Moving to Spain, recommendations please

[DarrinM]

Hiya all

Moving lock stock n Chimaera 450 to Spain (Marbella area) this year and wondered if anyone has any recommendations regarding -

1. Reliable Servicing and or repairs
2. Upgrades to cooling system (Modwise etc) already have Air Con (thank goodness)
3. Whether to drive all the way or put it on a train for part of the journey
4. Re-registering the car in Spain, should I shouldn't I and what is cost
5. Insurance - someone mentioned insuring in Gibraltar !
6. Selling the reg I have right now before or after we leave (L17 TVR)

Realise that in Spain people aren't as careful with regards to nudge parking n so on but seems such a shame to not take it when there are all those dry sunny days to enjoy !!!

Your advice/assistance much appreciated

Darrin

[paul gotts]

DarrinM said:

Hiya all Moving lock stock n Chimaera 450 to Spain (Marbella area) this year and wondered if anyone has any recommendations regarding - Nice...... 2. Upgrades to cooling system (Modwise etc) already have Air Con (thank goodness) The first owner of my 400 used to run it back and forth to Spain, and although he didn't upgrade the cooling system, he did have a fuel cooler fitted to overcome vapourisation problems. I'd also recommend having the rad. recored with extra row (depth)to aid cooling. 3. Whether to drive all the way or put it on a train for part of the journey I checked with the train company a couple of years ago when we wanted to take the Wedge to the Dordogne. There's a minimum ground clearance figure (can't remember exactly what it was) which our car could get near unladen, let alone loaded.Also, they would let you load the car onto the train yourself, but it would not be covered by their insurance. Depends whether you trust a French rail worker to do it for you. Darrin

[willmcc]

I run my 400 in temps of 45 plus, it does run warm but has never overheated.
Have a triple core radiator though I have heard the Aluminium ones are better and double shrouded fans.
Seems fine, oh and by the way, when it get really hot TVR air con just aint up to it I'm afraid.
I have a place in Spoain and reg a car on a 6 month tourist use rego that allows me RHD and other concessions.
Works for me but you have to nominate the months you use it for.

[Jasper Gilder]

I'd drive it down - take the ferry to Bilbao and you can do it with one stop, or two if you want a gentler run. I'm taking a group of TVR's over the week after next - it's about 600 miles from Bilbao to Marbella - all dual carriageway

Servicing may be a bit more tricky - some Spanish owners bring their cars back to the UK, others get a Uk mechanic to fly out and do it in return for a few nights R+R.

As regards re-registering, technically you have to re register your car within 6 months - and if you become a Spanish Resident - get your driving licence changed to a Spanish one. Problem is, as far as I am aware, you can't register a RHD car in Spain as they have to be LHD. You'll have to check at your local traffic office - if your Spanish isn't very good take an interpreter or get your abogado to do it for you. Threre are a lot of cars on Spanish roads on UK plates!

[Prof Higgins]

Might be worth having a word with V6GTO who hangs around in a few forums on here : www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0&memberId=30944

Is a Noble owner who has recently gone down that way so should be able to help with the non TVR questions you may have.