So where are all the first impressions? (right here)

Jean Mercier said:

Let’s go, my first impressions …
First: my car is a Trialmaster, Petrol, winch, Sela Green, sun roofs, tinted windows,
Second: I drove home without taking the motorway, 1 hour ride instead of 30 minutes. I drove 40 km.
Third: my gasoline tank was “empty”, 0 km left. I told the adjunct of the dealer that I would drive home without refueling. He told me not to do it, “worried”. I didn’t. Tomorrow gasoline prices go down by 5 ct/l. My wife told me (when I told her at home): “are you crazy, you buy a super expensive car and you take a risk for some peanut euro’s?”. I wasn’t worried.

Fourth, how was I treated?

• The adjunct of the boss, @Rob Ceulemans , also a forum member (although not active), took his time for me. Very nice guy by the way.
• He also asked me if I had my LED “chinese beamer” in Deutsch connectors with me, and I had, to test my car and perhaps another car. Funny, don’t they have the possibility to test these connectors?
• I got a coffee
• And a present … see the gift section
• Two years free “Touring Assistance” (assistance in case of breakdown), but the conditions were not provided, only the telephone numbers!
• My “legal” numberplate was mounted and also my front numberplate. I didn’t know they were providing it themselves, I had already bought one (30 €)! - anyway, they should have told me!

Fifth, findings:

• Last visit about two weeks ago: 38 km on the odometer, today 41!
• The outside roof connector at the front right, the one rated 25 amp, that should get power with the EXT2 button, gets power with the INT1 button: WRONG WIRING?
• @Rob Ceulemans tested this on another car with higher VIN number: this car was OK!
• The dummy plugs of the Deutsch connectors are really dummies! No metal pins inside!
• @Rob Ceulemans saw that the left windscreen washer was completely loose. He pushed it inside it’s hole, but it’s clear that I will have to watch that!
  
• My left mirror cannot (at first sight) be positioned well enough in the blind spot (I like to do that in our right-handed driving country” (I have still to check that on motorways)
  
• The altimeter at home was indicating “-7 m” while we live at about +7m above sea level. Due to weather conditions? To check! I don’t know the principle of the altimeter.
• I only noticed it at home, but there is indeed quite some rust on the wheel axles!
• The “bigger back door” compartment was indeed bended outward because of too much stuff inside. I removed the packaging of the emergency kit, and did put it back in the compartment and it was much better.
• I have two emergency triangles, one under the passenger seat, and another one in the back door compartment! Is this a legal requirement?
  
• Also two life vests (yellow jackets)
• The clock of the computer was set at GMT+0 while we live in GMT+2.
  
• The maintenance interval is set at 15000 km in my car!
  
• I had an average consumption of 14.1 l/100 km Petrol while driving home in a mixture of countryside roads (70 km/h) and city (50 km/h and 30 km/h), for a 40 km drive.
• Copy-paste from @Arkaig: “12v & usb outlets IN CENTRAL BOX (my addition) – locations designed by an idiot, certainly lacking everyday practicality – in need of additional outlets either above or below front dash”
• The USB connectors are slightly “horizontally” tilted, once you know it, it makes connection easier, but still difficult, as you cannot see them very well in the storage box.
  
• Also “copy-paste”: Android auto IS NOT wireless and ONLY works through the USB-C port!
• Connection with my Android phone was quite straightforward, but at first didn’t work; Rob restarted the car, and then the phone was recognized.
• Waze and Google maps worked, although the layout is quite different, and the speed driven and maximum speed (in Waze) are on the far edge of the screen, annoying.
• There is a difference of about +3 or +4 km/h between the odometer and the GPS signal (Waze).
• “Here WeGo” (other navigation program) didn’t appear on my car console!
  
• Driving: I am not used to automatic gear, therefore I once tried to disengage and did put my left foot on the break. Luckily at a cross point and nobody behind me! Somebody besides me , my partner, during a small drive in the streets around our house.
• Driving is nice, smooth, …
  
• Each serious bump on the road and the car makes its typical INEOS noise, quite annoying, I would like to switch that off. Didn’t search yet.
• I ordered cross bars and off road recovery kit: no idea when they will deliver!

That’s it for today I think! Perhaps I post some more pictures.

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Congrats Jean! See you out there somewhere

Paul Cooper said:

Great photos and good to hear positive comments.
Got an I Kamper set up as well although on the trailer.
Will probably be getting the Frontrunner rack for the car given the “already purchaser” Rhino wont be around till July.
Enjoy Italy, where are you going?
Paul

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All around the boot. Nothing booked and zero time limits

Thanks @Jean Mercier. I realy enjoyed your write-up and hope the niggles get sorted quickly.
Cheers
Steve

Tazzieman said:

You should apply for a job in the Hambach factory quality control dept.
How long to inspect 100 cars/day?

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Or 100 days per 1 car

0 fuel is a bit shit, make an effort dealer/agent. Especially as the poor guy has been waiting weeks and weeks.

With service like that they be 'Hedin' down the drain!

ECrider said:

0 fuel is a bit shit, make an effort dealer/agent. Especially as the poor guy has been waiting weeks and weeks.

With service like that they be 'Hedin' down the drain!

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110% agree, whilst most (if not all) of his long wait has been out of Hedin's direct control they don't come across as being that customer oriented. As this opinion is not first hand I could be 110% wrong. But as they say you only get one chance to make a first impression.

Arkaig said:

My Ineos contract contained an amount of £83.34 specificifically for fuel. Do Hedin contracts not also have an amount for fuel?

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J T Hughes delivered mine with a full tank

AnD3rew said:

what you mean by dummy Deutsche plugs .... The wires must be crimped into the female pins inside the plug.

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I mean that the "male housing with two female pins" is just like a cork: no female metallic pins inside!
The other one, the female housing with two male pins is indeed OK.

Jean Mercier said:

I mean that the "male housing with two female pins" is just like a cork: no female metallic pins inside!
The other one, the female housing with two male pins is indeed OK.

View attachment 7810559

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Boys. Girls. It's all so confusing.
John Mercer is "The Fixer"

Jean Mercier said:

I mean that the "male housing with two female pins" is just like a cork: no female metallic pins inside!
The other one, the female housing with two male pins is indeed OK.

View attachment 7810559

Click to expand...

OK .. so the male plug minus pins has been inserted to maintain the integrity of the female plug and prevent moisture/corrosion in the absence of a permanently installed accessory.

Jean Mercier said:

Let’s go, my first impressions …
First: my car is a Trialmaster, Petrol, winch, Sela Green, sun roofs, tinted windows,
Second: I drove home without taking the motorway, 1 hour ride instead of 30 minutes. I drove 40 km.
Third: my gasoline tank was “empty”, 0 km left. I told the adjunct of the dealer that I would drive home without refueling. He told me not to do it, “worried”. I didn’t. Tomorrow gasoline prices go down by 5 ct/l. My wife told me (when I told her at home): “are you crazy, you buy a super expensive car and you take a risk for some peanut euro’s?”. I wasn’t worried.

Fourth, how was I treated?

• The adjunct of the boss, @Rob Ceulemans , also a forum member (although not active), took his time for me. Very nice guy by the way.
• He also asked me if I had my LED “chinese beamer” in Deutsch connectors with me, and I had, to test my car and perhaps another car. Funny, don’t they have the possibility to test these connectors?
• I got a coffee
• And a present … see the gift section
• Two years free “Touring Assistance” (assistance in case of breakdown), but the conditions were not provided, only the telephone numbers!
• My “legal” numberplate was mounted and also my front numberplate. I didn’t know they were providing it themselves, I had already bought one (30 €)! - anyway, they should have told me!

Fifth, findings:

• Last visit about two weeks ago: 38 km on the odometer, today 41!
• The outside roof connector at the front right, the one rated 25 amp, that should get power with the EXT2 button, gets power with the INT1 button: WRONG WIRING?
• @Rob Ceulemans tested this on another car with higher VIN number: this car was OK!
• The dummy plugs of the Deutsch connectors are really dummies! No metal pins inside!
• @Rob Ceulemans saw that the left windscreen washer was completely loose. He pushed it inside it’s hole, but it’s clear that I will have to watch that!
  
• My left mirror cannot (at first sight) be positioned well enough in the blind spot (I like to do that in our right-handed driving country” (I have still to check that on motorways)
  
• The altimeter at home was indicating “-7 m” while we live at about +7m above sea level. Due to weather conditions? To check! I don’t know the principle of the altimeter.
• I only noticed it at home, but there is indeed quite some rust on the wheel axles!
• The “bigger back door” compartment was indeed bended outward because of too much stuff inside. I removed the packaging of the emergency kit, and did put it back in the compartment and it was much better.
• I have two emergency triangles, one under the passenger seat, and another one in the back door compartment! Is this a legal requirement?
  
• Also two life vests (yellow jackets)
• The clock of the computer was set at GMT+0 while we live in GMT+2.
  
• The maintenance interval is set at 15000 km in my car!
  
• I had an average consumption of 14.1 l/100 km Petrol while driving home in a mixture of countryside roads (70 km/h) and city (50 km/h and 30 km/h), for a 40 km drive.
• Copy-paste from @Arkaig: “12v & usb outlets IN CENTRAL BOX (my addition) – locations designed by an idiot, certainly lacking everyday practicality – in need of additional outlets either above or below front dash”
• The USB connectors are slightly “horizontally” tilted, once you know it, it makes connection easier, but still difficult, as you cannot see them very well in the storage box.
  
• Also “copy-paste”: Android auto IS NOT wireless and ONLY works through the USB-C port!
• Connection with my Android phone was quite straightforward, but at first didn’t work; Rob restarted the car, and then the phone was recognized.
• Waze and Google maps worked, although the layout is quite different, and the speed driven and maximum speed (in Waze) are on the far edge of the screen, annoying.
• There is a difference of about +3 or +4 km/h between the odometer and the GPS signal (Waze).
• “Here WeGo” (other navigation program) didn’t appear on my car console!
  
• Driving: I am not used to automatic gear, therefore I once tried to disengage and did put my left foot on the break. Luckily at a cross point and nobody behind me! Somebody besides me , my partner, during a small drive in the streets around our house.
• Driving is nice, smooth, …
  
• Each serious bump on the road and the car makes its typical INEOS noise, quite annoying, I would like to switch that off. Didn’t search yet.
• I ordered cross bars and off road recovery kit: no idea when they will deliver!

That’s it for today I think! Perhaps I post some more pictures.

Click to expand...

Gefeliciteerd, en veel plezier !!!

PBD said:

J T Hughes delivered mine with a full tank

Click to expand...

Hi there. I've got mine on order with JT Hughes - any advise on the handover or quality inspection part?

Jean Mercier said:

I mean that the "male housing with two female pins" is just like a cork: no female metallic pins inside!
The other one, the female housing with two male pins is indeed OK.

View attachment 7810559

Click to expand...

for my understanding: cans are installed, ordered and paid for without inner workings?
and if i want to use it do i have to disassemble and install it?
ridiculous!
I will complain when acceptance and insist on improvement!

Jean Mercier said:

I mean that the "male housing with two female pins" is just like a cork: no female metallic pins inside!
The other one, the female housing with two male pins is indeed OK.

View attachment 7810559

Click to expand...

Got it, ok that makes more sense. Not a big deal

Car (diesel, N1, Bridgestone AT tyres, 17” steel wheels) collected. Was missing the rubber mats I ordered which the dealer will pursue for me. All (broadly speaking) fine. Steering feel is slightly “different” but not an issue and is fine at dual carriage way speeds. Road handling and performance are fine but again not exceptional versus road focused vehicles. Suspension set up perhaps firmer than expected on road. Having picked up someone experienced a slight vibration at c2k revs I also think I experienced similar. Sensation that something is very, very, very slightly out of balance. To the extent it arises it seems to be around the revs at which the box wants to change up when driven on a leisurely basis. Right hand drive lump next to brake pedal not an issue to date for me (height c175cm) but I haven’t driven far. In the c60 miles covered to date, it seems I have averaged c26mpg (UK gallons) but I have driven very soft—footedly. I have had a succession of intermittent warning alarms each time I have gone out in it (PDC, power steering, e-call, safety belts (alarm for non-use of unoccupied seats?!)) all to date have cleared and none to date have affected actual performance of the car. The auto box is fine but from pull away is not as crisp as sportier cars with dual clutch shift systems I have had. Touch screen/media set up will require some getting used to (not immediately/instinctively obvious where specific information is hidden) but I am sure it will be work for me, audio system seems fine to me (and the car is pretty quiet). Some internal plastics do seem harder surfaced and more brittle than would be expected (perhaps it was important to better recreate the old defender feel?). Windscreen wiper arc does leave an area uncleaned but again no big deal (and is perhaps helpful in building character). All in all much as I anticipated

Wilaspira said:

Car (diesel, N1, Bridgestone AT tyres, 17” steel wheels) collected. Was missing the rubber mats I ordered which the dealer will pursue for me. All (broadly speaking) fine. Steering feel is slightly “different” but not an issue and is fine at dual carriage way speeds. Road handling and performance are fine but again not exceptional versus road focused vehicles. Suspension set up perhaps firmer than expected on road. Having picked up someone experienced a slight vibration at c2k revs I also think I experienced similar. Sensation that something is very, very, very slightly out of balance. To the extent it arises it seems to be around the revs at which the box wants to change up when driven on a leisurely basis. Right hand drive lump next to brake pedal not an issue to date for me (height c175cm) but I haven’t driven far. In the c60 miles covered to date, it seems I have averaged c26mpg (UK gallons) but I have driven very soft—footedly. I have had a succession of intermittent warning alarms each time I have gone out in it (PDC, power steering, e-call, safety belts (alarm for non-use of unoccupied seats?!)) all to date have cleared and none to date have affected actual performance of the car. The auto box is fine but from pull away is not as crisp as sportier cars with dual clutch shift systems I have had. Touch screen/media set up will require some getting used to (not immediately/instinctively obvious where specific information is hidden) but I am sure it will be work for me, audio system seems fine to me (and the car is pretty quiet). Some internal plastics do seem harder surfaced and more brittle than would be expected (perhaps it was important to better recreate the old defender feel?). Windscreen wiper arc does leave an area uncleaned but again no big deal (and is perhaps helpful in building character). All in all much as I anticipated

Click to expand...

Many thanks for the feedback. Collectively, we should start to get some sort of feel for the vehicle and its early foibles.

Wilaspira said:

Car (diesel, N1, Bridgestone AT tyres, 17” steel wheels) collected. Was missing the rubber mats I ordered which the dealer will pursue for me. All (broadly speaking) fine. Steering feel is slightly “different” but not an issue and is fine at dual carriage way speeds. Road handling and performance are fine but again not exceptional versus road focused vehicles. Suspension set up perhaps firmer than expected on road. Having picked up someone experienced a slight vibration at c2k revs I also think I experienced similar. Sensation that something is very, very, very slightly out of balance. To the extent it arises it seems to be around the revs at which the box wants to change up when driven on a leisurely basis. Right hand drive lump next to brake pedal not an issue to date for me (height c175cm) but I haven’t driven far. In the c60 miles covered to date, it seems I have averaged c26mpg (UK gallons) but I have driven very soft—footedly. I have had a succession of intermittent warning alarms each time I have gone out in it (PDC, power steering, e-call, safety belts (alarm for non-use of unoccupied seats?!)) all to date have cleared and none to date have affected actual performance of the car. The auto box is fine but from pull away is not as crisp as sportier cars with dual clutch shift systems I have had. Touch screen/media set up will require some getting used to (not immediately/instinctively obvious where specific information is hidden) but I am sure it will be work for me, audio system seems fine to me (and the car is pretty quiet). Some internal plastics do seem harder surfaced and more brittle than would be expected (perhaps it was important to better recreate the old defender feel?). Windscreen wiper arc does leave an area uncleaned but again no big deal (and is perhaps helpful in building character). All in all much as I anticipated

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Yes agree with all this.
Firstly can I say my comments are for information and are constructive for whoever can make use of the information. I LOVE THE CAR! Every time I look at it I smile and am chuffed. It is honestly something special Ineos and SJR have created and the teething issues are to be expected and I am happy to be a guinea pig. I also fell confident that issues can and will be sorted, either in full by Ineos, aftermarket or a combination of both. So, FYI. I drove up to the Lakes yesterday, back this morning. Setting off I noticed my nearside wing mirror adjust button seems intermittently faulty, small thing. Also, all the doors close perfectly with a satisfying clunk, except the drivers door which needs to be slammed (It would be the drivers door wouldn't it, haha). About 50 miles into the journey the TPMS (Tyre pressures) warning came on saying tyre pressure too high in Nearside rear tyre. Showed temp of 35C and pressure of 2.94 bar. This rose slowly as time went on with further motorway miles. Also of note was the vibration/resonance at 1900rpm, when in 8th gear coincided with cruising speed of 65-70mph and was very pronounced. Vibration felt a bit like driving my old defender balls out on the motorway but this was cruising speed. Put your foot down and increase the revs and it calms down. I was slightly worried the vibration may be causing the tyres to overheat or it was a wheel bearing issue. This has been my biggest concern and have wondered if it is going to be across the board with all vehicles or just that I have a rogue vehicle, however...

...Much better news,
Today on the return trip the same gremlins in the electronics, no biggy. Also it was obvious the TPMS is glitchy as upon first starting up it still showed the tyre temp at 34C having been stood overnight in 13C ambient. So not tyres, just electronics. However after a good stint on the motorway, a couple of hundred miles and getting her hot, with a nights rest in between, it seems to have done her the world of good. By the end of the journey home it felt like a different vehicle. So much quieter and more composed. Vibration still evident but half what it was and transitions through it more quickly. I don't know if I am going mad but on the way up it felt hard work to get it to cruise nicely giving it more throttle than should be needed (a bit like the old defenders). But now it seems to cruise about 5-10mph faster for the same rpm. Like I say might be wrong but such a better drive today. Night and day. So fingers crossed just needed running in and the more I drive it the more I love it. I now feel sure it will be fine. Just finding its feet.

If I have enough tomorrow, I'll get it out of the garage, after all, it's been there all week. Then I'll see if I can confirm your experience. I'll get back to you.

Well, I FINALLY drove the beast home today. It is an incredible car to drive on country roads and the motorway. I have lots of initial observations so will post these later. I can't quite believe it's on my drive! One thing for sure is it is quite difficult to get in and out of without side steps. Hopefully they will arrive soon.

Beormund said:

...One thing for sure is it is quite difficult to get in and out of without side steps. Hopefully they will arrive soon.

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But it looks _so_much_better_ without them! It's worth the effort at getting in and out. Btw exercising keeps us healthy ;-)

Congrats and envy from still starving Germany!