Golf Now In Sight

[John Disdale]

I thought you all might like to know that my Golf GT PD130 is in sight. It arrived at the dealers this morning, and 30 minutes later I was giving it the once over. The process has almost seemed like a nightmare in many ways, however I was spiritually lifted when I saw the result of choosing a pale grey leather interior. I kid you not this totally transforms the ambience of the interior beyond the norm, because in selecting such a colour it has meant that half the dashboard is grey, and three quarters of the doors are grey (generally black) – thus really lightening up the interior space. I opted for a glass rooflight on the basis of the Golf interior seeming far more claustrophobic than the A2, but on this account it might have been a waste of money when just the lightness in colour transforms everything.

The profile of the heated sports seats looks very nice, and I noticed that the entire handbrake is wrapped in leather which is a bit unusual, but certainly very pleasant on the eye. At one stage I thought they had forgotten to add the rear parking sensors when I could not see any circular indents in the bumper, however they are tiny little things cut into the small black valence which exists below the main bumper.

The dealers forecourt is like a battleground at the moment where in just the last 3 days they have taken delivery of 70 new cars from the factory (mostly Golf’s) – all to mainly go out to their owners on Sunday and Monday (when the new registration starts). Clearly the dealer is about to go into chaos mode, and so I have said I will collect my car later during the week – Wednesday/Thursday. This means that I should be paying the dealer for another weeks rent on the loaned Polo, but they told me to forget about it.

I joked with my wife that when we got the A2 it appeared as though it was the only one on the road, but now it looked as though we were going to get caught up in local traffic jams where every car is a brand new Golf. Obviously they are very popular – even at Tesco’s.

Now of course I start sitting with fingers crossed in the hopes that the future experience will be better than the A2, and the countless frustrating months of letter writing. I really do not wish to make any dealers showroom into my second home.

Its very hard for any A2 owner to graduate to just another small car, but I know Stevo and Roy have done this and are potty about their Golf’s so I hope I end up being the same.

Regards
John Disdale

[STEVO]

Good luck Jd and hope it was worth the Wait
regards Stevo[^]

[Kaine]

John,

Glad you can finally get the Golf next week. I'm sure you will be telling us all how superb it is for weeks/months to come. ;)

Seriously though, I sincerely hope it meets all expectations and you and your wife are completely satisfied.

regards,

Kaine

[runboy]

Congrats JD-let's hope this is the start of a wonderful relationship. I look forward to you setting up 'PDI130 Forum'!.

Steve - 1.4SE petrol, 2002, Silver

[royfox]

JD.
I bet you don't get any sleep between now and Wednesday!
I absolutley love my Golf. Yes you are right, you do see a lot of them about but this really doesn't bother me at all.
I think the Grey leather is a good move, my only downside is that all black is a bit, well, black....

Keep me posted.

Roy
Golf GT TDI PD130
and loving it!!!!!

[jonmerrick]

JD

Excellent news - glad it wasn't dropped into the water at Felixstowe or wherever!

I am sure that you will really enjoy it and look forward to hearing how you get on. Grey leather interior great choice.

Can the boot cope with all your Tesco shopping or does it spill over on to the back seats? I am afraid I always end up with 2 or 3 bags on the seat in the A2. Anyways it will look great in the Tesco carpark and I am sure that it will be making its first acquaintence with your local store on Wednesday!

Best of luck.

Jon

[runboy]

jonmerrick-How much shopping do you do?. I take the mother-in-law with me and we still fit everything into the boot-there is a very fine art of laoding though to ensure every inch is used and eggs don't get broken.

Went to Tesco's this morning and a runaway trolley came wizzing past the rear of the A2 and slammed into the Fabia parked next to me-close call for me, and I couldn't see what idiot had let the thing go without checking it was secure. Some people!.

Steve - 1.4SE petrol, 2002, Silver

[John Disdale]

I cannot work out how Jon knows when I will be going to Tesco’s. Its uncanny that he heard the VW transporter coming before it arrived, and I am now wondering if he can walk on water ?

Out of interest I was pleasantly surprised that my car insurance on the Golf PD130 is £280, thus only making it £70 more expensive than the A2. I have however finally decided that I will take out one of these separate “Gap” type insurances as well, where for a single payment of £300 it covers a 3 year period in which if the car is written off or stolen there will be sufficient funds made available to purchase another brand new car (with its extras).

Although the mentioned policy is through a VW dealer, I was also surprised to hear that such a policy could be purchased for a secondhand car as well. In this instance of course money for a new car is out of the question, but the FULL money originally paid is 100% recoverable.

Regards
John Disdale

[runboy]

And well all know what the insurance industry uses for it's car valuations when settling claims-the lowest figure then less 10%!.

I am joking, but in reality the settlement offer is never a realistic value.

Steve - 1.4SE petrol, 2002, Silver

[martinw]

Have you tried your insurance broker for Gap insurance?
I bought a 5 year policy for my wife's Honda CRV (£17k car) which cost me about £150 - the Honda dealer quoted me £250.

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[martinw]

Another thought - try asking Tesco Insurance for a Gap policy :)

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[jonmerrick]

Steve

I go to SAINSBURYS once a week and once only! When you have 3 kids to shop for that's a lot of cake and biscuits. I could take the A6 I suppose but I drive that all week and the A2 is cooler. Plus I feel with the big A6 there is more chance of being hit by one of those w**kers who can't be bothered to put their trolley away.

JD I did try walking on water a couple of times - the boating lake at Southport and some time ago I tried to walk accross the Thames at Windsor to retrieve a mooring rope. Unfortunately, the results were disappointing - but practice makes perfect!

Have a good time Wednesday - and don't forget your Club Card!

Jon

[John Disdale]

Martin,

I shall have a word with Tesco tomorrow. Perhaps if you purchase a “gap” insurance policy you get another for free.

My own insurance company Churchill do not entertain such policies, although a specific policy offered via VW themselves offers a fully comprehensive cover including the addition of “gap” cover for only one year. This I worked out was about another £100 above the Churchill standard annual premium, however whilst it computes to the same as the VW dealer gap insurance of £300 for 3 years, I reckon the biggest potential loss or difference would apply in years 2 or 3, so having cover during those latter years is pretty important.

Steve of course works for an insurance company, so I would have thought he might have some knowledge of what is available on the street.

Regards
John Disdale

[runboy]

JD-Although I work for a large 'insurance company', the said employer has fingers in many pies, and I'm one of those pies. Investments yes, insurance no!. You'd have better luck asking at Tesco's customer service desk than ask me about insurance!.

Steve - 1.4SE petrol, 2002, Silver

[chivers]

I hope you like your Golf John - thought of calling it "Pride of Tesco" or have you a better nick name?

Chivers ':)'
'02 A2 1.4TDi SE

[John Disdale]

Naming ones car like the “Pride Of Tesco” reminds me of the bygone age when those fabulous steam trains all had grand names. There were such things as the “Castle Class” and I guess in todays age the “Trolley Class” would seem appropriate.

Tesco’s could not help with any “Gap” insurance, but the keen motorist can this week cash in on the pineapple chunks – buy one, get one free. What has proven interesting is that apparently my standard “Churchill” policy will provide sufficient funds to purchase a brand new car (including accessories) if it is stolen and lost forever, or if it is written off within the first 12 months. So that’s pretty good. It also transpires that “her in doors” misunderstand a recent telephone conversation and the additional premium for the Golf above the A2 is only £35. I think that’s marvellous especially when the Golf cost around £2,000 more. Indeed I think a premium of around £250 to cover a car worth £19,000 is a super deal which is impossible to complain about. You really would think that going from 75hp to 130hp (group 6 to group 10) would in itself make a large difference in the insurance premium, but apparently not.

Having seen my VW dealer and a Toyoto dealer crammed to the brim with new cars to be handed out over the weekend (following the new registrations), I thought I would take a look at the forecourt of Whitehouse Audi. I just could not believe that there were only three A2’s hanging around. For the love of me I totally fail to understand why the model is not a lot more popular.

Regards
John Disdale

[martinw]

I don't know why it's not more popular - I guess it has to be down to the perceived value.

Re Gap insurance, you could try my broker - John Webley at HGR Insurance, 01384 390004. You definitely need the policy to cover the full term of the loan. Mine pays out the difference between what the insurance company pay out for the claim and the outstanding finance, up to £10k max (from memory).

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[John Disdale]

Martin,

Thanks for the contact. I spoke with your man, and must say it made a very pleasant change to speak with someone who did not represent one of these sterile “call centres” that are so prevalent these days. It transpired that he could only offer the same sort of policy as your own – that is one which basically protects monies outstanding on any finance deal. This was not what I wanted, and I went on to explain the detail of the VW policy, to which he said it was a very good deal and that I should take it. He then said he would have a phone around to see if he could possibly match the policy, and said if he could do so and knock £50 off then I would I give him the business. Obviously I said I would.

This evening at 6.15 (when most clock watchers have gone home) he telephoned to say that he could help for the previously quoted sum (£250) – so now I await the application form.

For the record the policy will “make up” to £15,000 as a payout on a car with a value no greater than £25,000. This is fine because as a worse scenario if in 3 years time the car gets written off then I imagine my normal fully comprehensive policy will pay out around £10,000 (obviously based upon its secondhand value). This then would require “making up” by another £9,000 in order to purchase another brand new car, and so as can be seen I will never hit the £15,000 maximum marker.

Naturally I hope I never have to claim on any policy, and whilst I am not generally one of these belt & braces type of individuals such a policy I believe has much worth. For sure if my car was written off in 3 years time I just could not put my hand into my pocket and pull out £9,000 to walk back into a dealers showroom for another new car. This way at least I know that if the worst does happen I will not be compelled to go out and purchase a secondhand car for which it’s nigh impossible to evaluate its genuine history.

I think John Webley’s phone number (01384 390004) should be scribbled in everyone’s note book who intends to purchase a new car. Anyway barring a cockup, thanks again.

Regards
John Disdale

[martinw]

Glad to be of help John.

I had a similar worry with an A6 I sold back in march. I bought it on a PCP. At 2 years old there was about £13000 owing on the finance, but the trade-in was about £10,500 - a write-off or theft would have left me out of pocket.



MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[jonmerrick]

Martin/John

This sounds very much like a policy worth having.

I may have missed something - I presume it is only available re cars purchased on finance?

I.e. if I have paid cash for my new A2 is there any policy I can buy which will replace on a "new for old" basis?

Thanks and regards.

Jon

[maersk]

Negative.
I was offered the opportunity for GAP (and took it up) when I bought my A2 outright. I conversed with JD about it on the forum some time ago. It is a good deal if you intend writing your car off in month 35!

images/icon_smile_cool.gif

[royfox]

JD,
I think I'll give him a call. Like you I find the task of finding replacement money just to keep the standard of car I currently have in a few years time daunting.

£250 seems to be a good deal for peace of mind.

No I may be being thick here but is the £250 a one off payment or is it something that is an annual fee?

[John Disdale]

To answer Roy & Jon’s questions. The premium is a one off payment covering the 3 years. I have no finance, so that it not my worry either. For those who wish to go down the same path as myself, whilst also protecting their finance arrangements then I’m sure this insurance agent could help.

One of the key aspects which always concerned me is that if you have a car with numerous extras most insurances companies in the event of a “write off” only view such options as being worth pennies. This is no good if one is about to replace the car in such an event, but the policy which I have described will return ALL past paid out monies (excluding road tax). This does however only include factory extras, and nothing fitted after first collecting the car.

Regards
John Disdale

[martinw]

You heard it here on the A2 forum! don't forget to mention my name to John Webley, he might even buy me a pint with all this extra business he looks like getting!

Seriously, all our Company and private insurance is with HGR - I find John Webley extremely helpful when there are claims to sort out, and over the last 20 years there have been one or three!

Hope you all ge a good deal from him.

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[jonmerrick]

Well today's the day I think when Tesco actually welcome their new Golf baby!

Hope it goes well John.

Jon

[John Disdale]

Jon,

I’m afraid the Manager at my Tesco’s has not finished laying the carpet in the carpark, and so the celebration party is off until tomorrow. As it is I am getting concerned when on Monday morning some money was electronically transferred to my bank, and should have arrived later during the day, but it has still not arrived. Without it I’m screwed so I just hope that the cockup gets resolved by tomorrow morning. My new insurance policy (required to tax the car) should have arrived this morning, but it has not, so its all becoming a little frustrating.

Regards
John Disdale

[martinw]

I'll be interested to hear how you get on with your Golf PD130.
I drove the A2 1.4TDi yesterday - once I realised I didn't have to rev the nuts off it and that it went better at 2500 rpm than at 4000 rpom, I started to enjoy it. The acceleration feels much quicker than the petrol. I suspect my next car will be diesel, maybe golf or seat leon.

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[runboy]

A Seat Leon with 130 or 150 bhp TD PDi-Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Steve - 1.4SE petrol, 2002, Silver

[martinw]

That's where I'm going to look next time - Seat's offer good value for money. I like the look of the Leon, and I guess there will be a new one next year on the new Golf floor pan.

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[John Disdale]

I have driven the A2 1.4TDI and a VW Polo with the same engine, so I can and have compared these to the petrol A2 in the past. I need to recap my past claims in that where I initially stated that the TDI seemed so much quicker I was related it to my own petrol car, which eventually I ascertained was a poor performer relative to other petrol A2’s. That said the diesel does have a great deal of pull/torque at a given rev range, and the fact that it simply does not apply in the same way in a petrol model makes comparing difficult.

Most people’s impression is that the diesel is the faster car, yet there is not one single statistic to prove this. Speed in many ways is an impression, and I reckon the diesel “seems” very quick and powerful early in the rev range, however once the diesel gets wound up and the rev counter climbs I believe that pro rata there is more engine noise than actual poke. The petrol model on the other hand has a different character, it generally feels somewhat gutless, but once the rev counter really climbs the car actually takes on a second lease of life. Funnily enough even my Audi Quattro was like this.

In conclusion I might describe the diesel as packing an early punch, but then running out of steam, with the petrol model starting off like a dead slug but coming on stream after a canning. The “impressions” are totally different, yet the stop watch confirms their eventual performance as being the same.

If the stop watch is thrown out of the window and one relates to everyday driving, then the obvious advantage of the diesel is that far fewer down shift gear changes are required when deciding to do a bit of overtaking, or climbing up a hill. This of course is a worthy advantage, however its likely that for shear speed (mph) dropping a gear in the petrol model, flooring the accelerator, and then changing up again would make for quicker progress than the diesel. That said the downside is that the screaming noise inside the cabin can become tiring – especially on long journeys.

My observations are of course hardly law, but that’s how I see the comparisons from my limited experiences.

In terms of the Golf PD130 you just cannot really compare this to any A2 when it comes to performance and tractability. This is an amazing engine and gearbox simply missing a nice body.

Regards
John Disdale

[runboy]

martinw-I came from a Leon to the A2, and I find more room for me in the A2 than the Leon!. Boot space a little smaller, but the higher driving position is nice. Still love the Leon-don't know why I didn't go for the same again-wanted a change as I felt what's the point going for the same car again. Come change time for the A2, SEAT will get a very close look as the replacement for the Leon will have been introduced by then (probably the Salsa).

Steve - 1.4SE petrol, 2002, Silver

[jonmerrick]

John

I agree with your observations. However, just to add that in the 2 A2s (both 1.4 TDI) I have owned the engines did not even bear comparison with each other - let alone any comparison with the petrol alternative!

The 1.9TDI is a wonderful unit as I have said before. There is absolutely no comparison that can be made with the 3 cylinder 1.4. I am still salivating at the distant prospect of a 1.9 TDI A2. I have already told the wife she is not working long enough hours (well, to be more accurate, that is what I would like to do if I had the nerve!)

Hope this delay over the new Golf is extremely short and you are very soon behind the wheel.

All the best.

Jon

[John Disdale]

Jon,

You really should not feel embarrassed in asking your wife to work longer hours. Simply bring to her attention the incredible internet report that you have read by Doctor Disdale, where using the reputed “Tesco Test” it has been firmly established that married females working a minimum 60 hours a week gain so much. This of course has been proven in extensive tests at the Disdale Institute where most females were found to be more healthy, more physically attractive, more sexually alert, and more likely to let their hair down in Tesco’s.

I’m totally convinced that your wise wife would not dream of challenging scientific research, so start getting those car brochures in and put your mind to work in all the extras that you could easily have. You know it makes sense.

Regards
Doc Disdale

[John Disdale]

Well, I collected the Golf this afternoon, but what a day. It started off not very nice in my wife having to visit a surgeon so that he could inform her of the risks in having to undergo a nasty operation in the future, and then it got worse in that money being transferred into my account had turned out to be a major cockup. I spent almost 2 hours in the Bank refusing to go away until someone sorted out the mess, and eventually after feeling exhausted I got my money.

The car drives and handles fantastically, and upon reaching home (after a detour) I thought I would give it a polish to my standards. Having given it a little wash I started to apply the polish, and then with my nose a few inches away from the bonnet I become aware of thousands of tiny rust colour dots – although many were actually black. The polish removed about 20% of them, but the remainder could not be shifted. Closer examination of the entire car highlighted that the pin prick “dots” were everywhere.

I am but guessing, but its possible that the tiny dots are rust or iron filings which I know some people experience when parking their cars near a railway line. The car has been polished by a contractor appointed by the dealer, and I think it’s likely that they have polished over these particles thus making them more harder to shift. Anyway come tomorrow morning the dealer is going to be very aware of mt presence.

It’s perhaps humorous that the Polo which I had been loaned was way short of immaculate when it was first given to me 9 weeks, ago yet I returned it shining and gleaming like a new pin (1 coat of Autoglym resin polish, and 3 coats of Autoglym high gloss). The dealer said I should not have gone to such lengths, but I stated it was all a matter of standards. Of course now I see that my standards make a professionals look like the work of a halfwit.

The bad jokes do not quite end there, when I now establish that the owner of the VW dealership (JCB Medway) is the son of the Managing Director of Whitehouse Audi (the company who I regard as lower than scum).

Oh well, perhaps tomorrow might be a better day. Who knows by Saturday I might be driving a Toyota.

Regards
John Disdale

[royfox]

JD,
Sorry to hear of your problems.
I'm sure you will sort the issue in your own professional manor.

The car is pretty fantastic I have to say. Please stick with it, as I'm sure you will agree it will be worth it.

Roy

[Rob Earl]

Oh Dear!!!! JD on the warpath - no one wants to see that.

I've just been out for a spin in a Golf GTi diesel (150BHP) which a mate has just picked up brand new and I've got to say I was mightily impressed. Apart from the slight diesel rattle upon start up, it was very quiet and refined - and it shifts quite well too.

Almost a 1.4SE in Merlot Red, Biege interior, 16" 5 spoke alloys, DIS, Open Sky, Elec rear windows.

[runboy]

JD-congrats on picking up the Golf, bad news on the paintwork.

I often give thought to what should I do when I pick up a brand new car-polish it straight away or leave it?. If left, then small bits of dirt will be picked up that not be shifted by washing and then get coated in wax making then harder to shift in the future.

When I picked up my present A2 there were parts where the polish hadn't been wiped off-looked just like normal '£4.99' a bottle stuff. I had a fright-thought it was dodgy paintwork at first until I wiped it off with my finger!.

Anyway, good luck tomorrow and I hope they polish out whatever is on the paintwork. They may even give you another dirty loan car to clean!.

Steve - 1.4SE petrol, 2002, Silver

[martinw]

Could this in fact be a deliberate ply on the Dealer's part - the more cars they loan JD, the cleaner their stock becomes?

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[John Disdale]

Visited the VW dealer this morning. The first person I spoke to could not cope unless I treated him as the Pope, so I asked him to get someone else. The sales Manager duly looked at the car, and promptly involved their in house car preparation guy, both of whom rapidly agreed the paintwork was not acceptable. It was decided to give the car an acid wash using a product which I noted from the canister was called “Fallout Cleaner” (recommended by George Bush to schools in Iraq), anyway rather than go home in a courtesy car I volunteered to stay and watch, emphasising that under no circumstances would I accept the car be hammered with any strong abrasives.

Alas the acid wash followed up with a hot water pressure jet only removed about 20% of the particles, so the process was repeated but without much of an improvement. Then a tar remover and bug shifter was tried – followed by more thousands of gallons of water, and this made a good improvement so it was repeated numerous times. After 3 hours I suppose 90% of the dots had been removed, and although the offer was made to then re-polish the car I said I would happily do that myself in the further hopes that in perseverance I could remove the remainder of the specks.

It was said that a brilliant product for the task would have been a “natural clay” – however although Halfords once imported this from the USA they apparently stopped selling it due to some form of copyright legal action. As it is I can remember seeing this advertised on the internet, and so I shall see about ordering some in order to achieve a 100% perfect job. The name of “Karobar Clay” seems to ring a bell. Does it with anyone else ?

Anyway, amidst the rain showers I spent several hours this afternoon polishing the car with 1 coat of Autoglym resin polish, followed up by a coat of their high gloss protection. The alloy wheels had of course in the process had their wax removed, so I also gave them a new coat of basic pure wax. The overall end result looks reasonable, but it will take me a few more days of spit and polish before I am satisfied.

One aspect which greatly annoyed me was the fact that the Golf had no carpets. I had in fact ordered rubber mats, and received them okay, but I have never ever heard of a car being supplied without any carpets. Moreover I cannot believe the stupidity of those who took my original order, when with the extras which I had requested one might have thought I would have been asked if as a “luxury” I fancied some carpets. Oh well, I have now ordered some.

Having purchased a car to enjoy and drive I clearly had not reached that stage, so this evening I went out for a 80 mile trip just to remind myself what it all been about. Cruising along in the 80mph category I only managed to obtain a computer reading of 50mpg, but I guess the engine is very tight and I did have a lot of ballast on board (the wife). Bearing in mind that in the past I have not liked diesels this car just amazes me, and I feel I could drive to Australia and get out feeling unstressed and as a fresh as a daisy. It’s quite amazing how all my local bumpy roads have become smooth again, and even when I fell down a pothole waiting for that A2 spine jarring feeling it just never happened.

If a comparison is possible between the A2 and Golf PD130 then off the cuff I make the following comments.

Audi A2 Better Than Golf For:
1/Better Panoramic Vision & Roadview
2/Better Dashboard Design & Finish
3/Better Paintwork
4/Better Sharper Steering
5/Better Headroom
6/Better Entry & Exit
7/Feeling Of Secure Brakes

Golf Better Than A2 For:
1/Smooth Ride
2/Quite & Relaxed Ride At High Speed
3/Superb 6 speed Gearbox
4/Superior peddle controls
5/Responsive Engine
6/Great Handbrake
7/Conveniant Driver Central Armrest
8/More comfortable Seats
9/More comfort for 2 Rear Passengers
10/Better Finish To Door Panels
11/Better Rear Visibility
12/A Hinged Bonnet & Conventional Dipstick
13/Bigger Floor Space To Boot
14/A Proper Spare Wheel
15/More User Friendly Size Fuel Tank

That’s about it. You now know as much as her indoors.

Regards
John Disdale

[Kaine]

Hi John,

15 - 7 : I cannot deny the Golf is probably a better all round car than the A2, however surely not by this margin. Lets debate this more at the Social. :)

quote:Cruising along in the 80mph category I only managed to obtain a computer reading of 50mpg, but I guess the engine is very tight and I did have a lot of ballast on board (the wife).

Clearly your wife doesn't read this forum.:D

Kaine

[martinw]

John - you still accepted the car with metal particles on the paint work then? Isn't that a reason to reject it and ask for a replacement? Perhaps the wait would be too long!

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[John Disdale]

Martin,

I don’t mind telling you that when I went back to the dealer I had previously discussed with my wife that if I was greeted by 1% of any nonsense in failing to address the issue I would ask them to get out their cheque book. This did not happen, however the situation is hardly 100% finalised.

We can of course all make whatever threats we like, but barring a ridiculous example any dealer or supplier has the legal right to attempt to put right a complaint. Obviously if the end result is not successful then that’s the time that the customer is entitled to reject the goods – although it has to be said that this must legally be done within 7 days.

I am of course today writing to the dealer to officially register the complaint, but as you rightly observe I would not have the stamina to go through ordering another new car. That said I now only have a few specks over the car, and already the dealer is trying to organise something about this (making use of “Clay Magic”) – so I do not feel justified at this point in time to demand anything. Do remember I drove an A2 for 9 months with a crappy gearbox and clutch, and that I found far more disturbing and dangerous than paintwork which I believe can be safely rectified with a bit more effort. Moreover I had to fight with Whitehouse Audi & Audi UK over the gearbox/clutch, but I have not as yet had to argue with the VW dealer. Anyway, apart from being moderately patient I guess my weakness is that I give anyone a sporting chance.

Regards
John Disdale

[runboy]

JD-clay eh?. Ask for some extra and give it to the Koi-I'm sure they will benefit......



Steve - 1.4SE petrol, 2002, Silver

[jonmerrick]

Doc

Thanks for the advice. I will pass this on to the missus at the right time!? The "right time" occurs fairly infrequently I have found, but such a window did appear about 18 months ago, albeit briefly. I will be patient.

At the moment she loves her A2 but she still hankers for a Mini Cooper. But the kids have come around at least – my little girl described the A2 as a dork's car (I gather a dork is not a term of endearment but I am not aware of its precise meaning – my comprehensive dictionary was of no help) when we placed the order. Anyway the message was "you are not driving me to school in that!"

Now she loves the "toaster" as she calls the A2. So I have an ally.

Great news that you are enjoying your Golf after the initial dirt problems. I am going to ask the forum for advice on car cleaning but I will put that in another thread. It would be terrible at the planned social if I turned up having just cleaned the car with some soap and a bucket of water and a wax every few months (what I do now). I can imagine the pained comments now - "Ah, I see you used Turtlewax", "You should rinse off using Evian water", "there's a lot of rust on those brake discs" etc etc!

Enjoy your motor!

Best regards.

Jon

[royfox]

JD,
What do you mean by "no carpet"?
You were stood on metal??????

If you need carpet mats, I've a spare set, mine came with two sets for some reason, perhaps I got yours as well:D

[John Disdale]

Jon,

Your daughter sounds like a splendid little character, but how amazing it is that children are so critical of a cars design. If anything I personally would have thought that the A2 would have been reviewed by the younger generation as a “trendy” (or should I say cool) sort of car – but then again I never wear a peeked cap back to front, so what would I know about common sense and good taste.

As an update my car has this morning been given the full business using one of these clay bars (see www.clay-magic.com ) and the paintwork is now 100% perfect. The company also gave it a coat of “Autoglym” polish, and providing the weather improves I shall later today give it a coat of Autoglym high gloss protection. The poor car has seen more water than the average submarine over the past few days, and I worry it might have shrunk.

Regards
John Disdale

[John Disdale]

Roy,

Thanks a million for your kind offer, but having now ordered a set of “luxury” carpets I expect they will arrive come Monday. I’m very annoyed to establish that you actually got carpets, and I will certainly be questioning why this is the case. Seriously I got nothing – zero – apart from cheap hair felt stuck to the bodywork.

The VW sales guy did say the car comes without carpets, but I now wonder if some plank has removed them. Even the horrible little Polo which I used had lift out carpets. Perhaps I shall read the specification again to check out whats what.

Regards
John Disdale

[STEVO]

Jd when i bought my Golf when i opened the boot the set of luxury carpetmats + mudflaps were there.The dealer said that VW supplies Vws that way now.
regards Stevo

[John Disdale]

Looking at the specification for my car the carpets should have been included. The dealer now says that I will get a refund for those which I have ordered, and presumably the Manager will apologise for the past **** & ball story plus trying to rip me off in the first place.

Following Stevo’s comments about free mudflaps I shall phone VW tomorrow. I did not pay for mine anyway, but this was conveyed as being a favour from the dealer.

Regards
John Disdale

[royfox]

JD,
I did have to pay for my mud flaps...

Roy

[John Disdale]

I thought I would post a link to a photo of my new Golf. See:-
http://www.cloverleaf.uk.net/images/golf1a.jpg

[martinw]

Looks nice JD.

I have been trying to swap my A2 for something with a diesel lump in, but the best px I got was £11,500 against a 'pre-alignment' golf 1.9TDi SE.

The worst was 9k from a Seat dealer.

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[martinw]

The Audi dealer where I bought my car from offered around £11,500 in px for a nearly new A2 TDi.

The Seat dealer rang the same Audi dealer for a bid, but they didn't want the car. Apparently they have to register 20 odd new A2's in September and they are nowhere near, so they don't need any nearly new stock. That's what the Seat dealer told me anyway!

I still think the A2 is great, but I'm really dissapointed with the fuel consumption, and TDi's just go so much better. Oh well, I guess I'll just run it for 2 years and then start looking again.

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[John Disdale]

Martin,

Why then are you not considering the A2TDI. Did the Golf spoil you ?

Regards
John Disdale

[runboy]

martinw-why the SEAT garage-what's taken your fancy there-the 130bhp Ibiza or the 110bhp Leon?.

Go for the Leon-lovely car (still don't know why I didn't get another instead of the A2.....) but be prepared for it to be replaced in the next two years (oh, probably like the A2 then!).

The new Ibiza is nice-no 5 door in the 130bhp diesel yet.

I think you may be able to get the better diesel engine (130 or even 150bhp) in europe on the Leon-not 100% sure though.

Steve - 2003 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior

[martinw]

John - I quite liked the A2 TDi, but I have to be honest and say that overall I preferred the Golf - your earlier summary was about spot-on, smoother ride etc. I am also not happy with the trade in values on the A2, so I'm not sure I want another one. When an Audi dealer says they don't want to buy any in, that has to be bad news.

Steve - I fancied the Leon as I really need 5 doors. It's a pain getting the kids in and out of a 3 door. I liked the look of the Ibiza 130, but as you say 3 doors only. Trouble is, Seat can't get a decent bid on the A2.

I'll try again when the A2 is a year old. I do like the A2, but realised I made a mistake not going diesel this time.

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE