Good-bye chaps - the B8 is now sold!

[kmpowell]

As some of you know, we have recently been expecting our second child, and the B8 has been on the table to be sacrificed for a bigger alternative that can carry 2 kids, the dog, buggy etc. SQ7, A6 BiTDi, E63 S, RS6, Passat BiTDi, Passat All-track, Skoda Superb 280, XC90 T8 Hybrid, Q7 272, Cayenne Turbo, R36, V70 R, you name it, chances are I've considered it and rejected it for for various reasons.

Well, given we had Daisy 2 weeks ago, and the B8 is still on the driveway, it's safe to say I've really struggled finding a replcamant! Through a combination of one or more of the following... a) really not wanting to let the B8 go, the noise and all-round usability with grunt is second to none in it's size class b) not wanting to plug money into a new car then get stung with ridiculous residuals (RS6 and SQ7!) c) not settling for something which is a compromise in the performance stakes.

The car has only done 5k miles, owned from new meaning I know it well, so in the back of my mind I've had a plan B, and today it was finally committed/executed! Plan B involved me shelving the change, keeping the B8, buying a really nice/premium roof box that will live on the car, then lavishing some cash on it to make it feel special again after 18mths of ownership.

So Stage 1 happened this morning - Low profile Packline roof box in gloss black, with Thule wing bars also in black.

Stage 2 will consist of the following...
A full detail with a specialist
Wheels painted in Gloss/Satin Black
Possibly get gloss black mirror caps
Private plate
Possibly wrap part of the roof box Misano red to complete the red/black look.

So if anybody can recommend a good detailer near/in the South of London, and also a good wheel specialist, please let me know.

This will be the longest I've kept a car over the past 16 years!

[rspj]

Good for you i have to kids one 3 and other 8 great car to keep and we'll done on your new little one

[RIV]

Good plan, I think it would look great with black satin wheels, I have 2 kids 11 and 15 I think the b8 works fine for 2 kids
Plus you would soon get bored with a big SUV try getting it parked, I think after a while it would do your head in. C7 is quick but too big to chuck about,there's more to a car than the 0-60 imo

[sasha320]

To finish the beautifully contrasting Misano red and satin black optic pack look on your car, I think you need to equip yourself with some satin black OEM winter wheels with M+S winter wheels as per the picture!



Although admitedly they could do with some 10mm spacers!!!

Before anyone gets cheesed off with my blatant marketing, the joy and convenience of having pukka wheels on your car whilst your summer wheels get refurbished is a very justifiable luxury. :0))))

[FaisalJ]

Good choice hanging onto the B8!

I was wondering why you were even considering it, as I thought the avant would be more than enough space for a family of 4 (especially with the roofbox). Then I re-read and saw the mention of your dog. If it was me, and the cost of having a dog was to have to downgrade to a skoda "superb", battersea dogs home would be getting a call sharpish and the kids being told that Buster magically turned into a goldfish overnight...

[Shinobi675]

Good choice hanging onto the B8!

I was wondering why you were even considering it, as I thought the avant would be more than enough space for a family of 4 (especially with the roofbox). Then I re-read and saw the mention of your dog. If it was me, and the cost of having a dog was to have to downgrade to a skoda "superb", battersea dogs home would be getting a call sharpish and the kids being told that Buster magically turned into a goldfish overnight...

Ha ha ha legend

[kmpowell]

Sure, it's no RS6/RS4, but I wouldn't mock the superb too much. Trust me when I say the interior on the new superb is incredible and it drives brilliantly. Take off the badge and you could easily be in the Audi equivalent. The quality is better than my other half's new Golf. Add the engine & drivetrain from the Golf R, and you get the Superb Sportline. 280bhp, DSG, LSD, 1500kg, larger than an A6, all for £35k, or £30k through DTD. I say it's probably one of the biggest bargains on the market...

[FaisalJ]

Yeah, all very well, but you're ruining the joke...

[RIV]

Doesn't matter how good it is, it's always going to be a skoda

[Shinobi675]

Even the steering wheels on the wrong side!

Man walks into a skoda showroom. "Can I have a wing mirror for a skoda please?" Salesman says, "yes that sounds like a fair deal."

[ARSEY4]

I'm not sure what the obsession is with black wheels these days? Maybe black and keep the machined edges as they compliment the mirrors. Roof box looks great and with a bit of Missano on it it will look good.

[kmpowell]

Maybe black and keep the machined edges as they compliment the mirrors.

I'm not a fan of two-tone wheels, would rather have a solid colour. Think I'm going to go for gloss black.

Roof box looks great and with a bit of Missano on it it will look good.

Top or bottom half?

[rspj]

[Nomad 5]

Mr Powell: A photoshop of your vehicle, with said choice of wheel colour is provided - just to give you the idea.........hope it helps

[RossDagley]

I dislike red cars with a passion, but that's pretty damn badass with the black wheels and roofbox... Nice!