Blip - Off to the Garage

Like thousands of Blipers worldwide, I am hoping Blip's time in the garage will go well and we will all be impressed by the improved performance after the major service.

For Angie's (AngelEyes) car it won't be a short overnight stay.

This morning she phoned from work in Munich to say on the 3km dash to the train at 5:31:59 am, there was a loud bang and burning stench. Engine lost power but she was able to limp the last kilometer.

Today was her first commute with the new nationwide German railways timetable which always comes into effect on the middle weekend of December. Yesterday she had a holiday to prepare - her train now leaves 1 minute earlier than before and as all dedicated commuters know, the trip to the train station is a well planned event, timed to the millisecond. Making just a minute change, is one of those times when you wished you had listened to the tutor at the seminar your employer forced you to attend - "Management of Change".

I suspect Angie had mistimed her journey and put the foot to the floor and forgot to change gear!

Drove over with the dogs, started the engine and it sounded like a dragster, exhaust blowing an acrid smokescreen which was unbearable even sitting in the car. Phoned the German equivalent of AA (AAA for USA) called ADAC here. They arranged for a towaway truck to take the car to our "prefered" garage in Mindelheim (20km). Now we just have to wait how bad the news is. Exhaust sounds simple but being a turbo diesel, the pipework is not the simple 2" water pipe type thing it was in my childhood.

ADAC were very good and efficent. They are under severe pressure having been caught out manipulating test results in favour of various car manufacturers. Has caused a major review this year and last week they announced the new structure.

The ADAC is I think the largest "club" in Europe, over the years becoming involved in a mass of associated businesses with a multi million Euro turnover but still run like a club. Now they will split the business parts in to a AG (plc) and the club part will return to it's roots of helping motorists in difficulty.

Am sure our bliping interests are in good hands at Blip HQ.

CU all on the other side and we can then really give it welly.

Now what was my password? Darling? What was the last budgy's middle name again?