Can I have a look at your car Mr? Help please.

Can I have a look at your car Mr? Help please.

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chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

150 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
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Good evening all.
I'm currently trying to get Into a new career as a chauffeur. I've been a professional driver now for 24 years,but sadly the DVLA medical board are stopping me from doing my chosen profession as a truck driver In the rock n roll Industry. This annoys me greatly, but hey ho. I really don't like my current job so am looking for a change.
I've been looking at the chauffeur thing for a while as an alternative, because I think I would be an Ideal candidate for this type of work based on my experiences, but getting a start won't be easy. I have started to send some CVs out and have been shown some interest by one of them, so have everything crossed.
If I do get to the Interview stage, the car I will be driving will be a Bentley.
Now I may have driven professionally for 24 years, and have covered the whole of the UK, Europe, Scandinavia and even Turkey and Russia but this has always only ever been In a wide variety of articulated wagons In both left and right hand drive so I am obviously seriously lacking a key element here.
I'm not at all worried about driving any vehicle, but would never, ever want to walk Into anything blind. I'm sure I could soon learn and adapt, so I'm after some help really.
If I do get to the interview stage is there anyone on here that could perhaps spare me some time to give me a guided tour of their vehicle? I obviously don't want to drive It, but If someone would be prepared to give me a really good look around this type of vehicle to try and give me a head start, I would obviously be very, very grateful and would be happy to put some beer or a nice bottle of wine In your direction.
Sorry for the long post, and I hope Its not too cheeky an ask, I'm just trying to make things better for myself with all of this,
Thanks.

PS, I'm 30 miles east of London, but happy to travel an hour or 2 anywhere outside of the M25 to get the help I may need, thankyou.

R8Steve

4,150 posts

174 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
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What kind/year of bentley? Could you not see if any local car garages have any in stock and go in for a look?

Most are a fairly conventional layout, auto gearbox and auto most other things so you should be fine.

Good luck with the job hunt, hope all goes well.

silverfoxcc

7,683 posts

144 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
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Pay a visit to Hanwell Cars.Very helpful

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

150 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
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Thanks wink
They said Its a new Bentley so I'm just guessing here but would think 2013/14 to modern day maybe?
I was really trying to avoid going Into a dealer or similar as the last thing that I would want to do Is go In somewhere, waste an hour or two of their time and then walk out with no intention ever of purchasing a car. I really just don't want to waste any Individuals time.
It pains me to have to admit this, but all I'm really used too In modern day vehicles Is trucks, so I'm just not upto scratch on auto lights, rain sensitive wipers and the like, switchable gearboxes etc, all a mystery smile
I am pretty certain that I could drive most things, and learn them as I go along, I just want to try and hit the ground running really.

Fast Bug

11,597 posts

160 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
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chilistrucker said:
Thanks wink
They said Its a new Bentley so I'm just guessing here but would think 2013/14 to modern day maybe?
I was really trying to avoid going Into a dealer or similar as the last thing that I would want to do Is go In somewhere, waste an hour or two of their time and then walk out with no intention ever of purchasing a car. I really just don't want to waste any Individuals time.
It pains me to have to admit this, but all I'm really used too In modern day vehicles Is trucks, so I'm just not upto scratch on auto lights, rain sensitive wipers and the like, switchable gearboxes etc, all a mystery smile
I am pretty certain that I could drive most things, and learn them as I go along, I just want to try and hit the ground running really.
I'd speak to a dealer if I was you, give them a call and be up front and ask when a quiet time to come and have a nosey is. I used to sell new Porsche, and we used to get a fair few time wasters, but if we had someone come in when we were quiet and be upfront we'd have a chat with them, show them round the cars etc smile

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

150 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
Thanks mate. I would just as happily drop some beer/wine to a dealer as i would a PH person to get the help I need.

dkatwa

570 posts

244 months

Saturday 4th April 2015
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I find his reviews useful, like being in the car

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKm7LAZnPdE


Emeye

9,773 posts

222 months

Saturday 4th April 2015
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I seem to recall a few years ago seeing a programme about a chauffeur and bodyguard training course you could go on. It seemed like there was a bit more to being a chauffeur than just driving.

At my first job the owner had a driver and he appeared to be busy running around doing plenty of other stuff when he wasn't polishing the limo or driving.

silverfoxcc

7,683 posts

144 months

Saturday 4th April 2015
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Emeye

I have been on that course, very 'entertaining' if you get my drift

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

150 months

Sunday 5th April 2015
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dkatwa said:
I find his reviews useful, like being in the car

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKm7LAZnPdE
Thanks for the link, very useful smile

With regards to courses, I remember looking at 1 online a while back, think it was The Chauffeurs Guild.

ajmcampbell

514 posts

135 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
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chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

150 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
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ajmcampbell said:
I think I'll avoid the Tiff driving approach smile
Had an interview for a job that i'd really like to get, and things look promising so fingers crossed. It will mainly be driving a Mercedes S500, plus a few other vehicles.

SuperPav

1,074 posts

124 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
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For what it's worth Rolls Royce dealers tend to be incredibly friendly and welcoming, even to those who have no intention of purchasing a car. All about being confident in the brand and building aspiration I suppose.

I once saw a middle eastern 17-18 year old guy walk in and ask if the sales person would take a photo of him in a RR Ghost so he could post it on instagram. They politely obliged with a smile, showed him round the car and wished him a good day when he left. Pretty sure if he earns enough cash, he'll be back to buy one, so time well spent?

Definitely worth visiting the RR dealer in Berkeley Square, or for older stuff Hanwells as someone mentioned.

Good luck!



chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

150 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
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Thanks very much for the info, very much appreciated. Things are looking good on the job front, and it will be the Mercedes S500, I've got everything crossed.
Will certainly bear all this info in mind for future reference though, thanks all.