Bentayga questions?

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chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

151 months

Thursday 1st June 2017
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Would any owners or people in the know mind answering some questions/give me a heads up on the Bentayga please?, (via PM if you'd prefer.)

I'm doing a 2 day trial next week for a chauffeur job I really want and the future boss's car is a Bentayga. Just after the basics really as i'll be going into this blind. I have driven an 11 plate Mulsanne in the past but this will be a totally new vehicle for me and i'd prefer not to look a fool.

TIA.

gary71

1,967 posts

179 months

Friday 2nd June 2017
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Best of luck with the new job.

The Bentayga is really simple, keep the drive select knob (around the start button in the centre console) in 'Bentley' press start ,drive! Obviously the level of complexity is below the surface but you can just leave all that alone if you wish.

The EAWS (active anti roll) does an amazing job of keeping the car stable and level whilst giving a good ride in a straight line.

I guess in chauffeur driving style you won't be troubling the throttle too much so it will be largely silent inside the car, almost inaudible at low speed.

If you are familiar with a Mulsanne then a Bentayga should be no problem.

Any detail questions let me know.

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

151 months

Friday 2nd June 2017
quotequote all
Thanks very much, that was exactly the reply I was hoping for.
I was really hoping I'd just get in it, select drive and go from there, so thanks.

It is indeed for a chauffeur job for an individual but I am on a 2 day trial first to see if I am up to standard. My previous role was mainly in a S class Mercedes which I quickly got to grips with and guess it will be the same with the Bentayga I just didn't want to look a fool on my first day.

I really liked the Mulsanne, I'd go as far as saying I thought it was an epic machine, quite easy to drive from the get go and I learned the rest as I went.

I did a lot of research last night via youtube on the Bentayga reviews and see I have an awful lot to learn in the long term, the level of 'multimedia' and vehicle settings was quite daunting but I hope in time i'll get to grips with it.

Questions, (hopefully not daft.)

Do all Bentayga come with the Android tabs in the back?

How is the Apple CarPlay? I've not had this before as it wasn't in the last families S class or other vehicles, is it just like my Iphone through the vehicles main screen multimedia?

How do you find the touchscreen and voice command for ease of use?

Can you have the main multi media screen showing radio, info etc, whilst still being able to access navigation on the smaller display between the speedo and rev counter. I could do this in the Mulsanne and found it very helpful.

The first look I get of the vehicle will be Wednesday morning, so not sure of equipment level yet. The Mulsanne I drove had the Naim system which was mind blowing but I found on this the Jukebox setting was ridiculously complex. I even popped into a main dealer on my travels and even they struggled to suss out ease of use, i'm just wondering if it's still the same.

Sorry for the list of questions.
I have to say after last nights research I am really looking forward to Wednesday as although I was a little dubious when it was first released I am now very, very impressed with quite how much of a vehicle it really is.

Its certainly no slouch eekeek


gary71

1,967 posts

179 months

Saturday 3rd June 2017
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chilistrucker said:
Do all Bentayga come with the Android tabs in the back?
No, these are an option.

chilistrucker said:
How is the Apple CarPlay? I've not had this before as it wasn't in the last families S class or other vehicles, is it just like my Iphone through the vehicles main screen multimedia?
The Apple CarPlay works well, connect the phone via a charging cable to the USB sockets under the armrest and it will come up on the screen. Bluetooth music also works really well and it avoids your text message notifications appearing on the screen.

chilistrucker said:
How do you find the touchscreen and voice command for ease of use?
The touchscreen is easy enough, as you mentioned learning all the options can take a while, but it is reasonable intuitive

Despite many many thousands of miles I've never used the voice command! Sorry.

chilistrucker said:
Can you have the main multi media screen showing radio, info etc, whilst still being able to access navigation on the smaller display between the speedo and rev counter. I could do this in the Mulsanne and found it very helpful.
As far as I can remember yes, also if the car you are using has a head up display the nav instructions appear in that as well saving you having to look down.

chilistrucker said:
The Mulsanne I drove had the Naim system which was mind blowing but I found on this the Jukebox setting was ridiculously complex. I even popped into a main dealer on my travels and even they struggled to suss out ease of use, i'm just wondering if it's still the same.
Never had any issues with the jukebox, you can download from SD cards or CDs. The Naim system on the Bentayga is truly incredible.

Enjoy your 2 day drive.


whoami

13,151 posts

240 months

Saturday 3rd June 2017
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Best of luck Neil.

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

151 months

Sunday 4th June 2017
quotequote all
whoami said:
Best of luck Neil.
Thank you Sir smile
Would be nice if all goes according to plan.

gary71, thanks very much for all the info I really appreciate it. I hope it does have the heads up display, one of the other families cars had this and found it was really good from a navigation point of view.

Think I should be ok now, just got to quickly check the vehicles dimensions on the Bentley website just in case I come across any 6'6 width restrictions on my travels, thought it best to check if it will fit through.


allister

564 posts

147 months

Sunday 4th June 2017
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chillistrucker.... If you want my honest opinion, I'd say just relax and try not to worry too much about all the tech in the car.

I doubt your potential employer will expect you to know all the in's and out's of a new Bentayga. Also, trying to work it all out while on the move could be your downfall, especially if something goes wrong or you're not concentrating on the road.

Sure it's always impressive if someone coming for a job does some basic research but I think the main aim within this two day trial, will be to assess whether or not you can confidently drive the car, while also remaining polite, professional and discreet. (Judging from your comments, I'm sure you'll be capable in all those areas)

Just relax, concentrate on keeping the car smooth, remain professional and polite and I'm sure the job will be yours.

The owners manual will probably be in the glovebox, why not ask him if you can read up on it to familiarise yourself with all the technical functions while you're waiting for him somewhere, it will certainly show that you are keen to learn and get things right.

Wishing you all the very best

Allister

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

151 months

Monday 5th June 2017
quotequote all
Hi Allister and thanks very much for your comments I'm pretty confident that I'll be fine on the day now, thanks to the help on hear and some YouTube research.
I'm a bit anal at times I guess, my Mrs always pulls me up on it and she's normally right.
Damn her smile
My plan is exactly as you suggest, on the trial I will just concentrate on my driving style and my professionalism, hopefully if all goes well and I Get the job I can then get access to the manual and learn the rest as I go.
Roll on Wednesday/Thursday.
Thanks again.

gary71

1,967 posts

179 months

Monday 5th June 2017
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Certainly if you try and read and understand the whole manual beforehand you'll still be reading on Friday...

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

151 months

Monday 5th June 2017
quotequote all
gary71 said:
Certainly if you try and read and understand the whole manual beforehand you'll still be reading on Friday...
Of the following week biggrin

Had my schedule through earlier and have been researching routes and drop off points for the last 2 hours.
I will have a few gaps, (on paper) of sitting around over the 2 days so will dip in and out of the manual when possible.

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

151 months

Wednesday 7th June 2017
quotequote all
It's just been changed for the 3rd time, (valid reason) so is on hold till next week now.
Bit of a pain, as kept changing and learning all the new routes but these things happen.
May make it tricky to get 2 more holiday days at short notice though with current job.

London GT3

1,025 posts

241 months

Sunday 11th June 2017
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Neil

Apologies for taking your thread off topic but as it is your thread I hope you don't mind. I read your profile and I am interested in your experiences as a chauffeur. Do you still want to get back to lorry driving or is being a private chauffeur where you want to be now?

I have only a limited experience of being chauffeured and it has been very mixed. Most have been members of the Chauffeurs Guild (I think that is what it is called) but their standards of driving ranged from great to abysmal.

Have your jobs been full time for one family or do your work part time for many different people?

If your two day trial is this week then good luck. If you have time to share your experiences as a chauffeur I would be interested to read about them.



chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

151 months

Sunday 11th June 2017
quotequote all
Hello mate, I'm happy to share what I know/have learnt thus far.

The lorry thing is interesting and a bit long winded sadly so I won't bore you with the full story as I think by now people on here are probably sick of it. It has frustrated me beyond belief as I pretty much had my dream job. It is yet again under investigation due to the DVLA being exposed for their failings but in the last 6 months all they have achieved is a letter to my then consultant who told them in the most frank of terms that he passed me fit to drive trucks again in September 2014, but they chose to overrule him rolleyes
The path now chosen by the DVLA is to ask the hospital I was admitted to for the CD imaging of my injuries??? That was 4 weeks ago and no news yet, this sadly is what you are dealing with.

Truck wise, 'IF' ever the licence came back I would only go back to the Rock n Roll thing. I worked hard to get to that level of the industry and enjoyed the benefits it brought. Sadly and this is only my opinion, general haulage in the UK is not for me. An influx of cheaper labour from some of our European cousins has had a major affect on the industry from a drivers perspective.
I could go in to detail, but again I guess to many it would be quite boring.

God I can waffle.

Chauffeur wise, sort of fell into it initially by accident and it was all thanks to a fellow PH'er who I owe a massive debt to.
I have only ever worked for families or private individuals and tbh think it suits my style much better. I did try and look into going down the corporate route where by I would work for a 'chauffeur' company dealing with multiple clients on a daily basis. Sadly I am not allowed to do this and the reason for this is a bit of a peach and annoyingly goes back to the DVLA yet again.

Here's why.

I can legally work for a company/private family on a personal level, but cannot drive for hire or reward as it is often termed. To drive for Addison Lee or similar at various ends of the scale I would need to be, what they call PCO registered. This requires me to pass the same medical, (class 2) as I would need to get my lorry licence back, which as stated the DVLA currently do everything in their power to stop me.
I looked into becoming a taxi, (private hire) driver in my local area, something I did years ago. Again this requires the class 2 medical.

The boss of the biggest tour bus company in the music industry offered me a job driving S class and V class Mercedes for artists and their management, sadly again the medical for this is the class 2.

And yet, there is nothing to stop me driving for a private family, as their 'personal' chauffeur?????

Hopefully you can see my reasons of hatred towards the DVLA. They have nigh on ruined me for the last 3 years, putting me into some dark places at times, but they will not beat me and you have to try and rise above it.

My chauffeur experience has always been on that private family level. The family I mainly work for are made up of 16 individuals from the Middle East. Luckily for me they are a pretty decent bunch, each arm of the family has its own specific requirements and I have just learned to adapt accordingly.
It is pretty full on and demanding but I thrive on a challenge. At its peak normally May to September I look after all of their transport needs as well as 10 vehicles and the fleet management that goes with it.

On top of this, I also assist the Estate manager with any additional requirements making sure that all of the housekeepers, gardeners and stable staffs needs are met. As I said it can be mad, at the height of summer it is a 6/7 day a week at 70-85 hours. Last year I was asked by the families 'money man' a very interesting chap what I would want as a salary if they were to take me on full time.

I asked on here for advice and most came back with way over my expectation, so I went in at 45k. This would be industry average for a private chauffeur looking after a family of 4-7 with 3-5 vehicles.
The money man gave me a point blank no, saying he, (not the family) was expecting 25k.
Peanuts and monkeys. I may have bit my nose to spite my face but I was not being had over a barrel.

Hence the reasons why I am just trying to find that decent job, for a decent wage. I like to think I am pretty good at what I do, I certainly always give 110% as its just the way I am. Maybe a little anal and a bit of a perfectionist but hopefully one day someone will appreciate it. The current job I am in the running for might just be it? The interview went well, and I am really looking forward to this weeks trial. I left home at 8am this morning and drove into London to dry run some of the key routes. I just like to forward think as much as possible and try to go in as prepared as possible hence todays dry runs and my posts on here for info on the Bentayga.

I did indeed look at the chauffeurs guild thing and at first it looked as though it could work for me because their 'work' didn't need the whole PCO licence thing. On delving a bit further it seemed II'd have to lay out x amount of money, for something that had no real long term benefit or guarantees to myself.

I fully understand your point on the standard of driver you may get, it really does go from 1 end of the scale to the other. I have seen and heard some real horror stories.

I have always been proud of the professional attitude I have towards any form of driving job I do, and hopefully 1 day I'll find the right boss that appreciates this and so much more. We'll see.

SORRY, for the long reply, if you want any more info let me know.






London GT3

1,025 posts

241 months

Sunday 11th June 2017
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Hi Neil

Thank you for sharing such detail and I apologise if I have opened up old wounds ref the DVLA. I can't believe that a wealthy family would say no to £45k pa as a salary for a full time chauffeur and fleet manager. What depreciation do they suffer on their fleet? Bizarre!

I wish you the very best of luck with your job interview and the Bentayga owner. I really hope you get the job and that it works out well for you.

I note you are based in the Souh East. Whereabouts specifically?

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

151 months

Monday 12th June 2017
quotequote all
No problem at all.
It was odd but it is all down to the families money man he is some what of a tricky character!!!!! He used to tell me I spent to long cleaning the families vehicles, but I know exactly what standard they expect.
Oh well, you can't put brains in a coconutsmile

Thanks for the wishes, for me it is a big 3 days ahead but I will give it my very best shot!

I am based in Basildon in Essex, so if I get the job the daily commute will be a minor pain, but for the right job I am more than happy to do it.

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

151 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
quotequote all
Just a quick thanks to all for the info, it was a big help.
Slowly getting used to the tech in the car, and it's lovely to drive and will be my long term home.
Was offered the job today and a great package!
After 3 years of struggle I am over the moon.

whoami

13,151 posts

240 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
quotequote all
chilistrucker said:
Just a quick thanks to all for the info, it was a big help.
Slowly getting used to the tech in the car, and it's lovely to drive and will be my long term home.
Was offered the job today and a great package!
After 3 years of struggle I am over the moon.
That is brilliant news.

Very, very pleased for you. smilethumbup



London GT3

1,025 posts

241 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
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Hi Neil

Fantastic news. I think you will be a star employee. Well done.

jeyjey

220 posts

97 months

Saturday 17th June 2017
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Well done, Neil!

Poshbury

687 posts

119 months

Saturday 17th June 2017
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Congratulations and enjoy the new job.