Lake District 2010

indizee · Post by **indizee** » Sun 08 Aug, 2010 07:27

Hi, I've just had a great week in the Lake District with the Zed. I had a choice of cars to take, but glad I went with the Z3. It handled the steep inclines and tight windy roads that are typical of the Lake District. I pretty much went everywhere in 4th gear with loads of torque. And averaged 30.2 mpg over 750 miles. It rained a bit , but I had the top down whilst coming back from some walking round Windermere. Here are a few pics taken at Grasmere where we had a short hike up the mountain.

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Sun 08 Aug, 2010 10:06

Nice pics, benefit of the mixed weather is you don't get so many "day trippers" clogging up the roads

reddyzeddygo · Post by **reddyzeddygo** » Sun 08 Aug, 2010 14:43

Great shots of the Z. We often visit the Lakes and are well aquainted with this area around Grasmere. Was dubious about taking The Zed up there on the windy roads, but you've convinced me to give it a go sometime soon.

Post by **Robert T** » Sun 08 Aug, 2010 17:35

Nice piccies and it looks like you managed some reasonable weather.

The road to Grasmere isn't a windy road.

If you want windy get yourself up Wrynose and then over Hardknott.

I did Wrynose a while back. The sign says 33% (that's a 1 in 3 gradient).

Cheers R.

snoops · Post by **snoops** » Sun 08 Aug, 2010 18:06

Robert T wrote:If you want windy get yourself up Wrynose and then over Hardknott.

I did Wrynose a while back. The sign says 33% (that's a 1 in 3 gradient).

Cheers R.

and by the looks of it, hope you don't meet anything coming the other way ... is it all single track ??

Post by **Robert T** » Sun 08 Aug, 2010 18:38

snoops wrote:and by the looks of it, hope you don't meet anything coming the other way ... is it all single track ??

It's not THAT bad!

It is single track with passing places. Best to pick a quiet day to go up there, and it is still lovely even in the middle of winter. You may have to reverse once or twice, but zeds do go backwards you know.

The worst part of driving a zed on those roads is the bonnet - sometimes the road disappears from view when you go over a humpy bit and you have to guess where it is - but it's not that difficult - roads are inanimate objects and tend not to move from where you left them.

Hardknott looks like fun - it is all hairpin bends - I might take froggy over there next summer.

Cheers R.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Sun 08 Aug, 2010 18:53

Robert T wrote:The worst part of driving a zed on those roads is the bonnet

Cheers R.

You're supposed to close the bonnet before setting off Robert

Tim.

spraydav · Post by **spraydav** » Sun 08 Aug, 2010 23:31

Lakeland roads are definately the best!

On a side issue, noticed on your pics the boot rack seems to be upside down??? I have one on mine and assumed the raised rail was to stop luggage sliding off the back??....please correct me if I'm wrong and have been driving around with my rack on the wrong way round!!!

spraydav · Post by **spraydav** » Sun 08 Aug, 2010 23:33

Lakeland roads are definately the best!

On a side issue, noticed on your pics the boot rack seems to be upside down??? I have one on mine and assumed the raised rail was to stop luggage sliding off the back??....please correct me if I'm wrong and have been driving around with my rack on the wrong way round!!!

freds dad · Post by **freds dad** » Mon 09 Aug, 2010 04:25

The rack is on the right way. Have a look haflway down this link

http://www.roofrackshop.co.uk/boot/bmw-z3-boot-rack.htm

freds dad · Post by **freds dad** » Mon 09 Aug, 2010 05:35

The rack is on the right way. Have a look haflway down this link

http://www.roofrackshop.co.uk/boot/bmw-z3-boot-rack.htm

indizee · Post by **indizee** » Mon 09 Aug, 2010 05:41

Spraydav, yep, you've been driving your zed the wrong way round.

spraydav · Post by **spraydav** » Tue 17 Aug, 2010 00:29

OOPS

better get out and turn it round so i can strap my skis on!!!

Rob13 · Post by **Rob13** » Tue 17 Aug, 2010 12:37

Its 50/50, you can find pics with it either way around, for suitcases, they all seem to be your (and my) way round, and for skis, the other way round - honestly - I think you can use them in both configurations depending on what you carrym the official BMW accessory catalogue has them both ways.

Personally, I have never actually used mine, but quite like the look (yes I am wierd) If I WAS to use it though, there is more chance of it being for luggage than skiing in London.....

seasurfer · Post by **seasurfer** » Mon 06 Sep, 2010 15:43

If any of you are visiting the lakes again, give us a call, there are 2 or 3 of us may be able to catch up with you en-route.

Robert T - what about a cruise up to Hardnot Pass, sounds like you may know it well, ive heard its really nice up there but never been.

Gill

Ian_C · Post by **Ian_C** » Mon 06 Sep, 2010 20:03

seasurfer wrote:...what about a cruise up to Hardnot Pass

...the long bonnet of the zed makes it a particularly character building run. On the majority of hill crests you can't see the road in front of you

Great idea for a cruise though. Should be a bit quieter now that the summer hols are over.

seasurfer · Post by **seasurfer** » Mon 06 Sep, 2010 21:07

I might have to go the long way around then and meet you at the other side, where ever the other side is

or hitch a passenger seat off someone

Gill