Didn't sleep very well last night for some reason - not sure why... :wink:
Took the train into London this morning, to get to the dealer.
Was expecting that the long list of jobs to be done, that I'd agreed with the dealer, would be completed - as he'd told me that I could pick it up on the day we originally arranged, when I spoke to him Weds.
Arrived to be told almost immediately that everything that was due to have been done hadn't been done - Hmmmm, not a good start!!
Anyway - what had been done was as follows:
The cambelts had been changed, and the full service completed.
The engine had been repainted (red cam covers - lovely!).
The fuel pipes and filters had been changed as some of the joints were not up to scratch.
The steering rack had been completely refurbished, as they'd found a leak in one of the joints.
The spacer behind the steering wheel (to move it out an inch) had been fitted - painted in crackled black - looks like it's meant to be there!
The brake discs/pads had all been replaced.
The seats had been reconnolised - and look literally like new.
The new alarm had been fitted.
Plus a few other minor things.
The stuff that hadn't been done was as follows:
Nearside wheels need refurbishing - just some minor scuffs (from kerbs no doubt!)
The inside of the engine bay needs refurbishing - i.e. stripping and painting black.
The black paintwork leading into the air intakes (behind the side windows) needs redoing.
Would have preferred to know about this before I'd travelled, but it's not the end of the world. It's probably not going to be more than 6 weeks before the car gets "put to bed" for the winter, so the dealer suggested I drive it (i.e. enjoy it) until then, and then he'll finish off the stuff above, which I'm fine with! Besides, the brakes, steering rack and some minor jobs had been done as part of the preparation, at no cost - so I shouldn't complain too much!
Anyway - nightmare of nightmares, on the way home the heavens opened!! I'd been praying all week that it'd be dry today, and it wasn't to be!!
Even worse than that, it was wet by the time I got to the corner I'd been practising all week (in my A6 on the way home from work!) ready for the new car!!! It's a very quick left hander followed immediately by a sharper right hander!! For those of you in the UK (A1 northbound, just north of Tempsford!!). So, I'll have to see if I can out-corner Schumacher another day!!
As a result, the drive home (about 60 miles) wasn't particularly exciting. I need to get used to it before I can really play - and a wet day probably isn't the place to get used to it
.
Still, my wife loved it (which is a huge bonus), to the extent that on the way home she asked which model I thought I'd go for when it came time to change!!! It's at times like that, that I understand why I married her :green: !!!
More to follow when I've had more of a drive. For the moment - I'm pleased - very pleased!!!
(Pics to follow when I have a chance - it was put straight in the nice dry garage when I got home, so no pics yet!!)
Bazil
Took the train into London this morning, to get to the dealer.
Was expecting that the long list of jobs to be done, that I'd agreed with the dealer, would be completed - as he'd told me that I could pick it up on the day we originally arranged, when I spoke to him Weds.
Arrived to be told almost immediately that everything that was due to have been done hadn't been done - Hmmmm, not a good start!!
Anyway - what had been done was as follows:
The cambelts had been changed, and the full service completed.
The engine had been repainted (red cam covers - lovely!).
The fuel pipes and filters had been changed as some of the joints were not up to scratch.
The steering rack had been completely refurbished, as they'd found a leak in one of the joints.
The spacer behind the steering wheel (to move it out an inch) had been fitted - painted in crackled black - looks like it's meant to be there!
The brake discs/pads had all been replaced.
The seats had been reconnolised - and look literally like new.
The new alarm had been fitted.
Plus a few other minor things.
The stuff that hadn't been done was as follows:
Nearside wheels need refurbishing - just some minor scuffs (from kerbs no doubt!)
The inside of the engine bay needs refurbishing - i.e. stripping and painting black.
The black paintwork leading into the air intakes (behind the side windows) needs redoing.
Would have preferred to know about this before I'd travelled, but it's not the end of the world. It's probably not going to be more than 6 weeks before the car gets "put to bed" for the winter, so the dealer suggested I drive it (i.e. enjoy it) until then, and then he'll finish off the stuff above, which I'm fine with! Besides, the brakes, steering rack and some minor jobs had been done as part of the preparation, at no cost - so I shouldn't complain too much!
Anyway - nightmare of nightmares, on the way home the heavens opened!! I'd been praying all week that it'd be dry today, and it wasn't to be!!
Even worse than that, it was wet by the time I got to the corner I'd been practising all week (in my A6 on the way home from work!) ready for the new car!!! It's a very quick left hander followed immediately by a sharper right hander!! For those of you in the UK (A1 northbound, just north of Tempsford!!). So, I'll have to see if I can out-corner Schumacher another day!!
As a result, the drive home (about 60 miles) wasn't particularly exciting. I need to get used to it before I can really play - and a wet day probably isn't the place to get used to it
.Still, my wife loved it (which is a huge bonus), to the extent that on the way home she asked which model I thought I'd go for when it came time to change!!! It's at times like that, that I understand why I married her :green: !!!
More to follow when I've had more of a drive. For the moment - I'm pleased - very pleased!!!
(Pics to follow when I have a chance - it was put straight in the nice dry garage when I got home, so no pics yet!!)
Bazil
