Soon to be new owner

[DaveW]

Hi folks
I've ordered my very first Audi after 10 years ownership of a highly-modified Nissan 300ZX.

It's a 2.0 TDi (143PS) Exec S-Line, in Brilliant Black. I've specified black seat stitching, piano black inlays and S-Line suspension.

Unfortunately, I've got to wait until October to take delivery, I'm counting the days and can't wait to get it. What do you lot think of your A4's? Hope I've made the right decision to get one!

Cheers
Dave

 

[johnnythepie]

Well done and welcome Dave.Good choice...avant or saloon?Make sure the dealers dont superguard it, and have a bead at the polished bliss forum so you can get ready to do the paint when it arrives!!

 

[DaveW]

It's a saloon, I've already ordererd the 'bodycare' so too late on that one.
Dave

 

[johnnythepie]

Bodycare is done at the dealers before they handover....you dont really want the stuff on your paint believe me.

 

[pitch3110]

ditto matey......

ordered mine 28.07.09....

143PS Multitronic Lava Grey Exercutive S-line Saloon,

19" alloys, Tech Pack, Parking Plus, Light Pack, Folding Mirrors and Hill Hold.

I have had no confo on build or delivery yet.

Long wait ahead.

ta

 

[Scotty]

It's a saloon, I've already ordererd the 'bodycare' so too late on that one.
Dave

It's not too late. Tell them you don't want it and the book someone to prepare it for you properly.

 

[s-line stu]

Have a look at the delivery mileage RS4 that polished bliss prepared:

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/polished-bliss-detailing-portfolio-audi-rs4-avant.html

 

[johnnythepie]

Great link stu.Now Dave can see what the chimps do behind the scenes to his new motor.Theres nothing like visual evidence.But it doesnt stop there.If you ever have to take your car back for a service or whatever, make sure they write on the job card 'ABSOLUTELY NO VALET', or it gives them another chance to do ravels bolero on your bonnet.This however didnt stop my local from valeting my car when it went in last, so ive made a sign emblazened 'no valet' that will be perched on my dash.It cost me 400 holes after i picked mine up (they had to replace a privacy window and a wing mirror casing that the chimps scratched) to be clayed protected and waxed including the wheels.It should have looked like that when i picked it up.On the plus side they did bung me some cash for a dinner, but not the full cost.So dont pay the beggers to 'protect' your car....for starters theyre making easy 90% on it.Its not just audis tho, my detailing mate has bentleys that are the same, and how about that on a 175k motor?(Hes doing a roller at the mo after the owner let the kosovans truck wash it!!!!)

 

[Ultramagnus]

Hi everyone,

Finally thought I'd post as I am finding this thread particularly interesting.
(sorry for the slight hijack)

Just like the OP I will, hopefully, also soon take delivery of a new Audi (S4 saloon). Also, just like the OP I have signed up for 'Bodycare'.

After seeing some the comments and the fantastic work by Polished Bliss (thanks for the link) I am now having second thoughts and may well call my dealer to cancel.

The slight problem is that Polished Bliss are just too far for me. Can anyone recommend any similarly high quality finishing companies I can trust my S4 with in the West Midlands area?

Thanks

 

[DaveW]

Is the 'Bodycare problem' a dealer-wide issue, or is it limited to certain dealerships? I'm having second thoughts now, is it really that bad?

 

[johnnythepie]

Dave
Every dealership from every manufacturer will try and flog a punter the 'bodycare' with the ******** of 'youll never have to polish it for another three years' crap, or the 'you only have to jetwash it' crap.Theyll charge you as much as they can get away with, and the cost to them is £30 on stuff and £20 worth of nanas for the chimp doing it.I fell for it first time round.You soon wise up.When I had a saturday job in a shoe shop as a kid, you sold the shoes, then tried to flog the scotchguard, the cleaner etc.....same principle.The latest scam at the stealers is to pay for three years worth of servicing by monthly instalments....worked out at 900 for my car...and itll only have one service for 200 and an oil change for 100 during this term.Easy 600 squids.I dont think so.
Your new car will more than likely need claying anyway,so you might as well get a pro to do the car for the money wasted putting crap like supaguard on.Sorry to harp on about it,but I felt a right **** after falling for it.
@Ultramagnus, where abouts in the wm are you?

 

[Ultramagnus]

Dave
Every dealership from every manufacturer will try and flog a punter the 'bodycare' with the ******** of 'youll never have to polish it for another three years' crap, or the 'you only have to jetwash it' crap.

Both of these sound worryingly familiar.

Had a quick look at the 'detailing' forum. Had never realised it was such a specialised process.
John - I'm in Birmingham. Seems as if you're in Solihull - any local recommendations?


Thanks

 

[MattW]

Is the 'Bodycare problem' a dealer-wide issue, or is it limited to certain dealerships? I'm having second thoughts now, is it really that bad?

Just put "supagard" into ebay and you'll see how much you could buy it yourself for.

 

[johnnythepie]

ultramagnus have pm'd you

 

[s-line stu]

Ultramagnus,

Have a look at this website, I don't know what they're like but they offer similar services to Polished Bliss and are in the Midlands:

http://www.midlandsdetailing.co.uk/

 

[TreborA4]

s-line stu,
Do you know of any similar companies in North West Norfolk?
Thanks...TreborA4

 

[MattW]

Ultramagnus,

Have a look at this website, I don't know what they're like but they offer similar services to Polished Bliss and are in the Midlands:

http://www.midlandsdetailing.co.uk/

Company websites must show company number and registered office. That one doesn't which in my mind smacks of unprofessional at best, and dodgy at worst. It may well be that they are not business savvy but IMO I'd find somewhere else.

 

[s-line stu]

TreborA4,

I don't know how far they are from you (their near Norwich) but I see they have a mobile service as well so have a look at this website:

http://www.refinedreflections.co.uk/

 

[MidlandsDetailing]

Company websites must show company number and registered office. That one doesn't which in my mind smacks of unprofessional at best, and dodgy at worst. It may well be that they are not business savvy but IMO I'd find somewhere else.

I am fairly sure that the rules are different when it is a registered company or you are a sole trader.

My understanding is that if you are a registered business it is the following;

Displaying a limited company or LLP name

• You must show your company or LLP name outside every place of business - even a director's or partner's home if that's where the business operates from.
• You must include your company or LLP name on all business letters, electronic business communications, orders, payments, invoices, receipts and other business documents.

Business letters, external emails and order forms must also show the company's or LLP's registered address, number and place of registration.
Your website must show:

• the full name of the company or LLP
• the registered office address of the company or LLP
• the registered number of the company or LLP
• the place of registration of the company or LLP
• if the company or LLP is being wound up

and if you are a sole trader then it is the following;

Displaying a sole trader or partnership business name

Your business name, your own name, or the partners' names and business address must be clearly displayed:

• wherever you run your business and deal with customers or suppliers
• on all business letters, orders, payments, invoices, receipts and other business documents

Back to the original question;

Most of the long life treatments are let down by poor prep work, most of the time it is slapped on with an old rag and buffed off with an even older one.

There are a number of options available to you with a brand new car and a lot of it depends on if you are prepared to put the effort in to keep it looking good.

There are a lot of synthetic paintwork sealants out there with bold (and sometimes wild) claims about durability, often at a price for looks. Finding a balance between durability and looks if difficult.

Most people opt for the long life treatments because it will save them time in the future.

Best Wishes,

Paul @ MidlandsDetailing

 

[MattW]

I am fairly sure that the rules are different when it is a registered company or you are a sole trader.

My understanding is that if you are a registered business it is the following;



and if you are a sole trader then it is the following;



Back to the original question;

Most of the long life treatments are let down by poor prep work, most of the time it is slapped on with an old rag and buffed off with an even older one.

There are a number of options available to you with a brand new car and a lot of it depends on if you are prepared to put the effort in to keep it looking good.

There are a lot of synthetic paintwork sealants out there with bold (and sometimes wild) claims about durability, often at a price for looks. Finding a balance between durability and looks if difficult.

Most people opt for the long life treatments because it will save them time in the future.

Best Wishes,

Paul @ MidlandsDetailing

Apologies, made an assumption there.

 

[DaveW]

This wait is killing me Build week was w/c last Monday, how much longer? I'm starting to get like John Herman's motto: 'Way too impatient!'

 

[johnnythepie]

LOL!!How many minutes to wait now Dave???

 

[Trev241]

This wait is killing me Build week was w/c last Monday, how much longer? I'm starting to get like John Herman's motto: 'Way too impatient!'

Takes about 3 days by train to Emden, the bad news is that audi have extended the "awaiting ship time" to a max of 15 days but could be less depending which day the car arrives.

Then there is loading and shipping time, say 3/4 days, these timings are based on the S4 I ordered recently and cancelled due to wrong spec.

Hope this does not add to the pain.

 

[DaveW]

Far too many John!
Anyone know how long it takes to build an A4? My wife seems to think the factory is populated by 'Little German Elves' in Lederhosen, with a hammer in one hand and a stein of Beck's in the other!

 

[johnnythepie]

Lederhosen eh????