My 2022 Cayman GTS

[ralphmusic]

Dan,

I had been trying to find the wheel spec so thanks for the 10.5" which is 267mm and makes the 265 tyre an even more curious fitment.

I'll do some measuring when car is up in the air at Centre Gravity on May 3 en route to Donnington Classic. I had 11" wheels (ET55 wheel but effective ET48 with 7mm spacer) fitted with 295 tyres on my 3.8L 981 Cayman so 275 should not be too much of a "stretch" particularly as inner wheel rim (not tyre) clearance was the issue.

 

[Scrounger]

Morning All

A 2025 update for you.

Car is running a dream. First MOT was back in March and passed with a clean bill of health however, a screw was found in one of the rears that had only been on a year so had to have that replaced. Fortunately my OPC matched the Black Circles price so not too bad!

For some time my Wife and I have wanted to drive into Europe to do the Alps so this year we thought why not? So we put our heads together and put down on paper our 'must do's' and came up with a list. I'll list mileage and fuel costs as we go. Note I only used premium fuel so either Tesco Momentum, Esso Supreme 99 or Shell V-Power. We used Waze for the whole journey.

1. I wanted to go to Reims to see the famous race track and grand stands and she wanted to visit the champagne region so that was on the list.

2. Obviously the Porsche museum was on there. I wanted to do a factory tour but trying to book it was a non-starter as there we no slots available.

3. Mercedes museum. Whilst in Stuttgart, why not.

4 BMW Museum in Munich. I used to be a BMW fanboy so again, why not. I also wanted to visit Motorworld and stay in the Ameron Hotel, which we did, but we couldn't get a car studio room but it didn't matter.

5. The Wife wanted to visit the Lindt Chocolate factory in Zurich and as we needed to pass it anyway on our way to the Alps, that was on the list.

6. The Swiss Alps and more specifically Grimsel, Furka and Susten Passes.

So with hotels and Le Shuttle booked off we went.

Pre departure fill up. Car already had half a tank in so I topped it up with Supreme 99- £57. I filled up enroute when we got down to half a tank.

Day 1

Home to Folkstone- 289 miles, £47 fuel

Home to Folkstone was a bit boring, 289 miles of motorway with an hour delay on the M25 due to an accident. We stayed at the Premier Inn Folkstone. Nice hotel but with it being one of the hottest days of the year and no aircon in the room it was not the greatest stay. Is OK for a 1 nighter but no more than that. Pub food is average at best so find somewhere else to eat. Tesco is a 5 minute drive so best to fill up and grab a sandwich from there.

Day 2.

Calais to Reims- 191 miles, £45 fuel

Le Shuttle. We booked a Flexi + based on we wanted the flexibility to go and come back when we wanted (kids left at home). Not cheap but worth it in my opinion. You get the lounge with free scoff plus priority boarding on any service on the day of departure. When booking the ticket, I was concerned that we'd be on the multi level carriage but the online booking system recognised that the car was low and wide so we were on the single level carriage with the busses and caravans. Happy days.



One thing to remember is to change the speedo and lights over on the MFD. Easy enough to do and so happy I didn't need those horrible headlight stickers.

Once off the train we headed to Reims. 191 miles. Race track first then off to the hotel. We stayed at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Reims. Nice hotel which had been recently refurbished. No restaurant on site so we grabbed an Uber into the town for 10 Euros went to have a look around and grab something to eat.

 

[Scrounger]

Day 2.

Reims to Stuttgart, 347 miles £47 fuel

Who doesn't want to visit the Porsche museum in Stuttgart? It's the Mecca for us enthusiasts. The drive there was pretty uneventful with Autobahn driving and tolls..the tolls, a pain but the roads are superb. We stayed at the Porsche Design Tower (Radisson Blu) Stuttgart for 2 nights. A nice Porsche themed hotel atop of Porsche Stuttgart OPC, I really wanted to take some of the artwork home. It is a ways out of Stuttgart City but we bought a day rover for 2 on the train which gives you unlimited travel on bus and train until 0700 the following morning for €12.80.

Whilst driving through Stuttgart we wondered why everything was so quiet. Little did we know it was Corpus Christi which is a holiday in Germany. Fortunately I saw a very nice young lady and asked if the museum was still open and she said it was as she worked there. however, we couldn't gain access to the museum by road as they were digging up the road on the roundabout so we parked at the side of the factory. A great couple of hours and if you show your PCGB membership card you get in for half price.







View attachment 4707




















Only let down for me was the shop. Porsche have missed a trick here and, if it were me, I'd have every item available in the online shop for sale here but no, a limited amount of merch so I left and bought a hat from porsche Stuttgart OPC and ordered a Porsche Racing top from the online shop.

 

[Scrounger]

Day 3

Mercedes Museum. Mileage 0, Fuel 0.

Using our day rover, we jumped on the train to the Mercedes Museum. Why not whilst in Stuttgart? It's about 40 mins by train-tram and the network runs really well. If you download the VVS Mobil app you can plan and buy your ticket.

The Museum itself is superb and, subjectively, better than the Porsche museum based on layout, amenities etc. If you show your Porsche museum ticket, you get 25% off. Plenty of parking though if you decide to go by car.

 

[Scrounger]

Day 4

Stuttgart - Munich. 142 miles, £67 and £41 fuel.

After taking fuel before we left Stuttgart it was off to the BMW Museum, Munich and to experience the derestricted Autobahn. Now I'm no speed junkie but I wanted to see what we could get to bearing in mind 2 passengers and a frunk and boot full of kit, so off we went. I must say that road discipline, especially on motorways, is much better than in the UK. Drivers will use lane 1 for traversing and the other lanes for overtaking. The inside lane (barrier on the left) if for those giving it some welly! Motorways are usually at 120-130kph with some derestricted areas. Speed cameras are about and Waze will notify you as ' Police ahead' so be mindful. Anyway, back to the Autobahn. we managed to get a pretty good run for about 10 mins at not quite V-Max but at 150mph and the GTS sat there quite happily but I did notice the exhaust not change when getting about 4000rpm. Crikey this engine sound epic. Handling was excellent with no twitchy bum moments and you only feel the speed as you go past slower moving vehicles. I thought we were going pretty hard when a C63 AMG came roaring past us and warp 7. He must have easily been doing 180! Anyway, adrenaline rush over, we arrived at the BMW museum, Munich. A great day out. Plenty of parking and BMW Welt (world) is free to visit. You only pay for the Museum which is across the road. Not as good as the Porsche or Mercedes museums but worth a visit in any case.

 

[Scrounger]

Day 4 Cont..

After visiting the BMW Museum it was off to our hotel for the night, The Ameron Hotel- Motorworld.

This is a really nice, petrol head hotel. We did try and book one of the car studios where you can have your car next to you i your room but they had some out but in any case, the room was very modern with a retro, automotive theme and a view or Motorworld. Multi-million Euro cars on display however as it was the weekend, most of the showrooms were closed but still lots of cars to see and the famous 'glass boxes'. The facility is located in what used to be a locomotive works in the 1940s and still retains some of the original steel work.

 

[Scrounger]

Day 5

Munich to Zurich. 220 Miles, £49 fuel

On our way to the Alps, the Wife wanted to stop at the Lindt chocolate factory in Zurich. Best to keep the other half happy! Just a half day trip and it was really hot at 37 degrees. I was surprised to see Shell V-Power is 100 Octane.. yummy!

A great day if you're passing. Lots of free chocolates as you go around and a good history into the history of chocolate and yes, the fountain in the second picture is real chocolate.

 

[BrianJ]

Wow! Great write-up and pics, especially the comparison between museums. Thanks for posting!

 

[Scrounger]

Day 5, 6 and 7

Zurich to the Alps. Mileage 85 miles, Furka Pass 22 miles, Susten Pass 30 miles, Grimsell Pass 47 miles (including car wash and fuel) Fuel £49.

What can I say? Probably the highlight of the trip and the main reason for the trip. I really wanted to do all 3 passes in the Porsche. Most mocked me saying I wouldn't do it but now I can say I have. The views and roads are epic. Picture really don't do it justice but, in my opinion, breathtaking. This will be a bit picture heavy so will put in 2 posts.

We stayed at the grimsel Pass hotel near enough at the top of the Grimsel Pass. You do half of the pass to get to the hotel from the motorway, the other half is further down the valley, I'll get to that bit in a minute. Be warned, the Swiss do not take kindly to speeding. There are cameras dotted around the area and are on black or grey posts. Waze has them as Police. Mobile cameras are on grey trailers. The speed limit is 80kph on the passes but you won't get anywhere near that or need to. I was averaging around 50 kph. Villages are either 50kph or 30 kph and well signposted. Lots of twisty roads, of course. Watch out for bikers as they come up fast. Weekends are very busy so try and do an early run if you want the passes to yourself to get the best pictures. weekdays are quiet but there seem to be lost of cyclists every day. These guys and girls are either bonkers or training for the Tour de France. Why would you want to climb a mountain pass on a bicycle? Hats off to them though and some weren't spring chickens!

Our hotel was fabulous. Great location and view to die for. Great hotel staff however no tea and coffee in the room and no ironing facilities (wife = not happy) but the staff did iron some items for us. Tip, Don't look at the prices on the menu. You're in Switzerland and although not massively expensive, it isn't cheap so be warned. We loved this hotel and will be back.

 

[Scrounger]

https://imgur.com/bzoceIP

https://imgur.com/t7Z2auj

A rain shower on one day resulted in a slightly dirty car so we hunted out car wash which happedned to be at the bottom of the Grimsell Pass. Fortunately I'd taken a small selection of cleaning products and a collapsable bucket I'd bought off Amazon and I'm glad I did. Though-out the trip many European flies decided to end their lives on my windscreen and bumper.. top top. take a damp microfibre in a sealable bag and clean your windscreen and bumper when you stop for fuel or a pee. Firstly it will enable you to see and secondly stop fly guts etching into your paintwork. Needless to say the Wife though I was bonkers and went for a coffee!

 

[Scrounger]

Day 7 Cont.

Alps- Metz. 252 miles, fuel 2 stops, £67 and £43.

Very saddened to leave the Alps but home was calling. It's too long a trip to do Grimsel to Calais even though mileage wise it's not that far but to do it in 1 stint is too much so we stopped for 1 night at the Best Western Technopole in Metz. A really nice modern hotel with good facilities and a Carrefour nearby for those all important wine supplies plus the hotel has an outdoor pool so we made use of it in the 30 degree sun. We rose early for the trip to Le shuttle.

Day 8

Home time.

Metz to Calais 294 miles. Fuel £56.

Folkestone to home 289 miles

Not a bad run on the motorway however, man those tolls are expensive. €44.50 for the tolls from Metz to Calais. I'm glad we skipped breakfast in the hotel! There is an Esso fuel station near Le Shuttle should you need some dinosaur juice. Follow the signs for Tunnel Sous Le Manche, junction 44b. Dont head for the freight terminal. Keep left as you come of the junction. It's well signposted from there.

French customs wasn't too bad but only 2 booths open. The English side though... I think we got the slowest guy in passport control history. We were in the queue for a good 30-40 minutes. What a drag. Make sure your ac is working.... it's hot!

Boarding Le Shuttle is pretty simple. Same as leaving really. Our plan was to do a stop in Oxford just to take the strain out of it but we decided to press on after a 20 min cat nap on the train. So from leaving Metz at around 0700 we arrived home at 1830 (stuck in traffic on the M6 car park for 30 mins). Good to be home but we are planning on going back. The Wife wants to do the lakes of Switzerland so is already planning that trip for 2027, our 2026 holiday is already set.

Rough total mileage for the trip 2200. Fuel spend in the region of £500. Hotel costs, don't ask. The Hotel in the Alps was the most expensive but you pay for what you get and for us it was worth it. Flexi+ on Le Shuttle was £600 return but again we wanted the flexibility do come and go as we wanted so worth it to us plus you get as much food and drink that you can put in the paper bag you're given when entering the Flexi+ lounge.

Some key pointers if I may.

Take a credit card such as Halifax Clarity or Revolut. There aren't any toll booths on the motorways and they only take cash or card. Cash is a pain. It's better just to tap and go. Also take Euros and Swiss Francs in cash money. It's easier for tips and paying for small items.

Make sure you have all the items that are mandatory for driving in Europe. First aid kit, warning triangle and hi-vis jacket for each passenger are required. There's n requirement for a fire extinguisher unless you're going to Belgium but I bought one anyway from the AA shop at Le Shuttle. Make sure you have your UK sticker. Personally they are fugly so I spent £14 on a UK marked rear plate.

Don't speed. It's just not worth it. Fines in Switzerland can be scary high.

Expect to be stopped at the Swiss border. They will want your driving licence and passports. They check you have a Swiss vignette. Fines for not having one are €240. They may also ask for a copy of your V5 and insurance so take them with you. The Swiss Vignette is an E version so you don't get a sticker. Make sure you get a French Vignette if travelling in low emission zones in France, Reims is one. You'll also need a German emissions sticker if travelling to Stuttgart and Munich. Bothe the French and German stickers last the lifetime of the car as long as the registration stays the same. These stickers take a couple of weeks to come though so plan ahead.

Take a tyre inflator and jumper pack. You just never know if you or someone else may need a hand.

Wave at other Porsche owners. Most will wave back especially in Stuttgart and Switzerland. The Passes are heavy on the brakes so ensure you've plenty of meat on the bone. My front wheels were almost a dark grey before I washed the car.

Finally, enjoy it. I was really apprehensive about driving in Europe but it's easy, for me anyway. Just take your time and make sure you've got the correct car insurance and breakdown cover for Europe should you need it. Be courteous to the bikers on the Passes and pull over if needs be. Fuel in Switzerland isn't cheap and finding a decent brand is hard so fill up before going into the mountains and again when leaving. There are lots of Esso fuel stations in France and Germany. The Swiss favour Shell.

I'm sure I've missed something but if you've got any questions please seel free to drop me a line.

Happy motoring

Dan

 

[Twinfan]

Looks like an epic trip Dan - thanks for the write up!

 

[paul_f]

Great write up Dan. Many (many) years ago I did the same passes in a Caterham so your post has brought back some happy memories, although that car wasn't keen on altitude due to the carbs. We did our first road trip last year in the Boxster through the Spanish Pyrenees to Valencia and back and I can recommend that area too. I think Porsche have got it spot on with the GTS designation - great for touring and amazing fun when you press on. Thanks also for the pointers - I'm off on a group trip shortly and the jumper pack is a good shout.

 

[Wollemi]

Day 7 Cont......

Finally, enjoy it. I was really apprehensive about driving in Europe but it's easy, for me anyway. Just take your time and make sure you've got the correct car insurance and breakdown cover for Europe should you need it. Be courteous to the bikers on the Passes and pull over if needs be. Fuel in Switzerland isn't cheap and finding a decent brand is hard so fill up before going into the mountains and again when leaving. There are lots of Esso fuel stations in France and Germany. The Swiss favour Shell.

....
Great write a pictures, Dan. Thanks for taking the time to do it - it's not a 2 minute job! It's always good and interesting to see other peoples experiences.

one question, were you able to use your PCGB Esso Wex card at the Esso stations? You are supposed to be able to do so, but we never found a Esso in France last year to try it!

 

[Scrounger]

Hi Graham.

I did email WEX to ask them to activate it to be used in Europe but never got a reply so didn’t bother. Reading from others, their customer service isn’t great. Maybe the club could have a word.

Dan.