Berlina international sportswagon - any issues before I commit?

[Plainwhitevy]

Hi Folks, I am seriously looking at upgrading to a Berlina Wagon as the current offer from Holden looks pretty good.
I am happy with the 3litre offering, and the lure of being the first to fart on the drivers seat is almost overwhelming
Question is - are there any real issues with this model? Looking for common faults to watch for in the warranty period, or problems that mean I should shy away from the model all together.
Happy to be re-directed if this has been gone over before.
Also - the web blurb talks about some colours being 'prestige paint" WTH does that mean?
And - advice on any accessories that are worth having - my tendency is nothing - and ebay later, but I might negotiate for importants to be thrown in. Towbar and mats come to mind, but not sure if there is anything else worth having.
Keen to get advice from current owners especially.
Many thanks.

[HussySV6]

Hey mate. I have heard many good things about the 3L engines.
I cant really help you much mate unfortunatly as i never owned/driven or even sat in a sportwagon! One thing i have heard people saying on this forum that reversing is a bitch, to many blind spots so get the reverse camera option, also other things such as satnav as with the IQ aparently you cant get it done afterwards. Being a berlina International im not really sure what would already come with as stock, so if it already does come with reverse camera then soz bud.

Good Luck buddy

[mint]

You want the partition net if you are going to carry much stuff.

"Prestige paint" is Holdenspeak for bleeding another $500 from you for metallic paint.

[Thumpin]

Hi Folks, I am seriously looking at upgrading to a Berlina Wagon as the current offer from Holden looks pretty good.
I am happy with the 3litre offering, and the lure of being the first to fart on the drivers seat is almost overwhelming
Question is - are there any real issues with this model? Looking for common faults to watch for in the warranty period, or problems that mean I should shy away from the model all together.
Happy to be re-directed if this has been gone over before.
Also - the web blurb talks about some colours being 'prestige paint" WTH does that mean?
And - advice on any accessories that are worth having - my tendency is nothing - and ebay later, but I might negotiate for importants to be thrown in. Towbar and mats come to mind, but not sure if there is anything else worth having.
Keen to get advice from current owners especially.
Many thanks.

The current Berlina wagon package looks good for the price. So far the 3 ltr donks are as good as anything else and don't appear to have any short comings (only torque) , kidding...

Prestige paint is based on any metallic type paint. If you can't wangle that in with the deal then your not trying hard enough. Same goes for your mats.
Towbar is available through spares for about 6 hundred for the 1600kg type. Fairly easy to fit if your that way inclined. If you can get the dealer to do for around 850 then you probably in front.
Tint is always a finishing touch for me personally and the wagons do look nice with tint. I'd shop around if you are considering tint as the dealeers sting with this option.

Personally, I find the camera on mine a bit of a gimic. If you can't judge the back of your wagon (which is normally easier than a sedan) then get the camera. I find reversing the same as my previous VY & VT wagons. Its a case of getting use to the new view. The VE's have a higher window line which gives you a sense of less vision. Its really vision you need for parking. Mirrors or over the shoulder is fine.
The camera is handy when reversing up to a trailer hitch to get it aligned but it would be hard to justify just for that reason.

I can't think of much else the Berlina doesn't already offer. I seen a few on the road so they must be selling OK.

Keep us informed of how you go.

[Plainwhitevy]

Done it!
Got a bit of an extra thrown in, and the package was good value anyway.
Being sourced from Qld at the moment, and wll need the towbar added etc next week.
Interested in tint maybe - but will wait and get it later.
First new car for me - will be interested to see how it goes.
Thanks for the advice guys.

[Thumpin]

Well done.

So tell us what ya got, colour, deal, throw-in's & post some pics when you get it.

[UFO]

sorry i'm late, must have missed this thread somehow .

you're going to love it!
nothing wrong with the 3L at all, and the small amount of fuel it uses is very noticable... i have a 2L 4cyl 2nd car that uses more.
oem options that I couldnt live without on the wagon:

reverse camera (MANDATORY- but have it integrated in an electronic rear mirror, not on a dash display. when you're reversing, you're always checking your mirrors... having to look at a 3rd spot on the dash is more hassle than its worth. added bonus is the electronic rear mirror also automatically dims bright headlights from cars behind you, a surprisingly useful feature)

rubber boot mat (get a holden one so it still allows you to pop through the tie downs in the boot floor through eyelet spots that wont otherwise tear in non oem products)

tow pack (obvious benefits)

flip keys (I know the flip keys sounds like it isnt really required, but I reckon it is... as a guy I dont have a handbag I can put stuff in (unless the mrs is with me), so everything goes in the pocket. flip keys are much easier to carry around around in front or rear pockets without otherwise digging into your leg at full length)

congrats on purchase, make sure you set up a rides profile!

[Plainwhitevy]

Thank you for that!
Was going to get a rubber boot mat - and it is a really good point that you make about the OEM - I'll head that way.
It comes with the reversing camera in the dash, but the mirror option sounds like a great idea - is this something that I can add in, or is it something that needs to be specified on order. If so too late (

The flip key is too expensive as a Holden accessory, I might look at options later on. I surf, and will look at a key lock for outside in any case.

I'll get some floor mats too, but I want really good ones. There look to be 2 types of carpet ones from Holden - are the 'luxury' ones any better than standard?

Thanks for the feedback folks. Looks like it is about a week away now....

[UFO]

No worries mate. Rear mirror camera viewer is unfortunately factory fit only. I know this for fact, because when ordering I had to pick a car on the production line much earlier... cables and what not have to be installed prior to interior fitout. Listen, no major dramas with dash mount... you'll get used to it. But I know when I test drove different versions, I much preferred the rear mirror position. The benefit of the dash mount is that the image is bigger however.

Dont pay for flip keys.... speak to salesman again prior to pick yp and see if he'll throw one in. They did it for me (but I asked immediately after he told me that there would be a week delay in delivery).

I think got 'luxury' floor mats? They actually lock in to the floor with little tabs, and are nice thick carpet. Dont know if they are standard or luxury though in the International, sorry. Again I'd go OEM just for the perfect fit and the fact that they never move around because of the lock tabs. Not unless you can find 3rd party ones that lock in too.

Good luck with delivery.... take your time, take a friend with another set of eyes (dont forget to look inside for marks on seat trim and door scuff plates, first places to get damaged/dirty by careless apprentices), and dont sign anything if car is wet (you cant see swirl marks and scratches), and most importantly DONT FEEL RUSHED! It doesnt matter if salesman has ants in his pants, take your time. If at all possible, get salesman to take you for a drive to make sure everything is ok mechanically. Yes you have warranty that covers you, but if there's a major issue with the drivetrain or really annoying rattle or squeek, much better if you get it fixed before signing it over.

[Rod 42]

Before you commit have a look at my thread of ve series 2 engine surge. holden have been trying for 6 months to fix it but so far no luck. looks like iam being forced to take them to fair trade. pity as apart from the car surging and draging you in traffic its a great car. maybe i just got lemone. so be careful as the factory warrenty isnt all its cracked up to be when there is a real problem.