RIP M52 - Victim of the Nordschleife

[mmm-five]

I was provided with a link to pages of photos of my on track (which saved me searching for them myself), which was a bit unnecessary as I specifically said I'd just come off track and refuelled when the engine started sounding a bit lumpy.

Still arranged a hire car to get me back to Calais, then foot passenger to Dover and hire car at the other end.

Their whole argument rested on their T&Cs which said 'racing, track days' were excluded - and they had photos of me on track.

They just couldn't get their heads around the difference between 'racing/track days' and 'tourist days'...and the ombudsman agreed...although I did give the ombudsman another 6 points for my argument (such as the UK policy excluded these, but the European one didn't; the Euro cover was sold alongside a banner & text which said you should experience the Ring for a lap or two if you're in the area).

 

[Lee]

I was provided with links to pages of photos of my on track. Which was a bit unnecessary as I specifically said I'd just come off track and refuelled when the engine started sounding a bit lumpy.

Still arranged a hire car to get me back to Calais, then foot passenger to Dover and hire car at the other end.

Their whole argument rested on their T&Cs which said 'racing, track days' were excluded - and they had photos of me on track.

They just couldn't get their heads around the difference between 'racing/track days' and 'tourist days'...and the ombudsman agreed...although I did give the ombudsman another 6 points for my argument (such as the UK policy excluded these, but the European one didn't; the Euro cover was sold alongside a banner & text which said you should experience the Ring for a lap or two if you're in the area).

Cheers for the info, you could also play on they class it as a public road

 

[mmm-five]

Cheers for the info, you could also play on they class it as a public road

I did...see the table I attached as part of my argument.

 

[Lee]

I did...see the table I attached as part of my argument.

I'll have a closer read when there's less people in the office.

Interested to see how it pans out, I bought this cover for this trip. Did you buy the extra cover or did you already have it ?

 

[mmm-five]

I'll have a closer read when there's less people in the office.

Interested to see how it pans out, I bought this cover for this trip. Did you buy the extra cover or did you already have it ?

I go a couple of times a year - sometimes to drive on the Ring, sometimes to watch the N24/OldTimer GP - so have annual cover for a couple of cars (in case the Z4 is broken again).

 

[gookah]

It's a very good point you've raised. For that reason I've not stated I was on track (although a bit obvious) and nowhere in the T&C's does it state they wont collect for that reason. For this very reason I have a plan B on standby for collection, A local guy has offered to transport the car for £520 within the next couple of weeks. Going to see how the RAC pan out as they have to prove I was on track if they want to be difficult (which wouldn't be hard) and go from there. To be honest like you've experienced I'm not holding much hope for them to bring it back.

I've been told I should get a decision today.

"Yes Mr RAC man, I brought my sportscar from the UK to the Nordschleife, because I like the local hotel...
What???? you say there is a test-track here as well? they sure kept that quiet"

good luck with that one..

 

[Lee]

"Yes Mr RAC man, I brought my sportscar from the UK to the Nordschleife, because I like the local hotel...
What???? you say there is a test-track here as well? they sure kept that quiet"

good luck with that one..

Stranger things have happened.

 

[Grumps]

Stranger things have happened.

They wanted £168+ an initial £65 to take the Kuga to Leeds and we are members.

 

[Pingu]

I was provided with a link to pages of photos of my on track (which saved me searching for them myself), which was a bit unnecessary as I specifically said I'd just come off track and refuelled when the engine started sounding a bit lumpy.

Still arranged a hire car to get me back to Calais, then foot passenger to Dover and hire car at the other end.

Their whole argument rested on their T&Cs which said 'racing, track days' were excluded - and they had photos of me on track.

They just couldn't get their heads around the difference between 'racing/track days' and 'tourist days'...and the ombudsman agreed...although I did give the ombudsman another 6 points for my argument (such as the UK policy excluded these, but the European one didn't; the Euro cover was sold alongside a banner & text which said you should experience the Ring for a lap or two if you're in the area).

View attachment 103365

I didn't know the Ring had a speed limit.

 

[Lee]

I didn't know the Ring had a speed limit.

In a few places it does. At the end and at a place half way round where you can get on and off.

 

[mmm-five]

I didn't know the Ring had a speed limit.

These were the limits put in place in 2015...

...but the only ones I think are still in place are the Breidschied and Dottinger Hohe straight at the finish - and they're both only during Tourist Days - hence the inclusion in the table to show the difference between race/track days and public days.

 

[DaveP]

You’ve broken new Vixxen already Lee. Damn...

An M62 build would be very interesting although what about an old M3 engine (they the same as a Z3M?). There must be some old E36s knocking about in the drift community.

An LS is a popular option in the US I believe but they ain’t cheap.

Looking forward to next update, if you need extra hands to lift a lump in I’m not far.

Dave

 

[Mario]

I like the idea of the V8 but wouldn't it make the car too nose heavy for the bends? An S54 engine or forced induction M54B30 might be a better compromise.

 

[Lee]

I like the idea of the V8 but wouldn't it make the car too nose heavy for the bends? An S54 engine or forced induction M54B30 might be a better compromise.

The amount of people that say that. It’s 30kg lighter and sits behind the subframe so it’s a win win.

Step 1 though is to get the car back. Still waiting on the RAC.

 

[Mario]

Good to know bring that V8 then if anyone can make it work is you

 

[Lee]

Just an update to close everything out.

The zed is now back with me, I got bored of arguing with the RAC. Their final decisions was "in their opinion the car is beyond economical repair"
they ignored the agreed insurance valuation on the basis they think the document had been falsified. Very strong assumption to make based on nothing. To make it more annoying they hadn't paid any storage fee's so when my driver arrived he had to pay the fee's on my behalf.

That leaves me £575 for repatriation
£267 for storage fee's

I've started the complaints procedure with the UK RAC office who are horrified by what I've told them. They have 20 days to deal with it, see what happens.

On the plus side I have another engine, this time a M54B30 lump so a little jump in BHP.

Watch this space.

 

[Althulas]

Hopefully you have a more positive response now you’ve had to take a complaint up the chain, quite disgusting to make a accusation of falsifying a document. There’s always the regulatory body to take that issue up as well, defamation of ones character is not nice to add with the other stuff on top.

 

[Mario]

Glad to see you got that engine - I have it on my daily driver zed and its absolutely amazing - would be interesting to see how many mods you need to do to get the fly by wire etc working

 

[Lee]

Glad to see you got that engine - I have it on my daily driver zed and its absolutely amazing - would be interesting to see how many mods you need to do to get the fly by wire etc working

The 3.0 is flybywire standard. I'm going to see if I can run it with a larger throttle body and cable.

 

[mwpe]

Great engine you have got there. just what was needed.