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Now retired (apparently) 🤔

My priorities in a car are luxury, refinement and quiet. The interior quality is really important to me and older model cars tend to look a bit old hat to me as they age. I've had 2 A8s and 2 5 Series' in the past. Looks matter too. And I have a 2-3hr drive to Manchester and back weekly now. After test driving the iX and i5, the iX felt amazing, fun, really special, loved the interior (looks have grown on me). The i5 was peaceful, refined but not quite as contemporary. Getting comparable lease quotes for those, and only slightly higher for the i7, I felt close to choosing the i7. I mean... it's got to be the ultimate, hasn't it? Then something struck me. The startup I’m contracting with has a strong social purpose. And our founder told us off last week for booking a 4* hotel for a workshop. So looking expensive isn’t going to sit well with her. This leaves me with a dilemma. All these cars could be seen to be a bit flash. So do I get the car I'm excited about and hide it in a car park nearby (adding £140/m for parking)? Or do I get something I can put in the staff car park without looking like I’m getting paid too much (much more convenient, and I can get a nap at lunchtime 😉)? A buddy suggested looking at the i4 instead – more understated but still nice and my kids are at uni now so I don't need adult space in the back so often now. The reviews are good but my worry is it wouldn’t be as wafty and serene for long journeys. Also the interior isn’t nearly as luxurious as the others and looks a bit old already. Maybe the only way to decide is to drive the i4 for a while. Or try them back-to back. Thoughts?

Hi, Looking for sone advice here with both a braks and accelerator issue on a Passat B5 automatic TD1 saloon Hi-Line (2000). It's a personal import from new to the U.K. from Belgium. Since a routine oil-change service the brakes - which have always been very positive and firm - have long pedal travel and while you do eventually stop they don't inspire confidence. The accelarator is also woolly with slow acceleration and top end missing. It's been back to the garage with a request to re-check - which they did and re-bled the brakes to little effect.. Whether relevant or not, they were also advised that on another service (different garage - 2 years ago) the garage concerned had split a vacuum hose and not noticed it - which resulted in almost no throttle response. On being advised of the issue and being pointed in the right direction they had then bodged a vacuum hose repair and had to re-repair it to being all back in line. The bodge did not seem affect the brakes and it has been fine since until now. The brake discs are nearing replacement at the next service but are not quite there yet. While I still suspect vacuum somewhere at the bottom of it it could be somethign else, so looking for advice. The (local/independent) garage is I think a little out of their depth. To answer an anticipated question - the local VW dealer is pants ever since they got taken over and experienced staff leaving. Regards & TIA JJ

Roll forward to 2024…. Super quite V12, and I doubt anyone notices you driving that bland looking thing.. 🤣

My 2000 VW Passat saloon (TDI/Auto) has developed excessive brake pedal travel. It used to be quite taut but now - wheile it still stops fine - the pedal travel is almost to the floor. Our garage has looked at it and has basically said "...t stops - so no problem...". Any suggstions welcomed - gut feel says vacuum but not sure where to go from here. Thankjs Jayjay52

Hi Does anyone have an as new Mk5 R32 door trim part no 1K6839901A041 Thanks