Stuttgart, anyone done the factory trip???

[A911DOM]

Im interested in going and having a look at the home of the mighty pork and would appreciate anyones experience or recommendations for venues etc for the trip, whens best to go, what else in the area shouldnt be missed...?

Thanks in advance.

Dom

[anglebox10]

It's well worth it, it was discussed a few days ago on : www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=312363&f=48&h=0

[flemke]

Not sure when the new P. museum will be finished, but if you're thinking of a trip next year you might want to wait until it's open. (The current, old museum is evocative, but small).

Whilst you are in town, check out the Mercedes museum, which is new, spectacular, and about four miles away.

[cardigankid]

Do it. Are you picking a car up? If so I recommend that you find a hotel for the night so you can take full advantage of the complimentary lunch, without having to motor off immediately after. Pick a decent smaller family run hotel not the Four Bloody Seasons or anything like that

[A911DOM]

cardigankid said:

Do it. Are you picking a car up? If so I recommend that you find a hotel for the night so you can take full advantage of the complimentary lunch, without having to motor off immediately after. Pick a decent smaller family run hotel not the Four Bloody Seasons or anything like that

No no, not picking anything up, hoping to run my old 3.2 down there (once the bl00dy starting issue is resolved) as a bit of a treat for me and the mrs, and the car obviously!!!

My dad picked his merc up from Germany several years ago and I seem to remember him enjoying the 'whole experience'. Id like to get down there asap even if the new building isnt finished yet, just to say 'Ive done it'.

I'll check out some of the smaller hotels and see whats on offer locally then.

Cheers
Dom

[lowndes]

I picked up a car last Friday.

The new museum is not yet finished and the existing one is pretty small but interesting nontheless.

The factory visit is fascinating and well worth the effort. The english speaking tour leaves at 10.00am sharp. Ours comprised 2 people collecting new cars and others who were just on a visit. The visiting group were from the Indiana chapter of Porsche Club USA so had probably booked well ahead. I doubt if you could just turn up.

Lunch is OK but takes time and if you are there on Friday you will then be leaving in the rush hour as offices etc close at 2.00 on Fridays in Germany. Traffic heading north was a bit grim for the first 100 miles but not as bad as M25 on a good day.

[cardigankid]

Still, I advise you to do it if you can, and since you have gone that far, why not head down past Munich and try out your exhaust note on the Alpine passes? I did it last year and its well worth the effort. As I was saying, small German hotels tend to be excellent quality, very comfortable and very reasonable. I expect to pay 55 Euros a night for a double room for two, with a good continental breakfast. Even with dinner and a bottle of good wine you are unlikely to break 100. Just stick your nose in the door, check out the menu and see if its nice and clean and you like the feel of it.

Berchtesgaden is a good base, despite some dodgy clientele in the past. Take in the Salt Mines. On the way back head north to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, skip that and take the 'Burgenstrasse' towards Langenburg. Apart from an excellent run, in Langenburg you will get a good lunch, possibly in the company of some bikers if its at the weekend, and there is a really superb motor museum owned by the Counts von Hohenlohe (Phil the Greek's sister's folks) Porsche is well represented. you can also visit the Castle if you take the notion.

The Hockenheimring is just north of the motorway heading back from Stuttgart. Its worth a visit and you can pay your respects to Jimmy Clark.

Have fun!