(more sizes for this pic here:
http://www.areyoulocal.co.uk/display_album.php?folder_id=23&hierpic_id=115 )
Just one pic for now. The weather's atrocious so I'll do some better pics when it cheers the feck up.
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Mini review of experience of an edition 30 after just 30 miles.
COLOUROh...my...god... In the flesh, white looks just stunning. In the twilight, in the sun... doesn't matter, it just looks like an ipod on wheels. The guy who pdfd it agrees. There was a black one behind it when I picked it up.... for me at least, seeing them both together, white knocks the spots off black (my second choice). There are curves in the sides of the body I'd never noticed - check out the mega size picture in the link above.
DSGOh...my...god. It was a bit of a gamble choosing this. I went for it as someone who usually hates autos, but was swayed by the writeups. I'd never tried it myself. I've never known an auto box like it. When you're just bimbling, it changes gear without you even noticing. It's only on acceleration where you notice that it's doing something. I've not tried the paddle stuff much yet - I'm sure i'll stick it into manual for those twisty roads, but the effect on plain old 'D' without even any revs (running in) is of effortless, quality acceleration. No grab on moving away - wonderfully smooth, and I'm going to have to concentrate on keeping my right foot light because its clear it wants to get up and go.
Build quality/luxuryComing from a pug 306, the difference is profound - far more than you'd guess from pictures, because everything feels just better. No squeaks or rattles at all, very quiet at 70mph, totally solid, road noise from rough surfaces better insulated than the old car, controls lovely to use, even the cheapo RCD300 radio is quite nice. Red and blue lighting effect is just class, seats are fabulous (both ergonomically and in look -the fabric and leather together look to me better than the full leather option). All in all, it's straightforward, well designed, and a nice place to be.
Lighting TricksI went for the 'luxury pack 1', which gives you the area lighting and mirror motors to pull them in and drop the passenger one while reversing. I love the 'Auto' light setting. At night, when you blip the car, it lights up the area by the doors, as well as the surrounding area with the headlights - on the white car this looks rather spectacular :-)... a bit like an aeroplane coming in to land! Then, inside, there are all sorts of lights in useful places -glove box, above the vanity mirror, footwells, reading lights front and rear, and my favourite...2 red spotlights that dimly illuminate the area around the console and armrest... looks like it'd take off and fly to mars.
Other nice things-hooks and tie points for luggage in the boot
-12 volt socket in the boot
-The auto wipers - On a showery day, they just did precisely what I wanted. The wipers are silent when they work and smear free. They also hide away when not on, which is lovely.
-The aircon feed into the glove box
-The electric lumbar support - goes 4 ways
-Electric seats (though it feels like you wet yourself at first till you get used to it!)
-Got to mention the xenons - fabulous, and I love the way they blink when they turn on.
-pescaras. Never really look as good in photos as in the flesh. They suit white perfectly, fill the arches really well, and looking down the side of the car it just is this solid slab like look with the wheels perfectly aligned - in short,
ParkingUnfortunately the only downside so far. The rear windscreen of the old car was a lot lower, so you could see the bonnet of cars behind, though the powered passenger mirror adjuster makes it easy to avoid scuffing your alloys. In the golf, it's not so easy. I decided against rear parking sensors because they spoil the bumper, but if you're a lousy parker anyway, I recon that it would be a good option. I'll just have to work out how far I've got with some trial and error :-)
Upgrades plannedA blue flashing light to complete the illusion. Make way for me!
