Any C30 Owners here?

I've really liked the C30 since its introduction, but since then they are showing up used with better, although still high prices, like a 2008 T5 for $18K, and mechanically I don't think they are much different than an S40.

I've also drive Volvos of this era. Nice cars, but sort of "meh". Anyone with first hand experience?

Buddy of mine has a t5 he bought new. Driven it a few times. Nice car overall, but as you said, kinda meh. He's done some things that wake it up a little, but it's kinda soft IMO.

They're built on the same platform as the s40, mazda3, and focus. Gf drives one, 2009 automatic. . They are/were all 2.5t, unlike the s40 which was available non-turbo or in 2.5t form. She's had hers for right at 2 years now, and likes it quite a bit. The stock tires (Michelin mxm4) are crap, same tires came stock on my rsx too, but they don't completely kill the fun on the c30. They do have an issue with making terrible wheel bearing like noises requiring tire rotations exactly every 15k.

There is also a reflash available through the dealer that bumps power and retains the warranty.

Keep in mind that cruise control isn't standard, although I think Bluetooth and hd radio are. Later models had an optional r-design package that's basically just leather seat trim with r-design stitched in the seats, body kit and steering wheel with boy racer look

if the c30 were awd, I would buy one immediately. my favorite-looking volvo, even above the s60r w/ man trans (super cool shifter), which I have a man crush on

I own a C30. It's a 1985 Chevrolet truck. Any other vehicles named "C30" have illegitimately pilfered the name!

kind of like G20

G20 is a VAN not a car.

Funny this thread came up, I was just wondering the same thing. I'm going to buy a new DD sometime within the next year, and get to daydreaming about what I want. I'm going for sub $18k. On my short list are the MS3 and NC Miata. But I ran across this and it made me start to wonder....

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=318058297&dealer_id=100003676&car_year=2008&systime=&doors=&model=&search_lang=en&start_year=2007&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=100&min_price=&rdm=1332855778921&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=88727&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2013&showZipError=n&make2=&certified=&engine=&dma=PHILADELPHIA_NO&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&isFlashPlugin=true&transmission=Manual&default_sort=priceASC&max_mileage=45000&color=&address=18041&sort_type=priceASC&max_price=18000&make=VOLVO&seller_type=b&num_records=100&cardist=53&standard=false&rdpage=thumb

I don't remember who it was but someone on here went to Europe to pick up a new one and seemed to like it alot. An R Design is on my short list of cars to look at when I replace my current DD.

I like the C30 a lot. It's different looking to set itself away from the rest of the cars on the road, but not goofy like the scions, kias, and the rest of the weird designs

I’ve owned my C30 from new and picked it up in Sweden using the overseas delivery program. As soon as I saw the car at the 07 NAIAS I went home raving to my wife that the best car at the show was a Volvo. A year later I was in the market for a new car. Being a Ford employee that at the time meant a Ford, Volvo or Mazda product. I would have loved a Focus ST, but at that time we weren’t selling the current Euro Focus in North America so I test drove the Mazdaspeed 3, the Mazdaspeed 6, then later a C30 when I could find one. I thought it was going to be a foregone conclusion and I’d end up in a Mazdaspeed 3 based on the numbers. But that didn’t take into account how my age, tastes and needs had changed over the preceeding 15 years. I think my wife summed it up best as she got out of the MS3 having already driven the MS6. When the guy at the dealer asked her how she liked it, her response was “I’m 40 not 25 anymore” For some people the MS3 is the perfect car. No doubt if you’re a dedicated autocrosser or track junkie it’s a great car, but for me it just lacks the NVH and refinement I want these days. The MS6 was a great car, but already quite old and due for replacement.

Then came the C30. I thought then, and still believe now that the 1st gen C30’s (08-09) were and are the best looking cars on sale under $123,450 (base MSRP of an Aston Vantage ). I personally absolutely love the styling. Also remember that under the skin they are essentially the same car as a Euro Focus ST of the time. As soon as I got in the car everything just felt ‘right’ Again the interior is one of the best looking of any car at any price, simple but oh so elegant (you think I like my car?) Great materials and very comfortable yet supportive seats. The ride handling is a great balance for a road car that you can occasionally autocross or track. It’s not a Miata in its tossability, but it does handle very well for a 3,200lb’s FWD car with no LSD. It turns in well and is very neutral. It could benefit from a larger rear sta bar which is now legal in Stock class autocross. The ride is amazingly good for the handling, the overall ride/handling compromise is one of the best I’ve ever encountered. The car still feels solid and rattle free at 50K miles and its ability to adsorb impacts from potholes or frost heaves is amazing. Considering my daily commute is on crappy Michigan roads and I only go to the track of autocross a few times a year it’s really really god.

Gas mileage isn’t great. Driving normally in mixed conditions I get 26-27mpg. Spirited driving drops it to 24-25 and caining it drops to 23. Overall not too bad but not outstanding compared to some more modern direct injection engines.

The engine is great. 227hp doesn’t sound a lot, but peak torque is something like 240lb/ft with over 80% available at 1,800rpm. There is virtually no noticeable turbo lag, so it goes right now any time you want it. It has that strong low down pull you associate with older V8’s. Up top is can run out of breath, but in daily driving it feels much faster than the MS3 and a friend Tom Spangler on here will attest it’s much more responsive lower down than his E36M3. It certainly has much more low end torque and better pick up than my new 2013 V6 Mustang which in theory should feel faster with 305hp and 280 lb’s ft, but it’s much higher in the rev range so unless you take it too the red line, the Volvo is faster in the real world. Remember the old adage, power sells cars but torque wins races? It should read torque delivery wins hearts

Reliability has been fine. The only issue I’ve ever had is the auto start feature where you depress the clutch, turn the key then release it and it’s supposed to keep cranking on its own until it starts. That’s failed about 5-6 times now, and has gone again so I must get it in before it rolls over 50K miles and the warranty runs out. Other than that it’s been gas, oil and tires.

It’s an OK autocrosser, but it’s a bit heavy and the lack of an LSD hold it back. That and a mediocre driver who’s out of practice. I did take it to the Nurburgring 5 days after picking it up, I’ve posted the story here in the past and will dig it up again later. The car was also featured in ‘Readers rides’ a year or so ago. I’ll post both that and the Nurburgring story tonight when I get home.

Three small pictures to prove I was at the ‘Ring. These are from the famous ring cam that shows cars entering the circuit. I thought I had the full size ones, but these are all I can find.

Some pictures from autocrossing.

In reply to Klayfish:

i'd stick with either of your choices, honestly. i had an MS3, have driven a few miatas and i wouldn't pick the c30 over either of them. the ms3 will handle very similar, with more power and more practicality with the hatch and four doors. the miata is, well, a miata so if you want two doors go that way.

the gripes that i have about the c30 are the interior aside from the cool floating center stack, is kinda cheap, and the seatbelt buckles are leaving nicks in the b-pillar trim so it looks like a dog chewed on them. the back seats are as one would expect, nearly useless, and unless you spring for the $250 cargo cover, there is nearly no secure storage in the car aside from the center console and glove box. the extra power and better highway ride would make me forget about the same issues in an MS3 honestly. and the cargo cover, while kinda chinsy, does the job and doesn't cost much at all.

oh and btw, if you just have to have the c30 looks and MS3 practicality, there's the all-new V40 just announced

Yes, I've driven Ade's C30 quite a bit. The torque is very impressive, it just goes, right now at low RPM. Not like a small turbo motor at all. The seats are fantastic, as well. As you'd expect from a Volvo, it's very solid-feeling. The ride/handling balance is excellent, it certainly rides better than my M3, or the E46 ZHP I had before, though it lacks their razor-sharp steering.

Now, I'm not as nuts about the styling as he is, but that's purely subjective. It really is a nice car, great fun commuter that's still practical, comfortable, and safe.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: As soon as I saw the car at the 07 NAIAS I went home raving to my wife that the best car at the show was a Volvo.

thats funny, while the c30 is quite striking, i would have said that about the 07-09 MS3. but then again i bought mine when i was 27

We've got a fwd T5 V50 which is an elongated twin to the C30. I echo most of Adrian's comments. Fit and finish is a definite step up over the Subaru/Mazda/Ford comparables, and the on-road refinement makes it a great driving car. The T5 torque is instant. The Euro Focus / Mazda 3 underpinnings mean it has a very good starting point, and aftermarket is available to go beyond if desired.

I personally love the C30 styling as well, stands out on the road without the usual excess needed to do that.

The biggest knock on these cars when new was the price. Volvo depreciation makes these a very attractive used car buy. We bought our 2 year old '08 for 50% of original sticker.

AAAggghhhhhhhhh Sorry folks, I just can't get this to format right. No matter what I do with Strizzo's post it keeps coming out as a quote withing a quoate within a quote.

Strizzo wrote: i'd stick with either of your choices, honestly. i had an MS3, have driven a few miatas and i wouldn't pick the c30 over either of them. the ms3 will handle very similar, with more power and more practicality with the hatch and four doors. the miata is, well, a miata so if you want two doors go that way.

Agreed if you want a Miata, then a Miata is a Miata. Disagree with the MS3. I think the MS3 does handle better as I say and if you do a lot of autocross or track days, it may be the better car. But the C30 is night and day better in NVH and ride considering the small trade off in ultimate handling. Also the MS3 is faster on paper, but as I say, go drive one. One thing I forgot was avoid the auto at all costs, it make the engine feel like a dog, get the manual and you’ll be amazed. It’s definitely got better around town low rpm pick up (i.e. real world) than the MS3. Strizzo wrote: the gripes that i have about the c30 are the interior aside from the cool floating center stack, is kinda cheap,

Funny, I absolutely love the interior, but it is personal taste. Strizzo wrote: and the seatbelt buckles are leaving nicks in the b-pillar trim so it looks like a dog chewed on them.

That can be an issue, but as I take my seat belt off I just reach mu arm over my shoulder and release rather than let it fly back there.

Strizzo wrote: the back seats are as one would expect, nearly useless,

Here I have to disagree strongly. The back seats are amazing. Don't forget that although the car is shorter than the S40 or V50, it's the same wheel base so you get the same leg room. Again, unless you regularly need to carry 5 people it’s way better than an MS3, VW Golf etc etc. Yes it's a 4 not a 5 seater, but because of that there is a lot of extra shoulder room for the rear seat occupants plus they get nicely contoured individual buckets not a flat bench to try and squeeze 3 across in. When we picked the car up we had 4 people plus luggage for 2 weeks and drove 2,200 miles around Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, England and Wales with zero issues (all at over $10 per gallon at the time!!! Eekkkk that hurt!. The back seats are very comfortable even for me at 6' with another 6 footer driving. Also due to the hatch/wagon shape there is plenty of headroom in the back. Luggage space is great too, and if you fold down the back seat you get a mini wagon with lots of space. Strizzo wrote: and unless you spring for the $250 cargo cover, there is nearly no secure storage in the car aside from the center console and glove box.

I can’t argue with that, I guess it depends where you live, but I’ve never had any theft issues from any car I’ve owned including convertible left with the top down. Now that could be me as I live in such a massively safe area just a few miles outside Detroit, but if you choose to live in dodgy areas that’s up to you    Strizzo wrote: the extra power and better highway ride would make me forget about the same issues in an MS3 honestly. and the cargo cover, while kinda chinsy, does the job and doesn't cost much at all.

Extra power I agree the MS3 has, but again go drive them back to back and on the street the Volvo is great. Better highway ride?!?!?!?!?! The MS3 is far worse in ride for any conditions and roads I’ve encountered. Strizzo wrote: oh and btw, if you just have to have the c30 looks and MS3 practicality, there's the all-new V40 just announced

It’s impossible to have the ‘right’ answer when it comes too looks, but I stand by my earlier comments, and I don’t like the post 2010 facelift for the C30 either.

In reply to Adrian_Thompson:

fair enough comment on the seatbelt, but does your wife do it? its not my car either, nor am i making the payments on it, just an observation.

re: the back seat, if you say so, but sqeezing back there is huge turn off for me of even thinking about riding in the back seat.

the ride in town i'd say is comparable to the MS3, they both soak up the little bumps very well, and get harsh on big stuff, no way around that with a small car, but on the highway, the short wheelbase of the c30 can make the ride "choppy" which the ms3 did not do. i just remember what a great improvement over the lumber truck ride of the rsx-s the ms3 was.

regardless of the bits of trim that broke off, or the piece of the center console that split down the side, or the constant grumbling from the crap tires, the g/f really loves her 09, so i guess that says something there. i did drive it a bit on a trip to austin a couple weeks ago and it did feel very planted on the twisty roads, although it does feel a bit heavier to me, but that could just be the variable assist electric power steering doing that to me.

Strizzo wrote: In reply to Adrian_Thompson: the ride in town i'd say is comparable to the MS3, they both soak up the little bumps very well, and get harsh on big stuff, no way around that with a small car, but on the highway, the short wheelbase of the c30 can make the ride "choppy" which the ms3 did not do. i just remember what a great improvement over the lumber truck ride of the rsx-s the ms3 was.

The weheel base is the same between the Mazda 3, the Volvo C30, V40 and S50. They are all 103.9". To me, the Vovlo was light years better than the Mazda in ride comfort over any surface, but the worse the surface the bigger the difference.

Strizzo wrote: In reply to Klayfish: i'd stick with either of your choices, honestly. i had an MS3, have driven a few miatas and i wouldn't pick the c30 over either of them. the ms3 will handle very similar, with more power and more practicality with the hatch and four doors. the miata is, well, a miata so if you want two doors go that way.

I know, I have to narrow my vehicle type choice down somewhat. I've owned an NC Miata, so I'm very familiar with them, hence why I'm still considering getting another. When I bought that NC, I debated back and forth endlessly between it and an MS3. Could have flipped a coin to decide as I was split right down the middle. Those two are still at the top of my list, but I have to say I like the C30 T5.

I love my C30.

Here's my story of picking the car up and driving it around Europe and on the 'Ring. It's long so I'll break it down. This was published in 2 parts in the Ford Motorsport Club magazine a few years ago.

One hundred and thirty miles per hour. Not a bad way to cross an international boarder if you ask me, and a whole lot better than waiting for an hour and thirty minuets at the ambassador bridge. It’s close to 11:0pm and we're heading for an overnight stop in Hamburg on out way to a little town called Nurburg. We started the day with breakfast in Copenhagen, spent the morning at the Viking longship museum in Rosklide then filled a childhood ambition of both my seven and thirteen year-old daughters and mine by spending the afternoon at the original Legoland in Billund. Once Legoland closed, the crowds shuffled out and we got on the road it was probably 9:00pm. Google maps and the Michelin online guide both claim the journey is around 300km’s and 3 hours, Midnight it is then. Google and Michelin hadn’t counted on Volvo power and an empty autobahn though and we roll up to the Holiday in a little after 11:00pm. Flushed with speed of that leg of our journey we feel we can lie in a little before the jog down to Nurburg for a few laps the next day, little did we know.

So why were we crossing from Denmark to Germany at twice almost twice the legal speed limit in Michigan? It all started months before. It was my turn in the family roster for a new vehicle, much as I loved my SVT Contour, it had 130,000 miles on it, now almost 150,000 and was in need of replacement, much as I loved the contour I really missed the practicality of the hatch in my previous Focus so I went hot hatch shopping. Within the extended Ford family that meant the Mazdaspeed 3, the Volvo C30 with one of the last of the Mazdaspeed 6’s as a long shot if I ignored the lack of hatch, but AWD is mighty tempting.

The Mazdaspeed 3 is without doubt an amazing vehicle as shown by the praise it’s received in all the motoring press and instant enthusiast following it’s received, but in the end it’s just not for me. My wife summed it up best after stepping out of the MS3 after a back-to-back test drive with the MS6. Upon being asked by the salesman ‘well, what do you thing of the three after the six?’ her reply was ‘I’m 41 now not 21’, I have to agree. There is no doubt that the power, handling feel and bang per buck are unbeatable especially with the thought of track days, autocross’s or blasting down I119 from Cross Village to Petoskey in the Northern Lower Peninsula. Southfield at 5:00pm on a rainy Friday, or tacking the family to Chicago for the weekend was less appealing, the crisp handling with excellent turn in that made it so appealing for a flat out thrash also gave a harsher ride than I wanted every day, especially impacts over pot holes and freeze heaves. The fun sporty exhaust note that urged you to gratuitously blip the throttle for an unnecessary down E36 M3 drowned out NPR on the freeway. In the end the grown more subtle performance of the MS6 won me over, until we pulled up at the Volvo dealer.

After coming home from the 2007 International Auto Show my wife dutifully asked ‘so what did you see? Anything nice” She then mentally tuned out the expected rants and raves about how Ferrari styling has gone to hell overt the last 15 years and how sharp the models were on the Lamborghini stand. Instead, and she still remembers my gushing enthusiasm I apparently board the house for days raving about the amazing looks, practicality and overall concept of the new Volvo C30. ‘Who would have thought that the best looking car at the show would be a Volvo, pity I’ll never get one’ I apparently repeated endlessly over the next few weeks. Well timing and circumstances now said I might.

The test drive left me really impressed at the ride handling compromise plus the traditional Volvo Vault like feel. The ride somehow managed to be smooth, comfortable, easily absorbing wince inducing pot hole impacts while at the same time providing great chassis feel and steering feel with a great turn in for an entry level luxury FWD car. With 236lb/ft of torque available all the way from 1,500 to 5,000rpm it’s no surprise that it pulled well from low rpm with negligible turbo lag, 236hp while reasonably quick is never going to be in the same ballpark as the Mazda twins. My only hesitation was the gearbox, I couldn’t locate a C30, or it’s S40/V50 twins with a T5 engine anywhere in Southern Michigan or Northern Ohio to test drive, and the automatic felt lethargic and hesitant at around town speeds. Eventually a drive of a used 5 speed V50 convinced me it was worth taking the risk.

But how to buy it? A plan provides the standard 6% discount of MSRP and as long as you don’t spend too much time with the option list a nice V2.0, which has many worthwhile upgrades over the V1.0, can come in around $25K. Prior to walking in to the dealer I was aware that Volvo, like most European manufacturers offer a European delivery program known as OSD or Overseas Delivery Program. Once I found that for all 08 models that offered 8%(1) off MSRP plus two round trip airline tickets to Sweden, one night in the Radisson hotel in Gothenburg and up to two months insurance plus roadside protection for all of Europe (excluding the old Eastern Block states) it was a done deal. The only down side to the Euro delivery program are you have to buy not lease, pay for the car one month before pick up and you have to wait around three months from order to pick up. No of these were issues for us and we had been planning on a family vacation back to Europe to see my parents in England anyway, this just provided two free tickets and solved the car hire dilemma all in one stroke.

After the long wait from March to June we set off for Sweden. Alexandra my eldest daughter and myself fly compliments of Volvo on Scandinavian airlines. On final approach to Copenhagen airport we are puzzled to see the famous 25,738 feet Oresund bridge that joins Denmark to Sweden, appears to end in an island several miles short of the Danish side, oh well, we’ll find out tomorrow. A short hop later we land in Sweden at Gothenburg airport, having cleared customs in Denmark we head out of baggage claim to be met by a taxi driver from Volvo holding up a placard with our name on it. By now, three flights and almost 24 hours since leaving Detroit we’re pretty tired for the drive into the City center, but we do notice an incredible number of Volvo’s and Saabs on the road, it seems the Swede’s are little more intent on buying local than America is. We also notice a large number of vehicles sporting huge racks of lights like rally cars; they obviously take the long dark winter nights seriously up here.

So to the Radisson, which is an excellent hotel, again compliments of Volvo where we catch up on rest. A few hours later my wife and youngest arrive on Northwest, and although the package is just for two, Volvo still pick them up from the airport and bring them to the hotel to join us. Thanks to the time change, getting up the next morning is a bit of a chore, but a jog through the city streets watching the locals walk, bike and catch trams to work soon wakes us up, well that and the coffee with pastries we found a few blocks away.

Having roused the kids it was check out time and another complimentary pick up by Volvo and off to the Factory. Despite the fact that the C30 is actually built at the Ghent plant in Germany, all European delivery vehicles are picked up in Gothenburg campus where they have a separate OSD center. Once inside your greeted by knowledgeable and courteous staff who know you and your car, first there are complimentary refreshments and a place to store your luggage before getting down to paper work. One of the staff sit down and cover your order, spec sheet, options and also offer you the chance to purchase other options for fitting while you wait, I saw one customer decide on a different steering wheel and they whisked the car off to be modified immediately. My car had different floor mats than ordered and these were changes in less than 15 minuets. The also cover the legal side, you receive a temporary title and have to sign an affidavit stating that the vehicle will be exported to the United States within six months or you personally become liable for the 25% Swedish sales tax, you’ll never complain about Michigan’s 6% again after that little shocker. They then explain the roadside assistance and insurance, basically you can travel anywhere in Europe except the former Soviet countries, apparently a number of cars headed East and neither they, their owners or any vehicle loan payments were seen again! One amusing aside, as I had traveled with Alexandra my eldest and my wife and youngest daughter traveled separately, Volvo assumed Alexandra was my spouse so named her on the title, insurance and road side assistance documents, we’ve been teasing here since then that she’s liable for half the loan although I’ve yet to get any money out of her. After that there’s a free lunch, Swedish meatballs naturally and the option of a factory tour. Having worked launch at both Wayne and Hermosillio, as well as worked at the Monroe and Sterling axle plants I had no need to see another assembly plant, so after a quick vote with the rest of the family it was time to load up and head South. Four people and luggage for two weeks was always going to be a tight fit in a C30. We had gone so far as to make a run to the dealer with our luggage the week before departure, but this is where the C30 really started to shine. Surprising the salesperson and us it swallowed our bags so easily we immediately went home and added some more. A few minuets careful packaging and everything fitted in the hatch, leaving the passenger area relatively free of clutter. The other huge advantage of the C30 was now also evident. The C30 is built on the common C1 platform with its larger siblings the S40 and V50 as well as the European Focus, C Max and Mazda 3. Compared with all those 5 plus seaters the C30 is a pure four seater. The rear seats are individual and moved slightly closer to the centerline as there is no need for a third passenger. This gives excellent shoulder room and as the wheelbase is the same as the other models, the legroom is ample too. At 6 foot and the wrong side of 200lb’s I can set the front seat up to be comfortable and then climb in the back and be comfortable too. Over the coming 2,200 miles with some days stretching up to seven hours in the car, there were less complaints from the back seat than in a normal 20-minuet drive to school in my SVT Contour. The seats, both front and back are amazing, some of the very best in any car I’ve owned or traveled in.

So forward a few days and it’s back to the start of this piece on rout to the Nurburgring at an overnight stop in Hamburg. As we arrived so late and having made such great time on the Autobahn we had a lazy start the next day. The Nurburgring was supposedly 317 miles and 4hours 48 minuets away, phaa, that’s doing 70mph, we’d already proved 130 was easily doable. Even allowing for lunch stops we figured 4hours 30 mins was easily doable. Getting on the road a little after 10:00am we figured we’d get to the Ring around 3:00pm, plenty of time to stop at the hotel, check in and drop off our luggage before heading out for some laps. Little did we know what was in store for us.

Five minutes after leaving the hotel we’re cruising at 100mph, 10 minutes after leaving the hotel we’re stationary, and that’s how we’ll stay on and off for the next seven plus hours. It turns out doing 130mph on a deserted Autobahn late on a Saturday night is easy, what we hadn’t figure on was dense Sunday traffic and roadwork that make you pine for I75 in summer. We also discovered several times during the course of the day that German rest stops charge for using the restrooms, even if you eating food there, with an 8oz (OK 240ml) cappuccino costing over $5 I was having a hard time with that, if I were a lesser man I may have resorted to the woods out back, but I’d never do that would I!

So we roll into Nurburg just as the track was closing. No problem I figure we’ll spend the night and do a few laps when the track opened the following morning, except a high end track day company has exclusively booked the track for the whole day and it doesn’t open to the public until 5:00pm, we’re supposed to leave for Amsterdam the following morning and have a date with some friends at a zoo in Billund on the way. As it turns out this apparent disaster turns out to be a blessing in disguise, it didn’t feel that way at the time and after 7 hours in traffic jam daddy (that would be me) was rather upset and behaving worse than the kids.

We were staying at the Burgstube Nurburg hotel right in the middle of nurburg just below the ruin of the castle that gave the area its name. After a quick check with family they agreed to spend the day locally and cut short out time in the Netherlands. That night in the hotel bar we got to hear why we hadn’t missed much. There were two Brit’s who’d come over for the weekend on their bikes, plus two more Brit’s who worked there. It turns out the bikers got exactly two laps the entire weekend. What went wrong? Well many of you will know the cult British TV show ‘Top Gear’ A few years ago now the main presenter Jeremy Clarkson took a diesel powered Jag S type to the ring and after much effort broke the 10 minuet barrier, his guide in that endeavor was Sabine Schmidt the famously good looking German race car driver, ‘ring Taxi’ operator and now TV presenter of Germany's versions of ‘Top gear’ she was less than complementary about Jeremy’s efforts and said she could beat him in a Van, she then very nearly beat the 10 minute barrier in a Ford Transit. Apparently since that time the popularity of the ring has exploded with hundred’s of people, a disproportionaly high number being Brit’s, turn up every weekend determined to prove to their mates that they’re faster than ‘Jezzer’ who is not know to be the worlds best driver. While he may not be the best in terms of lap speed they forget that he still spends his life driving cars, often at the limit so a has a lot of practice and b knows his limits. They don’t know there so they tend to throw themselves at he scenery with monotonous regularity, the up shot is the Sunday we intended to run the Ring it was only open for two short 45 minuet stints between picking errant wannabee’s out of the bushes. So even if I’d got there two hours earlier I wouldn’t have got to drive.

We learned a couple of things that night. First beer and pizza are actually very reasonable unlike everything else in Germany. The other is Ringworms, no we didn’t suffer faulty plumbing. Your familiar with Ski bums, normally young people who take menial jobs in ski resorts so they can ski all season long. Well the Nurburgring has ring bums, or Ringworms as they call themselves, dozens of people, again mainly British who live and work on the cheap so they can buy a season ticket to the ring an do dozens of laps each week, they form part of the hard core of maybe 200 ringers who are armature experts at the track and know each other well. Two of those guys were working in the hotel we were staying at. Now, one of these guys is called Andy Carlisle if you Google the name you’ll find he’s also know as ‘Andypath’ the reason being is he holds the ‘unofficial’ ring lap record on a bike with a bridge to gantry time of 7minets 19 seconds. Gulp. Over the beer and Pizza he casual asked if I’d like a few pointers and someone to ride with me, hell yeah.

So next day after finding a beautiful secluded private lake to swim and play at thanks to the friend making ability of my seven year old, we turn up at the track around 5:30 when the track day should have finished. There are Porsches, Ferraris, Caterhams and M3’s everywhere along with many Evo’s, STi’s and the occasional Miata plus every type of bike you can imagine. The track day is slow clearing out so while waiting I go and buy a 4 lap tickets for 77Euro’s or a little over $110 today thanks to the weakness of the $, it was even more when we were there. Reading the info that reminds you it’s a public road and traffic laws still apply I was worried to se a notice stating that vehicles with temporary export plates are not allowed, whoops, have I made a big mistake? Checking with Andy he said naa, despite the big obvious red Swedish plate no one paid attention to that and they got a couple of people a month from America running their new Porsches or Astons around. Phew, back to waiting. On Andy’s advice we hung out and let the crowds clear, as soon as they opened it to the public there was a mass of cars and bikes queuing to go out, so for the first half an hour it was crowded, then as many people had done their single lap it calmed down and we were up. In the down time I bought the T shirt and inevitable Nurburgring sticker for the back window to be worn with pride then waited.