Oh dear, I'm getting F80 M3 flashbacks 😂 If anyone remembers, a guy bought a F80 M3 from BMW and it was riddled with non stop errors and mechanic faults. Turns out, it was the same car Jeremy Clarkson drove on the test track on top gear and it had been thrashed well before it a chance to be run in.
I suspect it'd be quite dull. London rush hour driving is mostly waiting in queues, punctuated by people who've had half an hour to get into the right lane forcing themselves from one side of the road to the other at the last minute.
Many years ago I worked for a well known auction house at their main branch. Every month or so there would be a "manufacturers sale" where a manufacturer would offload their excess inventory to the trade and public, including ex-press cars etc. Part of my role was dealing with customer complaints, one Monday morning I had a very irate gentleman come in shouting the house down having witnessed his, new to him, pride and joy being hooned around a disused quarry and crashed through piles of empty cardboard boxes on the previous night's episode of his favourite television detective drama.
I once bought an Audi A4 convertible from an Audi dealership. Before the deal I asked (as I always do) has the car been in any accidents. No, of course not said the dealer, we wouldn't sell a car on that had been in an accident. So, I took the car home and decided to clean the leather seats and generally just sit in the car looking at various switches/buttons, as you do. I opened the glovebox and saw the service book and various manuals but noticed a couple of print outs of photos. Imagine my dismay when these photos showed damage that had been sustained in my 'new' car ! Apparently it was used by Audi to give to customers when their car was in for repair/service etc and a customer had been in an accident in it. So, I got out and looked more closely at the bodywork, I noticed various things were out of alignment, they'd even replaced the heated mirror glass with just a 'normal' mirror and certainly not heated (although obviously this was a very minor thing). I rang them up and told them to come and get it as I was rejecting it. I explained about the photos and the sales reps' reply was along the lines of, we had nothing to hide and that's why the photos were in the glovebox. I'd like to think that the bodywork/mechanic guy had left them there on purpose for me to find but hey ho....you live and learn.
I think the viewer collaborations are a great idea. It's also nice to see someone who self-reflects, evaluates, and thinks about how they could improve things
Agree, would sure be interesting to have Ashley sitting next to me and providing comments and feedback on my driving having held a license for 25 years and driven hundreds of thousands of miles over that time.
Thats a great idea Ashley to go meet subscribers and sit in with them ! I completed a 5 year ban in 2019 and your channel really helped me get back into driving again as I was very rusty and both my patience and confidence was gone ! Great learning points- if everyone even took a small snippet of your driving style the roads would be safer !
I've now retired from the film industry but in 2001, as part of a job for a motor manufacturer, I was treated to several laps flat out round the Nurburgring sitting next to a German test driver who knew it like the back of his hand. I'd say, before driving it yourself, have a large number of laps sitting beside a pro driver and then make sure you've thoroughly learnt the course before tackling it on your own.
Just an afterthought: why not driving with a trailer (say a loaded car trailer) and some of ways one's driving must change to cope with the increased hazards it occasions? I mention it because it's something I do often.
I think the new series sounds fantastic. I’ve always thought I’d love to see what you’d think of my driving after watching your channel the most out of any. I have to say I don’t drive an interesting car, just a fiesta, but I do believe I have a bit of an obsession with driving education. As a young student I haven’t really found people like this, and over the years I’ve informed lots of friends about your channel who now watch it. We even have a game involving your channel. As someone who’s young, and has an obsession with your channel along with driving education, I’d love to see what you thought of my driving, but also compare conversation. Someone who has just over a years worth of driving after passing, and someone that has taught for years, but both with a passion for road safety. Regardless, love the channel and looking forward to another year 🎉
I think people defiantly should be told if they are buying a press car as those no doubt get treated pretty harshly, I wouldn't want to buy a former press car. Love the idea you have for a new series, would be really interesting 😀 Would also love to see you goto the Nurburgring, thats a great idea 😀
I thought he said he does have full warranty but it would be invalidated if he took it on track despite the fact it already had been used for that purpose?
this stinks of double standards, firstly VW say the warranty is invalidated if its used as a track car yet a main VW dealer sells it on with a full VW warranty. Once again mainline dealers are not only letting the public down but also the trade.
As a keen greenlaner I'd love to see you tackle some "off-road" tracks and greenlanes. It'd be interesting to understand how you feel the skills needed differ/compare to on road driving and how your advanced driving skills and knowledge could benefit you.
I think the idea of viewer assessments or reviews of driving would be really interesting. I also think that seeing feedback as such from for example a lorry driver and their thoughts on road users, tips from them (having to control a large vehicle) may also be useful In generalised driving. As would if you do go to Germany the perspective of maybe a German instructor.
@@samhoward5110 I passed my driving test in Germany back in the 80s. Was taught to the UK standard driving test of the time, only difference being was driving on the opposite side of the road. The German road systems as in priority roads etc are much better than the UK in my opinion. When I drove back to the UK via Holland, Belgium and France it was a shock to me having to learn to drive on the left. Took me a while to get my head around tbh. Personally I think it made me a better driver having experience of driving on the right.
well as a class 1 driver i would say, if there is a LGV infront of you and he sticks his hazards on 99.9% of the time he is going to manuvere so just hold back and wait for 5 minutes, do not try to drive around the front of the truck because you will lose your front end!
Great ideas. I lived and worked in Germany for 5 years and drove the German Autobahn almost daily, as well a switching between left and right hand drive almost daily too. Thereafter moved to Canada and have driven extensively there as well as the USA.
Nurburgring is the Mecca for petrolheads; you’d love it! I drove there a few years back and it was my first time there. I had a great time. I do wish I’d prepped more in advance, in regards to signs in Germany though. 1) What the autobahn sign looks like and 2) what each fuel pump colour is and what German is for ‘petrol’ and ‘diesel’. If you do go over (and it certainly sounds like you will), I suggest getting in contact with Misha Charoudin from Apex ‘ring taxi/rentals. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d heard of him or seen his content but he has the same kind of education mindset as you, Ashley. I think it would be a great little colab.
The Golfs got provenance. Take it for a visit to see the Stig, I'm sure he would be happy for an assessment around the Top Gear Test Track. Some say he watches this channel.😄
Glad you finally got your Golf fixed Ashley. It can be so stressful when our pride and joy is not working. You did the right thing by patiently giving the garage as much time as they needed to eventually diagnose and fix the problem. If you rush them they just let you take it home but, you will soon be back to them because the problem won't be fixed still. I've had nightmares for the past year with my beloved 22 year year old BMW E38 740i. The problem started with the car suddenly going into limp home mode until it eventually refused to start. I had to be rescued twice by the AA when it left me stranded. When we scanned it, it would show about 5 error codes and it was complaining about low signals from various sensors like the crankshaft. We changed both camshaft position sensors, crankshaft position sensor and vanos actuator with no luck. About a week ago we finally opened the engine computer box and we immediately noticed some damp on the cables. Then we unplugged the cables from the DME and found that it was soaked with water! We couldn't believe it because I've never been anywhere near Rufford Ford🤣. We cleaned the cables and sent the DME to an ECU wizard and he managed to save it. This happened a few days ago and the car is running fine for now and I'm also still testing it. So far so good and I'm happy again.
I think a trip out with your viewers is a great idea. I passed my test on 25th January 1982, and since then I've been let loose on the roads with no more training, so when I recently discovered you channel and started watching I soon found things to improve my driving. I have yet to meet anyone who says they are a poor driver, but there's a lot of poor driving going on and I reckon we all think we're better than we really are. PS I live not so far from the Nurburgring but there's no way I'm driving round it, or letting you drive my car round it with me as a passenger.
I think it would be very interesting to see you drive a really old car, perhaps from the 60s or 70s, and document your approach to driving that vehicle, seeing how it fares in modern traffic. I’m hoping to get an old car that I have back on the road over summer, though it’s a long shot to say the least, and having never driven a really old car, I’d like to see your take on driving one in modern times.
My mum has a 1978 Mini Clubman, owned from new and around 85k miles on the clock. We haven't actually driven it for around three years now! Not sure how it will fare with three year old petrol in the tank.
Think the new idea would be great and be more than happy for you to come look at my driving and improve as making road safety is key. Learnt lots while watching your videos. Keep the good work up.
Something which might be good could be to specifically looking at some of the roads not far from Lancashire which always appear in lists of most dangerous (Cat and Fiddle). One I have noticed always pops up in your own videos from viewer contributions is the Snake Pass.
My brother is a regional manager for BMW and I sent him this. In the past, at least at BMW, if a vehicle had been a press car the customer would be told and the price would be lowered. My brother was a regional manager at BMW in the UK and now in Australia and when I sent him this video that's what he said. He also said that was the policy at BMW and many other manufacturers. He did say however that although it is corporate policy not all franchise holders follow it as they should. He said he had 1 dealership under him that he had to sort out because a couple of customers got stung by this at that 1 dealership. He sorted it by giving the customers extended warranty in replace of the money that should have been taken off the price of the car at sale and to cover them for any damage that had been done due to harsh use, as the customer didn't know they were potentially signing up to a car that may need extra trips to the garage. He also gave then some more minor percs but he said the years of extra warranty was the main thing and made the most sense, also the customers were happy with this. Maybe its something you should push for, some extended cover.
I would be really interested in your take on driving the Nürburgring from a safety/observations perspective. The journey might be an opportunity to include driving in different countries. Especially the unlimited autobahn where driving at 90mph requires constant mirror vigilance for high speed vehicles approaching. In Germany they seem to pay much more attention to getting clear of the overtaking lanes so faster vehicles can pass uninhibited (from my limited experience)
With reference to the Press car / Waranty issue, I think their logic is if the car fails while you have it due to how it was treated while it was a Press car you still get if fixed under warranty, so you don’t lose out due to how it was treated before you owned it. I can see your argument about maybe they should let you know, though.
The idea of viewer assessments is a great one and something that's actually been on the back of my mind for a while. I gather then that we'd want to have videos published of these sessions? In which case, we'd want viewers to have their own working dash cams. I have a front facing one but never as yet got to hook up my rear facing cam, due to having an after market bespoke sun shade clipped into the rear window. I don't have a camera pointing into the passenger area though.
absolutely correct - as a press car it ought to have been declared as such when sold to you, had you known you would likely not have bought the car or made a different deal.
@@paul756uk2 Generally there are laws that force dealers to tell you it's been in an accident etc. I'd think being thrashed by the press would fall under that. But I guess not...
@@UnbeltedSundew There seems to be few laws that protect people. Having said that, and I know Ashley has had issues with the car but that may well be unconnected, if the car looks ok, hasn't had an accident and is reliable then on what grounds would you have any comeback? Now, I'm not defending any side here but a car that has been thrashed around for a relatively short period may well be better than someone who has abused a car for a lesser amount but for a much longer period. It's like buying a car with low mileage that has been used for short journeys compared to a higher mileage car that's been used for longer journeys.
Thats a cracking idea, viewer collabs. Apart from my driving lessons and test, which was 40 years, I've never even thought about any further driving education, until I started watching your videos, I've gone back and almost watched all your back catalogue too! I just thought, probably more people like me, thinking it was the other drivers on the road, were driving badly. Like I've said before, You can't take the idiot away from the car, but you should be able to take the car away from the idiot! I must admit, your videos have changed my way of driving and thinking!
I drive a 1998 SAAB 9-3 and all I need to do is: * Replace the crankcase ventilation - £70 * New rear break pads - £20 * Replace rubber seal for the boot - £20 The only thing I need to take it to the garage for and fix is to get the fuel tank cleaned out as there is some muck in the bottom. But that isn't even an issue if I just keep it filled above 1/7th. Best part is that I got the car literally for free from my brother as he moved abroad. There's something about older cars.
I found this video very interesting Ash, especially because - with me being a subscriber to TG magazine thus getting special monthly issues - I read all about your GTI when the team had it. The main thing I remember as a reoccurring feature, was the VW infotainment system being quite trash, not only on VW products but also stretching to tye further VW group. Overall, though, I was very jealous of the Golf every time I read the Garage section, and I'm pleased it's now got a great owner despite the issues you've faced with it. Keep the videos coming Ash, I'm definitely looking forward to the new series idea!
Of all the cars my parents have owned, and the 2 I've owned - volkswagen are possibly the best for resolving issues. A big Scottish dealership brand (u can guess which one) always gives us trouble with getting things fixed but volkswagen have stepped in multiple times even finally rectifying 1 issue outside of warranty.
Thank you for another interesting video, Ashley. I think your idea of drives with subscribers is great and I look forward to seeing more of this in the future. I was really intrigued by the HGV series and would be curious to see what was next. You had mentioned Class 1 in the past, I think. I struggle to find videos about the learning side of HGVs, and I think it would be a great fit! Thanks for all your hard work in making the roads safer.
Love the ideas for the channel. I passed my test in 1981 when I was 17. I've had no formal tuition - my dad taught me to drive in my first car, a 1965 mini. I think my driving is OK but still learning, particularly since finding this channel on RUclips!
I bought a Vauxhall a few years back, six months old, was not told it was a hire care, and vauxhall buy them back from the hire companies, had nothing but issues with the car until I got rid off it 8 months later, agree, let people know it's previous use to allow you to decide if you still want want it!
The difference of a press car will be that it remains the property of VW, or whichever manufacturer. Manufacturers will also use some for demonstration within the dealerships and employees, where press abuse pales into insignificance, from my experience.
When I bought a Subaru Forester I later came across a magazine with my car in as it was the ex Subaru U.K. press car, a friend later bought a legacy which then also turned out to be an ex Subaru U.K. press car.
If you're around the Cotswolds anytime, I've got a Mitsubishi Evo 6 TME tucked away that you can have a drive of, 23 years old tech that still handles brilliantly and ridiculous traction out of the corners.
I’ve been a qualified driver for 24 years. I’ve always been a bit of a hot head behind the wheel and given out my fair share of ridicule to other drivers. However, now in my early forties and fortunate enough to be driving something with a tremendous all round ability I have been working hard over the last few years to improve my own attitude towards driving and trying to channel a bit of Ashley’s calm and collected demeanour. I like to think it’s working, but Ashley you’re more than welcome to take a drive with me and give me your honest opinion and feedback 👍
Nurburgring would be interesting. You can use your channel to remind people that under normal TF days, it is a toll road and you are required to have insurance. Which, I’m pretty sure vast majority of UK policies excluded the coverage of “unrestricted toll road”.
Ash + Nurburgring + 52 learning points in one hour. Can't wait! But just do it in the golf. Live a little and thrash it Afterwards, you'll have the biggest grin every morning when you walk out, and you won't care about the history.
Bit mean to assume that TG treats its long-termers badly or even that the car was used in a way that invalidates the warranty. I don't think that particularly one ever went on a track while it was with TG - certainly not the Nürburgring - long-term test cars are used as everyday cars so we can see what they're like to live with. Press fleet cars are generally speaking very well looked after by company mechanics, can't speak for all the people it's been leant out to, obviously.
I think meeting your viewers and subscribers would be a great idea to see how people who what your channel have changed how they drive. I myself used to be an aggressive driver after I passed my test in 2020, however since viewing some of your videos, I've changed how I drive and behave on the road. I always look for what can help with best flow in different situations to help keep traffic flowing, and I've learnt how to have fun driving, while keeping myself and other road users safe. I'd like to see how other viewers have changed their driving style. I also think a video on how to control a slide would be a great watch and very informative, especially with the cold winter we've had as well as maybe some track driving like on the nurburgring or Silverstone
Hi Ashley. I think you are being extremely calm and assured with this. This GTI has absolutely been abused to the limit. There’s no doubt. Im astonished that they didn’t fully disclose this. I mean, even if it had only 2000 miles those 2000 miles could be the hardest it will ever have been driven. Unscrupulous doesn’t even come close to some of these car dealerships. Hope the problems don’t come back as it’s a lovely car. All the best.
I think meeting some of your viewers and driving with them would make great content! I can appreciate it might involve quite a lot of work, but could be quite useful. For example, I drive in the UK (having learned how to drive in Germany) and would be curios to see how you perceive my driving. I imagine there are quite a few drivers in the UK with EU driver's licenses, so this could make for a good topic. Something along the lines of "UK driving rules that EU license holders don't know about/miss". Happy to discuss in more detail and help out with that!
Agreed!! I'd really like some more content on going between left-and right-hand traffic. I got my license in Sweden and then moved to the UK for uni a few months later. I drive a lot when I go back home, but I'm still to drive in the UK. Been thinking about getting a car recently so it'd be nice to have guidance on making that change! Things like the lack of give way to the right (or left, I guess) and the national speed limit still baffles me, haha!
100% to do the ring, its my 2nd home! Warning though once you've been it gets additive! Few others have said get intouch with Misha, I've known him a good few years and Will definitely give you the best first timer experience 👍
Great idea to meet your subscribers and drive with them. I take pride in my driving and have learnt a lot from following you for a long while now…it would be interesting to see if I passed the test.
for your road trip, it's something I'd consider, though as you might have noticed from my conversations with Ib S, I live a third of a world away. so I have no expectation you'd make a special trip.
Very interesting history for your Golf there Ash! 😮So yeah it's been hammered then. Am glad you got it fixed finally at their expense. I say yes to the new series of you with viewers. I'd love to take part but no interesting stories from me. Been driving 36 years. Always thought about advanced driving and never done it. I've got more nervous of country lane driving where I seem to have lost some ability to match speed to the road with bends and stuff and cannot work out why. (Am looking at limit points; hedges; lights and stuff to see where the road is going but still don't seem to get it).But yeh, just me and my S3 👍🏻
Had a really bad experience the other day, and it made me think your videos and that I need dash cam. It was dark (7am) and the rain was torrential, this was on my way to work, through narrow roads with oncoming traffic (busy), there was a car in front of me but I kept a good distance. It was 40mph but I kept at a manageable 36 as I was making sure I managed the roads which were almost flooded to the sides. All of a sudden a van was right up against my rear so in my mirror I could only see his bonnet. He kept pulling back a little and putting full beams on, this left me dazzled and I couldn’t see ahead of me so I slowed a little, he kept repeating this and then suddenly when there was a gap in front and no oncoming, traffic he flashed at me and overtook, sliding in the gap between me and the car in front before he brake tested me. I remembered the number plate and the business name on the van, but it was horrific and he kept doing the same to the car in front as well, and then sped off down a 30mph country lane with pot holes at maybe 50-60 mph (I work down that road and could see he was going at least double my 25, but probably more than double) I haven’t even told you half of it, I reported it to the police.
Your completely right, They should’ve declared the prev use of the vehicle, I’ve seen a Golf R in the past that was advertised at a VW Dealer and in the autotrader description they mentioned that the car was used on a track.
I'm up for a driving review, I took my test when I was 18, my 72nd birthday was the begining of January. I live just over 200 miles from Liverpool. I have learnt from your videos and still make mistakes (apologies to anyone in Glasgow over New Year whilst I drove to the entrance of Shields P & R), but maybe due to age and your videos, I now try to make allowances and sometimes smile, thinking if I had a dashcam that would have been an Ashley video.
I'd also like to see something on this. I look into them every year but it seems like they only make any difference below 7 degrees, which is not terribly frequent.
I have learnt a lot from your videos, especially from the point of view of you as a cyclist. I think the idea of meeting with viewers and doing a video of their driving is an excellent idea. I have been driving since I passed my test in 1977, I was told by both my instructor and my Father that you never stop learning about driving. I find today that this philosophy is even more important today. Looking forward to the rest of this year and seeing what you have in store for us.
My wife and I would certainly be interested in the observed drive idea. I definitely think it would be good for me. I started motorcycling in 1980 and passed my bike test first time in about Feb 1981. I then started learning to drive a car in July 1985 and passed my test first time in August 1985. I’ve had no further training as a car driver in that time (though I did do a one-day motorcycling session a friend organised with Avon and Somerset Traffic Division in the late 1990s), so have no doubt I’ve got a lot of bad habits (though I’m trying to learn from your videos and have started doing some of the things you talk about, such as the “has the other traffic stopped” check before going through a light-controlled junction). My wife has had a full licence since October 2016 (she was a late starter), but it took her a while to get there because medical issues got in the way of learning.
It's not good news if the injectors have been leaking additional fuel into the engine. Any unburnt fuel will enter the Cat converter and can cause the cat to overheat and the matrix collapse. I would ask VW to extend the warranty on this item as it may take a while to show up. I used to work on press cars for a Japanese OEM, and although journalists do thrash them, they are well looked after and anything not 100% is replaced. Most cars now have a maximum engine RPM and over-rev recorded on the engine ECU and these were checked. We did replace a few engines and gearboxes.
If its a used car, always assume it's been used to its limit at some point in its life. I've got a 330d ex forces car, first thing I did was change all the fluids including the 'lifetime' gearbox oil as well, well passed it. Car runs so much better.
indeed... and i'd even go as far as to say being "used to the limit" is not always the be all and end all. People who never go above 1500rpm and lug the gears everywhere are probably doing more damage!
Happy New Year Ashley. All your ideas for content sound great. It would be really interesting to see you driving some older vehicles, even classic cars maybe? Maybe also a run out with Jon in the van? :) On the Golf, I would have thought that a modern car ought to be well engineered enough to take anything that they threw at it if well maintained* (within reason obviously - not stunt driving or crash testing!). I read a funny story once about someone who bought a nice white Cortina Mk 3 GT only to discover later that it had been used in The Sweeney! * Hasty PS - I mean well maintained while a VW press car; I know Ashley you look after your cars well.
Some great thoughts on the upcoming plans for the year, will very much look forward to getting stuck into some of them. Tell you what I'd find interesting (I might be alone in this!) is seeing some of the teaching/learning techniques and some of the learning points from other vehicles. The HGV lessons were interesting for their differences to car driving, but maybe you could take it further... cranes, a fire engine, or even go outside the sector completely and see what transferable lessons there are from flight instructing etc. Seeing what can be learnt from outside the comfort zone is usually fascinating.
I remember getting a Nine month old car from the Peugeot dealer and I got a full Peugeot Twelve months warranty with the car as though it was new, it was leased out by Peugeot to the previous keeper.
The meet and drive with someone else is fantastic.i would be up for it as I work for a multi national company with a fleet of vans and we have a Masternaught tracking system fitted in our Vans so we get a driver score each month. Would be interested in how to lower mine . Keep up the fantastic content Ashley.
I would love to have a drive with you Ashley. I passed my test 38 years ago, and although I haven’t had any further training, I often refer to Roadcraft as well as watching your excellent videos. I would be interested in your tips for dealing with visibility in a sports car, as I drive a Porsche Cayman, and visibility on roundabouts can be challenging!
General note. I currently watch the channel on RUclips tv app. But wether that or on the iPad screen, there’s a difference between seeing the various situations play out on screen compared with real life. On screen we don’t have side mirrors, maybe a rear view tho…but that leaves blind spots in our viewing. Peripheral vision is also poor on screen, we can’t look out the side windows. And finally, depth of field is wrong on screen. I guess the average driving game on a console suffers like this too, as they did in the past unless you had a very sophisticated setup. In a way, real life is easier.
Liking the GTI content, just bought a mk7 GTI performance myself (midlife crisis) Interesting hearing about your future plans. Not sure how they can invalidate a warranty based on you driving on a German public toll road, don’t see anything in my owners manual about that other than racing and time trials. Regards addition driver training years after passing I have done a few course on motorcycles training ( Bike safe, Rospa assessed ride) but never on car side, but now I own a GTI I am tempted to do a novice track day. Look forward to new content
Brilliant idea in interacting with subscribes, has this would reveal people's attitude when driving and their driving style. Anything to improve there driving would be well worth it in my opinion. I would happily do this though i dont have a special car (just a standard Corsa) or been disqualified, though i have only been passed my test just over a year. Passed 21st December 2021 in case anyone was wondering. Regardless what happens I think this is a amazing idea with subscribes.
Hope you enjoy the Nurburgring and the whole trip associated with it. I’d be interested to watch videos on taking an RHD car to mainland Europe, but personally not that interested in watching yet another track-day mess-about, even from you! Otherwise, the viewer involvement sounds intriguing.
Interesting stuff, car issue aside. I know it’s dull…but a while ago you did a review of a small affordable car, Kia? Would like more of that stuff and also more family oriented models inc electric too. Fiat 500e, Nissan leaf 3rd generation, Honda e, corsa e. I’m interested in variations in car designs. Manual v auto (and there’s 3 types of auto, or 4 if you inc direct drive in an electric car). Front drive, rear drive, AWD, 4X4 ….and how each has its advantages and disadvantages, different characteristics…. How they handle in wet or greasy conditions or in snow/ice. Link ups with contributors. Obviously John. Link ups with other RUclips channels. Hub nut.
It's good that there's someone with a positive experience of living with a Mk8 GTI! From what seems to be the consus, it is a fantastic driving car (like most previous Golfs), but the livability with the haptic buttons and voice stuff are beyond frustrating. Although, I'm sure this can be adapted to. I have a Mk7 GTD, and I'm going to struggle to justify any potential upgrade to a Mk8 if the time comes. If I was to get something newer, it would be a GTI 7.5 or R, just purely because it's the last generation that still has the buttons, unintrusive driver aids etc, but still comes with great looks, a great drive and feature packed. Actually, I do wonder what your thoughts are on the manidtory installation and 'default on' of the various aids per EU regs. My experience is that they are frustrating, especially the lane assist. Your idea of riding along with viewers is a really great and unique idea.
Great idea to go driving with your subscribers/contributors. I say you should combine that with the Nurburgring idea and take me on a trip around the ring! Can’t go in my Clio I’m afraid as the PCP won’t endorse i!😂 I could take you round on my motorbike though.🏍️
Similar thing happened to me a few years ago with a BMW M4. 1st owner was BMW UK, which I assumed meant it had been the daily driver of one of their execs, but 3 weeks after I bought it, I found some vids of it being drag raced against its competitors, so in fact had been a press car. To their credit BMW agreed to take it back for a full refund. So, whilst it had a full warranty and been well looked after, I was concerned that it would start having expensive problems after the warranty would run out - eg wear on the CC brakes and suspension/chassis etc from its hard first few months. On the warranty point, I guess whilst a press car, it’s owned and maintained by the manufacturer and therefore they fix anything of issue, but when it goes on to the next owner, that’s a different situation….
If they had been honest about it being involved with top gear, they could well have had a range of fan boys who may have been interested in spite of its mechanical faults. Honesty is usually the best policy right?? Also, I would enjoy seeing you assess Bristols Road setup. They seem incapable of painting road lines, fixing potholes and enforceing proper road use. The place is a mess.
That new series would be brilliant. I would love to see common habits us experienced drivers pick up that you could help point out. A video with GCM and Owen would be cool to see.
Love the idea of driving with your subscribers, I wouldn't mind taking part. Maybe a before and after watching your videos (old stuff of me being hugely impatient and always on the horn from my early you tube videos compared to how much I've improved *I think* since watching your videos) I Live about a 20 minute/1/2 hour from Southampton and have held a DL for about 40 years...
I think its a great idea to meet subscribers and their cars. It would be good to see different peoples views and driving habits who may have like me passed their test in the early 80s, to see how many bad habits they've picked up and how much driving today has changed.
With a secondhand car nobody other than the people who have driven it in the past know how it has been treated. Any car could have been thrashed, VW wouldn't necessarily know. They did give you a warranty which it sounds like they've been honouring, regardless of whether the fault is a result of it's former life or not. I think that expecting them to flag it up as a former press car is no more reasonable than expecting them to declare that it's been a fleet car, hire car, driving school car etc.
A press vehicle is only ever on loan to the press user, it is still owned by VWG UK. They have specific control measures to ensure the vehicles are thoroughly serviced and checked over in-house and are fully up to specification and in top form prior to being sold on. The press section is only part of a much larger demonstration fleet entirely owned by VWG UK. The fleet comprises the whole range and includes vehicles for the emergency services (some fitted with stripes, lights and other mods), municipal fleet users, special purpose vehicle converters etc. I have been privileged to drive some absolutely beautiful cars over several years from the VWG fleet, including some real top of the range vehicles.
Oh dear, I'm getting F80 M3 flashbacks 😂
If anyone remembers, a guy bought a F80 M3 from BMW and it was riddled with non stop errors and mechanic faults. Turns out, it was the same car Jeremy Clarkson drove on the test track on top gear and it had been thrashed well before it a chance to be run in.
Jeremy Clarkson could not have driven that car! Clarkson is not a driver, he is a mobile ass and mouth.
The F80 M3 was my first thought!
Probably not just Jeremy either. they would have had professional drivers there to get some good cinematography
I’d just like to see drive like a driving instructor in rush hour London.
Liverpool always just looks so serene.
Lol i agree that would be pretty mad
I would like to see avdrag race with the local drug dealer
Yes, would like to see how the don’t change lanes when alongside someone else would go 😂
I suspect it'd be quite dull. London rush hour driving is mostly waiting in queues, punctuated by people who've had half an hour to get into the right lane forcing themselves from one side of the road to the other at the last minute.
Many years ago I worked for a well known auction house at their main branch. Every month or so there would be a "manufacturers sale" where a manufacturer would offload their excess inventory to the trade and public, including ex-press cars etc. Part of my role was dealing with customer complaints, one Monday morning I had a very irate gentleman come in shouting the house down having witnessed his, new to him, pride and joy being hooned around a disused quarry and crashed through piles of empty cardboard boxes on the previous night's episode of his favourite television detective drama.
Typical idiot. He’s bought something at a better than good price and then gets upset that it had a bit of history. Hope you told him to feck off.
Howlong ago? Did they use the old trick then of selling ex press cars as show cars pretending the milage was all from gentle test drives?
I once bought an Audi A4 convertible from an Audi dealership. Before the deal I asked (as I always do) has the car been in any accidents. No, of course not said the dealer, we wouldn't sell a car on that had been in an accident. So, I took the car home and decided to clean the leather seats and generally just sit in the car looking at various switches/buttons, as you do. I opened the glovebox and saw the service book and various manuals but noticed a couple of print outs of photos. Imagine my dismay when these photos showed damage that had been sustained in my 'new' car ! Apparently it was used by Audi to give to customers when their car was in for repair/service etc and a customer had been in an accident in it. So, I got out and looked more closely at the bodywork, I noticed various things were out of alignment, they'd even replaced the heated mirror glass with just a 'normal' mirror and certainly not heated (although obviously this was a very minor thing). I rang them up and told them to come and get it as I was rejecting it. I explained about the photos and the sales reps' reply was along the lines of, we had nothing to hide and that's why the photos were in the glovebox. I'd like to think that the bodywork/mechanic guy had left them there on purpose for me to find but hey ho....you live and learn.
I have been driving 44 years and have learned a lot watching your videos so thanks
I think the viewer collaborations are a great idea. It's also nice to see someone who self-reflects, evaluates, and thinks about how they could improve things
Agree, would sure be interesting to have Ashley sitting next to me and providing comments and feedback on my driving having held a license for 25 years and driven hundreds of thousands of miles over that time.
Thats a great idea Ashley to go meet subscribers and sit in with them !
I completed a 5 year ban in 2019 and your channel really helped me get back into driving again as I was very rusty and both my patience and confidence was gone ! Great learning points- if everyone even took a small snippet of your driving style the roads would be safer !
I've now retired from the film industry but in 2001, as part of a job for a motor manufacturer, I was treated to several laps flat out round the Nurburgring sitting next to a German test driver who knew it like the back of his hand. I'd say, before driving it yourself, have a large number of laps sitting beside a pro driver and then make sure you've thoroughly learnt the course before tackling it on your own.
Just an afterthought: why not driving with a trailer (say a loaded car trailer) and some of ways one's driving must change to cope with the increased hazards it occasions? I mention it because it's something I do often.
I think the new series sounds fantastic. I’ve always thought I’d love to see what you’d think of my driving after watching your channel the most out of any. I have to say I don’t drive an interesting car, just a fiesta, but I do believe I have a bit of an obsession with driving education. As a young student I haven’t really found people like this, and over the years I’ve informed lots of friends about your channel who now watch it. We even have a game involving your channel. As someone who’s young, and has an obsession with your channel along with driving education, I’d love to see what you thought of my driving, but also compare conversation. Someone who has just over a years worth of driving after passing, and someone that has taught for years, but both with a passion for road safety. Regardless, love the channel and looking forward to another year 🎉
I bought an ex press car, an Alfa 147GTA. Then saw it in Autocar doing a massive burnout afterwards! And yes it was a lemon!
I think people defiantly should be told if they are buying a press car as those no doubt get treated pretty harshly, I wouldn't want to buy a former press car.
Love the idea you have for a new series, would be really interesting 😀 Would also love to see you goto the Nurburgring, thats a great idea 😀
This is one for Blackbeltbarrister to look into. I think Ashley as the unsuspecting owner, should have full warranty from the the supplier.
I agree
I thought he said he does have full warranty but it would be invalidated if he took it on track despite the fact it already had been used for that purpose?
He does have full warranty.
this stinks of double standards, firstly VW say the warranty is invalidated if its used as a track car yet a main VW dealer sells it on with a full VW warranty. Once again mainline dealers are not only letting the public down but also the trade.
im guessing he specialises in criminal law being a barrister
As a keen greenlaner I'd love to see you tackle some "off-road" tracks and greenlanes. It'd be interesting to understand how you feel the skills needed differ/compare to on road driving and how your advanced driving skills and knowledge could benefit you.
Without being offensive, when do you actually drive it hard like its deserved to be driven as a performance car? Your very chilled in your videos.
I think the idea of viewer assessments or reviews of driving would be really interesting.
I also think that seeing feedback as such from for example a lorry driver and their thoughts on road users, tips from them (having to control a large vehicle) may also be useful In generalised driving.
As would if you do go to Germany the perspective of maybe a German instructor.
Perhaps even take a German test if the comparisons are such that the discrepancies would assist in recommendations for uk tests.
@@samhoward5110 I passed my driving test in Germany back in the 80s. Was taught to the UK standard driving test of the time, only difference being was driving on the opposite side of the road. The German road systems as in priority roads etc are much better than the UK in my opinion. When I drove back to the UK via Holland, Belgium and France it was a shock to me having to learn to drive on the left. Took me a while to get my head around tbh. Personally I think it made me a better driver having experience of driving on the right.
well as a class 1 driver i would say, if there is a LGV infront of you and he sticks his hazards on 99.9% of the time he is going to manuvere so just hold back and wait for 5 minutes, do not try to drive around the front of the truck because you will lose your front end!
Great ideas. I lived and worked in Germany for 5 years and drove the German Autobahn almost daily, as well a switching between left and right hand drive almost daily too. Thereafter moved to Canada and have driven extensively there as well as the USA.
Hello. Looking forward to watching this 13 min video on Ashley's Golf, especially knowing that it's been in the garage for a while.
Weird that you comment before viewing just to be in the early comments
@@manu-tonyo9654 weird that you reply to his comment just go get your name out there. Sorry, couldn't help myself!😅😉
Nurburgring is the Mecca for petrolheads; you’d love it! I drove there a few years back and it was my first time there. I had a great time. I do wish I’d prepped more in advance, in regards to signs in Germany though. 1) What the autobahn sign looks like and 2) what each fuel pump colour is and what German is for ‘petrol’ and ‘diesel’.
If you do go over (and it certainly sounds like you will), I suggest getting in contact with Misha Charoudin from Apex ‘ring taxi/rentals. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d heard of him or seen his content but he has the same kind of education mindset as you, Ashley. I think it would be a great little colab.
Another great video! I do like the idea of you driving with viewers, and a video on the Nurburgring would be awesome!
Good garage you got there, chucking parts at it in the hope that they get lucky.
I used to own a MK2 Seat Leon Cupra R which was an ex press car, I took the same car around Rockingham at the press day 2 years before buying it.
The Golfs got provenance.
Take it for a visit to see the Stig, I'm sure he would be happy for an assessment around the Top Gear Test Track.
Some say he watches this channel.😄
And others say he is secretly a driving instructor.😉😂
i took my kia ceed jd 1.6 crdi to the Nürburgring, was really fun 125mph down the straight loved it!
Glad you finally got your Golf fixed Ashley. It can be so stressful when our pride and joy is not working. You did the right thing by patiently giving the garage as much time as they needed to eventually diagnose and fix the problem. If you rush them they just let you take it home but, you will soon be back to them because the problem won't be fixed still.
I've had nightmares for the past year with my beloved 22 year year old BMW E38 740i. The problem started with the car suddenly going into limp home mode until it eventually refused to start. I had to be rescued twice by the AA when it left me stranded. When we scanned it, it would show about 5 error codes and it was complaining about low signals from various sensors like the crankshaft. We changed both camshaft position sensors, crankshaft position sensor and vanos actuator with no luck.
About a week ago we finally opened the engine computer box and we immediately noticed some damp on the cables. Then we unplugged the cables from the DME and found that it was soaked with water! We couldn't believe it because I've never been anywhere near Rufford Ford🤣.
We cleaned the cables and sent the DME to an ECU wizard and he managed to save it. This happened a few days ago and the car is running fine for now and I'm also still testing it. So far so good and I'm happy again.
I think a trip out with your viewers is a great idea. I passed my test on 25th January 1982, and since then I've been let loose on the roads with no more training, so when I recently discovered you channel and started watching I soon found things to improve my driving. I have yet to meet anyone who says they are a poor driver, but there's a lot of poor driving going on and I reckon we all think we're better than we really are. PS I live not so far from the Nurburgring but there's no way I'm driving round it, or letting you drive my car round it with me as a passenger.
I think it would be very interesting to see you drive a really old car, perhaps from the 60s or 70s, and document your approach to driving that vehicle, seeing how it fares in modern traffic. I’m hoping to get an old car that I have back on the road over summer, though it’s a long shot to say the least, and having never driven a really old car, I’d like to see your take on driving one in modern times.
My mum has a 1978 Mini Clubman, owned from new and around 85k miles on the clock. We haven't actually driven it for around three years now! Not sure how it will fare with three year old petrol in the tank.
Not all old cars are made equal though...
Think the new idea would be great and be more than happy for you to come look at my driving and improve as making road safety is key. Learnt lots while watching your videos. Keep the good work up.
Something which might be good could be to specifically looking at some of the roads not far from Lancashire which always appear in lists of most dangerous (Cat and Fiddle). One I have noticed always pops up in your own videos from viewer contributions is the Snake Pass.
My brother is a regional manager for BMW and I sent him this. In the past, at least at BMW, if a vehicle had been a press car the customer would be told and the price would be lowered. My brother was a regional manager at BMW in the UK and now in Australia and when I sent him this video that's what he said. He also said that was the policy at BMW and many other manufacturers. He did say however that although it is corporate policy not all franchise holders follow it as they should. He said he had 1 dealership under him that he had to sort out because a couple of customers got stung by this at that 1 dealership. He sorted it by giving the customers extended warranty in replace of the money that should have been taken off the price of the car at sale and to cover them for any damage that had been done due to harsh use, as the customer didn't know they were potentially signing up to a car that may need extra trips to the garage. He also gave then some more minor percs but he said the years of extra warranty was the main thing and made the most sense, also the customers were happy with this. Maybe its something you should push for, some extended cover.
I would be really interested in your take on driving the Nürburgring from a safety/observations perspective. The journey might be an opportunity to include driving in different countries. Especially the unlimited autobahn where driving at 90mph requires constant mirror vigilance for high speed vehicles approaching. In Germany they seem to pay much more attention to getting clear of the overtaking lanes so faster vehicles can pass uninhibited (from my limited experience)
With reference to the Press car / Waranty issue, I think their logic is if the car fails while you have it due to how it was treated while it was a Press car you still get if fixed under warranty, so you don’t lose out due to how it was treated before you owned it. I can see your argument about maybe they should let you know, though.
The idea of viewer assessments is a great one and something that's actually been on the back of my mind for a while. I gather then that we'd want to have videos published of these sessions? In which case, we'd want viewers to have their own working dash cams. I have a front facing one but never as yet got to hook up my rear facing cam, due to having an after market bespoke sun shade clipped into the rear window. I don't have a camera pointing into the passenger area though.
When you started talking about the fuel issues my first thought as a car mechanic went to the injectors, they should have checked that earlier
absolutely correct - as a press car it ought to have been declared as such when sold to you, had you known you would likely not have bought the car or made a different deal.
That's why they don't tell you!! They just want to sell the car.
@@paul756uk2 Generally there are laws that force dealers to tell you it's been in an accident etc. I'd think being thrashed by the press would fall under that. But I guess not...
@@UnbeltedSundew There seems to be few laws that protect people. Having said that, and I know Ashley has had issues with the car but that may well be unconnected, if the car looks ok, hasn't had an accident and is reliable then on what grounds would you have any comeback? Now, I'm not defending any side here but a car that has been thrashed around for a relatively short period may well be better than someone who has abused a car for a lesser amount but for a much longer period. It's like buying a car with low mileage that has been used for short journeys compared to a higher mileage car that's been used for longer journeys.
Thats a cracking idea, viewer collabs. Apart from my driving lessons and test, which was 40 years, I've never even thought about any further driving education, until I started watching your videos, I've gone back and almost watched all your back catalogue too! I just thought, probably more people like me, thinking it was the other drivers on the road, were driving badly. Like I've said before, You can't take the idiot away from the car, but you should be able to take the car away from the idiot! I must admit, your videos have changed my way of driving and thinking!
I drive a 1998 SAAB 9-3 and all I need to do is:
* Replace the crankcase ventilation - £70
* New rear break pads - £20
* Replace rubber seal for the boot - £20
The only thing I need to take it to the garage for and fix is to get the fuel tank cleaned out as there is some muck in the bottom. But that isn't even an issue if I just keep it filled above 1/7th.
Best part is that I got the car literally for free from my brother as he moved abroad.
There's something about older cars.
I have a VW Golf 17 reg 2.0 LD No problems !
I found this video very interesting Ash, especially because - with me being a subscriber to TG magazine thus getting special monthly issues - I read all about your GTI when the team had it. The main thing I remember as a reoccurring feature, was the VW infotainment system being quite trash, not only on VW products but also stretching to tye further VW group. Overall, though, I was very jealous of the Golf every time I read the Garage section, and I'm pleased it's now got a great owner despite the issues you've faced with it. Keep the videos coming Ash, I'm definitely looking forward to the new series idea!
Of all the cars my parents have owned, and the 2 I've owned - volkswagen are possibly the best for resolving issues. A big Scottish dealership brand (u can guess which one) always gives us trouble with getting things fixed but volkswagen have stepped in multiple times even finally rectifying 1 issue outside of warranty.
I agree 100% Ashley, How can they sell a car that has invalidated the Warranty, and not tell you🤔🤔🤔 that is very bad
Thank you for another interesting video, Ashley.
I think your idea of drives with subscribers is great and I look forward to seeing more of this in the future.
I was really intrigued by the HGV series and would be curious to see what was next. You had mentioned Class 1 in the past, I think. I struggle to find videos about the learning side of HGVs, and I think it would be a great fit! Thanks for all your hard work in making the roads safer.
Hi Ashley, next time you're in Southampton I'd be up for a drive. I've almost had my license for 1 year and you definitely helped me pass!
Love the ideas for the channel. I passed my test in 1981 when I was 17. I've had no formal tuition - my dad taught me to drive in my first car, a 1965 mini. I think my driving is OK but still learning, particularly since finding this channel on RUclips!
Interesting vid. Thanks !
I think viewer collaborations are an excellent idea, and I'd be interested in watching those.
I bought a Vauxhall a few years back, six months old, was not told it was a hire care, and vauxhall buy them back from the hire companies, had nothing but issues with the car until I got rid off it 8 months later, agree, let people know it's previous use to allow you to decide if you still want want it!
The difference of a press car will be that it remains the property of VW, or whichever manufacturer. Manufacturers will also use some for demonstration within the dealerships and employees, where press abuse pales into insignificance, from my experience.
When I bought a Subaru Forester I later came across a magazine with my car in as it was the ex Subaru U.K. press car, a friend later bought a legacy which then also turned out to be an ex Subaru U.K. press car.
If you're around the Cotswolds anytime, I've got a Mitsubishi Evo 6 TME tucked away that you can have a drive of, 23 years old tech that still handles brilliantly and ridiculous traction out of the corners.
I’ve been a qualified driver for 24 years. I’ve always been a bit of a hot head behind the wheel and given out my fair share of ridicule to other drivers. However, now in my early forties and fortunate enough to be driving something with a tremendous all round ability I have been working hard over the last few years to improve my own attitude towards driving and trying to channel a bit of Ashley’s calm and collected demeanour. I like to think it’s working, but Ashley you’re more than welcome to take a drive with me and give me your honest opinion and feedback 👍
Nurburgring would be interesting. You can use your channel to remind people that under normal TF days, it is a toll road and you are required to have insurance. Which, I’m pretty sure vast majority of UK policies excluded the coverage of “unrestricted toll road”.
Ash + Nurburgring + 52 learning points in one hour. Can't wait!
But just do it in the golf. Live a little and thrash it Afterwards, you'll have the biggest grin every morning when you walk out, and you won't care about the history.
I would love to see a video of you at the Nürbergring!
Please do.
I think driving with your viewers would be an awesome video idea!
Bit mean to assume that TG treats its long-termers badly or even that the car was used in a way that invalidates the warranty. I don't think that particularly one ever went on a track while it was with TG - certainly not the Nürburgring - long-term test cars are used as everyday cars so we can see what they're like to live with. Press fleet cars are generally speaking very well looked after by company mechanics, can't speak for all the people it's been leant out to, obviously.
I think meeting your viewers and subscribers would be a great idea to see how people who what your channel have changed how they drive. I myself used to be an aggressive driver after I passed my test in 2020, however since viewing some of your videos, I've changed how I drive and behave on the road. I always look for what can help with best flow in different situations to help keep traffic flowing, and I've learnt how to have fun driving, while keeping myself and other road users safe. I'd like to see how other viewers have changed their driving style.
I also think a video on how to control a slide would be a great watch and very informative, especially with the cold winter we've had as well as maybe some track driving like on the nurburgring or Silverstone
Hi Ashley. I think you are being extremely calm and assured with this. This GTI has absolutely been abused to the limit. There’s no doubt. Im astonished that they didn’t fully disclose this. I mean, even if it had only 2000 miles those 2000 miles could be the hardest it will ever have been driven. Unscrupulous doesn’t even come close to some of these car dealerships. Hope the problems don’t come back as it’s a lovely car. All the best.
I think meeting some of your viewers and driving with them would make great content! I can appreciate it might involve quite a lot of work, but could be quite useful. For example, I drive in the UK (having learned how to drive in Germany) and would be curios to see how you perceive my driving. I imagine there are quite a few drivers in the UK with EU driver's licenses, so this could make for a good topic. Something along the lines of "UK driving rules that EU license holders don't know about/miss". Happy to discuss in more detail and help out with that!
Agreed!! I'd really like some more content on going between left-and right-hand traffic. I got my license in Sweden and then moved to the UK for uni a few months later. I drive a lot when I go back home, but I'm still to drive in the UK. Been thinking about getting a car recently so it'd be nice to have guidance on making that change! Things like the lack of give way to the right (or left, I guess) and the national speed limit still baffles me, haha!
I've got a few LHD classic cars, could do a video on "challenging" cars to drive. (no power steering, manual brakes, and wrong hand drive) 🤣
100% to do the ring, its my 2nd home! Warning though once you've been it gets additive! Few others have said get intouch with Misha, I've known him a good few years and Will definitely give you the best first timer experience 👍
Great idea to meet your subscribers and drive with them. I take pride in my driving and have learnt a lot from following you for a long while now…it would be interesting to see if I passed the test.
If you do go to the Nurburgring, do go and do a video with Misha chiroudin, and showcase vehicle dynamics on the 'ring.
Oh definitely yes! Would love to have you critique my driving!!😀
for your road trip, it's something I'd consider, though as you might have noticed from my conversations with Ib S, I live a third of a world away. so I have no expectation you'd make a special trip.
Very interesting history for your Golf there Ash! 😮So yeah it's been hammered then. Am glad you got it fixed finally at their expense.
I say yes to the new series of you with viewers. I'd love to take part but no interesting stories from me. Been driving 36 years. Always thought about advanced driving and never done it. I've got more nervous of country lane driving where I seem to have lost some ability to match speed to the road with bends and stuff and cannot work out why. (Am looking at limit points; hedges; lights and stuff to see where the road is going but still don't seem to get it).But yeh, just me and my S3 👍🏻
Had a really bad experience the other day, and it made me think your videos and that I need dash cam. It was dark (7am) and the rain was torrential, this was on my way to work, through narrow roads with oncoming traffic (busy), there was a car in front of me but I kept a good distance. It was 40mph but I kept at a manageable 36 as I was making sure I managed the roads which were almost flooded to the sides. All of a sudden a van was right up against my rear so in my mirror I could only see his bonnet. He kept pulling back a little and putting full beams on, this left me dazzled and I couldn’t see ahead of me so I slowed a little, he kept repeating this and then suddenly when there was a gap in front and no oncoming, traffic he flashed at me and overtook, sliding in the gap between me and the car in front before he brake tested me. I remembered the number plate and the business name on the van, but it was horrific and he kept doing the same to the car in front as well, and then sped off down a 30mph country lane with pot holes at maybe 50-60 mph (I work down that road and could see he was going at least double my 25, but probably more than double) I haven’t even told you half of it, I reported it to the police.
Your completely right, They should’ve declared the prev use of the vehicle, I’ve seen a Golf R in the past that was advertised at a VW Dealer and in the autotrader description they mentioned that the car was used on a track.
I'm up for a driving review, I took my test when I was 18, my 72nd birthday was the begining of January. I live just over 200 miles from Liverpool. I have learnt from your videos and still make mistakes (apologies to anyone in Glasgow over New Year whilst I drove to the entrance of Shields P & R), but maybe due to age and your videos, I now try to make allowances and sometimes smile, thinking if I had a dashcam that would have been an Ashley video.
Another great video. Any chance you could do something on the use of Winter tyres?
I'd also like to see something on this. I look into them every year but it seems like they only make any difference below 7 degrees, which is not terribly frequent.
Could you do a video on picking up hitchhikers?
I have learnt a lot from your videos, especially from the point of view of you as a cyclist. I think the idea of meeting with viewers and doing a video of their driving is an excellent idea. I have been driving since I passed my test in 1977, I was told by both my instructor and my Father that you never stop learning about driving. I find today that this philosophy is even more important today. Looking forward to the rest of this year and seeing what you have in store for us.
My wife and I would certainly be interested in the observed drive idea. I definitely think it would be good for me. I started motorcycling in 1980 and passed my bike test first time in about Feb 1981. I then started learning to drive a car in July 1985 and passed my test first time in August 1985. I’ve had no further training as a car driver in that time (though I did do a one-day motorcycling session a friend organised with Avon and Somerset Traffic Division in the late 1990s), so have no doubt I’ve got a lot of bad habits (though I’m trying to learn from your videos and have started doing some of the things you talk about, such as the “has the other traffic stopped” check before going through a light-controlled junction). My wife has had a full licence since October 2016 (she was a late starter), but it took her a while to get there because medical issues got in the way of learning.
I like that idea, I have a 4 series which may be to run of the mill but I also have a capri mk 3 :)
as for the nurburg ring.. you absolutly should even if its only for the good road trip to drive there.
4:08 respect to the service dept.
It's not good news if the injectors have been leaking additional fuel into the engine. Any unburnt fuel will enter the Cat converter and can cause the cat to overheat and the matrix collapse. I would ask VW to extend the warranty on this item as it may take a while to show up.
I used to work on press cars for a Japanese OEM, and although journalists do thrash them, they are well looked after and anything not 100% is replaced. Most cars now have a maximum engine RPM and over-rev recorded on the engine ECU and these were checked. We did replace a few engines and gearboxes.
If its a used car, always assume it's been used to its limit at some point in its life. I've got a 330d ex forces car, first thing I did was change all the fluids including the 'lifetime' gearbox oil as well, well passed it. Car runs so much better.
indeed... and i'd even go as far as to say being "used to the limit" is not always the be all and end all. People who never go above 1500rpm and lug the gears everywhere are probably doing more damage!
I think a brilliant idea to watch you drive with viewers. Looking forward to your videos
Totally agree
I think it would be interesting that new series. Think riding in different class of vehicles POV would be a touch to it as well.
Happy New Year Ashley. All your ideas for content sound great. It would be really interesting to see you driving some older vehicles, even classic cars maybe? Maybe also a run out with Jon in the van? :)
On the Golf, I would have thought that a modern car ought to be well engineered enough to take anything that they threw at it if well maintained* (within reason obviously - not stunt driving or crash testing!). I read a funny story once about someone who bought a nice white Cortina Mk 3 GT only to discover later that it had been used in The Sweeney!
* Hasty PS - I mean well maintained while a VW press car; I know Ashley you look after your cars well.
Some great thoughts on the upcoming plans for the year, will very much look forward to getting stuck into some of them. Tell you what I'd find interesting (I might be alone in this!) is seeing some of the teaching/learning techniques and some of the learning points from other vehicles. The HGV lessons were interesting for their differences to car driving, but maybe you could take it further... cranes, a fire engine, or even go outside the sector completely and see what transferable lessons there are from flight instructing etc. Seeing what can be learnt from outside the comfort zone is usually fascinating.
I remember getting a Nine month old car from the Peugeot dealer and I got a full Peugeot Twelve months warranty with the car as though it was new, it was leased out by Peugeot to the previous keeper.
I love the idea of all the new additions you have planned.
The meet and drive with someone else is fantastic.i would be up for it as I work for a multi national company with a fleet of vans and we have a Masternaught tracking system fitted in our Vans so we get a driver score each month. Would be interested in how to lower mine .
Keep up the fantastic content Ashley.
I would love to have a drive with you Ashley.
I passed my test 38 years ago, and although I haven’t had any further training, I often refer to Roadcraft as well as watching your excellent videos.
I would be interested in your tips for dealing with visibility in a sports car, as I drive a Porsche Cayman, and visibility on roundabouts can be challenging!
General note.
I currently watch the channel on RUclips tv app.
But wether that or on the iPad screen, there’s a difference between seeing the various situations play out on screen compared with real life. On screen we don’t have side mirrors, maybe a rear view tho…but that leaves blind spots in our viewing. Peripheral vision is also poor on screen, we can’t look out the side windows. And finally, depth of field is wrong on screen.
I guess the average driving game on a console suffers like this too, as they did in the past unless you had a very sophisticated setup.
In a way, real life is easier.
Liking the GTI content, just bought a mk7 GTI performance myself (midlife crisis) Interesting hearing about your future plans. Not sure how they can invalidate a warranty based on you driving on a German public toll road, don’t see anything in my owners manual about that other than racing and time trials. Regards addition driver training years after passing I have done a few course on motorcycles training ( Bike safe, Rospa assessed ride) but never on car side, but now I own a GTI I am tempted to do a novice track day. Look forward to new content
Brilliant idea in interacting with subscribes, has this would reveal people's attitude when driving and their driving style. Anything to improve there driving would be well worth it in my opinion. I would happily do this though i dont have a special car (just a standard Corsa) or been disqualified, though i have only been passed my test just over a year. Passed 21st December 2021 in case anyone was wondering. Regardless what happens I think this is a amazing idea with subscribes.
Hope you enjoy the Nurburgring and the whole trip associated with it. I’d be interested to watch videos on taking an RHD car to mainland Europe, but personally not that interested in watching yet another track-day mess-about, even from you!
Otherwise, the viewer involvement sounds intriguing.
Interesting stuff, car issue aside.
I know it’s dull…but a while ago you did a review of a small affordable car, Kia?
Would like more of that stuff and also more family oriented models inc electric too.
Fiat 500e, Nissan leaf 3rd generation, Honda e, corsa e.
I’m interested in variations in car designs.
Manual v auto (and there’s 3 types of auto, or 4 if you inc direct drive in an electric car).
Front drive, rear drive, AWD, 4X4
….and how each has its advantages and disadvantages, different characteristics….
How they handle in wet or greasy conditions or in snow/ice.
Link ups with contributors.
Obviously John.
Link ups with other RUclips channels.
Hub nut.
It's good that there's someone with a positive experience of living with a Mk8 GTI!
From what seems to be the consus, it is a fantastic driving car (like most previous Golfs), but the livability with the haptic buttons and voice stuff are beyond frustrating. Although, I'm sure this can be adapted to.
I have a Mk7 GTD, and I'm going to struggle to justify any potential upgrade to a Mk8 if the time comes. If I was to get something newer, it would be a GTI 7.5 or R, just purely because it's the last generation that still has the buttons, unintrusive driver aids etc, but still comes with great looks, a great drive and feature packed.
Actually, I do wonder what your thoughts are on the manidtory installation and 'default on' of the various aids per EU regs. My experience is that they are frustrating, especially the lane assist.
Your idea of riding along with viewers is a really great and unique idea.
Great idea to go driving with your subscribers/contributors. I say you should combine that with the Nurburgring idea and take me on a trip around the ring! Can’t go in my Clio I’m afraid as the PCP won’t endorse i!😂 I could take you round on my motorbike though.🏍️
Similar thing happened to me a few years ago with a BMW M4. 1st owner was BMW UK, which I assumed meant it had been the daily driver of one of their execs, but 3 weeks after I bought it, I found some vids of it being drag raced against its competitors, so in fact had been a press car. To their credit BMW agreed to take it back for a full refund. So, whilst it had a full warranty and been well looked after, I was concerned that it would start having expensive problems after the warranty would run out - eg wear on the CC brakes and suspension/chassis etc from its hard first few months. On the warranty point, I guess whilst a press car, it’s owned and maintained by the manufacturer and therefore they fix anything of issue, but when it goes on to the next owner, that’s a different situation….
If they had been honest about it being involved with top gear, they could well have had a range of fan boys who may have been interested in spite of its mechanical faults.
Honesty is usually the best policy right??
Also, I would enjoy seeing you assess Bristols Road setup.
They seem incapable of painting road lines, fixing potholes and enforceing proper road use.
The place is a mess.
That new series would be brilliant. I would love to see common habits us experienced drivers pick up that you could help point out.
A video with GCM and Owen would be cool to see.
Yes to the Ring! Wonder if you could do something with Misha at Apex too.
Love the idea of driving with your subscribers, I wouldn't mind taking part. Maybe a before and after watching your videos (old stuff of me being hugely impatient and always on the horn from my early you tube videos compared to how much I've improved *I think* since watching your videos) I Live about a 20 minute/1/2 hour from Southampton and have held a DL for about 40 years...
I think its a great idea to meet subscribers and their cars. It would be good to see different peoples views and driving habits who may have like me passed their test in the early 80s, to see how many bad habits they've picked up and how much driving today has changed.
With a secondhand car nobody other than the people who have driven it in the past know how it has been treated. Any car could have been thrashed, VW wouldn't necessarily know. They did give you a warranty which it sounds like they've been honouring, regardless of whether the fault is a result of it's former life or not. I think that expecting them to flag it up as a former press car is no more reasonable than expecting them to declare that it's been a fleet car, hire car, driving school car etc.
A press vehicle is only ever on loan to the press user, it is still owned by VWG UK. They have specific control measures to ensure the vehicles are thoroughly serviced and checked over in-house and are fully up to specification and in top form prior to being sold on.
The press section is only part of a much larger demonstration fleet entirely owned by VWG UK. The fleet comprises the whole range and includes vehicles for the emergency services (some fitted with stripes, lights and other mods), municipal fleet users, special purpose vehicle converters etc. I have been privileged to drive some absolutely beautiful cars over several years from the VWG fleet, including some real top of the range vehicles.