - awesome! Can't wait to go again next year at the end of May - might try to get there before, the Z handles great on there but I was a passenger in my mates in his M3 and that truly is an awesome machine, respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickya Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Great write up & excellent trip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinbad Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 Great write up. Thanks for taking the time to do it. It looks like a great place, i hope i can get their next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 great write up Kuro, The other Kuro Z, Looks like it has a matt finish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuro Posted September 10, 2007 Author Share Posted September 10, 2007 The other Kuro Z, Looks like it has a matt finish Yes, it did - very strange paint job. Plus, it didn't sound like any Zed I've ever heard, also no sign of additional air intakes at the front Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 exhaust pipes look oval instead of round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GC350z Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 That looks a lot down to angle. Interesting paint. What year is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 nah, not angle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesterfield Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 To be honest with the amount of CATS, exhausts and intakes available for the Z, there are a whole raft of different noises that they give out. Not necessarily anything major changed under the bonnet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GC350z Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 I've worked out the paint colour. It's stealth bomber radar absorbing black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIXXERUK Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 nice write up , this is definitely something i will do and soon hopefully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT2Z Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 You'll get asked what it is from time to time. asking me why I had a map of Australia in my window but thought it wasnt quite the right shape... I've had the exact same Q a few times...... If you have a whiff of petrol in your blood, you HAVE to make this trip at least once. Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.