ironictwists Z4 - While on the PHN Alpine Tour (Again!)
Discussion
Bungleaio said:
Inspired by this thread a mate and I have put our name down on the provisional list for next years trip!
I presume it was you i spoke to on the 'phone this morning? I guess you're getting a good idea from Umair's thread here what our tours are like 
ironictwist said:
Fortunately the guys at PHN improve the trip year on year, so it's never quite the same as the year before 
Having said, this year was better than last year, which is a pretty impressive achievment considering what we did last year!
Don't worry, i've been working very hard to make sure next year is even better.Having said, this year was better than last year, which is a pretty impressive achievment considering what we did last year!
When people come on tour and enjoy themselves it makes the long winter nights seeking out the 'right' hotels and roads all worthwhile
VerySideways said:
Bungleaio said:
Inspired by this thread a mate and I have put our name down on the provisional list for next years trip!
I presume it was you i spoke to on the 'phone this morning? I guess you're getting a good idea from Umair's thread here what our tours are like richtea78 said:
Great pictures, Ive often thought about one of these tours but put off by the idea that it seems to have a lot of expensive metal there and the people would be a bit snobby?
Don't be put off, everyone shares the same love of cars and theres no snobbery. The only difference is some people have bigger wallets, not egos. I went on the original FB5K Alpine tour back in 2006, it was awesome and this one looks even better, the route having been tailored over the years. The only downer is that as a single driver you will be knackered at the end of each day. We had everything ranging from a Diablo and Gallardo, through to a TR6 and Z4 on this tour.
2008 I did the very last FB5K tour to Millau, again awesome and cars ranged from Ferrari to a Suzuki Capp which surprised us all in just how well it kept up.
Last one was last years PN Highland tour, again cars ranging from Clios, MX5, 355, GT3, Diablo etc.
Everythig is planned, including regular fuel stops, all marked out - essential if you're like me and can get 180, just, out of a tank when gunning it.
A clear weekend means I can finally get this thread updated! 
Day 8 - Andermatt - Davos - 243 Miles
"That grin will be a permanent feature on your face with the thought of more passes and a trip to one of the most famous of them all the Stelvio pass. Before that though, we will be warming up with the Julier pass and then having the Umbrail, and Fluella passes for dessert as we head towards our overnight stop in the lovely town of Davos."
Morning!
...Unreal.
En-route!
Parked up before we hit the San Bernardino pass!
Regroup after the pass!
My girl!
FUEL STOP PORN!
En route to the Julierpass
Were here! The scenery could be described as stunning!
Nothing like an ice cold mountain lake to dunk your legs in & soothe your driving feet!
En route to Lake Livigno
Border crossing into Switzerland!
At Lake Livigno, parked up. One of my favourite places on earth
...This is heaven.
It was as amazing as it all looks
...& there's still more of Day 8 to come...!
Day 8 - Andermatt - Davos - 243 Miles
"That grin will be a permanent feature on your face with the thought of more passes and a trip to one of the most famous of them all the Stelvio pass. Before that though, we will be warming up with the Julier pass and then having the Umbrail, and Fluella passes for dessert as we head towards our overnight stop in the lovely town of Davos."
Morning!
...Unreal.
En-route!
Parked up before we hit the San Bernardino pass!
Regroup after the pass!
My girl!
FUEL STOP PORN!
En route to the Julierpass
Were here! The scenery could be described as stunning!
Nothing like an ice cold mountain lake to dunk your legs in & soothe your driving feet!
En route to Lake Livigno
Border crossing into Switzerland!
At Lake Livigno, parked up. One of my favourite places on earth
...This is heaven.It was as amazing as it all looks
...& there's still more of Day 8 to come...!
Edited by ironictwist on Saturday 12th November 00:27
Absolutely brilliant write up umair... Takes me right back..
And I can safely say this was my first trip, and there were no egos, no pressure to drive any faster than you wanted to (and no way to go too fast for Pete to stay up front) - so much so I've signed up to 3 trips for next year, and cant bloody wait!
And as I'm not as good with words as umair, I will let my little video compilation do the talking for me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHGvFkQsYXE&fea...
And I can safely say this was my first trip, and there were no egos, no pressure to drive any faster than you wanted to (and no way to go too fast for Pete to stay up front) - so much so I've signed up to 3 trips for next year, and cant bloody wait!
And as I'm not as good with words as umair, I will let my little video compilation do the talking for me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHGvFkQsYXE&fea...
So carrying on from Day 8, we were at Lake Livigno, which as previously stated really is one of my favourite places on earth 
How can it not be with a view like this?
After crossing the border we went through the longest tunnel I've had the pleasure of going in...Some amazing noises reverberating through!
Then...Passes! Umbrail, Stelvio & Fluela!!
As we climbed Umbrail, things were going well...I say "were" because the day before when climbing the Nufenen pass, the little Z4 gave up. We think altitude may have had some influence & one of the coilpacks may be on it's way out. But so long as you were staying below 2000ft, it was ok.
So as the Umbrail got closer to Stelvio it started to struggle more & more...& eventually gave up, just as Stelvio was in sight!
Fortunately Mr.Stanley stayed behind to make sure I wasnt on my lonesome.
I've seen worse places to break down...Hackney being one.
So anyway, it was clear the Zed couldnt make it to the top of Stelvio, which was a shame. But fortunately I had done Stelvio before so it wasnt the end of the world We decided then to make our way back the way we came, hooked onto the Fluelepass & made progress to Davos to meet with everyone else...Great spirited run following the R32. Blissful scenery in places as we hit the Fluelapass at Sunset.
On the plus it meant I was there to see & hear everyone arrive at Davos! Here they come!
How can it not be with a view like this?After crossing the border we went through the longest tunnel I've had the pleasure of going in...Some amazing noises reverberating through!
Then...Passes! Umbrail, Stelvio & Fluela!!
As we climbed Umbrail, things were going well...I say "were" because the day before when climbing the Nufenen pass, the little Z4 gave up. We think altitude may have had some influence & one of the coilpacks may be on it's way out. But so long as you were staying below 2000ft, it was ok.
So as the Umbrail got closer to Stelvio it started to struggle more & more...& eventually gave up, just as Stelvio was in sight!
Fortunately Mr.Stanley stayed behind to make sure I wasnt on my lonesome.
I've seen worse places to break down...Hackney being one.
So anyway, it was clear the Zed couldnt make it to the top of Stelvio, which was a shame. But fortunately I had done Stelvio before so it wasnt the end of the world
We decided then to make our way back the way we came, hooked onto the Fluelepass & made progress to Davos to meet with everyone else...Great spirited run following the R32. Blissful scenery in places as we hit the Fluelapass at Sunset.On the plus it meant I was there to see & hear everyone arrive at Davos! Here they come!
Day 9 - Davos to Offenburg!
Leaving Switzerland take in some great roads as we had to our night stop in Offenberg, Germany...Before that the winding picturesque roads of the Black Forest!
Early morning at the Hotel, lovely.
Our first fuel stop for the day.
& yep, we're still in...
Bit filthy.
Diablo interior, considering when this was made...It still looks the business.
Now en route! Cows on the road.
Bit random to spot a Cobra round here.
Arrived in a VERY hot Offenberg at sunset again, what a day, the Black Forest was as awesome as I remember.
Day 10 - Offenberg to Calais
A straight through blast back with the intention of visiting Reims for photos at the old grandstand!
Morning.
Now after we left Offenberg & got into France, the nearer we got to Reims, the wetter & greyer it got. It then turned into what can only be described as a torrential downpour. Complete with thunder & lightning.
& my roof was down. Naturally, I was completely soaked.
So when we all finally pulled in for a fuel stop, the car was soaked completely! Put the roof up, filled up, shut the doors & locked the car via the fob.
Came back a minute later, & it wouldnt unlock, at all. We reckon the rain must've got in somewhere to cause it to be this "difficult" After what must've been 20-30min, it finally decided to start working so I could get in & after then I wasnt too keen on locking the thing again
The closer we got to Blighty, the better the weather became...
Then on we got...
.
& that was it...The most amazing 10 days, even better than 2010's tour, & that takes some doing.
Leaving Switzerland take in some great roads as we had to our night stop in Offenberg, Germany...Before that the winding picturesque roads of the Black Forest!
Early morning at the Hotel, lovely.
Our first fuel stop for the day.
& yep, we're still in...
Bit filthy.
Diablo interior, considering when this was made...It still looks the business.
Now en route! Cows on the road.
Bit random to spot a Cobra round here.
Arrived in a VERY hot Offenberg at sunset again, what a day, the Black Forest was as awesome as I remember.
Day 10 - Offenberg to Calais
A straight through blast back with the intention of visiting Reims for photos at the old grandstand!
Morning.
Now after we left Offenberg & got into France, the nearer we got to Reims, the wetter & greyer it got. It then turned into what can only be described as a torrential downpour. Complete with thunder & lightning.
& my roof was down. Naturally, I was completely soaked.
So when we all finally pulled in for a fuel stop, the car was soaked completely! Put the roof up, filled up, shut the doors & locked the car via the fob.
Came back a minute later, & it wouldnt unlock, at all. We reckon the rain must've got in somewhere to cause it to be this "difficult"
After what must've been 20-30min, it finally decided to start working so I could get in & after then I wasnt too keen on locking the thing again The closer we got to Blighty, the better the weather became...
Then on we got...
.& that was it...The most amazing 10 days, even better than 2010's tour, & that takes some doing.
Bungleaio said:
We are going in my mates Scirocco. Its hand the suspension and engine tweaked a bit so it should be good fun.
Is it the Scirocco R? If so, a chum of mine who went on both this & Alpine 2010 brought his R along & that thing has frankly ridiculous acceleration & incredible braking capacity. The thing could just be hammered to death & carry frankly a ridiculous amount of speed into corners, really really impressive cars that shocked almost everyone with how capable & quick it is out of corners.Here's a snap of it on our Glacier Stop on Day 7!
Its not an R but he has had some work to the engine, I'm not sure exactly what but the rolling road said it had 240bhp at the wheels. It has got the DSG box so it does accelerate rather well.
I've never driven it though so it will be a bit of a learning curve for me. That said I did have a diesel one a couple of years ago as a courtesy car, I'm not sure if that will be any help or not. I'm looking forward to finding out!
I've never driven it though so it will be a bit of a learning curve for me. That said I did have a diesel one a couple of years ago as a courtesy car, I'm not sure if that will be any help or not. I'm looking forward to finding out!
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