What's your Uber experience?

[Quickstatus]

It's an aftermarket chip that changes the preset engine computer settings. Most autos have "D" or "S" with the S in a sport setting. so it's sort of like that It configures the car to a higher tune setting

 

[Skyring]

Those who burn out their clutches tend to be the ones who chip their engine or drive it like a hot hatch - and hang little Martians and fluffy toys under the rear bumper

Chipped the sump once. That didn't work out well.

 

[OZDUCK]

In some places like KL, the uber success is not so much that UBer is cheaper, it because uber is more efficient, with better cars, nicer drivers, and you don't get ripped off especially as a tourist.

There will be bad lemons, but easily dealt with under the uber ecosystem.

Im not doing the voluntary recall for the 200000km golf and Passat which are affected. I will wait one year to see what happens. I can't believe that a software fix will not result in a reduction in economy and performance. These will take a slight hit, and the EGR ratio will be higher resulting in possible higher costs - some say EGR increase will result in higher maintenance costs in due to this

The 6 speed wet sump DSG has been superb. I think the problems have been in the dry sump 7 speed DSG for the petrols. The could not put the dry sump 7 speed into the diesels due to the high torque environment. The dual clutch in the wet sump is said to last 500000km or more. Those who burn out their clutches tend to be the ones who chip their engine or drive it like a hot hatch - and hang little Martians and fluffy toys under the rear bumper

I think you are doing the right thing with a "wait and see" attitude. There appear to have been lots of complaints in the UK about the "fix" - see Volkswagen Tiguan is really noisy since emissions fix - what should I do? | Ask Honest John | Honest John
for example

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
This is the Uber thread. Not the VW thread.

Uber discussion only please.
[/mod hat]

 

[Pleb Status]

Sorry to post this in the 'VW thread', but I just wanted to confirm that the current US airport Uber/Amex promotion works using an Australian Amex (Platinum Charge). It was unclear if it was restricted to US Amex cards only.

You get the first USD65 free from selected US airports, for up to two trips. Existing customers are included in this offer. Promo is as follows -

[h=5]This holiday season, American Express® Card Members can enjoy 2 free Uber rides (up to $65 each) originating from select airports.

Just enter the code AMEXAIRPORT in your Uber app prior to requesting a ride, select an American Express Card as payment for the ride, and complete your trips before 12/31/16. Prepaid Cards not eligible. See full terms below.*

This year, return from your holiday travels with a gift from American Express.[/h]

https://www.uber.com/promo/american...gLink_1_-99_national_D_all_ACQ_cpa_en&irgwc=1

 

[MikeG]

I've used Uber in Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Chicago.

Nothing but thumbs up. Melbourne is a bit strange as they ban UberX in the confines of the airport, but that's easy to work around by pickup just outside, or ordering drop off outside but verbally getting them to drop off inside.

Chicago was awesome. Met some really friendly guys, and with Uber-pool over there its so much cheaper, even if there is the chance of having to share.

Having just caught a cab last week (I don't have the choice of uber) I really like Uber, as its so much cleaner...

One would have thought the taxi companies would have upped their game to compete, but I think they are just happy to whine about the competition...

Mike

 

[MikeG]

There's a pickup area dedicated to Uber. It's very busy though with no seating...

The one thing I didn't like about Uber was that with a family of four, there was no way to specify uberx for 4 passengers and luggage. I just had to do trial and error canceling until I got a car big enough. I guess I could have ordered an SUV for double the price, but I'm tight... But seriously the value proposition is not there...

 

[Deleted member]

Why is an SUV double the price if it's Uber X ?

There's a pickup area dedicated to Uber. It's very busy though with no seating...

The one thing I didn't like about Uber was that with a family of four, there was no way to specify uberx for 4 passengers and luggage. I just had to do trial and error canceling until I got a car big enough. I guess I could have ordered an SUV for double the price, but I'm tight... But seriously the value proposition is not there...

 

[Quickstatus]

Uber black?

 

[MikeG]

Uber black?

Yes, considering we dont get Uber SUV here.

What is Uber SUV? Detailed Overview

 

[opusman]

In some places like KL, the uber success is not so much that UBer is cheaper, it because uber is more efficient, with better cars, nicer drivers, and you don't get ripped off especially as a tourist.

Exactly. In some places (e.g. Peru) there are no metered taxis and everything is done by haggling up front. With Uber you actually have a metered system with no need to agree a price in advance. Much easier for a tourist to avoid being ripped off.

 

[smithy]

I have used Uber on quite a few occasions in MEL, CBR and on the Gold Coast.
I am happy with the service they provide however was not impressed with last Uber trip whilst on the Gold Coast back in October.
The journey from hotel to airport, two of us, with bags had to squeeze into a Mazda 2...

 

[BillytheFIsh]

I had 2 uber trips on the weekend. The first was great - recent model SUV, friendly driver. The second not so much. A 9 year old smelly, small sedan. On the plus side, it had a tape deck for me to listen to the cassingles I carry around. I thought cars had to be newer than that, but it seems they've relaxed the standard.

Despite these mixed experiences (which are happening more and more often), I still won't get in a taxi unless I have absolutely no other option. The worst experiences with uber are just the standard experience in taxis.

Hopefully one of the other rideshare companies enter the market soon to provide some competition.

 

[kpc]

Got a brand new Jaguar on Sat night.....knew it was new as the guy drove so slowly and carefully !

 

[Quickstatus]

Hopefully one of the other rideshare companies enter the market soon to provide some competition.

ridesharing - whose ride are you sharing?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yes Uber about as loose with the truth as Trump is - 'Ride Sharing' my cough - they are a quasi taxi company and should start to realise their 'creative' terminology fools nobody.

 

[Timtammi]

Interesting experience with Uber on Saturday evening in Melbourne. We needed a ride from Black Rock to the CBD about 7.00pm and Uber was surging at about 1.4 I think. Happy with that so booked ride, driver almost immediately called and asked exactly where we were as "app was playing up", I think he also asked (or was told by my husband) where we were going. No problem, be there soon. A couple of mins later the driver cancelled and meanwhile the surge pricing went to 2.6 or something like that.. Trying to rebook, showed the same driver again. Husband called the driver back and said why did you cancel, and driver said "sorry, problem with app but can accept again now". Husband said "no way I think you are gaming the system we will find another way". Waited a few mins, surge went back to 1.4 and we booked with another driver.
My question is, can the drivers see if pricing is surging after accepting a booking and therefore be tempted to cancel to get a better fare?
Does Uber allow/monitor this?
Ride to venue and home again on Uber later that night went without a hitch.

 

[MrHyde]

Since the intent of surge pricing is to get more cars on the road - I think the drivers would know that surge pricing is in effect. I don't know if they know how much is in effect - probably, yes.

 

[Himeno]

The ACT bus network runs a late night Fri/Sat service through December and NYEs.
Friday night service normally starts winding down around 7pm while all routes stop by 11pm. Saturday night service normally ends by 8pm. The "Nightrider" service extends that to 2am on the selected nights.

In past years, they've had normal day time frequency on the core intertown routes (every 10-20 mins) with hourly on the other residential area routes, though they've had a cash only premium fare during nightrider service times.

This year, they are only running the late night service on the 2 core routes with the 10-20 min frequency for a normal fare while giving riders $10 discount Uber codes to get from the interchange to home.
Those codes have a catch though. There are 3 zones in use and need the code for the zone you are going to.
Then, even if entered, the codes won't work if:
You are dropped off outside the zone.
You order the Uber or start the trip more then 20m away from the bus station.
Pickup or drop off is outside 11pm-230am.
Codes aren't valid for inner city areas, nor some parts of southern Tuggeranong.

I have to wonder if the $10 discount code is enough to get people home from the nearest bus station.
The cut off times, such as having to finish the ride by 230 to get the discount, seem a bit off. People could easily miss out on the discount if they get the last bus, have to wait around 10 mins for a ride, and live towards the edge of the zone (eg, last nightrider to belconnen arrives 0155. Heading to Macgregor, Fraser or Dunlop and it takes more then 10 mins for a ride to arrive, no discount.)

 

[NoName]

Since the intent of surge pricing is to get more cars on the road - I think the drivers would know that surge pricing is in effect. I don't know if they know how much is in effect - probably, yes.

The driver app shows which areas are surging and at what level. The map shows hexagonal areas with differing shades of yellow-red and when you zoom in it will show a number in the middle of each hexagon. So yes they know exactly what the surge price is in every area.