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Software systems are the bane of modern life. Yesterday I tried to waste my money on a lottery ticket via online account which said “we detect you are not in the country” and shut me out. If only. AI data centres require vast amounts of electrical power that doesn’t exist. Nor will it in basket case uk. HMRC won’t allow my wife to access her online account to pay the tax bill that was submitted on same site.
Like the airliners that I once flew, an Ice car, once fuelled, generated its own, self-contained, electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic systems. IMHO, over dependance on chip based systems detracts from isolation and immunity to external interference. Time will reveal the true cause of the 787 crash in India. I suspect that it was not a murderous/ suicidal Captain.
Electric busses have a secret kill switch, allegedly, as do those thousands of Chinese supplied inverters on Ed’s solar farms.
Thus far, the wife’s new mild hybrid Kodiaq has been glitch free and the fuel filler cap has not refused to open, but it will probably not be immune from future software frustrations. Good luck with your recharging. Very frustrating, especially for disabled drivers.
Hi Des,
I concur with above advice as previously a frequent visitor to the USA for both vacations and as a professional pilot. Health insurance is absolutely vital. Have had colleagues injured in a RTA when they were shunted from behind while stationary in a queue. Covered by BA as on duty, the bills were $ 10s of thousands for a couple of limb fractures and other injuries. Mosquito born diseases in Florida are thankfully rare but do exist. It is simply too risky. Your plans sound great fun. My travel days are over with increasing in-capacitance, annoying for my wife as I still get free tickets,
I phoned Direct line when I left the scheme in August. Very helpful and provided letter confirming no claims. New Kodiaq £400 pa with Alliance, better than expected. Good luck and have a great trip.
What price that hideous, woke jaGuar never makes production. As posted at its reveal, feel sorry for their dedicated work force. Not so much for VW – I’ve had 11 over the years- who have lost their way under the marxist eu regulators.
A few weeks ago the SMMT boasted about August EV sales reaching arbitrary Target. It is now coming to light that very large numbers were pre reg and are now appearing in Autotrader, undercutting existing second hand prices. A doom loop, but our Rachel is good at those. Good luck all
Also have the Netgear with plug-in rear camera. Has worked well for the last 4 years and has decent video recording. Would suggest a high capacity memory card.
Having used it on MB Allspace and Touran using dangling lead to cig lighter socket, it is now powered through a short, unobtrusive usb3 to mini cable from the mirror housing socket mentioned above, which is part of the Kodiaq’s aptly named “simply clever” features -brilliant and absent on other VAG brands.
Hi,
We have recently purchased privately from Lookers Skoda. A batch of SE L were on the boat and delivered two weeks later. The quote for an SE with essential, to us, packs was 23 weeks. Like you, had an Allspace SEL and two Tourans on MB and the Kodiaq is a most agreeable and plusher feeling car. The rotary smart dials are far superior to those ghastly touchy slider rubbish on the Tiguan/Tayron – in my experience. Well worth a visit to Lookers.
Hi ajn,
agree. In my youth, that bike would have grabbed my full attention. A school mate has maintained his passion for bikes and lives on the Isle of Man, where you can still enjoy their potential. Hope the BMW test was helpful.
Like your test Kodiaq, the dealer had a race blue Sportline in the showroom. The black wheels really suited it. Good luck with your selection
Collected yesterday and having negotiated the traffic around the hogs back, took it for a run down the A31 and back. Limo like quiet at 70, decouples drive to coast down hills, same as VW, MHEV assisted with start stop etc in traffic and performs in an unobtrusive, smooth manner. Mrs also delighted and has gone for a drive today, unencumbered with concerns that it not for my benefit. All in all, a cut above Vw and love the electric leather seats, whether faux or not. Getting to grips with the infotainment might take a while, but already a big improvement over Vw. Had no remorse over handing the Touran back, the Allspace was much better with its previous gen hvac etc.
Thanks to all who have provided invaluable information on multiple issues over the last eight years and all the best for the future.
Hi ajn,
agree that the wheels do not suit that colour, but look ok on my wife’s smoke silver SEL – collecting Saturday and bidding farewell to the Touran and MB. Am grateful to mb for eight years trouble free motoring, all with the 1.5 tsi dsg and have no qualms about going for another. I have never felt short changed with sport mode boosting response when needed. Admittedly, I don’t hoon about as in earlier days with golf gti and BMWs and have never filled all seven seats on the Touran or Allspace. No more VWs for us, as have lost the plot with UI and in particular, HVAC. Glad you enjoyed the twisties, some common sense from subsidiary, Skoda. Good luck.
I have found MB excellent in addressing issues, including empathy relating to my condition, which can be rare these days. However, this is a grey area and agree, written confirmation is essential imho as insurance companies tend to unpick T&Cs when determining liability.
Hi Glos guy,
Different scenario to you, as with Kennedy’s, a slow burn, late onset, hereditary MND, longevity is not on my menu. I looked into going VAT free, but it could saddle my wife with all sorts of hassle similar to the scheme, especially should I pass at an inconvenient time such as Christmas holidays. I wanted to mitigate some of the long list of onerous issues that bereavement brings. A Kodiaq is arriving at the docks any day to register in her name, the first time since 1973 that I will not own one, aside from the last eight years of MB. There is obviously a cost vs leasing, reduced by the car’s residual value, the next AP, £4000 p.a mobility pip allowance and peace of mind. She can drive wherever and whenever she likes without concerns of being for my benefit, especially in terms of insurance cover.
good luck to you in finding a fun car. My car nut brother has just swapped his second car Lotus Emira for a 911 Carrera GTS. Boys and their toys. Judgement has never been a strong suit!
Hi,
further to keso’s comments, have recently ordered a eTSI 1.5 Kodiaq Se L for the Mrs. Smoke silver and black leather. Highly impressed and previously had an Allspace. Feels a cut above and we had the wider market to choose from. She needs a big boot and three isofix with a new grandchild arriving soon. The Touran has three, but we have other misgivings about it following a deterioration in my condition.
Unlikely to remain in the scheme as disillusioned with the media’s “politics of envy,” the emergence of an odious app and general misinformation.
Thanks to Big Dave’s info, your question is answered. My last car was the Allspace and, for my requirements, it proved an excellent choice. Aside from my personal dislike for the UI, I doubt if you would be disappointed with the now built in Wolfsburg, Tayron. The Kodiaq’s manual smart knobs would sway my choice.
Built on the same platform, the AP my Touran Match is increasing by £500. APs are only going one way, partly to pay for the massive depreciation on many EVs. Figures just released in the press show loss of 65% in one year for some models. Ruinous.
Waiting time for my first Touran was 4 months, Allspace from Mexico, 8 months and Touran again 4 months. Good luck with the process.
Hi Glos Guy,
Agree. Private buyers are waking up to the advantages of the demonised “fuel of the Antichrist” None better for larger SUVs. My brother had use of an X7 40D for a year. Fabulous until you needed to park it. Since then, a more sensible 3 series touring 30D and now a M40d. He raves about the 40D, but I haven’t experienced it as could not get out again without a hoist. Sounds good from the outside for a diesel.
Hi Big Dave,
Direct line are about to be bought by Aviva. No doubt more changes ahead and none for the better
Hi Keso,
as our electrical expert, does V2L require an inverter to convert battery DC to AC? Is it true that inverts are not generally suited to electric power tools etc due to initial high demand from motors etc? My theory exams for aircraft electrics were 50 years ago and are becoming a little hazy, but electric drives were always from the AC supplies and DC used for instruments etc. “DC dies and AC lies” sticks in the memory.
The tragic 787 crash looks like both engines lost thrust and the gear did not retract for whatever reason. The FDRs will reveal all. I flew Boeings that used hydraulic and pneumatic actuators with only back up electric motors where suitable. The Dreamliner allegedly replaced some with electrical power for weight saving. That is an anathema to luddites like me! Initial grounding when they came into service was due to the adoption of Li batteries and fires in their battery chargers. Heavy duty titanium containment was required.An EV battery is made up of over a thousand (often 5-9000) cylindrical batteries – number depending on required total power and also on cell type. Lithium ion batteries are chemically vulnerable to heat and/ or damage. A single cell can experience a thermal runaway, emitting a highly toxic and flammable gas. The chemical reaction also generates its own oxygen to sustain the fire which is why it is highly resistant to conventional extinguishing by smothering and oxygen denial. The single cell fire causes a chain reaction igniting all other cells within the overall battery protective casing the gas will seek any escape and often causes a flame thrower effect affecting adjacent cars.
In Germany, a brand new fire station housing 13 brand new electric fire engines was completely destroyed, which is more than a little ironic.another Ro Ro car transporter caught fire off Rotterdam and burned for several weeks before being towed into port. There was a video of MB EVs being craned off and immersed in a giant skip of water as a precaution. Another MB burned 140 cars in a Korean underground car park, and was not being charged.
media often report that Diesel cars caused the Luton fire and others. Hmm.roll on new tech and solid state batteries.
PS the Azores loss was blamed on a Porsche Taycan, obviously not being charged and on board were Bentleys and Lamborghini Aventadors. The factory had to restart the production that had ended. An expensive event for VAG with the court case yet to be settled.
Hi Kezo,
NCAP doesn’t check for this safety issue:
Have you considered the Mazda CX60? Only PHEV available on MB and was heavily criticised on release, as described by Glos guy. Now heavily revised, with spring and damper rates adopted from big brother cx80, new EV/ gearbox integration etc. not perfect, but made in Japan build quality, no touchy feely bs buttons and Toyota tech hybrid engine. A lot of car from £3999 ap. the long bonnet is there to accommodate a straight six 3.3 diesel here and petrol in the USA. Tests say it achieves 50 mpg with ease for a big torquey lump and makes you wonder why a 1.5/1.6 PHEV cannot get close on a run.
Agree with Glos guy. Diesel makes sense. VW Tayron Life s £3199 and a few hundred more for Elegance or R line.
Hi kdwolf,
Agree my first MB car was a Touran 1.4 dsg SEL. Extended lease into 4th year and never missed a beat. Following an Allspace 1.5 SEL, now have another Touran 1.5 dsg Match, which includes a panoramic roof etc. It has returned 43 mpg out of town and we have up to 3 child seats in row two, plus my rollator/ wheelchair in the boot.
From 8 years ago, they have replaced the manual HVAC with the awful, distracting, touchy sliders bs. The instrument display is poor compared to the Allspace, no rev-counter or gear indicator, just dumbed down D or R. £4k is a lot and I had to battle to get CarPlay included as is one of those price gouging “ subscription” surprises.
I would not buy one privately.Mutability. An unfortunate typo.
APs, like Glos Guy says, are affected by many factors. Retail has been skewed for many years by taxation. BIK has distorted the market, Volvo says 40% of PHEV returned leases have never plugged in. How does lugging around an extra 400kgs for 3 years help the planet? VED exemption for EVs is coming to an end. The £40000 luxury supplement, kicks in and is a disincentive for potential retail customers. It would be great to have a level playing field and APs to reflect that, but who can anticipate the next government u turn?
imho, since president Nixon’s ending of the gold standard and the introduction of fiat currencies, money has continually devalued verses most hard assets. Gordon Brown sold our gold for @$250 per ounce. Today $3250. Genius.
Congratulations. A fine car and great colour.
We hired one on our last trip abroad before disability prevented any further flying. Nov 2014. Alamo in Phoenix lets you choose any from the lot in your chosen category – a mid size suv- and there was a black CX5 amongst the usual
Nissans and Fords. 10 days later, we headed west on the I 10 to Palm Springs. 276 miles. Planning to pit stop at Blythe, on the Colorado river and border with Ca, we sailed through and did it non stop. The seats were excellent, refined cruiser and handled better than any other previous SUV hires. It had Seattle plates so had racked up a long one way hire. Non stop on way back too. Been through a couple of face lifts since then and guess is even better now. Hope you enjoy every mile.PS. The prison sign on the East bound return had multiple bullet holes!
Who wouldn’t agree that zero tail pipe emissions is a huge improvement outside the school gates. No price can be put on children’s health.
but feeling smug can be countered by knowledge of the big picture.
Your Volvo EX30 is made in China, by owners Geely, a Chinese Company. Having mined raw materials, @50% more than for an ICE equivalent and transported them from Chile, Congo etc to make 600 kg batteries, the heavy, finished car is transported by a Ro Ro, diesel powered ship, thousands of miles to the UK. It is much heavier than an ICE, causing extra tyre wear and particulate pollution, plus extra wear to roads. If the battery casing is damaged if you are in an accident, the whole car if often written off, an environmental disaster vs repairable ice cars with a much longer lifespan.
Fuel: high calorific petrol is burned very efficiently in situ. It’s journey to the fuel tank not so great. base load electricity is a shambles in the uk. Gas from Qatar or Texas is subjected to being liquified, transported by diesel ships, converted back to gas and ends up in a part time inefficient power station that supplies electricity to the grid and there are losses in transmission and the step down transformers. Then the car has inverters and rectifiers as AC has to be converted to DC and there are further losses in the motors. Chinese solar panels, made in part with slave labour, and giant turbine blades that cannot be recycled do not produce reliable base load, but are great when the weather is favourable. Buying from European neighbours means our energy is the most expensive in the developed world and four times the USA. Where is the extra power coming from for replacing 20 million ice cars, factories to build them with imported steel, data centres, heat pumps etc etc. we can’t just buy everything from China because we are already bankrupt. Go Ed.
Audi and Jaguar spent billions developing the EQ8 and I Pace. The bespoke new factories in Belgium and Austrian are now being closed. 3000 I paces bought back and scraped due unresolvable fire risk. What an environmental disaster. Owners are far from smug about huge financial loses. New battery tech cannot come soon enough.
Nissans and Fords. 10 days later, we headed west on the I 10 to Palm Springs. 276 miles. Planning to pit stop at Blythe, on the Colorado river and border with Ca, we sailed through and did it non stop. The seats were excellent, refined cruiser and handled better than any other previous SUV hires. It had Seattle plates so had racked up a long one way hire. Non stop on way back too. Been through a couple of face lifts since then and guess is even better now. Hope you enjoy every mile.