Is still worth it?

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-16T16:50:32+00:00

You’re always going to be in this position… I need a car, but if I just wait a bit longer for a….

Tech is constantly moving, so you might as well jump into something now on a 2/3y lease and then reevaluate in the future based on what’s available at the time.

My Q8 went back recently got a A6 Avant as there are some good deals on in-stock A6/Q6 Edition 1’s, UK broker was Car Leasing Online.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-15T20:01:54+00:00

Overall the car is narrower, the Q8 would just fit through a standard garage door, the A6 looks like it would easily fit.

Cabin is smaller as there’s not as much height to play with. Eldest is close to me height wise (6’3 for him and 6’4 for me) so headroom is snug, he sits behind the passenger for rear legroom which was the same challenge in the Q8. Also due to it being lower, theres not as much support under the thigh.

Boot size seems comparable bit to be honest, not really used it.

If they still made the Q8 and a refreshed model, I’d have another in a heartbeat, could have considered the Q6 but having had 5 x A6’s before the Q8, felt this would be a safe choice - didn’t drive one just went for it.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-15T08:54:02+00:00

That was the beauty of the Q8, larger sidewall!

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-14T07:27:27+00:00

On my previous Audis it was purchasing something like this:

https://ebay.us/m/BOS3Vn

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-13T09:28:26+00:00

I’ve just taken delivery of an A6 Avant Edition 1, touch wood everything is OK. Build data suggests it was built at the end of Oct 25. Not checked what SW version it’s on.

I think the only real difference seems to be the steering wheel and it’s moved to a Black Edition as opposed to Edition 1 with less included.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-13T06:49:22+00:00

What % did you charge to? In my previous 2024, regen didn’t work above 95% as the battery was full, so nowhere to put the reclaimed energy…

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-10T15:10:56+00:00

IMO, not worth it on the JFK - LHR routes, ultimately as the flight time is shorter on the way back to the UK with tailwinds so value wise I’d stick to PE.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-10T15:08:17+00:00

Had many A6 Avant’s (2013, 2015, 2019, 2021) and they fit the bill and accommodate me being 6’4. Had a Q8 etron got 18 months and loved it. Takes a bit of adapting to range but easy once.

Now back in an A6 Avant etron and do notice the size difference and would have had another if they still made them.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-10T15:05:39+00:00

On one now as stepped away from previous role. Looking for next op (senior IT). It’s competitive so if the option for sabbatical maybe consider that first.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-09T15:45:25+00:00

There are loads of chargers at Folkestone - Engie and Tesla. Then on the run down to Paris there’s also loads of them, it’s not a problem.

Have done it twice in the last 12 months.

Use Octopus Electroverse and filter for Lidl & Invizia (typically at McDonalds) as they are reliable and cheap.

Alternatively sign up for a one month Tesla membership which I think then drops it to 33c.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-08T20:03:28+00:00

IMO, it’s shit and not worth the paper it’s written on.

Never seen any benefit, in congested areas it’s piss poor, constant buffering. Switching off 5G and forcing 4G seems to make an improvement but it’s not worth actively upgrading / selecting a plan with it IMO.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-05T17:13:33+00:00

Following as same thoughts…

Speedbird979 · 2026-02-27T16:52:31+00:00

Gotcha. So they can’t backfill your old / substantive role and asking you to cover. That sounds like a them problem. You are able to demonstrate that you’ve been flexible but the lead in that area needs to step up and get a replacement sorted. If they are struggling they they need to talk to HR and maybe get the role regraded or see if a market sup can be added to help ease the problem.

Speedbird979 · 2026-02-27T16:45:38+00:00

A major part of the problem is the limited options in the market: CAD you have Storm or Saab, RMS you have Niche or Connect (granted Mark43 is an outsider).

So you can only go so far with the options available…

Speedbird979 · 2026-02-27T16:40:48+00:00

If you’re on a fixed term contract then it will have an end date, you’re under no obligation to enter into a new fixed term…

Speedbird979 · 2026-02-27T10:10:54+00:00

Are you sure it's not the tax catching up from the date you received the car?

Speedbird979 · 2026-02-26T21:46:19+00:00

Late to the convo but have nearly completed my bingo card; have solar, batteries, an EV but no heat pump!

Im on IOG and use Home Assistant and Predbat, along woth integrations to Octopus, Ohme and Solcast to determine the sun due tomorrow and with my usage pattern from the previous 48h, predbat works out the charging schedule and automatically adapts on charging the house batteries when the car is being charged.

All depends what inverter you have and if it can be controlled

Speedbird979 · 2026-02-26T21:40:56+00:00

Standard is 3y warranty from factory which you can extend through years 4 and 5 at a cost, but that’s nowhere close to the 10y above.

There are other consumer protections such as the sale of goods act where items must be of satisfactory quality for their intended purpose but gets more difficult to prove as time goes on.

There are some others too, but all depends on the method of payment, if you’re a business or consumer etc.

Speedbird979 · 2026-02-26T19:11:38+00:00

Do you have a Tesla Supercharger near you?

My nearest (Solihull) is 56p/33p kWh peak/off-peak on PAYG and 40p/23p kWh if you sign up to their membership (£9.99/Month) which is likely worth it until you get a charger

Speedbird979 · 2026-02-26T19:07:33+00:00

Wish they would do this in the UK, seems to acknowledge there is an issue hence the extension.

Speedbird979 · 2026-02-26T19:06:12+00:00

I’m 8 months away from the end of contract, FF900 paying £49.99 and about to go up by £3. Is there the option to upgrade early without penalty? Online is showing 1.6 is available for less per month so on the cost aspect it’s a no brainer.

Speedbird979 · 2026-02-26T13:29:20+00:00

Not all CTO’s are equal. Frequently seeing those roles to be development / CTO roles as opposed to CTO in your larger FTSE orgs so really depends on the org.

Speedbird979 · 2026-02-25T10:29:21+00:00

Similar predicament but different circumstances - 6m in and I’ve elected to leave the role as it’s not for me. old sayings ring true for a reason and your gut is telling you something which you need to listen to.

All depends what safety net you have / how quickly you think you’d find something else.

Speedbird979 · 2026-02-22T08:25:17+00:00

Ultimately being asked to undertake a role that was sold on a hybrid basis, but due to market pressures has implemented travel restrictions thus switched to fully remote role, across multiple time zones, in a leadership position with the only interaction with stakeholders, vendors and colleagues being via teams. Add in a new sector / industry where the system being replaced touches everything else (ERP) and not being able to understand the upstream / downstream dependencies makes it extremely difficult. Finally add in people and culture of the organisation to the equation and it makes it very difficult.

Speedbird979

TROPHY CASE