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