Dilemma

[andyking35]

Hi

6 months ago I ordered a Skoda Superb SE 1.6 Greenline Estate in steel grey. I'm working for HM Forces in Germany and can purchase cars VAT free - the only drawback is that there are only a small number of brokers who specialise in this area (Skoda recommends two on its website).

On Tuesday whilst I was en route to the UK to collect my car I was called by my broker. He said that he had made a mistake and had inadvertently ordered an Octavia instead of a Superb! The Octavia had also been delivered to the the wrong garage but that matters little!

There are no Superb Greenline Estates in stock and to get the model I want (from any source) will take 4 to 6 months. I was offered a choice of non-Greenline 1.6 S and SE+ models which would be available in 2 weeks but didn't get as far as discussing prices; I intent to keep this car for 5+ years and it's the Greenline I want.

My broker has offered reorder the car at a competitive price (£800 below their main rival with free delivery to Germany) but I am unsure whether to proceed given that:

- My current car (51 plate Nissan Primera Hatch) is getting on a bit and is already too small for family holidays.

- I am going abroad for 6 months from November and I wanted my family to have a new reliable car while I was away.

- My broker has already let me down once. Can I trust them to deliver this time?

I know that many of you will suggest the long term loan of a car but this isn't an option for some very good reasons.

I need to make a decision in the next day or two so any advice would be appreciated.

- Should I involve Skoda UK Customer Services and what could I hope to achieve by doing this? It was a broker error, not a main dealer error.

- Are Greenline models that different from their equivalent 1.6TDi models? The brochure gives an average difference of 10mpg.

Hopefully this hasn't sounded like too much of a whinge. Thanks in advance for any constructive responses.

[St]

Personally I'd give the non Greenline SE+ a hard look if the price is right and no other issues, such as it's in a colour or some feature that you'll hate, eg I have very mixed feelings about sunset glass. Maybe negotiate some extras, eg the Skoda servicing package included?

Failing that being a workable solution I'd hold out for a re-order; however I don't know how much a reliability worry the Primera is so it's easy for me to say that. Has it been a genuine area of concern, ie it's clearly on the upward part of the maintenance costs curve, or is it just that you are worrying a bit and maybe have muddled along with a couple of issues knowing that a new vehicle is on the way soon?

I know how it feels when you're due to go away and notice something a bit odd on the family runabout just before departure.

Gutted for you. Stay safe.

[Gizmo]

Who is the broker?

If it begins with B and the MD is Simon ****** then I am not surprised in the slightest and I would choose a slightly dearer broker DTD would be my choice.

[Raglits]

Who is the broker?

If it begins with B and the MD is Simon ****** then I am not surprised in the slightest and I would choose a slightly dearer broker DTD would be my choice.

Except DTD don't seem to be doing Skoda orders anymore...

[andyking35]

Hi

Thanks for your responses so far. My main issue with the SE+ is that it isn't available as a Greenline which will increase running costs by at least £250 a year (£85 more to tax and 10 mpg worse economy). As I intend to keep the car for a while this could add up. There are no features on the SE+ which I dislike but I don't really value the extra spec that much. The Primera has never let me down but if something goes wrong when I am working away I would prefer my wife to have the reassurance of a warranty/courtesy car.

As a long shot I called the Leeds dealership this evening to see if there were any unallocated Elegance Greenlines in the UK. There aren't but and I may be able to get hold of one of two unallocated Greenline SE Estates which are about to be built. This would meet my delivery deadline of October and the only compromises are the colour (silver or black) and the lack of front parking sensors. I'm aware that the latter can be retrofitted for around £300. I'll get on to my broker first thing tomorrow and see if a deal can be done.

[andyking35]

Silver Greenline SE Estate now on order. Should be built within 4 weeks and in my hands within 8. Managed to get a reasonable cash reduction from my broker, a few dealer fitted extras (rubber mats, side protection strips, locking wheel nuts) and free delivery to Germany. Only decision left to make is whether to get the dealer to fit front parking sensors (too late to add to the factory order) or accept a cash reduction and get them fitted myself.

[veloplus]

Silver Greenline SE Estate now on order. Should be built within 4 weeks and in my hands within 8. Managed to get a reasonable cash reduction from my broker, a few dealer fitted extras (rubber mats, side protection strips, locking wheel nuts) and free delivery to Germany. Only decision left to make is whether to get the dealer to fit front parking sensors (too late to add to the factory order) or accept a cash reduction and get them fitted myself.

I think you did the right thing holding out for a Superb Greenline. Silver is an inoffensive colour and preferable to black.

My own Superb Greenline SE Combi has just been ordered....so only another 5-6 months left to wait!

[Traff2003]

Have you tried Forces Cars Direct?

[andyking35]

Forces Cars Direct are my broker. Didn't want to mention them in the original post but feel that I can do so now that we have come to an agreement that all parties are happy with.

The key lesson I have learned from this experience is that when purchasing a car through a third party you should always ring the main dealer to confirm that there have been no mistakes in the order.