Dealer car wash

dan8131 · 09-03-2007, 06:54 PM

So, after a long road trip with a multitude of bug species spattered over my front bumper, side mirrors and windshield, I broke down and decided to take my car to the local dealership for a free wash, thinking I'd feel better once the bugs and brake dust were removed. This was something I swore never to do after I purchased my Zaino kit, and got into a habit of meticulously caring for my new car.

I guess deep down I knew the result, but still held onto a tiny glimmer of hope that a high end car dealership would do the quality job expected from that caliber dealership.

Result: Water spots and streaks EVERYWHERE. Not to mention 80% of the bug guts still present after withstanding nothing more than a quick splash of dirty, soapy water. Regretfully, none of these could be captured with a crappy point and shoot camera well enough to do the damage justice. However, I was able to snap a decent pic of what was left on my wheel after they raped it with some abrasive wheel cleaner.

Lesson learned.

H0bb3z · 09-03-2007, 07:05 PM

Noted.

Note to self: just wash the car yourself...

ejazbmw · 09-03-2007, 07:15 PM

I think i may have one of the few dealers that wash your car really well without any damage...

normtrum · 09-03-2007, 07:35 PM

Wow...I know most dealers don't do a very good job, but if the rest of your car looks anything like that pic of you wheel, look out.

I just spent 2 days on my e46 that my wife drove last weekend. She parked under a tree and had about 100 drops of sap on it. I had to use a chemical adhesive removal, then strip the car down to clear coat, then buff all the remnents out. Then seal, then wax....blah blah blah. What a pain in the ass.

Sometimes when your car gets bad it's easy to want someone else to do it, but nobody will give the car the care that we will.

NPDAN · 09-03-2007, 07:38 PM

Your joking right??? That picture you have is what they left the wheel looking like?

dan8131 · 09-03-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPDAN

Your joking right??? That picture you have is what they left the wheel looking like?

No joke. The other 3 wheels didn't have the leftover soap/wheel cleaner, whatever the hell it was. They must have forgot to wash it off, or dry it off. I'm guessing they used a small towel to dry the whole car too...streaks of dried dirty water all over.

e92man · 09-03-2007, 07:43 PM

the dealer did a crappy job cleanin my car too. they said that they were gonna wax it and do a thorough wash but all they did was armor all the tires.......

533ogetnom · 09-03-2007, 07:45 PM

i tell the dealers specifically not to wash my car, always have, always will

i give them a very stern warning about it

dan8131 · 09-03-2007, 07:45 PM

Oh yeah...as I'm walking to my car to drive off after its "wash," I comment to the guy and say "man, those wheels are tough to clean...aren't they?"

His response: "Naawww man...dem wheels were easy, we got da the special stuff to shine em up!"

After the guy disappears, I take one look at the car close up, shake my head, and silently drive away...enraged.

dmboone25 · 09-03-2007, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan8131

Oh yeah...as I'm walking to my car to drive off after its "wash," I comment to the guy and say "man, those wheels are tough to clean...aren't they?"

His response: "Naawww man...dem wheels were easy, we got da the special stuff to shine em up!"

After the guy disappears, I take one look at the car close up, shake my head, and silently drive away...enraged.

That sucks buddy--the one time I let them wash mine, they scratched the shit out of my hood. One of the kids dropped his wash mitt, picked it up and kept washing without a second thought. Too bad he picked up a little rock and 4 nice big scratches across my hood....I was beyond pissed....

pc328coupe · 09-03-2007, 10:02 PM

I dont let my dealer wash my car, because they put that wet tire stuff on the tires and it makes so much dirt stick to my rims.

fragadellic · 09-03-2007, 10:41 PM

I didn't let the dealer do the pre-delivery detail/wash and I certainly wouldn't let them touch it now. Two buckets and two sheepskin wash mitts are my ritual. Picus and DavidN are the GODS of Detailing...ok, maybe that's a bit much. But thanks anyway!!!

Leesi · 09-03-2007, 11:40 PM

Well, I never let the dealer wash it but I figured out that they always wash it before giving it back to me. No problem so far... They did good jobs

Gearcraft · 09-04-2007, 12:48 AM

I'd usually wash my car before bringing it in. And if not, I tell them not to wash it. Yup, lesson learned.

Analog · 09-04-2007, 01:10 AM

Dealer car wash suck big time.
For my last two visit, specifically told SA not to wash my car....guess what, I still got shitty car washes+few light scratch+swirl. I always ended up washing my car again, just to remove the water mark and the brake dust on my wheel (they made it even dirtier)

There's one time the car wash boy deliver my car, and proudly told me he washed 100+ cars a day.

sapperelite · 09-04-2007, 09:27 AM

And people say I am nuts for not letting the dealership wash my car. I am shipping my car back to the US in March or April and have to figure out how to ensure they don't screw the paint up when they ship it. I think the shipper has a policy that they have to wash the car before they will release it, something to do with damages enroute. Guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

phantom330 · 09-04-2007, 10:09 AM

that right there is why I would never let anybody else touch or wash my car. I wouldn't care who it is. Dealer washes are notorious for being poor, by the way.

TTG · 09-07-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 533ogetnom

i tell the dealers specifically not to wash my car, always have, always will

i give them a very stern warning about it

+1 Before I drop it off I put "NO WASH!" post it notes in several places in the car..... S-hit will hit the fan if the little punk with the broom starts cleaning my car..... I would rather have fingerprints and grease from the service all over the place than have them wash the car.

Bob T · 09-07-2007, 08:14 PM

I wash my car before I bring it in so it is spotless along with telling them not to wash it and leave a note inside.

I feel that giving them a clean car to work on they know I'm fussy and will be a little more careful with it. I also request the same mechanic and am willing to make my appointments for when he is available. Just need to find out what he likes so I can bring in a little something for his efforts (gift card or something).

dpeterson · 09-07-2007, 08:39 PM

bmw store in cinci does a great job... wheels could have used a little more elbow grease.. but it was clean inside and out.. no problems.

dave

fragadellic · 09-08-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTG

+1 I would rather have fingerprints and grease from the service all over the place than have them wash the car.

+1

Fingerprints and grease are easy to take care of. Swirls and/or scratches are a total pain in the ass to fix, especially on a black car. There are lots of reports of dealers who can wash a car, but in my case, I would much rather be safe than sorry. Frankly, they really don't want wash my car and have to deal with the most pissed off customer they have seen in a LONG time...it's in their best interest to leave it alone.

picus · 09-08-2007, 07:21 PM

This shit makes me sick, literally. You would think they would know better by now, but quite the contrary, dealer washes seem to be actually getting worse.

09-03-2007, 06:54 PM	#1
dan8131 Private First Class 14 Rep 162 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Dealer car wash - NEVER again So, after a long road trip with a multitude of bug species spattered over my front bumper, side mirrors and windshield, I broke down and decided to take my car to the local dealership for a free wash, thinking I'd feel better once the bugs and brake dust were removed. This was something I swore never to do after I purchased my Zaino kit, and got into a habit of meticulously caring for my new car. I guess deep down I knew the result, but still held onto a tiny glimmer of hope that a high end car dealership would do the quality job expected from that caliber dealership. Result: Water spots and streaks EVERYWHERE. Not to mention 80% of the bug guts still present after withstanding nothing more than a quick splash of dirty, soapy water. Regretfully, none of these could be captured with a crappy point and shoot camera well enough to do the damage justice. However, I was able to snap a decent pic of what was left on my wheel after they raped it with some abrasive wheel cleaner. Lesson learned. __________________ Previous: E92 328i 6MT Future: AW F30 335i \| ZSL \| ZMT\| Heated Seats Ordered: 6/15/13 - Production: 6/20/13 - 6/26/13 - Boarded Euphony Ace 7/6/13
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09-03-2007, 07:05 PM	#2
H0bb3z Ubergeek 6 Rep 221 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South of down iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 e92 335i [0.00]	Noted. Note to self: just wash the car yourself... __________________ 2008 335i Coupe \| Montego Blue \| Beige / Walnut Burl ZCW \| ZPP \| ZSP \| Steptronic \| Paddles \| NAV \| Comfort \| Shade \| Park \| HD Radio \| iPod Ordered: 8/4/2007 \| Production completed: 9/3/2007 \| Delivery: 10/9/2007
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09-03-2007, 07:15 PM	#3
ejazbmw blahhh 302 Rep 6,355 Posts Drives: 2014 M235I Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ/NY iTrader: (7)	I think i may have one of the few dealers that wash your car really well without any damage...
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09-03-2007, 07:35 PM	#4
normtrum Colonel 52 Rep 2,225 Posts Drives: e90 335i, e46 330i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: PNW iTrader: (1)	Wow...I know most dealers don't do a very good job, but if the rest of your car looks anything like that pic of you wheel, look out. I just spent 2 days on my e46 that my wife drove last weekend. She parked under a tree and had about 100 drops of sap on it. I had to use a chemical adhesive removal, then strip the car down to clear coat, then buff all the remnents out. Then seal, then wax....blah blah blah. What a pain in the ass. Sometimes when your car gets bad it's easy to want someone else to do it, but nobody will give the car the care that we will. __________________ 07 335i sedan \| Steptronic \| Black saphire \| Terra \| ZPP \| ZSP \| Cold Weather \| CA \| PDC \| Nav \| OEM Alarm
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09-03-2007, 07:38 PM	#5
NPDAN Colonel 95 Rep 2,573 Posts Drives: AW DCT M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: So.Cal iTrader: (7) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [8.00] 07' E92 335i [0.00]	Your joking right??? That picture you have is what they left the wheel looking like? __________________
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09-03-2007, 07:43 PM	#7
e92man Lieutenant Colonel 57 Rep 1,719 Posts Drives: modded e92 335i coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: north florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 e92 335i coupe [0.00]	the dealer did a crappy job cleanin my car too. they said that they were gonna wax it and do a thorough wash but all they did was armor all the tires....... __________________ e92 335i jet black, coral red, aluminum, sport, step, paddles, heated seats, pdc, bmw aluminum pedals, oem aero kit front lip, 19' miro type 366 hamann race edition reps, H&R sport springs, 15% tints, vorsteiner rear deck spoiler, custom front pdc "The only cars that should be yellow are taxi cabs and school busses."
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09-03-2007, 07:45 PM	#8
533ogetnom Banned 95 Rep 1,760 Posts Drives: 335coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	i tell the dealers specifically not to wash my car, always have, always will i give them a very stern warning about it
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09-03-2007, 10:02 PM	#11
pc328coupe New Member 2 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 07 328i Coupe Join Date: May 2007 Location: Camden, SC iTrader: (0)	I dont let my dealer wash my car, because they put that wet tire stuff on the tires and it makes so much dirt stick to my rims. __________________ '07 BMW 328i Coupe (Space Gray/Black) '07 MB GL320CDI, '06 VW Phaeton
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09-03-2007, 10:41 PM	#12
fragadellic Captain 15 Rep 949 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe BSM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	I didn't let the dealer do the pre-delivery detail/wash and I certainly wouldn't let them touch it now. Two buckets and two sheepskin wash mitts are my ritual. Picus and DavidN are the GODS of Detailing...ok, maybe that's a bit much. But thanks anyway!!! __________________ E92 335i Coupe Delivered 5.30.07 \| Black Sapphire \| Black Dakota \| Grey Poplar \| OEM 230 19" Wheels \| Michelin PS2s \| GP Thunder 8500K Angels __________________________________________________ __________
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09-03-2007, 11:40 PM	#13
Leesi Good Student Driver 11 Rep 589 Posts Drives: Black BMW Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	Well, I never let the dealer wash it but I figured out that they always wash it before giving it back to me. No problem so far... They did good jobs __________________ Right E92 sideskirt for sale $50 Jet Black color with minor scratches PM ME!
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09-04-2007, 12:48 AM	#14
Gearcraft misadventurer 57 Rep 708 Posts Drives: bubbie mystic blue whale Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: candied island iTrader: (0)	I'd usually wash my car before bringing it in. And if not, I tell them not to wash it. Yup, lesson learned. __________________ 325i I SP
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09-04-2007, 01:10 AM	#15
Analog Captain 37 Rep 621 Posts Drives: 12 F10 535 xdrive Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (20)	Dealer car wash suck big time. For my last two visit, specifically told SA not to wash my car....guess what, I still got shitty car washes+few light scratch+swirl. I always ended up washing my car again, just to remove the water mark and the brake dust on my wheel (they made it even dirtier) There's one time the car wash boy deliver my car, and proudly told me he washed 100+ cars a day.
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09-04-2007, 09:27 AM	#16
sapperelite Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 07 335XI, 03 Wrangler Sport Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Springfield, VA iTrader: (0)	And people say I am nuts for not letting the dealership wash my car. I am shipping my car back to the US in March or April and have to figure out how to ensure they don't screw the paint up when they ship it. I think the shipper has a policy that they have to wash the car before they will release it, something to do with damages enroute. Guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
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09-04-2007, 10:09 AM	#17
phantom330 Captain 18 Rep 892 Posts Drives: e93 335i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: OH iTrader: (0)	that right there is why I would never let anybody else touch or wash my car. I wouldn't care who it is. Dealer washes are notorious for being poor, by the way.
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09-07-2007, 08:14 PM	#19
Bob T Private 3 Rep 92 Posts Drives: 330i, Jet Black, BMW Motos Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	I wash my car before I bring it in so it is spotless along with telling them not to wash it and leave a note inside. I feel that giving them a clean car to work on they know I'm fussy and will be a little more careful with it. I also request the same mechanic and am willing to make my appointments for when he is available. Just need to find out what he likes so I can bring in a little something for his efforts (gift card or something).
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09-07-2007, 08:39 PM	#20
dpeterson Private 0 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 335i Montego Blue Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Springboro, OH iTrader: (0)	bmw store in cinci does a great job... wheels could have used a little more elbow grease.. but it was clean inside and out.. no problems. dave
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09-08-2007, 07:21 PM	#22
picus Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	This shit makes me sick, literally. You would think they would know better by now, but quite the contrary, dealer washes seem to be actually getting worse.
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