PDM, Closing Up, NC500 Roadtrip
It's been a while, so high time for another update. Since last time's outing at Octane a lot has happened, most of it great and some of it less so. First up, project PDM! The storage I had for it has always been temporary, so when I finally found a spot where I could store it for at least 9-12 months, it was time to move the bare shell.
- IMG_3049.JPG (215.04 KiB) Viewed 905 times
Loading it was a nightmare, having to manually lift the shell onto a low loader was a challenge to say the least. Workout: check. My physical therapist's income for 2023: sorted. Anyway, offloading proved a lot easier with the help of a friendly forklift-driving local, so off into storage it went. While I'm not gonna give everything away just yet, a few people know of my plans with the shell now. Aim of the game is to build the ultimate interpretation -to me at least- of a Z4 coupe. NA engine, manual box, proper suspension? All on the cards. What exactly? That's going to have to wait a little while longer...
Closing up Shop
As most of you may know, I've been the co-owner and founder of a small detailing business for a few years now. What most people don't know is that I run that next to my day job, meaning long days, short nights and very few real "weekends". Both me and my business partner felt we either had to take it to a next level, or close up shop all together. The subtitle of this section kinda gives away that outcome doesn't it... While sad, we both felt it was the right choice. Besides the workload next to our regular jobs, we also differed slightly when it came to our views of the future. He's very much into detailing specifically, whereas my interest in cars is broader and perhaps a tad more technical.
Since I'm not done with having my own small business, I've decided to channel that enthusiasm and passion into a new venture called "Bart's Builds". The goal is to help people buy and/or build the car of their dreams. Since importing a car to the Netherlands takes some work, it's something I now help people with either by sharing my knowledge and experience, or by taking care of the process altogether. I also help with any modifications, upgrades or finishing touches they may have in mind, delivering the car they've always wanted to their doorstep. On to new adventures!
NC500 & Zedfest 2023
August, and it was time for a trip
JoelvdrZ4c,
MaldivesMax and I had been looking forward to for almost a year now. On the 6th, we boarded the ferry to Newcastle at IJmuiden. 3 loaded Zeds ready for a proper roadtrip! We started the trip off well with an all but smooth transit across the North Sea. Strong winds and rough seas meant lots of greenish people and a slightly upset stomach for the entire crossing. The next morning we were happy to wake to clear skies and smoother seas, though breakfast still didn't quite sit right with me...
- IMG_4615.jpg (238.57 KiB) Viewed 905 times
Off the boat we came and onwards we went! First leg: Cairngorms national park. Stunning scenery flowed from one bend to another, an absolutely gorgeous first introduction to the beauties of Scotland. The next day took us to Inverness, where we set off clockwise onto the NC500. We did this since we're in the left side of the car, driving on the left, thus giving us the best sea views possible. Our overnight stop in Dundonnell also treated us to the best sunset any of us had ever seen. Simply stunning...
- IMG_4765.JPG (117.22 KiB) Viewed 905 times
Day 3 took us from Dundonnell to Thurso across lost of small, single-track coastal roads. Most people were incredibly courteous and friendly, though some camper driving adventurers found it necessary to drive in front of you doing 20 miles an hour for mile after crawling mile. Still, that didn't manage to spoil our fun and we had yet another day of fine weather to boot.
- IMG_4814.JPG (257.75 KiB) Viewed 905 times
Day 4 marked the last day on the NC500 and took us from Thurso back to Inverness, and then down to Cairngorms again for our overnight hotel. Sadly, Max's car started acting up by randomly starting or not starting, depending on how the mood took it. We decided during our coffee break at John 'o Groats to stop at BMW Arnold Clark in Inverness for a "quick" check on the battery's health. Quick proved to be a relative term, since a simple diagnostic test took them about 2 hours to get round to despite assurances they'd be ready for us in a few minutes. At least we did manage to put a serious dent into their Coke and Fanta supply, so it's not all bad. What was bad, was Max's battery. Sadly, the folks at AC didn't have one ready so off to Halfords we went. After several attempts to explain to the poor bloke behind the counter that we really didn't need to register the purchase since we wouldn't be returning for a warranty claim any time soon on the count of us being Dutch, and in went the new battery. The little Maldives mile muncher (322.000km and counting) sprung to life like a new car. Ace!
- IMG_4980.JPG (350.28 KiB) Viewed 905 times
Day 5, and it was a somewhat dull one to start with. 4.5h of mundane motorways cruising to the Lake District. Nevermind, once there the views proved to be stunning; very happy we added this to our list! Sadly, coming down towards Keswick my car started to make a rattling noise from the back. I had hoped it was a drop link starting to go bad, but just a few minutes and a particularly nasty dip later, and that rattle turned into a full metallic clunk; I'd blown a top mount. Crap...
- IMG_5009.JPG (166.81 KiB) Viewed 905 times
Worried about how this might affect not just the rest of my trip but also my obligations at home just a few days later (my girlfriend would move in with me just a few days after the trip), I started calling and texting people. One of those people was
Street, asking him whether he knew anyone that could help out in the area. As it turned out, he did: him! I took a turn as a passenger in Max's roadster, enjoying the last 45 minutes of open-top motoring to the hotel, and was driven back by Joël the next morning still stunned that Chris was willing to drive down all the way from Newcastle with the new top mount and required tools... I would propose he receives the "Legend" status on here regardless of post-count, simply brilliant.
Naturally, the great weather we'd been having thusfar had buggered off, and the rain was coming down neigh horizontally... Still, if ever there was a more suitable breakdown vehicle to help a stricken green Zed, I've yet to see it.
- IMG_5049.JPG (283.39 KiB) Viewed 905 times
Jep, another one of the just 95 green coupes to help its broken companion. Sporting very familiar bronze CSL reps and a gorgeous M-bonnet (that's now moved up to the top of my wishlist, thanks...), seeing the two coupes together felt rather special. 40 minutes of tinkering later, and the job was done: all set for the trip home.
- 7c25fe16-48c4-4d92-bc39-43709c16aaaf.JPG (314.59 KiB) Viewed 905 times
Well, when I say home, we had one more stop to make: Zedfest 2023. Originally, this had been the very reason for us to go on this trip in the first place. Missing out last year, Joel and I decided to not let that happen again for 2023. Sadly, we're very much aware that this may have been the last edition -at least at Shepshed- so we're looking at options to set up a Continental Edition next year.
- IMG_5150.jpg (400.2 KiB) Viewed 905 times
It was an absolute pleasure to meet a few people behind the cars and forum handles in real life. The night before at the Link was very enjoyable too, and I'd like to that
MrTidy in particular for the great stories and laughs. Somewhere around 2 in the afternoon, it was time to head for Folkstone and the train back to Calais.
- IMG_5197.JPG (216.24 KiB) Viewed 905 times
3500km in 7 days, and beside a dodgy top-mount the Z did well. Max also discovered he really wants a set of M-sport seats, so we'll be over sometime November to collect a beige set he's managed to dig up.
I must admit, I've had moments before my trip where I contemplated selling the coupe for something different. The Zed's been with me for 2 years now, while I normally don't have a car for much longer than 6-9 months before wanting something different. After this adventure though, I've really fallen in love with the coupe again. Being a daily driver means it can almost start to feel normal, the familiarity sometimes mistaken for a slight dullness. It isn't dull though, or normal, or boring for that matter; remember to use your Zed for what it was designed to do, and I really can't think of another car I'd rather undertake adventures such as these in. It's not the most practical, or comfortable, or frugal, or well-thought out sometimes (really- cupholders don't have to be this complicated or delicate), but when you're presented with a nice stretch of road and the mood takes you... God it's fun to drive. For the money, I can't really come up with a car that offers this much fun for that sort of running costs, and -not entirely unimportant- looks this good to boot. More to come? Absolutely
is stunning though 
Bastuck mid-pipe without dampers inbound. Curious to hear how that sounds 
