So… seems I will be coming to the UK and really need some advice

[Zephyr]

Decided to attend Goodwood Revival and will travel with the (mazda) all the way from Greece, to Serbia, Slovenia, Germany, France and the tunnel.
The plan is to return from France and finally ferry from Italy.

The notZ is in perfect condition, as good as new, but for such a trip, I would feel safer if I had a pitstop somewhere in UK, to check things, have an oil change, probably replace worn tyres, align wheels etc.

I intend to travel for about six to seven hours per day and stay on pre-booked hotels.
Regarding car checking etc already started gathering information from France but in typical French “Ce n’ est pas la mer à boire” (it is not as if you have to drink the sea) they answered, do not worry about it, here are the dealers locations, go there and they will fix everything. This does not sound very professional to me, so could you help me feel more secure as time comes close?
need a good reputable service station to check my car and adjust my headlights along with the rest of work that may be needed.
and could somebody explain to me that ULEZ thing and if it applies to foreign cars in London?

thanks in advance and sorry I bother you as a nonZedder but this is the only social I ever had and your help will be much appreciated.
I will skip London if it is too complicated or expensive. Its been ten years since my last visit and I am pretty sure things have changed dramatically.

 

[Richard29]

How new is your mazda?

 

[Zephyr]

2023 model, 13.500km now, probably will be reaching 20k when I arrive in UK.

 

[t-tony]

My choice would be get it serviced before leaving. That way it won’t need other than a possible oil and filter?, before you get home.

Tony.

 

[Delk]

Personally I would also avoid driving into London if at all possible. I normally park at one of the outer tube stations so I can get in and out without the car.

 

[Zephyr]

My choice would be get it serviced before leaving. That way it won’t need other than a possible oil and filter?, before you get home.

Tony.

I will surely do this. But knowing the road conditions on many of the countries I will pass through would really like to have some sort of inspection before I head back home. Its a 7.000km trip in one go, so trying to be on the safe side and one thing is sure, I will definitely need new tyres at some point of this trip even if I start with fresh ones. From my experience, long distances in constant high speed are ripping them apart pretty soon.
On the other hand the car is almost new, but you never know.

So London is out of the equation as I understand. Better for me. Much cheaper not to visit the capital…

 

[AntStark]

Goodwood is on the South Coast .. so if you want to go to London for a day trip then it is much easier and quicker (usually) to get on the train than to drive. Most railway stations have big car parks. If your car is Ulez exempt (being 2023 it should be) you wont pay for that but if you want to drive into the center of London you will pay the congestion charge...not to mention parking will be an absolute fortune .. £40/day at least.

If you want Tyres and an Oil and Filter on the South coast then I've always had great service from this chain https://www.protyre.co.uk/

 

[Zephyr]

Excellent advice. Will contact them and probably order tyres some days in advance of needed.
London will not be an option. Made up my mind. Why spend a day looking at people being busy when I could be driving around the back roads.
is there a trick for my headlights being a “euro” setup? back in the day we used some stickers to cover the lens. Is there a place that regulates the beam when we enter the UK? Or should I do it myself?

 

[AntStark]

Given you wont be here long I would just use some stick on headlight beam adjusters. Same as we do when we go to Europe. They are very cheap.

 

[Richard29]

Its nearly new so i would worry too much. There are loads of places up and down this island that wil do tyres and allignment. Some xenon lights can be switched. My xc90 ones are.
I frequently took the z3 into central london for a drive, why not see the city with roof down?

 

[Jam03]

I think your car will be fine. Biggest issue I can see is luggage room, unless you’re travelling alone. Remember that you have to dress up for Revival.

 

[Zephyr]

Its nearly new so i would worry too much. There are loads of places up and down this island that wil do tyres and allignment. Some xenon lights can be switched. My xc90 ones are.
I frequently took the z3 into central london for a drive, why not see the city with roof down?

could be an option depending on the weather.

 

[Nodzed]

My advice ............... Fly. Hire a car at Gatwick, Goodwood is an hour (well if everyone else gets off the road it is)

 

[Zephyr]

I think your car will be fine. Biggest issue I can see is luggage room, unless you’re travelling alone. Remember that you have to dress up for Revival.

sent over an email asking if I can dress up with the 60s Olympic Airways Captain costume (with wings, stripes etc) and the wife to replicate the cabin crew outfit. It was a Pierre Cardin design and I guess they will understand that it was an iconic uniform back in the day. They better answer because making these will cost a lot… and would really like to participate in the contest.

 

[Zephyr]

My advice ............... Fly. Hire a car at Gatwick, Goodwood is an hour (well if everyone else gets off the road it is)

This will probably be my last big trip and would really like it to be unique.
The wife will also retire next year and her being a army doctor we decided to leave Athens and move to a small island in the aegean sea where she will work part time at their small medical centre. We‘ve been through a lot during the last years and living in a small island, relaxing by the sea and having a small boat is our dream for “being retired”.
so while we still can, we will do this trip. Was scheduled for some years back, but covid changed out plans drastically.

 

[t-tony]

Yeah, COVID did that to us too, hence our 9 weeks at our place in Florida. And to many others too. This year having to chuck $5,000 at a new pool heater curtailed our road trip once again.

Tony.

 

[Slam]

A 2023 car will be ulez exempt whether it’s petrol or diesel. If you go into the center of London you will need to pay the congestion tax. My advice would be don’t bother with London you ain’t missing much.

 

[AntStark]

Goodwood Revival | What to wear

Your guide to what to wear at the Goodwood Revival.

www.goodwood.com

I think that 60s air crew outfit would be perfect... remember the Goodwood motor circuit surrounds the airfield.

 

[Zephyr]

Yeah, COVID did that to us too, hence our 9 weeks at our place in Florida. And to many others too. This year having to chuck $5,000 at a new pool heater curtailed our road trip once again.

Tony.

Who needs a heater Tony? Be the manly man you are and jump right in! (Just kidding, I know how cold a pool can be even during warm months).

 

[t-tony]

I could and did put up with it for a couple of weeks, however people who rent the place expect a warm pool even in the warmer months.

Tony.