Just bought an F48 xDrive20i XLine

Quick update - X1 is coming up to its 2nd anniversary with us and nearly 8k miles of use. A bit of a costly few weeks coming up. Needs its first oil service since we got it, plus warranty renewal, plus the usual tax & insurance. Summer tyres had perished before worn out so we knew when they came off that they’d need replacing when the wheels went back on. That happened this week and a new set of Pirelli PZero’s (star marked) have gone on. So far very impressed with grip and comfort but most of all the road noise which was unacceptable on the Bridgestones it was originally shod with.

Treated it to a detail and hasn’t come up bad for 6yrs old and 24k under her wheels.

 

So a quick update on the X1.

What a car?! Genuinely, I’m so impressed with it right now. She’s been all prepped for winter for a while but I don’t think anyone was thinking of the kind of temperatures we’ve had recently (highly
concentrated screen wash and weekly overnight battery charges with the CTEK).

Yesterday, we had 12cm of snow down here in N Essex and overnight last night we had lows of -10C when I took little man to nursery this morning.

On both occasions, the X1 has been imperious in both soft snow and hard packed snow/ice. I’ve lost count of the amount of cars I’ve driven around / past on the slightest inclines where people have been scrabbling for grip. The Continental Winter tyres doing a superb job with the xDrive.

I’ve got nothing but respect for this little car right now.

 

So short on time these days, the X1 was badly in need of some TLC. I decided to stop procrastinating and promising to do it and decided to get it done properly and just cough for it.

This is how it started this morning…



And following 6.5hrs of washing, paint correction and wax by NDK Detailing of Saffron Walden, this is how it finished:


Delighted with Nigel’s work and will be getting him back to do the Cali once we’re back from an upcoming ski holiday.

X1 has 27k under its wheels and is pressed into daily service. It’s handling the job very well so don’t begrudge it a very well spent £255.

 

So things have moved up a gear this end. The search to replace the X1 has started in earnest and a quick look on the Porsche website this morning found this:

https://finder.porsche.com/gb/en-GB/details/porsche-macan-gts-my21-preowned-OZO927

A beautifully specced car in one of my favourite colours. I realise it's a bit marmite, but for me it ticks all the boxes (except perhaps the black wheels, but I accept they probably look better than silver on this car). Have a finance quote sitting with me and a path to a deal. Going to sleep on it tonight and spend a lot of time mulling it with Mrs Spuff (who also loves the Macan, but does still love her X1, also).

Here are some pics...

 

Well, sadly (but probably for the best), this one had to be passed on.

The finance rate was extortionate and they wouldn't move on it. There was a bit of movement in the monthlies which was do-able, but it was right at the top end of the budget. The fact that the market is moving into crisis mode (I work in finance) and I have a spidey sense that we're drifting into the next Financial Crisis, made me call the deal off.

We'll very likely buy another Macan this year (maybe even in the Summer) but I don't think now's the right time for me to be parting with £70k (whether in full or in part). Very sad as it is a fabulous car, with a fabulous spec, in my favourite colour. But there'll be others, perhaps with better timing.

 

Best laid plans and all that…..!

Kept my eyes out on the used car site with my (extensive) list of required options. These were:

- Panoramic roof (impossible to resell if you don’t have it);
- LED headlights;
- Power Steering Plus (wife found steering heavy at low speeds in the MacanS I had);
- Heated Steering Wheel (for the wife);
- Sports Chrono (Launch Control & more boost for overtaking);
- PASM & Air suspension (softer ride and ability to raise and lower);
- Privacy Glass;
- Auto Dimming exterior mirrors (would you believe this is a £350 option and one some people don’t tick!);
- Heated Seats (obvs);
- 18 way adjustable (Adaptive) seats (the most comfy seats around);
- BOSE (goes without saying);
- Porsche Switchable Sports Exhaust

The idea was indeed to wait a few months. As it turns out, this GTS popped up which was £20k cheaper than the green one. It’s a Gen1 but fundamentally little has changed since then and I loved my Gen1 MacanS.

I’ve given OPC a hard time on taking it to as close to new condition as possible. Wheels are being refurbed, new wheel centre caps, Porsche boot liner, Premium Swissvax (interior & exterior) new Porsche thermos mug and a full tank of fuel. Plus top book value for the X1.

Should be collecting next weekend, subject to testdrive and everything being done as promised.

It’s a 2018 car, 1 owner from new, 33k miles with two years Porsche Warranty. It was originally sold by Porsche Hatfield, only ever serviced by them and just been ox’s into them for a brand new Taycan in the last week. Delighted with the spec which is more extensive than my minimum (Comfort Access/keyless start as one example) and loving the alcantara on the seat faces, door armrests and centre storage bin). Plus having seen a video closeup of the panels, it’s in super condition pre any preparation for sale.

I’m excited and wife is too (it will be her daily driver).

 

Deposit paid - collect on 29th April.

I’ll do a separate thread on ownership once I’ve collected and then I’ll wrap up the thread on the X1 here.

In short, the following work is being done as part of the deal:

- Respray rear bumper;
- Refurbish all four wheels;
- New centre caps;
- Smart repair to a small bit of trim damage near glove box;
- Supply official Porsche boot liner;
- Supply Porsche Thermal Mug;
- Plus the Swisswax detailing;
- Full tank of fuel!

Although I’m disappointed it’s going to take so long, I’d also rather it was got right and not rushed, plus chap is away on annual leave and keen to oversee everything has been done right when he gets back four days before collection. On top of that, it’ll give me time to get a windscreen chip sorted on the X1, winter wheels replaced with summers and the registration plate taken off ready to be assigned to the Porky.

Very excited!