[Paulvr6]

Congratulations, MG - mines on order too!
Great fun finding a run about.....I'd go for a MK11 Golf GTI for the fun of it!

[chiark]

The "great fun" is mostly trying to find something that isn't an utter nail.

A handy guide:
"MINT!" - means rust has almost devoured the hatchback. (Applies to Corsas)
"Mechanically excellent" - manifold leaks, badly. (Golf GTI MK IV)
"Tidy interior" - someone has used it as a lavatory for 12+ months. (Ka)
"No rust on wheel arches" - because there's no wheel arch left due to rust (Puma)
"Slight bubbling around petrol cap" - some paint left around petrol cap (Ka).
"Full MOT, no advisories" - 12 months MOT, sure, but advisories on track rods, brakes, rear brake lines, steering rack (Pug 206).
"Slight parking dint in front wing" - looks like a lorry used it as an emergency braking system (Polo)

Anything that looks tidy goes within hours. I am looking at spending under a grand . Autotrader is full of near crooks, it seems.

[Paulvr6]

Originally Posted by chiark

The "great fun" is mostly trying to find something that isn't an utter nail.

A handy guide:
"MINT!" - means rust has almost devoured the hatchback. (Applies to Corsas)
"Mechanically excellent" - manifold leaks, badly. (Golf GTI MK IV)
"Tidy interior" - someone has used it as a lavatory for 12+ months. (Ka)
"No rust on wheel arches" - because there's no wheel arch left due to rust (Puma)
"Slight bubbling around petrol cap" - some paint left around petrol cap (Ka).
"Full MOT, no advisories" - 12 months MOT, sure, but advisories on track rods, brakes, rear brake lines, steering rack (Pug 206).
"Slight parking dint in front wing" - looks like a lorry used it as an emergency braking system (Polo)

Anything that looks tidy goes within hours. I am looking at spending under a grand . Autotrader is full of near crooks, it seems.

Is there a semi decent car garage near you that can do a deal or perhaps hire something.

[chiark]

I've tried that with a couple, and the general thought is that they will shaft me come sell-back time. So I guess that's not semi-decent. I do know one that I've bought 2 cars from in the past, so will go and have a word with them... But, TBH, my car is only about 7 weeks away from now and I'm not sure I want the hassle.

[Paulvr6]

Originally Posted by chiark

I've tried that with a couple, and the general thought is that they will shaft me come sell-back time. So I guess that's not semi-decent. I do know one that I've bought 2 cars from in the past, so will go and have a word with them... But, TBH, my car is only about 7 weeks away from now and I'm not sure I want the hassle.

Car share, public transport and work from home if you can, maybe a few days leave will get you thru, good luck

[FSE23]

I wish I had ordered EBII . But MG should be fine too( trying to tease myself now )....and I had a chance to change it......well...

[PrinceBarin]

Great car, great spec - congrats

Your quest for a runaround sounds like a Top Gear challenge. Best of luck!

[chiark]

The top gear challenge does keep crossing my mind. I have not mentioned this to my wife as she would see through me.

I do work from home . The car is only needed to ferry kids around when my wife is doing something else. I can use public transport for meetings. In fact, why have I just spent a significant sum on a car...

[chiark]

I'll be wanting to carry bikes quite often with the car, and will be going to France too. We've got a towbar mounted carrier for my wife's car: be a shame not to be able to use it on mine... I was planning to retro fit a Westfalia kit and dedicated electronics, which was around £350.

Then I saw a video of the integrated towbar. How much neater is that!? I want one. And then I read on here that the tow bar option also adds extra cooling. Despite me not towing caravans (work of the devil), someone in the future may want to. Or I could tow a track car...

(Oh, and again big up Stratstone for their advice there- "don't bother with the factory one, it's not that good, just fit an aftermarket one" - which is why I hadn't spec'd it originally)

My car is showing as "orange" in the prep stage, goodness only knows what that means, but the dealer wasn't sure if modifying the spec would affect the build date, which is scheduled for week 11. Brave pills in hand, they went ahead and added the option.

Still showing week 11 build, April delivery. Woo and, if you would, hoo!

Oh, and the towbar?

[DrSteve]

That's good to know. I'm set for a week 11 build and had thought about making a last minute change but was worried it would mess up the build date. Decisions, decisions.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by chiark

I'll be wanting to carry bikes quite often with the car, and will be going to France too. We've got a towbar mounted carrier for my wife's car: be a shame not to be able to use it on mine... I was planning to retro fit a Westfalia kit and dedicated electronics, which was around £350.

Then I saw a video of the integrated towbar. How much neater is that!? I want one. And then I read on here that the tow bar option also adds extra cooling. Despite me not towing caravans (work of the devil), someone in the future may want to. Or I could tow a track car...

(Oh, and again big up Stratstone for their advice there- "don't bother with the factory one, it's not that good, just fit an aftermarket one" - which is why I hadn't spec'd it originally)

My car is showing as "orange" in the prep stage, goodness only knows what that means, but the dealer wasn't sure if modifying the spec would affect the build date, which is scheduled for week 11. Brave pills in hand, they went ahead and added the option.

Still showing week 11 build, April delivery. Woo and, if you would, hoo!

Oh, and the towbar?
]

I added a towbar, as my dealer had said the aftermarket ones were an absolute pain! Electronics can be awkward, doesn't sit so well, and only works out a couple hundred quid cheaper, but for a whole lot more hassle!

I don't have anything tow at the moment, but hoping that will change (if can justify a Caterham)! I will be buying a tow bar mounted bike carrier though as the faff of lifting bikes on the roof, with the risk of damaging it etc is too high.

[V330d]

a factory fitted towbar adds trailer stability and really isn't that more expensive than an aftermarket one.

[chiark]

Plus despite a towbar being an inherently uncool thing, the way it unfolds almost makes up for the fact that someone, somewhere, might choose to put a caravan on it.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by chiark

Plus despite a towbar being an inherently uncool thing, the way it unfolds almost makes up for the fact that someone, somewhere, might choose to put a caravan on it.

The only downside ot having it that I've come across is that I can't put the M Performance rear diffusor on!

[chiark]

IT'S HERE! It's now at the garage, and is awaiting preparation, etc. I pick it up next Tuesday, which seems a long, long way away but the dealer is maxed out. 28 cars going out tomorrow, apparently.

It looks stunning, even under the protective transportation wax. Engine works , towbar works - the sales man wanted to demo that first - , lights look brilliant in DRL mode... All looks fantastic!

Roll on Tuesday!

[Rhino at Work]

Originally Posted by nordberg

Hey I bought my F31 330d from JCT600 a few weeks back! And Stratstone Leeds were a total waste of time for me too!

What discount % did you get?

Welcome!

Lots of bad press on here for Stratstone in Leeds - looks like I had a lucky break not going to them even though I live in Leeds.

I had a test drive from Stratstone in Harrogate (where I work) and also got a quote from JCT600 in Bradford (different ownership so hopefully an independent check on Harrogate's price) and I must say service from both was excellent. I was very honest with both and told them that if ultimately they both came up with roughly the same deal then I would go with Harrogate as they had arranged the test drive and that is what happened.

I've signed on the dotted line today. Can't wait!

[chiark]

I live in Leeds too. It was the old fashioned, pushy sales tactics at Stratstone that grated with me. I work in sales, and also train teams how to sell: let's say I won't be adding their approach to best practices .

JCT600 were a pleasure to deal with. The salesman took time out to run me home today, which was unexpected and appreciated.

[Dixiebrook]

Looks lovely. Well worth the wait.

I needed a run around a few years back when I broke my left leg and couldn't drive my manual car I had at the time. Thought about hiring something for three months then hit autotrader with a budget of £1500 and the need to find something close to home. Ended up with a W plate Merc CLK 430 coupe for £1150. Had all the toys and an awesome V8. Never missed a beat and sold it three months later for £1200! Never made a profit on a hire car before!!

Was genuinely sad to sell it. The kids nicknamed it the beast!!

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by Dixiebrook

Looks lovely. Well worth the wait.

I needed a run around a few years back when I broke my left leg and couldn't drive my manual car I had at the time. Thought about hiring something for three months then hit autotrader with a budget of £1500 and the need to find something close to home. Ended up with a W plate Merc CLK 430 coupe for £1150. Had all the toys and an awesome V8. Never missed a beat and sold it three months later for £1200! Never made a profit on a hire car before!!

Was genuinely sad to sell it. The kids nicknamed it the beast!!

I've owned two 430's...absolutely loved them! Still miss them at times when I see one on the road

[chiark]

Picking up today .

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by chiark

Picking up today .

Good luck and have a lovely drive around today and take your camera

[JohnM]

Enjoy the day can't beat picking up a new car