Goodmorning...

[Diango]

This morning, while in a meeting at the office, I received an email from my Skoda dealership, with just this text:

 

 

"Say hello"

 

 

as an attachment, a picture he took for me while at the top-secret non-costumer-accessible location where all incoming orders are processed:

 

 

 

 

He then invited me to join him there come monday morning and take a look around myself, so I can take some virgin pictures of my yet unspoiled new motor.

I can't take her with me though, she still has to visit a number of 'facilities' to receive amongst other things some tinting, a block heater and some extra love in the audio-department.

 

But still, d-day is close, I can't wait!

 

 

 

 

[Mence]

What a great text, I like that!

[GTR27]

Awesome. Might hit up my dealer to take photos before they do the pdi

[Diango]

I can only say that my sales rep is an awesome guy, he likes selling them as much as I like buying one and is just as excited about my order, it shows in the way he treats me as a customer. 

 

Will definitely have all my maintenance done with him as well, not only out of gratitude but also because I hope to get better loaners out of him than I usually get at the BMW dealership (my last loaner was a 316iA).

[Diango]

So, this morning was the day I got to see her in the flesh, eh, metal:

 

 

30th of October has been appointed as the day I get to take her home .

[lostp]

2 more weeks... what's taking them so long? Bet you can't wait!

[CainDingle]

Phwoar. It looks fantastic. Jealous.

[Diango]

Thanks :-).

 

What's taking them:

 

Today they did the 'audi' tint (this is supposedly their darkest tint available) on every window but the front ones + windshield (as that is not allowed here).

Tomorrow they will fit the tow hitch (or whatever term you guys use).

Next week it's going to a different garage to fit the block heater, this will take them up to 5 working days.

The week after it will stop by the audio specialist, where they will fit special sound insulation in all doors to keep noise out and improve the sound quality of the fitted Canton system.

Also, they will build a subwoofer in the spare wheel slot in the back, so as not to take up any boot space.

 

Last but not least they have to do some final testing, computer reset, brake test etc etc before she will be released into my custody for the next 4 years or 180.000 kilometers (whichever comes first).

 

 

So yes, it's a tedious wait, but luckily I have a day job, a wife and kids and some excess rubber on the rear tyres of the BMW that needs removing before I return it (it's going to be exported to Poland or somewhere far east anyway, it's not like a few millimeters of profile depth is going to help you when you're knee-deep stuck in mud anyway) - all to keep me busy.

[Mence]

30th!

Jeez, I couldn't wait that long knowing it's just parked there!

[Diango]

What am I going to miss in 2 weeks?

 

This:

 

http://youtu.be/K0RbByvwkPc

 

:p

 

What won't I miss?

 

The less-than-adequate satnav and the failing bluetooth connection. Germans might provide a sweet ride, electronics are certainly not their forte.

[adder]

Looks cool in black, shame you need to put a number plate on the front......

Did you get much discount on this? I'm sick of being ripped off in Britain and thinking of emigrating to Europe  :sun:

[blahde2]

Next week it's going to a different garage to fit the block heater, this will take them up to 5 working days.

The week after it will stop by the audio specialist, where they will fit special sound insulation in all doors to keep noise out and improve the sound quality of the fitted Canton system.

Block heater? Is this like the externally powered electric blanket wrap for the engine block which is fitted to cars in the super cold far north countries like Canada, Alaska, Scandinavian block an Russia? If it is I take it that the block heater has been scoured from one of them as I don't believe it gets cold enough in Holland (I am in Germany) during the winter to warrant fitting one? I have also lived in Canada and know what a difference they make to warming the car up. Remote start and with block heater switched on the car is warm in -30*C in about 15 mins.

As for the sound insulation, I would be interested in that as I think my VRS is a bit louder than I expected it to be. One thing I am not happy about but have to live with now.

[Diango]

The discount my employer has negotiated with the Skoda dealer is (I believe it to be, but I'm not a 100% sure) about 6% flat on the entire quote including all accessories. 

That doesn't factor in my taxation, it's something that factors into their lease amount though.

 

The block heater is a small electric unit coupled with a tiny combustion engine that uses diesel from the car's fuel tank to, indeed, warm the car and engine up. 

No, Holland usually doesn't warrant one in terms of harsh winters, but it saves a bunch on the engine's wear and tear (and fuel consumption) plus the days I do have to de-ice my windows I save valuable sleep-in time .

Besides, de-icing is usually not enough because after you've finished the windows start fogging up because the engine isn't warm yet and we have very humid winters. 

All in all it usually takes you the better part of half an hour before you are well on your way.

 

The main reason is because I can, though. Employer pays for it but it doesn't factor into taxation because it's a dealer extra. 

 

The sound insulation is mainly because the BMW is so extraordinarily quiet on the inside while driving that I can have (conference) calls without people realizing I'm actually doing 90mph while talking.

As I'm sure the Skoda will not match this, the insulation is a precaution. Second reason is the audio specialist claims it will also improve the sound of the Canton speaker system.

[jthyssen]

I do conference calls in the car and so far no one has complained about the sound quality. I am usually driving up to 85mph.

However, I normally mute myself via MFSW or Amundsen when I am not talking.

Edited 17 October, 2014 by jthyssen

[Diango]

Whooptiedoo! She's been registered today, so the license plate has been secured. I've already found a nice mnemonic to remember it... 

 

Now on to securing some nice winter wheels to fit the winter tyres on. I've sent my HR manager a quote to agree to... let's hope he does, or I'll be sporting steel winters  .

[Bindinbear]

85 or 90 miles an hour on the phone??! Handsfree aside, that isn't good, potentially dangerous imo. Your mind is on the call, not the road ahead. Statistically you are more than 4 times likely to have a collision whilst using the phone.

Anywho, the night heater option is a good one. :-)

[Diango]

That is a fact, and almost always when speaking on the phone I switch to the rightmost lane (which would be the leftmost one in old-fashioned countries  :p) and drive slowly (with the rest of the slow movers). I cannot prevent however going faster when initially answering the call and sometimes during overtaking. 

 

Yesterday I drove my car (slowly and cautiously, of course) on a 50mph road while talking and took the ramp to the highway (still while on the phone).

Turns out that ramp was semi-flooded with rain and the back kicked out. That's where hands-free calling saves you, because I needed two hands to pull it back in. 

Still, my colleague on the other end was treated to a "****... ****!" and then an apology... "wet corner... sorry".

 

Even though I would not call myself the worlds' best driver by any standard, I do have some experience on the road and with fast(er) cars. 

Also, my history as a forklift driver helps me because they always have to multitask (nature of the job).

[Diango]

Today they fitted the audio insulation in the doors and are working on the sub in the boot. Wow! Those doors sound like bank vault closing now, what a world of difference! I think that is going to add to the feeling of luxury when driving, because it's super quiet now.

[themanwithnoaim]

I think some of us on here would like to know some more about the door insulation, mine sounds like a can of sardines if you slam the door espcially, with the windows half way down.

[Diango]

Well I'm happy to oblige :-).

 

http://www.dynamat.com/automotive-and-transportation/car-audio/dynamat-xtreme/

 

This is what they are using on my car. It's strangely thin for something that sounds so heavy.

 

Basically, they line the insides of the doors with them, in my case primarily to improve the insulation and sound properties of said doors, because I found the Canton system to be lacking in the low department. You could hear some bass, but you couldn't really feel it. Of course, you can line almost every part of the car with it if you so please (and if you can reach / take the trouble of de- and re-assembling your whole car) but it will add some pounds to the car and at the same time lift some from your wallet. The whole upgrade including the sub + amplifier in the boot (spare wheel cavity) and the fact that I'm having everything done externally was about 2 grand (in Euro's).

 

I figure you could find a good audio specialist in the UK who is willing and able to do this for you, maybe your dealer will be able to locate one he has had good experiences with in the past, that's how I found mine.

[Diango]

Two more nights... I've already received my new fuel card, the insurance papers and I've ordered new kiddy seats because I won't fit those dirty old things in my spanking new interior, of course.

 

I've cleaned out the BMW and removed all my stuff.

 

Final stretch!

[Diango]

Well, today was d-day!

 

 

I was presented with a bottle of wine (a slightly dubious gift with a new car if you ask me  ), flowers and this big thing covered in pantyhose. 

 

After filling out some paperwork and handing over the keys to the beemer I was given my new set of keys in return, together with a short rundown of all my new goodies.

I only registered half of it, because from the moment I opened the door, that gleaming 'vrs mode' button kept glancing at me. Positively shining. 

 

And boy does it have oomph. It feels much lighter on its feet than the BMW did and gives a vicious growl when overtaking.

The sound insulation is a world of difference and partly aided by some modern technology in the boot the music is literally rammed down your spine.

 

Nice surprise: Even though I didn't order or spec one, my radio was fitted with a DAB+ tuner for crisper tunes. Thank you Skoda  :clap:.

 

In short: Here is one happy new Skoda owner, and I intend to enjoy every second in this new car. I can now say for sure that I've chosen the right car, for me it's a better drive than the BMW was.

 

Edited 30 October, 2014 by Diango

[ExpatHotspur]

Did you get to keep the Skoda Pyjama's?

[Diango]

Haha I didn't ask for them, although I would be a good idea to better preserve the paint I would feel like an utter (insert male body part here) using it.

 

I will just have to live with the fact that scratches will occur, though I will be very picky on what car washes I use, the BMW did have bad paint eventually, possibly in part due to cheap car washes.

[ExpatHotspur]

A male appendage indeed. Nice touch for making the hand over "more special" though. Mine will be here sometime before Christmas, can't wait :-))))