Collecting Blue Thunder on Friday - any advice ??!!

[MJim]

Wow wow wow!! Went to collect the car, and was stunned when I saw it - absolutely blown away!! Really brought a smile to my face! I've posted a couple of snaps below - so not great quality, and rubbish backdrop at the dealership. I will take some better ones at some point that do it more justice.

The car is brilliant to drive - it corners phenomenally, and is incredibly punchy without even trying. Loving the HUD - great to have speed, directions and speed limit right there in line of vision all the time. Active cruise control is also brilliant for motorway driving especially in that concertina'ing traffic - although you need to remember it doesn't recognise stationary cars! Size not so bad to live with given elevated position, although birds eye view came in very handy when street parking!

It's a real shame that other commitments have conspired against me this weekend, so can't go too far in it - although will make sure it gets out, and there's plenty of time to enjoy it in the coming weeks!

The armourfend has been done really well and I'm delighted with that too. There's a small bubble on the bumper application, but i was advised before they fitted it to give it a few days after fitting and told it would settle. I'm confident they'll sort it if not - they're a v decent bunch. The film really is barely noticeable, and i'm delighted that I got it done. In terms of coverage, I had the front bumper covered (up to the top of bumper i.e. leaving out front bonnet section round headlights to avoid line across it), part of front wheel arches, side sills, door mirrors and rear arches.

Delighted to officially and at last join the club ...

[Jalf]

Looks ace enjoy

[AW8]

Pleased for you.........Good when folk appreciate such fine things

[X5Sport]

Very Nice. Very pleased for you. Enjoy

[x555]

Looks awsome congrats and enjoy

[mark09]

Well done mate. Looks perfect enjoy!

[Minda]

Looks great mate Happy

[535dboy]

Love the colour, you know what I'm going to say though

[Chompers]

Sorry not been around for a while and just catching up with all thats going on. Congrats on the new car, looks the business and glad all went well with the armourfend, well worth it IMHO Colour looks top as well enjoy

[MJim]

Many thanks for all the kind words - managed to get a few trips in this weekend, and absolutely loving it. I'm a very fortunate guy! Gave it a bit more beans at one point, but still plenty left as would like to run in as per the manual, and it felt like riding a tidal wave of torque and power! The extra good news is that my wife is also loving it, and our two boys are much more settled in it than they ever were in our old Golf. In think that's down to the added space and better visibility for them, so they can see so much more to keep them happy.

One product I was offered when I collected the car (and in a low pressure, "it's here if you want it" kind of way that I appreciated) was the BMW shortfall policy. £600 for 3 years of cover so that if the car is stolen or written off, they will top up the insurance payout to enable you to buy new for old. It's tempting, but I don't know if there are cheaper equivalent products out there - I sense that these BMW finance products are heavily loaded in their favour?

@stevee, happy to tell you anything you want to know about my experience with armourfend. Still v happy with it, although the blister in the front bumper has shrunk but is still very much there, so will be following up with them tomorrow.

@ acideraser, the dealer was very good indeed so was set up with the BMW assist before collection. Haven't used it yet though does look very clever! Still getting up the curve with how to use all the toys!

@535dboy, even larger wheels perhaps??!!

[MJim]

My dealership has volunteered a reduction in price for the shortfall policy to £500 for 3 years cover ... getting interesting.

Have spoken to Armourfend - they're going to come out to me in a few weeks and replace the piece with the bubble in.

My wife's out in the sun today enjoying the car whilst I'm stuck in the office ...

[535dboy]

[quote=""MJim""]My dealership has volunteered a reduction in price for the shortfall policy to £500 for 3 years cover ... getting interesting.

Have spoken to Armourfend - they're going to come out to me in a few weeks and replace the piece with the bubble in.

My wife's out in the sun today enjoying the car whilst I'm stuck in the office ... [/quote]

They do come down on price - I got the bm one down a lot as fortunately I was buying the audi at the same time so knew what a fair price was! Didn't bother with lotus as they don't devalue as much as these tanks

Never had any probs with armourfend so shame

Hope she doesn't scrape a wheel so you are forced in to buying the 20s

[MJim]

Have sent pm

[binu]

I'm collecting my new X5 2nd week of May. Hae been offered £20k gap over 4 years for £799, £30k Gap over 4 years for £899. Tyre insurance for £349 over 4 years. How do these sound to people.

MJim do you have any useful nuggets of advice you shared with the OP?

Thanks

Binu

[acideraser]

check terms and conditions on GAP and who underwrites the policy.
I found same policy as offered by my dealer for about £260 on the web.
did not bother with tyre insurance because of 250 quit claim limit and hassle of getting repair/replacement approved before it's done. There was also small print that claim will be invalid if your repairer fails to follow the procedure...