Questions/checks when collecting your GTI/D....

[TheCarMadDad]

Hi guys.

So I'm collecting my car on Monday. It's the first time I'll be collecting a brand new car, I would like some advice on what questions to ask and what to check?

I'm starting to write a list and this is what I have so far...

Questions:
Automatic auxiliary heater how to
How to bed engine in correctly
Adv phone prep
Climate comfort screen

Checks:
Iphone integrates with USB
Check for Gtd badge on key fob
Check Car mats are present

What else should I be asking/checking?

Cheers guys

[ffrank]

I'll piggy back this if you don't mind, thank you very much - Collecting on Thursday  First new car for me too.

I'm taking a list of my options to check off (including servicing/warranty extension paperwork if you added them.)
Going to walk around the car and check for any obvious scratches and dings, other than that I'm none the wiser either.

Run-in, I think each dealer gives different info - from my research the general opinion appears to be make sure you use varied revs and let the engine warm, and avoid red lining it I'm going to try and limit my motorway miles in the first 1000 (long journeys at least - and if I do have to make any I'll vary the revs by being an annoying tw*t - alternating from 60 - 70 and usng different gears )

[monkeyhanger]

Check the bodywork and wheels out for scratches, scuffs and small dings – in a dry area. Never collect a car parked outside in heavy rain – you may not see a fault that is there otherwise and once you leave the forecourt they’ll say you caused any found damage unless it is an obvious manufacturing defect.

Make sure the locking wheelnut adapter is with the spare wheel.

Make sure that any paid-for option is there – build errors and dealers forgetting to add options to the order do happen.

I think you’ve covered pretty much anything else

[pjr]

I would be checking the paintwork/glass/wheels/interior trim over carefully to ensure there is no damage.

Also, check that the spec matches what you've ordered - mine was easy as there was only Discover Nav & Winter Pack to look out for.

Make sure you get all the paperwork for e.g. service plans etc. The V5 & tax disc usually get posted directly to you shortly after delivery (I think! certainly was for tax disc, almost certain the V5 came through the post as well)

[TheCarMadDad]

No probs ffrank!

I guess checking the bodywork for damage etc is a given.

Did any of you get much fuel in the car when you collected?

[pjr]

I got half a tank of petrol, which was more than I was expecting as the order form said I was going to get 15 litres.

[monkeyhanger]

I would avoid long motorway journeys like the plague for the first 500 miles of the car’s life. If you’re collecting from a brokered dealership 200 miles from home etc then you might need to take an A-road route for a lot of the way home. I wouldn’t have it driving at constant speed in 6th on a motorway for more than 50 miles in the first 500 and no more than 100 from 501-1000 miles.

My worst VW was a MK5 Golf (140TDI PD) that I bought from Burnley then immediately drove down to Southampton to see relatives (280 miles), hopped onto the ferry to Cherbourg with it and with about 350 miles on, it gave an amber alert for oil – it has drank a litre, taking it below the dipstick. Topped it up, drove around Cherbourg for the day, filled up with cheap booze, took it back to Southampton and onwards home to Newcastle. Another 500 miles on from Calais’ top-up, it needed another litre and drank a litre of oil every 1000 miles after that. Ongoing MPG was sh!te too for the whole time I owned it. Glazed bores I presume from it’s very easy run in.

[marnie]

I know this is controversial but I will be doing some vacuum pulls as soon as I get the engine warm. Did this with my current car and it doesn't use any oil and runs like new. There again it is a Honda.

[ffrank]

I know this is controversial but I will be doing some vacuum pulls as soon as I get the engine warm. Did this with my current car and it doesn't use any oil and runs like new. There again it is a Honda.

I'm standing by with my Dyson, please explain... 

[marnie]

Take the car to about 50-60 mph, take foot off of throttle. Engine braking forces the piston rings against the bores.