Need advice on driving a Phantom
Discussion
In a couple of days I get to drive (1 day trial) a Rolls-Royce Phantom belonging to a young business man (26) who is looking to hire a full time driver; the problem is that I've never driven one.
I've been driving for over thirty years and hold a clean license but don't want to appear to be a total novice (even though I am with RR): I was going to try to ring a local dealer and explain my situation to to see if they might let me sit in one and 'play' but can't find one in the Leeds area so it's to the intarweb!!!
I hope to get a little while to acclimatise myself before driving him around but any tips or hints from anyone who knows anything about RR Phantoms or RR in general whould be appreciated.
I gather that the driver's seat adjustment is made from within the centre console but I'm used to manual seats so advice please on what buttons change what etc.
They also use a version of the iDrive that BMWs have so advice on that too please.
Basically, I'd really like to get the job so I need to create a good impression and not look a total ****. The guy is easy going, I'm told by his PA and I'm sure he will not expect me to be an experienced RR driver but any help would be gratefully received.
I've been driving for over thirty years and hold a clean license but don't want to appear to be a total novice (even though I am with RR): I was going to try to ring a local dealer and explain my situation to to see if they might let me sit in one and 'play' but can't find one in the Leeds area so it's to the intarweb!!!
I hope to get a little while to acclimatise myself before driving him around but any tips or hints from anyone who knows anything about RR Phantoms or RR in general whould be appreciated.
I gather that the driver's seat adjustment is made from within the centre console but I'm used to manual seats so advice please on what buttons change what etc.
They also use a version of the iDrive that BMWs have so advice on that too please.
Basically, I'd really like to get the job so I need to create a good impression and not look a total ****. The guy is easy going, I'm told by his PA and I'm sure he will not expect me to be an experienced RR driver but any help would be gratefully received.
Best thing to do is search t'internet for interior pictures, the nav is similar to the current 7 series, is in front of the centre armrest hidden behind a flap The centre armrest hinges in the middle, in there are all the seat controls. Only 3 gears, forwards,neutral and reverse. s button on the wheel gives you 'sport' dont bother. treat it as a 7 series and you wont go wrong, its not as big as you think.
HTH.
HTH.
R-R used to run a school for drivers (profesional and owner-drivers, I believe). If they still do, you might try giving them a ring and asking for a few tips.
Here is one. When you are bringing the car to a halt, just a millisecond or two before it stops, slip it into neutral and take your foot off the brake: that way you will avoid jolting your passenger when it comes to a full stop.
Here is one. When you are bringing the car to a halt, just a millisecond or two before it stops, slip it into neutral and take your foot off the brake: that way you will avoid jolting your passenger when it comes to a full stop.
Thanks for the tips gents. All went well apart from taking a couple of wrong turns; (no time to program that horrid iDrive). We got to all destinations without bending it and after the first few minutes, I was almost at ease. Anyway, looks like I might have got the job.
Sorry, I can't reveal who I'll be driving; integrity and discretion being part of the job, as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks again.
singist.
Sorry, I can't reveal who I'll be driving; integrity and discretion being part of the job, as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks again.
singist.
singist said:
Thanks for the tips gents. All went well apart from taking a couple of wrong turns; (no time to program that horrid iDrive). We got to all destinations without bending it and after the first few minutes, I was almost at ease. Anyway, looks like I might have got the job.
Sorry, I can't reveal who I'll be driving; integrity and discretion being part of the job, as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks again.
singist.
It might be tbops, Just a wild guess. Not many guys who are in there mid 20's rolling around in a Phantom.Sorry, I can't reveal who I'll be driving; integrity and discretion being part of the job, as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks again.
singist.
Just a guestamation!
theres a lot of weight in the car so just practise your braking so you dont get a little nudge at the end.
also try to avoid turning the steering wheel to an extreme left or right all the way as it tends to make a funny noise if your driving someone who's a little fussy..
parking distance control button is on the roof, make sure its switched on (light on) before its too late.
Theres a button on the steering wheel (ive forgotton whats its labelled as) but its basically a sport mode which lights up something on the dash, makes for a jerky ride so make sure its off.
rear boot button also on roof of car.
on the aircon, make sure its (if you want it cool) nudged just 1 up from all the way to blue (cold) as if you put it to full coolair con makes a noise at the back (not just mine but ive been to dealer and hes shown me other models with the same).
have fun
also try to avoid turning the steering wheel to an extreme left or right all the way as it tends to make a funny noise if your driving someone who's a little fussy..
parking distance control button is on the roof, make sure its switched on (light on) before its too late.
Theres a button on the steering wheel (ive forgotton whats its labelled as) but its basically a sport mode which lights up something on the dash, makes for a jerky ride so make sure its off.
rear boot button also on roof of car.
on the aircon, make sure its (if you want it cool) nudged just 1 up from all the way to blue (cold) as if you put it to full coolair con makes a noise at the back (not just mine but ive been to dealer and hes shown me other models with the same).
have fun
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