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Touring Europe in my 550

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Condor Man, Jun 17, 2011.

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  1. XTREMEIND

    XTREMEIND Formula 3

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    #51 XTREMEIND, Jun 20, 2011
    Looks like an awsome trip Aaron, you should have taken you're spray painter with you to service the stonechips while travelling lol!! The car looks stunning, did you get any further than the foyer at RBR?
     
  2. Duane_Estill

    Duane_Estill F1 Rookie

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    #52 Duane_Estill, Jun 20, 2011
    If that factory marketing literature had produced anything like the 'romanticized' depiction of the 550 that you have here.....they would have sold out of 550's. This just exudes the essence of a grand touring car, the roads, the houses, the sheer character of the car in it's element, the vibe is just so correct. This thread could single-handed create a new batch of converts to the 550 fan club. I was reflecting on this and I remember someone relating a statement a mechanic had made about the reliability of this model....."We never see these.....they're one of the most reliable." But that doesn't approach the persuasiveness of your excellent written story and pictures......great job.
     
  3. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #53 Condor Man, Jun 21, 2011
    Don't worry Glenn, I will be bringing her to see you when I return to tidy some little bits and pieces up!

    RBR no further than the front reception.
     
  4. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #54 Condor Man, Jun 21, 2011
    Thank you Duane,

    I really appreciate your kind words and look forward to making the journey more enjoyable along the way!
     
  5. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #55 Condor Man, Jun 21, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Day 5

    Luton Hoo to DK Engineering to Paris

    We left Luton Hoo in the morning, this Hotel really left a mark on us. Stunning Food, Service, Facilities and everything in between!

    We popped into DK Engineering which had some amazing F Cars, I hope you enjoy the pics!!

    I also had the mechanics look over the car and of course a quick service of the Aircon. Now it is bloody freezing!!

    I was right about the Throttle Pedal being to firm and difficult to modulate as they were quick to point out that the Throttle cables were cracked allowing friction in the movement. DK unfortunately didn't have any in stock so this will have to be change in Italy. The Clutch was also report as 85% worn which I will get repaired in Italy.

    They boys also tighed the bolt on the steering wheel, blead the brakes and sent us on our way.

    So out of the 4 inputs used whilst driving, I have 2 now right. The Steering and the Brake Pedal. Just the Clutch and Throttle to go and then I will be 100% Happy.

    All the guys at DK were awesome and I hope to be doing business with this very soon!!!!
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  6. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #56 Condor Man, Jun 21, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    DK.

    Take your Pick as to only 1 car to take home!

    It's tough!
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  7. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #57 Condor Man, Jun 21, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    So it was of to Paris.

    We drove to Folkestone and jumped on the Chunnel Train.

    I got a great tip from some Ferrari forum Euro Boys that stated don't buy a one way ticket as it will be far more expensive than a short term 2 way.

    Which was correct the One Way was 149 Pound and the two way was 29 Pound each way!

    Whilst in the Chunnell I worked out the CD Stacker and calibrated the audio. Now the Sound is brilliant!!

    Getting off the train it was little daunting driving a right hand drive car on the right side of the road. I hope to get used to this within a few days!

    We stayed the night in a 13th Century Chateau with a Moat around it. The Weatehr isn't great, so I will upload some pics once they have been taken.
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  8. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

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    #58 JazzyO, Jun 21, 2011
    You should be used to driving on the right hand side of the road this morning. It takes a couple of hours, maximum, when you're new to it. The most tricky thing I found when coming to the UK for the first time was driving off after a break (like getting petrol or having lunch). It's easy to switch to auto mode and drive off on the wrong side then.

    I've been to Paris with my 550, lot's of fun!


    Onno
     
  9. jtremlett

    jtremlett F1 Rookie

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    #59 jtremlett, Jun 21, 2011
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2011
    Superb write up. Don't believe the fuel gauge though. There are threads on here about how far you can drive with the fuel light on. Not that I'm recommending that, but the point is the fuel tank will take a lot more than the empty light indicates.

    Jonathan
     
  10. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

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    #60 JazzyO, Jun 21, 2011
    Good point Jonathan. The official capacity is 115 litres. I have never, ever, put in more than 100 litres and I quite often drive the gauge to the 0 mark. I think it is safe to say there is quite a reserve.

    On European road trips I usually drive 475kms (300 miles) and then start looking out for the next fill up station, which means on the autobahn you fill up after between 500 and 550kms driven. That usually equates to about 85 - 95 litres of petrol.


    Onno
     
  11. knighty

    knighty Karting

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    #61 knighty, Jun 21, 2011
    Your trip sounds fantastic, thanks for the story line and the photos. But why did you have to put all those pictures of the workshop.....boy am I really envious now....... ;-)

    Thanks
    Knighty
     
  12. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #62 Condor Man, Jun 21, 2011
    I am not sure about the fuel gauge vs the capacity.

    You may find that it is different for RHD cars. I found that the in Porsche's the tanks are smaller for RHD cars.
     
  13. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #63 Condor Man, Jun 21, 2011
    Yes, it was a special place! I will be back to DK, hopefully sooner rather than later!
     
  14. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

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    #64 alexm, Jun 21, 2011
    Agreed! It's opened my eyes to re-look at category/model of car normally invisible to me..
     
  15. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #65 tazandjan, Jun 21, 2011
    CM- Good news is no difference between RHD and rest of world fuel tanks, so you have tons of capacity. Only US/Cdn tanks are really different. Your car has a GB 4.3 gallon reserve, or 20 liter reserve. So when the little light comes on, you can go a long ways before she goes dry. The reserve is nearly the size of the tank in a Mini Clubman I had once. Did not keep that one long.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  16. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #66 Condor Man, Jun 22, 2011
    Wow, that's cool as the needle was on empty, however he light was not yet on. Therefore, I am glad to hear that I have the reserve just in case.

    Thanks heaps Taz
     
  17. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #67 tazandjan, Jun 22, 2011
  18. 00 550

    00 550 Formula Junior

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    #68 00 550, Jun 22, 2011
    Great thread, I wish you the best. Sounds like you have a solid car. Don't want to be a party pooper but... in my experience, the notion of bulletproof is a little generous. In my two years of ownership, I have been stranded three times. First, bad alternator. Second, rubber loosening from main pulley assembly. Wow, that could have turned out worse than it did. Third, overheated, bad temp sensors. I drove the car from north FL to Siesta key and back with no problem, but it crapped out on me right as I was pulling into my driveway. I have no plans of selling my car, but I still think it is somewhat temperamental. I hope you don't experience any of these issues. Keep sending pics, it is quite inspiring
     
  19. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

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    #69 JazzyO, Jun 23, 2011
    Not much room upfront for a fuel tank in a 550... :)


    Onno
     
  20. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #70 Condor Man, Jun 23, 2011
    Yikes,

    Let's hope that I don't suffer the same fate.
     
  21. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #71 Condor Man, Jun 23, 2011
    Always a Weath of Information!

    Thanks Heaps Taz
     
  22. jtremlett

    jtremlett F1 Rookie

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    #72 jtremlett, Jun 23, 2011
    Incidentally, how did you resolve the insurance issue for the trip in the end?

    Jonathan
     
  23. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #73 Condor Man, Jun 23, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Day 6

    Paris

    Man what a City!! It is massive!!

    We elected not to drive the car in for the day as the traffic can be mental!

    So we ended up catching a train and walking about 12 KM's around Paris!

    Hard as F+#& to catch a cab!

    Louvre was closed and therefore missed Ralp Lauren's 250 GTO amongst other beautiful pieces of art.

    Stayed in the stunning 13th Chateau featured below. Offered fantastic service, albeit not many spoke English and the Red wine and Cheeses were as expected!
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  24. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #74 Condor Man, Jun 23, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Day 7

    Paris to Chateau Etoges

    Spent the night at Chateau Etoges, 100 KMS North West of Paris. Famous for Cheese country, in particular Brie! Drank some more red and even some aged Port.

    Travelled 180 kms to get there all without a hassle.
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  25. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
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    #75 Condor Man, Jun 23, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Day 8

    Etoges to Stuttgart

    Left Etoge at 8am to get the 500km drive out of the way.

    We were very low on the petrol and after about 40miles filled up in a town rather than on a highway. Although the fuel was supposed to be 98. I doubted this due to the fact that the red light came on immediately after we filled up.

    I therefore took in easy for 100 miles and then re-filled up with 98 from a highway station. As soon I did, the red light turned off! Thank God for that as the Autobahns were next!!

    Played Tag with a 458 on the autobahn, checked into the Le Meridien Stuttgart and went straight to the Porsche Factory!

    Wow!!

    Awesome!!
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