Accumulator
Well-known member
OakesDetail said:
Huh..never heard of that, learn something new every day! That's be a mess to clean off, hard enough when it's something you can dunk in a solvent-bath.
Dealer Prep Question
- Thread starter mtdew456
- Start date
Huh..never heard of that, learn something new every day! That's be a mess to clean off, hard enough when it's something you can dunk in a solvent-bath.
FJF said:
You just have to hope the guys who take the cars off the truck even remember that ten days ago you specified they were not to touch to car once it got off the truck. Several times I have heard of people on hear and other boards where they either forgot or were never informed in the first place not to touch the car.
When you're dealing with the number of cars they deal with, I could see how a request out of the ordinary that they have never probably received before could be forgotten. Hence you have to be like Accum said and go thinking you may not accept the car. Let's face it, 99% of the population would be appalled to pick up a dirty car so a request like we make is definitely out of the ordinary.
imported_FJF
New member
bert31 said:
While I don't think it's particularly wise to rely on every piece of hearsay that comes one's way, I can comment based on personal experience. Every time I've written the provision into the sales contract, the cars were not touched. When my last new car arrived on the lot, I was called before it was taken off the truck, I dove it for a few hours, watched as a few electrical connections were made by the techs and parked it in a spot where it stayed. I can relay a similar (personal) recollection for every time the stipulation was made in writing and included as a part of the deal.
SuperBee364
New member
IMO, the best way.. have it written in the sales contract that *no* prep, not even checking fluid levels or removing shipping plastic card board, plates, etc. is to be done; you want it "in the wrapper". If your car didn't have plastic on the seats, they did do at least *some* prep.
Tell the sales manager that you want to be called as far in advance as possible as to the exact time the car will arrive, and another call before the delivery truck arrives.
Get to the dealership before they take it off the truck. Have them pull it off the truck and into a parking spot you can keep an eye on while you finish the paper work. Yup, that's pretty anal, but so am I
You'd be surprised at how much protective stuff there is in an un-prepped new car. Usually, dealer prep guys have to go through a prep checklist that they sign and hand to the sales manager. It's not just cosmetic; they check vital fluids and other important things during "prep".
Tell the sales manager that you want to be called as far in advance as possible as to the exact time the car will arrive, and another call before the delivery truck arrives.
Get to the dealership before they take it off the truck. Have them pull it off the truck and into a parking spot you can keep an eye on while you finish the paper work. Yup, that's pretty anal, but so am I
You'd be surprised at how much protective stuff there is in an un-prepped new car. Usually, dealer prep guys have to go through a prep checklist that they sign and hand to the sales manager. It's not just cosmetic; they check vital fluids and other important things during "prep".
SuperBee364 said:IMO, the best way.. have it written in the sales contract that *no* prep, not even checking fluid levels or removing shipping plastic card board, plates, etc. is to be done; you want it "in the wrapper". If your car didn't have plastic on the seats, they did do at least *some* prep.
Tell the sales manager that you want to be called as far in advance as possible as to the exact time the car will arrive, and another call before the delivery truck arrives.
Get to the dealership before they take it off the truck. Have them pull it off the truck and into a parking spot you can keep an eye on while you finish the paper work. Yup, that's pretty anal, but so am I
You'd be surprised at how much protective stuff there is in an un-prepped new car. Usually, dealer prep guys have to go through a prep checklist that they sign and hand to the sales manager. It's not just cosmetic; they check vital fluids and other important things during "prep".
Then it seems like what you want in a new car delivery is not a total "no prep" but rather a "no aesthetics prep" so to speak. I mean you'd want to be able to drive the car away with the right fluid levels etc... no?
FJF said:
I believe they need to have a potential negative consequence included for failure to adhere to the contract for them to be sufficiently motivated to follow up on your request, otherwise another dept. will simply do its job and the car will be prepped and detailed.
Try to include a clause that says "blah blah blah will happen if the car is mistakenly prepped or detailed". (You can fill in what you think you can get away with: dealer drops price by $X; free floor mats; free ????)
Accumulator
Well-known member
As noted, if you can be there when the vehicle is unloaded, and then all through the rest of the get-ready-inspection, that's even better.
As for the "what if.." clause, I'd make it simple: no sale.
That said, when my dealer had to get a specific car I wanted from another dealer, and it had already been prepped, I evaluated the damage and insisted on what I considered adequate compensation. There was no real haggling because I wouldn't negotiate, I just repeated "no.. give me that or I walk."
Oh, and note that floormats/etc. have basically zero value to a dealership. Even the expensive OE ones...I got that info straight from the dealer's mouth in an unrelated conversation (from two different Porsche/Audi dealers actually). If you're gonna haggle, go for something that matters
As for the "what if.." clause, I'd make it simple: no sale.
That said, when my dealer had to get a specific car I wanted from another dealer, and it had already been prepped, I evaluated the damage and insisted on what I considered adequate compensation. There was no real haggling because I wouldn't negotiate, I just repeated "no.. give me that or I walk."
Oh, and note that floormats/etc. have basically zero value to a dealership. Even the expensive OE ones...I got that info straight from the dealer's mouth in an unrelated conversation (from two different Porsche/Audi dealers actually). If you're gonna haggle, go for something that matters
The dealer has agreed not to touch the car and only do the get-ready-inspection so that the car is legal to drive but nothing more. It is written on the sales contract and I do believe they will stick to what I have said. After seeing my vehicle that I am driving now they understood why I wanted to take the car as it ships in.
Thanks for all the advice!
Thanks for all the advice!
Deanski
STUTTGART'S FINEST
mtdew456 said:
There is nothing regarding warranty and your request for them to leave all protection on when it arrives at the dealer.
Dealer would only give the car to the "scratch and swirll" department prior to delivery.
Just request that when the car arrives (whatever date) try to be there at the dealership and remind the staff that this is a hands-off car.
The will have to setup the electronics as most are shipped in a disabled mode.
Then, take it home and start your own prep and polish on the finish.
Deanski
OK so if you order a new car and you get delievered without them touching it, what should you do first to the new car, what I mean is would you just wax it and be on you way or do a full detail. Im asking cause im about a order a car and wanna know what I should do when I get it
thanks
thanks
Deanski
STUTTGART'S FINEST
ianitrix said:
Carefully remove the wraps. Wash, clay and use a mild polish or paint cleanser. Inspect and then finish with LSP.
Same goes for wheels, tires (wash, clean, protect) and any metal tips.
Deanski
Good point, you have to look the car over like I did for 15 minutes. Take off the white paper if you have to.I always buy a car near the end of the month so sales people are hungry for there commision. Like I said to the salesman and left a voice message on his machine if the car is prepped im not taking it. most do what they have to do or either aleart the sales manager that a sale is not going to go through.
Deanski
STUTTGART'S FINEST
True, just do a complete walk-around on the vehicle. Most of the protective wrap can be removed and replaced. Take pictures and agree with your dealer it's in the condition it's in prior to taking the vehicle.
I did a complete walk through as we both removed the wrap and once it was done, I was there to hand over a full bottle of Menz P085RD to the team who are very talented as I viewed their work on a few cars. They are trained by 3M and are in my view the best detailers to prep a Porsche in the state.
I had to give them advise on how to polish with P085RD, but once they got the hang of it, they wanted to know where they can get this and where's it been all this time seeing they are a German dealer (Porsche, Audi, VW).
Once it was polished and ready, I did a wipe-down with IPA as the team from Armorglove showed up to film the car. Once that was done, I picked up the car and drove off the dealer lot with "I CAN'T DRIVE....55" playing.:grinno:
It took several days to fully prep this car as it had a Sirius kit installed from a Cayenne so I can have Sirius through the PCM system. First to do this, as it's not approved by Porsche.
Anyway, work with your dealer on what is expected and if they seem reluctant, you could kill the deal, or give them an incentive to see things your way (cash).
Once you get it to where you can work, budget enough time. You have to remove the wrap and most wraps have adhesives that can be a PITA. Have some 3M Adhesive remover handy. Wash the finish, clay and inspect. Then see if you need more than a paint cleanser to bring it up. Protect the finish, wheels, exhaust tips, engine compartment, tires, suspension etc.
Interior also needs to be cleaned and treated if leather, but mostly a general cleaning first to see if there is any leftover debris. Leather, I use Woolite/distilled water mix for cleaning. Vinyl/plastics I use 1Z Cockpit Premium.
Would be a nice chance to treat carpets with 3M Scotchguard or similar product.
Break in the vehicle per mfg guidelines and have the oil and filter changed early to dump all break-in lubes and any castings that may break free after everyting seats in. Oil and filter are cheap and it's best to dump both early for that reason alone. After two years, have the brake fluid flushed if you want best performance and to emiminate any moisture it may have picked up at factory and while on boat.
From there, drive as normal.
Deanski
I did a complete walk through as we both removed the wrap and once it was done, I was there to hand over a full bottle of Menz P085RD to the team who are very talented as I viewed their work on a few cars. They are trained by 3M and are in my view the best detailers to prep a Porsche in the state.
I had to give them advise on how to polish with P085RD, but once they got the hang of it, they wanted to know where they can get this and where's it been all this time seeing they are a German dealer (Porsche, Audi, VW).
Once it was polished and ready, I did a wipe-down with IPA as the team from Armorglove showed up to film the car. Once that was done, I picked up the car and drove off the dealer lot with "I CAN'T DRIVE....55" playing.:grinno:
It took several days to fully prep this car as it had a Sirius kit installed from a Cayenne so I can have Sirius through the PCM system. First to do this, as it's not approved by Porsche.
Anyway, work with your dealer on what is expected and if they seem reluctant, you could kill the deal, or give them an incentive to see things your way (cash).
Once you get it to where you can work, budget enough time. You have to remove the wrap and most wraps have adhesives that can be a PITA. Have some 3M Adhesive remover handy. Wash the finish, clay and inspect. Then see if you need more than a paint cleanser to bring it up. Protect the finish, wheels, exhaust tips, engine compartment, tires, suspension etc.
Interior also needs to be cleaned and treated if leather, but mostly a general cleaning first to see if there is any leftover debris. Leather, I use Woolite/distilled water mix for cleaning. Vinyl/plastics I use 1Z Cockpit Premium.
Would be a nice chance to treat carpets with 3M Scotchguard or similar product.
Break in the vehicle per mfg guidelines and have the oil and filter changed early to dump all break-in lubes and any castings that may break free after everyting seats in. Oil and filter are cheap and it's best to dump both early for that reason alone. After two years, have the brake fluid flushed if you want best performance and to emiminate any moisture it may have picked up at factory and while on boat.
From there, drive as normal.
Deanski
imported_FJF
New member
Accumulator said:
Bingo. IME, there was never a need for a lot of discourse. The provision was written into the contract and the dealer understood that the car would not be accepted otherwise. That's it.
So I'm about to take delivery of a new dark blue Audi Q5. They said they apply some type of paint sealant to all their cars free of charge. Not sure exactly what type of sealant they use - they said they'd find out and get back to me. They also said they had no problem not applying the sealant if I didn't want them to. I guess the consensus here would be to have them not do anything to the car and just wash and wax the car myself when I get home, right? Any idea why the dealer typically applies the paint sealant?