[drew330]

Finally, I'll be bringing my new Mini home next Tuesday. It is suppose to be the greatest moment, however, after seeing all the swirls on my friend's brand new BMW, I start to worry about the "dealer installed swirl" problem.

Just wondering if anyone here have had swirls on their brand new babies that was caused by poor dealer prep job.

Seriously I'm thinking if I should just tell the dealer not to prep my car. Is this just a silly idea?

[Red Dwarf]

I don't think it's silly. I would certainly seriously consider it myself in future. I've had to get rid of some my dealer put in.

[CARVNIT]

Most of the better dealer's have a separate person to detail customers' vehicles before delivery. This particular person understands how people expect their investment to be in pristine condition. However, if you do not feel confident, then don't jeopardize your car's finish. Perhaps you may want them to just remove the protective shipping film.

I too had to remove some of the dealer's imperfect deposits, as a result of poor communication and inconsistencies within their staff. Moreover, when you must take your car in for service don't let them wash the car. Those people rush through them as fast as possible. Use dirty wash mitts, dirty water, poor soap, etc.

In my humble opinion don't have them prep your car any more than necessary to remove the protective film. You clearly are concerned and understand the importance of proper auto care.

Enjoy!

[drew330]

Thanks for the inputs, perhaps I should give the dealer a call and tell them not to clean my car.

One problem though, how can you inspect your car properly with all the dirts covering the surface?

[Root Ginger]

Quote: Originally Posted by drew330

Thanks for the inputs, perhaps I should give the dealer a call and tell them not to clean my car.

One problem though, how can you inspect your car properly with all the dirts covering the surface?

Do what I do. Make a note next to your signature on any forms they make you sign.

I have always done this when I pick up hire cars and they're covered in rain or bodywork reapirs and the car is wet. I just write down something simple like "car covered in rain" or "covered in dirt". That way it's on yours and their records.

[marrsbar]

My mini was really well prepared when I picked it up. I couldn't find any problems with the paint work.

I put it in to have viper stripes and an aero spoiler fitted. When I got it home I was very annoyed, there were rather serious scratches in several places all over the car - I have a sneaky suspicion that the guy who fitted my stripes had a very large button on his jeans......I could have pointed out to you exactly where he had leaned and then dragged himself off. It took me an entire Sunday to polish the scratches out - I went to bed with very achey elbows that night!

I've scratched my mini and there are a couple of stone chips.... but thats inevitable... you don't expect it to come back from the dealers with more scratches though! If anything, they should polish scratches out for you - a bit of the old exceeding the customers expections.

[whovous]

I told my dealer not to wax my Mini, then claybarred it before applying Mirror Glaze Polish and Carnauba. No swirls, and a color so deep you can swim in it!

[janie_cakie]

Quote: Originally Posted by whovous

I told my dealer not to wax my Mini, then claybarred it before applying Mirror Glaze Polish and Carnauba. No swirls, and a color so deep you can swim in it!

my seat panel had some scratches and they about serveral inches deep b4 i picked up my car on the first day. They didnt even give me any compensation. Well..

[Zob]

My experience is that I'm putting the light swirly scratches in and my dealer removes them. I always thought I was being carefull with the cleaning, but parked under flourescent petrol station lights at night they really show up - you can't really see them in daylight. I had reason to take my car in to the dealer to have a seat replaced the other day - that's another story - and they cleaned the car before i picked it up. I couldn't beleive the shine they put on it and there was not a scratch in sight. The whole car looked liked it had been laquered.

Does anyone know what they use. It must be fairly quick and easy to apply for BMW to be using it for their general detailing. I know Autoglym do a high gloss spray on finish product - could it be that. Whatever it was, it made the car look like it did when I first picked it up.