The Mad Dash is a trip in one week from Denmark to Milano, Bologna and back. 1400 km to Milano in three stages: Denmark-> Göttingen on day one on to Zurich in day two and to Milano on day three. Two days around Milano and environs, a one day trip to Bologna and back and finally a two day return from Milano to Schweinfurt and to Denmark. All in all around 3600 km or 2300 miles in a week.

Initially, the tyres had about 300 miles on them and were a little noisy and sloppy. At the end of the trip, they are no longer sloppy or noisy, in fact the opposite. The tyre profile has settled down to their 34 psig all around and have a nice flat contact surface, equal temperature acroos the threads after a run and no visible differnce in the pattern on all 4 tyres. Handling improved after the first dash, and is getting markedly more crisp. A few panic brakings when some Smart car decided to pull out from behind a 100 km/hr lorry chase and pass in front of a 180 km/hr approaching Monster happened with no squealing or use of the ABS system. Happy with the dry perf of the tyres.

Wet performance was really not tested, but on rain drenches surfaces at speed, theer was no noticeable differnce in handling or performance.

So far, the average consumption frm the on board display has been 39 MPG. This is a mix of Autobahn, messing around in the Milano race (If you have not been there, you don't know) and a dash on the almost straight line from Milano to Bologna and back at a theoretical speed limit of 120 km/hr. Two Alp crossings - both through the San Bernardino tunnel. The best long run was 3 hours at an average of 125 km/hr for three hours and an indicated fuel consumption of 30 MPG.

Dashing around Milano was a lort of fun. The Columbus worked as well a could be expected - lots of new roundabouts not on the maps - and the high position is a distinct advantage getting into the roundabout sequence. Roundabout handling at some exessive velocity was crisp and intimidating - to others. The combination of power, prescence and speed potential was definitely a big plus in that environmet. So was the small actual sizre in navigating around the narrow streets in the mountain villages just north of Milano. Except for the roundabouts, the Columbus knew where it was, and navigating was a breeze, as long as you did not worry too much about house numbers and New Bridges.

I am very satisfied with the choice of the 16" wheels and the Conti tyres. At *"speeds, they are firm and predictable and react promptly to steering input. 180 km/hr is no problem for the Monster, as there is plenty left to accelerate up hill, but for me things start to happen a little too fast - old age an' all that. At that velocity, she is much more responsive than the PD Octy was. She will efinitely do the advertized 201 km/hr as indicated, but how much more will be up to someone else to try to prove.

My butt gets tired after 5 hours of working and five hours of driving. This may be a combination of a soft butt and a softer seat than in the Octy. However, no back problems, no cramps and a nice environmet´nt to litrén to the radio - even at high speed.

One ittle complaint, though: The DRL's do not command enough respect. On the other hand, using the " lichthube" with the xenons certainly do.

Tomorrow, Shehvide will have passed 20,000 km and only have used 1 litre of oil. Xenon light problem and leaking turbo-header joint are forgiven.

Edited 15 April, 201016 yr by Agerbundsen

Another speldid travel log/report Agerbundsen!

As a PS, some have thought me a bit weird for driving this trip, but with the unforeseen Icelandic volcano spitting ash, had I flown, I would be sitting in Milano for days waiting for a flight home.

A smell of sulphur was noticeable at times as far south as a bit north of the German/Austrian border.

Another great report Thank you Agerbundsen

very impressive MPG...especially when you consider those "small hills" you were crossing

Glad you got home ok- no sign of any ash dust then?

As a PS, some have thought me a bit weird for driving this trip, but with the unforeseen Icelandic volcano spitting ash, had I flown, I would be sitting in Milano for days waiting for a flight home.

A smell of sulphur was noticeable at times as far south as a bit north of the German/Austrian border.

DPF?

tom

Here are the stats:

Total trip: 3608 km/2255 miles.

Actual driving time 41.8 hours.

MFD values: 7.5l/100 km = 13.35 km/l = 37.5 mpg.

Average speed while driving 86 km/hr = 54 mph. Mixed motorway and big city driving in Milano.

values from all Autobahn from Schweinfurt to North of Lübeck today:

4.5 hours actual driving time, 5 hours with two pit stops.

560 km/350 miles.

MFD values: 8.5l/100 km = 11.4 km/l = 32 mpg.

Consumption was 48 liters of diesel, which results in 11.6 km/liter.

Average speed 125 km/hr = 78 mph.

Both the speedometer and odometer are conservative by law ( assuming they are linked and use the same data) so the speed and distance may have been up to 5% more and the consumption less by the same amount.

Today (and always!) speed limits were observed German style and there were no unexpected delays from either traffic or accidents. There were several restricted distances with traffic and speed limits in roadworks and around the big cities and the hills on both sides of Kassel.

The "natural" rate of progress on clear stretches was between 160 and 180 km/hr (100-112 mph) Some of the curves would have been more comfortable with better lateral support in the seatback.

Weather was clear with a very short stretch of a little spitting rain.

Oil consumption for the whole trip was 0.1 liter - impressive!

It is still copmfortable to listen to music doing the ton.

I guess she is a keeper.

Edited 16 April, 201016 yr by Agerbundsen

Thanks for another great write-up! I'm kind of envious of how easy it is to reach Germanys Autobahns/Nürburgring, The Alps, The rivieras etc. when living in DK... I know København is just a 7 hour drive from Oslo, but the 7 hour drive or the expensive ferry makes it more something to think about instead of just jumping in the car and just drive to where ever your heart desires

My girlfriend and I went on a trip last summer staying 3 nights in Køben, and then of to Nürburgring for 3 nights, finishing off in Paris before heading home. We had a Fabia MK2 1,9TDI Sport at the time, and it was a great companion for the whole trip, coping great with everything from 190km/h autobahn touring to lapping "the green hell". I miss the sport seats in the Fabia.. They were good for a non-stop drive from Paris to Oslo (had to stop for dinner in Hamburg, and a few fuel/toilet stops) without a sore back. Not sure if I would have been that happy with the Yeti after a similar short summer adventure this summer??

I'm actually thinking about either ordering the parts I need for converting the front seats in the Yeti to the new sport seats, or downgrading to a new Fabia vRS.. :p

Thanks for another great write-up! I'm kind of envious of how easy it is to reach Germanys Autobahns/Nürburgring, The Alps, The rivieras etc. when living in DK... I know København is just a 7 hour drive from Oslo, but the 7 hour drive or the expensive ferry makes it more something to think about instead of just jumping in the car and just drive to where ever your heart desires

My girlfriend and I went on a trip last summer staying 3 nights in Køben, and then of to Nürburgring for 3 nights, finishing off in Paris before heading home. We had a Fabia MK2 1,9TDI Sport at the time, and it was a great companion for the whole trip, coping great with everything from 190km/h autobahn touring to lapping "the green hell". I miss the sport seats in the Fabia.. They were good for a non-stop drive from Paris to Oslo (had to stop for dinner in Hamburg, and a few fuel/toilet stops) without a sore back. Not sure if I would have been that happy with the Yeti after a similar short summer adventure this summer??

I'm actually thinking about either ordering the parts I need for converting the front seats in the Yeti to the new sport seats, or downgrading to a new Fabia vRS.. :p

Jon.

The Yeti is actually a nice autobahnlokomotiv. Very much quieter than my Octy.

"People" actually move out of the way of the Monster - do't think they do that for a Fabia or Polo for that matter.

The DRl's could do with a little help, though - som LED's which don't spoli the look, buit emphasizes it.

I will have to think of something - don't really want to drive with the zenons on all the time. Maybe ther is a nice place in the black fake air intakes low down. That is where Porsche have them.

I will have to think of something - don't really want to drive with the zenons on all the time. Maybe ther is a nice place in the black fake air intakes low down. That is where Porsche have them.

Well one of the dealer fit options is the silver trim strips running on the two small lower grilles (for £15). That vertical strip is the ideal place for an LED strip. I can't remember who the owner of this car is but it has the little silver strips at the front: