New owner from Italy!

Nemesi78 · Post by **Nemesi78** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 9:57 pm

Goodmorning to all,

in 2 weeks i will be a proud owner of a 356 C and i will drive from London to Milan, Italy, with my fiance.
We planned 4 days for this trip and I ask everybody if can you give me some suggestions for it, like maintenance of the engine before to start and issues that I can found if I drive this car for 900 miles.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Nicola.

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:09 pm

Hi Nicola welcome to DDK,

having just come back from a 2000 mile trip to Switzerland and back in my 356a.
photos here, http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=25273 i would advice you to start the trip by taking the car along to Paul Smith at PR Services,Billericay, essex http://www.prs356.com/. and get them to look over it. then you should only need to check the oil regularly and take a basic tool kit including a new fanbelt..paul will be able to advise you on what you'll need for your car.

drive at a steady pace. don't push the car too hard for too long as it will start getting hot.
we did 410miles on the first day of our trip without any major issues.
here we are at a services stop letting the cars cool off.

MartinP · Post by **MartinP** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:53 am

Hello Nicola

As Helen says, a spare fanbelt is a must spare, but also worth carrying a spare set of points, condenser and rotor arm as these can fail and leave you stranded (unless the car has been fitted with electronic ignition of course).

Other than that, keep an eye on the temperature gauge for any odd goings on (although I just drove my 912 which effectively has a 356C engine at 80mph for hours on end through France and Germany and it never registered past mid-way on the gauge), and keep an ear open for any obvious unusual noises which are better investigated than ignored just in case any permanent damage is done.

However, don't fret too much and just enjoy the trip and the car. Let us know how it goes!

Martin

Post by **Bootsy** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:29 am

Welcome Nicola, glad we sorted the log in problems.

Hope you enjoy your trip and the forum.

Nemesi78 · Post by **Nemesi78** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:59 pm

Many thanks to everybody!
I will use your suggestions in the future but unfortunately my schedule for the way back to Italy is very tight. I can't stop @ pr service but I saw in the car I'm buying a pr stickers on the side window.
I asked the seller to have a check on the engine before to collect the car.
He was very kind and supported me answering the many questions I made him and giving me help in the last 3 months.
I'd like to post some pictures but i was not able to do it.
I have a mac, i followed the instructions but I did not success...
Anyway the car is a coupè, is yellow and now is in Winchester!
My last step was to buy an insurance on footmanjames.co.uk and I hope to receive it in the next days.
I will keep you informed for the next steps...

I'm sure to have found good forum-mate!

Thanks again,

Nicola.

Nemesi78 · Post by **Nemesi78** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 4:55 pm

Helen wrote:Hi Nicola welcome to DDK,

having just come back from a 2000 mile trip to Switzerland and back in my 356a.
photos here, http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=25273 i would advice you to start the trip by taking the car along to Paul Smith at PR Services,Billericay, essex http://www.prs356.com/. and get them to look over it. then you should only need to check the oil regularly and take a basic tool kit including a new fanbelt..paul will be able to advise you on what you'll need for your car.

drive at a steady pace. don't push the car too hard for too long as it will start getting hot.
we did 410miles on the first day of our trip without any major issues.
here we are at a services stop letting the cars cool off.

Hi Helen and everybody,

I'd like to go in France by boat from UK, instead the tunnel.
Can you suggest me a boat company and from where leave?
I saw several company and place from where leave UK and arrive in Calais.
I ask it first to you because your recent trip in Switzerland but any suggestions are welcome from everybody!

Thanks in advance,

Nicola.

brembo · Post by **brembo** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 5:05 pm

Hi Nicola.Dover to Dunkirk with Norfolkline is good value for money.
Regards Dougie.

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 6:39 pm

i would guess Ferry from Dover would be best for you.

i always get over night Ferry from Hull, as i live in the north Midlands. Have you thought of putting the car on a train through europe.?

Tipi_dwl · Post by **Tipi_dwl** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:33 am

If you have tight schedule and not sure about the condition of the car, I'd consider AutoZug by Deutsche Bahn. I know it's not that adventurous or romantic as driving all the way, but it would take you home more securely on time and without possible big break down costs. You can for example get from Düsseldorf to Alessandria or Verona in Italy.

Nemesi78 · Post by **Nemesi78** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:24 am

Thanks again to everibody

After an emails exchange with the seller about engine condition I decided to start this trip as is... The MOT check has been done on October with no problem so Wednesday is close and I will collect the car and leave UK on Thursday.

I will keep you informed through this post if any problem will occur...Hopefully not!

Bye!

Nicola.

MartinP · Post by **MartinP** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:35 am

Good luck with the trip. There really is nothing like a decent road trip to start your time with a car. Hope all goes well.

Nemesi78 · Post by **Nemesi78** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:28 am

Some pictures of my car, just to let you better imagine my trip...

[img][img]http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss17 ... IM0955.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][img]http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss17 ... G_0218.jpg[/img][/img]

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:16 am

very nice,

have a great trip and don't forget to take lots of photos for us to enjoy.

Berny · Post by **Berny** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:32 pm

Hi Nicola How did the trip go? Hope all is well! Berny.