Hi Dave,
I hope all is going well.
While you did a really nice job on cleaning the car's interior, I'm writing to let you know of issues that have come up since my car was detailed at your home. They seem to stem from the interior protectant used; here are the details:
In speaking with you on the phone, and when dropping off the car, I had requested a matte finish and a minimal protectant used as I don't like the slippery, high gloss look of some protectants, similar to the results seen when using armour all.
On the weekend that the detail work was performed, I didn't feel it was worth complaining at the time (figuring that there will be plenty of detailings in the future where the issues can be rectified), but I was initially disappointed about the type & amount of protectant applied to the car's interior in a number of places:
1: You'd mentioned that you sprayed some protectant into the vents, saying that I'd like the scent of it in the interior. That is not something I would want or ask for. -On newer models such as this, there are sensors inside the vents for temperature, CO2, etc so spraying a protectant down into the vents is not recommended. That night, driving with the top down after picking up the car, with the heat turnd up high, the climate control was cycling on full, then shutting off, over and over as we drove …not sure if that's was a result of protectant on one of the sensors, and we haven't tried to replicate it since, but thought you should know about the concern. Having had the car for 18 month we are familiar with the behaviors of the climate control system and this was not how the system normally performs..
2: There's a 1/2" gap here the rear deck lid meets the seatbacks there was a wet "sludge" of protectant mixed with dirt that would come off on your finger if you ran it along that edge.
3: The rubber floor mats were coated with a thick layer of protectant, to the point where they couldn't really be handled. - I stacked them in my garage with the intent to scrub them down later with soap and water.
Since then a handful of issues have come up that are serious and I feel compelled to address today. -The principal issue is how this protectant has "dried" and the result from it drying/hardening:
About 3 weeks ago, I noticed that the BMW roundel on the steering wheel had newly become covered with small cracks that look similar to the "crazing" that we see when certain chemicals come into contact with plastics (I'm in the plastics manufacturing business). A photo is attached, showing this issue.
• The shift boot, which was a supple piece, now feels rigid and "dried out", and is pulling away (shrinking) from the wood console cover, leaving a visible gap at the right hand side between the wood and the boot assembly.
• The vent louvre adjustments for the dash vents, which had buttery smooth operation before are now sticky with protectant and I've had to work the controls in all directions a number of times in an attempt to loosen up the action on them (particularly the passenger side vent, as it hadn't been used much since the detail work was done - it was completely locked in place the other date and I had to use force to get it moving again) after "working them" for a while the controls still do not function as they had for the prior 18 months. At the same time I've had to work into the louvers with a rag to clean off excess protectant on them.
• The floor mats are discolored to a much darker shade than they were previously (the difference is clear between the top and bottom, as the bottom was left clean), and have a “hard” coat on them from the protectant used.
• As mentioned, the car hasn't been detailed in the time I’ve owned it (taking delivery in spring 2008), and each of the issues at hand have come to light in the few weeks since our visit ot your home in September.
Whatever protectant was used does not seem to be compatible with some of the materials in this car. At this point the two biggest, most obvious and easily repaired concerns are likely to be the steering wheel airbag cover roundel and the shift boot.
I will take the car to the dealership for inspection of these two items. If BMW will not provide warranty replacement of these two items (ie: if they state it's not warranted due to wear & tear or chemicals/protectants applied), would you be willing to comepensate me for the replacement of these parts?
