So after a short few posts with another member, its been suggested that this is a good idea and needs to be offered up to everyone on the forum. I can see people being restricted by funds, time, driving hours and partners (who are welcome of course!)

 

Drum roll please...

 

Let me introduce the first ever MONTE CARLO "Z" CAR RALLY (that I know of!)

 

Day 1

 

Folkstone - Namur - Bastogne - Nurburgring (339 Miles)

 

Meet at the Channel Tunnel for a very early train (people from up north might need to stay down here one night) then drive through northern France and Belgium to Namur. Lunch in Namur and drive to the hill top castle for some epic photos. Carry on through Belgium to Bastogne for an afternoon break and a look around the town and museum. Carry on into Germany, check out our top speeds on their autobanns until we reach The NurBurgring where we will stay the night. Accommodation will be sorted by yourselves, there is a choice of camping, B+B or hotels in the local area

 

 

Day 2

 

Nurburgring - Luxembourg City - Freiberg (283 Miles)

 

Wake up in the morning and take the Zs for a few laps of the 'ring. Around lunch time and drive to Luxembourg City for an afternoon break. We then carry on through France and back into Germany to arrive in Freiberg for the night. Again camping, B+B and hotels are available.

 

And a few more:

 

Well we are back in the UK now. However not by the way of a Z...

 

We left Paris yesterday and were making our way to Calais for duty-free, food and an evening out before our late ferry home. As we approached a "Peage" (Toll-gate) I was slowing down and noticed a noise like the de-mist fan was at top speed, as I got to about 20mph just entering the 6'6" wide toll lane the car cut out. We rolled to the machine and my wife took the ticket, I tried to re-start it and it wouldn't. Steam/smoke started billowing from under the bonnet. I jumped out, opened the bonnet and the steam/smoke was pouring out from under the plenum and coming out in the coil pack gaps.

 

We rang for assistant, got towed off the toll lane to a scrapyard that did towing as a side business and the car is still there. The AA got us a taxi to Paris airport, a french hire car (2015 VW golf) to drive back to Calais, then at the port we were given a brand new (and I mean brand new, it had 7 miles on the clock!) BMW M3D on British plates to use on the ferry and to get home with. Got home last night at nearly 3am.

 

Zed is still in France somewhere (we don't actually know where exactly because we were on the toll-road when it happened and it was in the middle of no-where. The scrapyard had fields in all directions as far as the eye could see). The AA say that they have to get the car checked, then assessed to see if it can be fixed, and if not it will be re-repatriated. I was warned that it could take a couple of weeks.

 

In the 30 minutes I had before the tow truck arrived, I had a look around and as there was plenty of golden oil in the engine and the drivers foot well was soaking wet, I guess the heater matrix went, dumped all the coolant, engine overheated and cut out. There was no steam in the cabin, no warning lights on the dash until it cut out and the temp gauge was (and still is) reading normal. I squeezed the radiator top pipe and it felt empty. Its annoying because I checked the water and oil the day before and it didn't need any oil and only wanted a cup full of water.

 

I'm desperately hoping that it cut out before any lasting damage was done and that a new heater matrix and new coolant will fix it, but I cant even try as its about 200 miles away in another country!

 

Not really the triumphant ending to a 2300 mile, 9 day road trip through 9 countries, however the Zed managed 2150 of them with ease, It was a pleasure to drive on all types of roads we used, motorways, fast A roads, mountain passes, etc. My wife spent the 150 miles in the french hire car moaning at how uncomfortable it was and wanted the Zed back. She then got in the BMW, loved it, but said it had no character, a sentiment I would completely agree with! I would happily do it again even with breaking my car. It was an amazing trip through amazing countries and sceneries, The Zed drew attention everywhere it went and outside the Monte Carlo casino it outshone the Rolls Royces, Bentleys and other ghastly cars with their 24" chrome rims!

 

If people are interested, ill plan another rally next year as it was fun by ourselves, but with several cars it would be even better!

Some fantastic memories there, hopefully the Z saga will come to a reasonable ending. The procedure for recovering the car is to bring it back once a transporter is full up, the average time for that is around 2 weeks; anxious times! [emoji853][emoji32]

Some fantastic memories there, hopefully the Z saga will come to a reasonable ending. The procedure for recovering the car is to bring it back once a transporter is full up, the average time for that is around 2 weeks; anxious times! [emoji853][emoji32]

 

I dont know that, thanks! Makes sense really. Its going to suck for the next couple of weeks not knowing and ive got no excuse to not ride my bike into work now :sad:

Loved following this thread Tom it was an awesome trip, pity you had a problem near the end but hope you get your Z soon and its not a big fix. Good luck mate.:clover:

Well done on having a go! Touring in Europe is what the Z32 does best especially when in a group. Looking

forward to seeing all your photos of the trip. Fingers crossed for the well being of your car Tom.

If anyone wants all the pictures, just PM for my facebook and ill add you. Ive got too many to post on here!

 

Here is a few from the break-down:

 

 

Last picture is the mileage on the BRAND NEW bmw hire car. yes you read it right, 7 miles! The newest car I have ever driven and (I have a suspicion) the newest car I will ever drive!

Guess what! She's back! A 3" pipe at the very back of the engine split and dumped coolant onto the manifold, hence the thick steam. Compression test, oil test, water test, rad check, coolant check all came up clear. I'm going to run her for about 400miles on 99petrol and then get the timing belt and thermostat done. Seems like I've dodged a bullet. Grand total to fix.... £80!

 

 

Car needs welding and a good clean, but happy she's back!

Wow, that's was lucky, glad to hear it was nothing serious after all.

Ah great news, back just in time for the end of year SE meet ;) :biggrin:

That's good news mate.

Only just seen this, great adventure apart from the end. I agree that a Zedball rally, European road trip would be great!

So it's back here safe and sound?

Good car and good job