Nurburgring

A

AlanJ

Elite
 North Yorks
Was wondering how many in the Forum have enjoyed the Nurburgring (Nordschleife) experience and what they thought about it? And in particular how did the Zed perform.

My son and I went for a weekend driving from Yorkshire and boat across the channel; through France and Germany to the circuit. A chance to blast along some of the unrestricted Autobahns . We stayed in a nearby cheap but excellent ‘guest house’ with others there for the experience from several countries. The whole experience was fantastic and gave both my son and I a chance to push the Zed to its (no our....!) limits. I’m hooked!

http://www.nuerburgring.de/en.html
 
Not been in the Z4, but it's an amazing place! Not just the ring, but the atmosphere and roads around it.
 
I have done it but not in the Z4. Really enjoyed it although I did push my luck getting there leaving after work to get to a meeting in Luxembourg the next morning and throwing up through exhaustion! But once at the Ring I had a great time. Went with my girlfriend, stayed in the hotel owned by Sabine's mum, had the most amazing steak and great German beer...

The track itself I didn't drive that quick on, and certainly nowhere near as fast as I have on all my other trackdays - you just can't 'attack' it (well, I couldn't) as it is so long (11 miles?) and dangerous. There are deaths at the Ring, some of the driving is poor, it is not marshalled like a trackday and there are some very, very committed, quick, locals. I had one off through a lack of concentration but luckily caused no damage, and one 'moment' where I hit ice at 110mph (some of the track does not get sunlight). All of that added to the experience.

Think the trip cost about a grand for two of us - hotels, eurotunnel, food/drink, fuel, tolls etc. Was worth it though.
 
It'll be interesting to see how well I remember the general area from the last time I was in Germany. Whenever I make my way down there I will be visiting some old stomping grounds about 30 minutes away. I will probably go see Berncastle (sp?), the rhine/mosel rivers again, some old friends, Irish pubs (killkenny mmm), etc.
 
About 4-5 times a year, it's only 1,5 hour from my home. Planning to buy a yearcard next year, it's THE petrolhead-place-to-be :).
 
Done the ring in the Z4MC, it's great and scary all at the same time for the first few laps, plan to go again :driving:
 
The town of Cochem is where we always stay when going to the ring, yes it's not right on the doorstep, but it's a great town, right on the river, some great food and beer, with stuff to do when the ring is closed, and the weather is generally a bit nicer there then up in the mountains on the ring!
We're hoping to go back in August this year, fingers crossed!
 
Am a big fan of the Nurburgring, first went in 1993 and have been numerous times each year since 1997, probably around 50 trips in total. About 70% of my ring trips have been by motorbike, however I have taken a few cars over and done 3 trips in the Z4. As you may have gathered by now, I love it there! It's so much more then then track! The dining out swapping stories, the bar talk, the atmosphere etc etc!

Over the years I have got to know the area well, plus have got to know a few people locally, plus have stayed in many hotels and eaten in many local places. I have tried a couple of times to get a trip going on here, sadly though, no takers.

I'll be there during 2012.
 
Too far for me. However, I'm in the process of persuading Mrs Adamski that a driving holiday is far more desirable than a repeat trip to Cyprus or Greece ;)

I may see the ring in 2012. I hope so :thumbsup:


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I have been to the 'ring 5 times in total and my 3 most recent I have taken my 3.0i.

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The Z makes an excellent car to take. They are practical, comfortable and very economical for the long drive, yet they are plenty sporty enough to enjoy on the track.

The only bad point is the brakes overheat quite easily.

Heres a video of me in May this year going fairly gingerly. (the video title refers to my mate who almost stuffs his Celica right infront of me!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtRPzRw9nVk
 
Me too, but for a private day with limited numbers (50-60 depending on price), assuming we ever get the 'final' price for it, as the estimate changes every month.

Were supposed to know by the end of Dec, now it 'definitely' by the end of Jan :headbang:
 
I've been there in the Z4 - and it's a great place to go for a weekend, but the Z4's chassis did not give much confidence on the track. On standard run flats and sports suspension, the car is too stiff, and on a bumpy track as the nurburgring, even when not pushing hard the car feels unstable in several braking/cornering areas.

In any case the Nurburgring is not the place to go and discover your car's limits (no insurance, no run off areas, etc), but it is a place I'd recommend to go, even if your car is not perfectly suited to the ring. Just the atmosphere, the track itself and the number of nice cars you see there, are worth the visit.
On the way there you also have some fun on the autobahns.
 
Mister_dj said:
I've been there in the Z4 - and it's a great place to go for a weekend, but the Z4's chassis did not give much confidence on the track. On standard run flats and sports suspension, the car is too stiff, and on a bumpy track as the nurburgring, even when not pushing hard the car feels unstable in several braking/cornering areas.
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For a race track I agree it's a little rough, but not overly so, and much smoother than most UK country roads. Don't find the Z4MC chassis poor at all though, and if it was softer you'd be moaning about too much roll, lack of grip, or poor dynamics. My e34 M5 was great on the road, but way too soft on the 'Ring.

This is how much roll you get on a track, in a car that's wonderful on normal British roads.
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Mister_dj said:
In any case the Nurburgring is not the place to go and discover your car's limits (no insurance, no run off areas, etc), but it is a place I'd recommend to go, even if your car is not perfectly suited to the ring. Just the atmosphere, the track itself and the number of nice cars you see there, are worth the visit.
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There's no reason you can't insure your car for the 'Ring - you've just got to pay for it - currently about £300/day.

There's also no run-off on most country roads, and a tree is harder than the 'Ring's armco barriers. Just drive it like a new piece of country road and you'll be fine. Drive like a tit and you'll get your comeuppance on either.
Mister_dj said:
On the way there you also have some fun on the autobahns.
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Don't find sitting at 150mph on an autobahn particularly fun, much prefer 130mph through kinks/flowing corners/dips.
 
Z4 MC's come with no run flat tyres, maybe that makes a difference. When the time to change tyres comes, I will ditch the current RE050's and put non run flats, and hopefully can get a bit more stability over bumps.

I'd say the nordschleife can be driven faster than your standard country road, as it is one way (but obviously beware of crashed cars on the exit of a blind corner), but not as fast as a modern circuit with plenty of run off (like Bedford, for example).
 
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