Hi Kevan and everyone else headed off to Zuffenhausen next month. As promised a report from my own trip that I undertook over the past week and some up to date info that I hope will be of some use to you all, but do feel free to ask if there is anything I haven't mentioned. Unlike most of you who I think will be travelling from the northern half of the UK I set out on Sunday 26/5 taking a route from the Eurotunnel toward Reims with an overnight stop just south of Luxembourg (Motor sport themed hotel in Thionville). The next day (Monday) I had intended to travel to Stuttgart via the
Cite de la Automobile Museum in Mulhouse but other events took over so I can't give you any info on that aspect (for which I blame West Sussex County Council and their passion for the liberal application of loose chippings everywhere at present - some of which I had the 'pleasure' of encountering on the way down to Folkestone[
]). A dreadful noise started to occur from one of the rear brakes (when cornering at slow speed) due, it seems, a trapped stone chipping - problem thankfully seemed to clear itself after a quick trip to Porsche Luxembourg (and very helpful they were too) but only after I decided to play it safe and head straight to Stuttgart instead.
Golden Leaf Hotel: Arrived (with no further issues) on Monday for a two night stay. Nice welcome to Zuffenhausen as I arrived in town via the main factory gates (Werk 1) to the tune of three 911's (2 Cabs and a turbo) as they emerged at some speed - very nice! Odd thing was although there are plenty of Porsches circulating at all times of the day near to the factory, I hardly saw any others when driving many miles (sorry kilometres) around other parts of Germany over a period of 4 days. For a couple of nights stay the GLeaf is a perfect choice, not only because of its proximity to the factory/museum (no more than a ten minute walk away - just turn right out of the hotel and keep going) and although it is perhaps a little dated, its clean and quite pleasant and despite some internet reviews I have read, the staff were pleasant and helpful. The hotel is located right on the fringes of industrial and quiet residential areas, and although there is some (I would say quite safe) on street parking the hotel car park is nevertheless a welcome facility. The car park is on two levels one at street level and one accessed down a ramp - both have security shutters. I used the lower one which was never more than half full (although the first few spaces on the left seem to be reserved for a local firm). When you check in its probably best to park outside first then go and park as reception can then instruct you regarding access to the parking. Also I get the impression that its best not to arrive after 11pm to check in as there won't be anyone about... There is a handily located branch of Lidl (8am to 8pm) just a short distance from the hotel (en-route to the museum) should you need any supplies. I didn't try the hotel restaurant in the evening so can't comment on the quality but breakfast was okay, as was my room (with views across to the factory and museum).
Porsche Museum; - Managed to get in for half price at €4 due to the fact that they hadn't fully set up the 911 50th anniversary exhibition (due to open on 4 June), however as it turned out there were no empty or cordoned off areas and it appeared that everything was 99% set up and on display (seemingly just a few cars missing their info boards). Many highlights such as 'Porsche No.1' (mid engined of course...) and of course a 987! Also an (amusing) example of Porsche's obsession with weight saving displayed in the form of a pair of light weight racing shoes tailor made for Vic Elford (no doubt Mr Elford wasn't permitted to have breakfast on race day's either...).![
] The open style display of all the cars was nice - not a barrier in sight.
Factory Tour; We met our factory tour guide by a small desk situated just inside the entrance to the museum (the meeting point is clearly labelled) at about 10 minutes before the timed start of the factory tour. Following a role call you will be asked to hand over your mobile phone and any cameras which your tour guide will lock away for the duration of the factory visit. Tours are split into German and English language groups. Our guide was excellent and extremely knowledgeable and even took the trouble to extend the length of the tour rather than rush to finish it after the scheduled two hours - no complaints there. First stop was the engine assembly line followed by the upholstery shop, then the main assembly line starting at the point the body shells arrive from the paint shop (although the section where body and running gear are married together was out of bounds that day due to construction work - not sure how long term that is). It was a truly fascinating experience and worth the trip on its own.
Mercedes museum; definitely not to be missed. It is about 8km from the GLeaf, although it is a slow drive in the Stuttgart traffic and with hindsight I should have considered using the tram network (there is tram station right next to the museum on Porsche platz which might get you there). The Mercedes museum has quite a different feel to it (also in an equally stunning building). You are initially guided to the top of the building and follow Mercedes from its inception by working your way back down to the ground floor to the present day - and beyond. Of course it's worth noting that the fastest car in the Mercedes museum was designed by one Ferdinand Porsche. Other than slow traffic in Stuttgart the whole driving experience in Germany was a very pleasant one - some great roads (particularly some good twisty mountain roads) and generally very light traffic . Over the following couple of days I travelled home via Hockeinhiem (museum and race circuit tour), the Nurburgring (stayed overnight at the Dorint Hotel which is right on the side of the track & a very nice hotel), and then onward to the circuit at Spa. In all I covered 1200 miles on mainland Europe over 5 days - a little disappointed to miss out on seeing the Bugatti collection in Mulhouse but nevertheless pleased that everything else went to plan! One final thought - if you don't already have one it's worth looking out for a copy of 'Cayman - Thrill of the Chase' by Jutta Deiss which was on sale in the Porsche Museum shop at only €3.90 (in both English and German versions) I first saw this book on Amazon and Ebay a long time ago but it always seemed to command a silly price of at least £100 (indeed Amazon still had it listed from £128 upwards only a couple of days ago) so for around £3 it's a bit of a bargain! Wishing you all a safe and fun trip in July. Mark
