dealership ran through car wash - need help

[Jeff W 400]

Originally Posted by 86Zed

Yes they failed to follow your explicit instructions, but no the resultant "damage" looks fairly innocuous. Is there evidence of serious swirl marks, scratches, or damages to previously installed ceramic coating or PPF?

Even the most attentive at home washing can leave a few swirl marks over time with repetitive actions or old towels. Accept the dealerships apology/compensation, get a nice hand wash & detail, and move on.

The right way.

[John in VA]

Originally Posted by mike_va

Update: the car was detailed locally at the place recommended by a friend at work. I was impressed by the people there being nice and low key and the facility. Cost was $650, it was worth it. The dealership paid for it.

Note: at first the dealership said anything over $200 they would fix themselves, I'm glad it worked out that we used the right place. I also got a second quote (for even more) at a place that smelled like cigarettes in the detailing area. Both detailers said it was in amazing condition for a 1 year old DD.

Our 228i was just in for the protective cover recall campaign at BMW of Sterling. I printed four "Please do not wash" signs & taped them to the front side windows and front & rear glass when dropping it off. The SA said that was a good idea. The metallic black 228 Gran Coupe loaner had just been washed & looked horrible.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Tobster3

Amazon $10

Double Sided- Do Not Wash This Vehicle - Por Favor No Lave este vehículo- 5 Pack for Ceramic Coated and Waxed Vehicles Dealership Detail Shop https://a.co/d/c3BYuPT

Thank you for sharing the link, I just ordered one. 👍

[silvermanor]

I wouldnt be this OCD over an SUV.

[egparson202]

Originally Posted by mike_va

We've always babied the paint and applied griots premium carnauba paste wax. The finish was perfect.

However...despite two requests to NOT wash (on two different days) ...the dealership ran it through their car wash.

>water spots all over the hood
>obvious brush marks on the back of the car (i.e. dirt missed, which is what made me think that they washed it)
>purple leaf stains on the silver trim from being left under a tree

They agreed they washed it by error and will do whatever is needed to correct it (up to $200, at which point they will detail it themselves)

A friend has recommended a local detailer, a few options noted from the website attached. I've looked closely at it inside yet.

Anything I should look out for or be aware of?

I agree. It’s disappointing they failed to honor such a simple request. We all know people make mistakes.

There are some people who don’t get overly concerned about care and feeding of their vehicle’s paint and exterior trim. That’s OK. Others get a lot of joy from keeping their rides pristine. It sounds like your request was legitimate and your response to their mistake was reasonable. I’m glad you got an acceptable outcome in the end.

I gotta go. I need to order hangtags.

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by ShapeShifter

Printed this on cardstock paper and temporarily tape it so it's easily seen. Have a washable and reusable air filter, so no dealer checks or changes are needed. The service manager has this in my profile, but reinforcement can't hurt.

You should add, 10% discount since I make your life easier

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by mike_va

We've always babied the paint and applied griots premium carnauba paste wax. The finish was perfect.

However...despite two requests to NOT wash (on two different days) ...the dealership ran it through their car wash.

>water spots all over the hood
>obvious brush marks on the back of the car (i.e. dirt missed, which is what made me think that they washed it)
>purple leaf stains on the silver trim from being left under a tree

They agreed they washed it by error and will do whatever is needed to correct it (up to $200, at which point they will detail it themselves)

A friend has recommended a local detailer, a few options noted from the website attached. I've looked closely at it inside yet.

Anything I should look out for or be aware of?

My dealer always ask me to wash or not. He said almost all the M cars owners prefer to wash their own cars. This is Vancouver, Canada.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by dudley@07726

I ask for hand wash only. My BMW does hand washing. My MB does not. My CLE53 AMG is a cloth cabriolet. I am especially careful with that.
And so, I decline a car wash.

Even if they did a hand wash, I personally wouldn't trust a dealer to do it properly.

You have no idea what type and how dirty their towels are.

In addition, they should be using PH neutral car wash products which are gentle on a ceramic coated car and I seriously doubt that most dealers have them.

[egparson202]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Even if they did a hand wash, I personally wouldn't trust a dealer to do it properly.

You have no idea what type and how dirty their towels are.

In addition, they should be using PH neutral car wash products which are gentle on a ceramic coated car and I seriously doubt that most dealers have them.

100% agree. I think it’s rare to find a dealer that uses the right tools and techniques to clean up cars without adding scratches to the finish. Most simply don’t prioritize it. As this thread has shown, even amongst the most avid enthusiasts, quite a few people don’t expect that level of attention. It takes time, money and skill. I’m happier taking that responsibility than trusting it to someone else.

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Even if they did a hand wash, I personally wouldn't trust a dealer to do it properly.

You have no idea what type and how dirty their towels are.

In addition, they should be using PH neutral car wash products which are gentle on a ceramic coated car and I seriously doubt that most dealers have them.

At one point I owned a frozen white M850 and I ask the BMW part department what kind of car wash shampoo I should use for the special paint. He just point me to the regular car wash shampoo that contain wax.

[egparson202]

Originally Posted by eugenebmw

At one point I owned a frozen white M850 and I ask the BMW part department what kind of car wash shampoo I should use for the special paint. He just point me to the regular car wash shampoo that has contain wax.

Not saying this is true about all dealers, but… don’t know/don’t care is common. It’s true in Sales, Parts and Service.

It’s sad and embarrassing, but I’ve found myself in the awkward position of knowing more than they do too many times.

At least I don’t have that problem here very often.

[JoeyO]

I’ll usually put a hand written sign on the front passenger seat stating DO NOT WASH. Or over the gear selector, so they can’t claim they missed it. Nice to see I’m not the only one that does this.

[JoeyO]

That other sign is unavailable on Amazon. Maybe try this one….

[SpaceSilverX1.]

Originally Posted by ShapeShifter

Printed this on cardstock paper and temporarily tape it so it's easily seen. Have a washable and reusable air filter, so no dealer checks or changes are needed. The service manager has this in my profile, but reinforcement can't hurt.

I get the no car wash part. I have a sign taped to the steering wheel when I drop the cars off at the BMW dealer...

the tire pressure check also scares me. I once picked up the car and the TPMS warning came on just before I entered the interstate on-ramp. I got off at the very next one and the tire pressures were almost 5psi to 10psi over the recommended values!


but no air filter check? my BMW dealer said those were free during the first 3 years.(in reality, only one free replacement at the 2nd free oil change service)

[egparson202]

If they don’t touch it, they can’t damage it. [Trust issues here.]

[Joe from NY]

So what is the proper way to wash it if you have PPF and ceramic coating?

[tcphoto]

By hand with a two bucket method if possible and drying with a leaf blower or proper cloth in straight lines not circular motion. I own a BSM car and I understand the need for proper washing, lighter colors do hide swirl marks better.

[slilley]

Thanks for the suggestion here, I think I've improved on the design by combining the sign with a Handicap Parking Placard Holder!

This is the sign: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHF88VKT
This is the placard holder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I3JAUHW

A little trimming was required, but I'm happy with the results!

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by slilley

Thanks for the suggestion here, I think I've improved on the design by combining the sign with a Handicap Parking Placard Holder!

This is the sign: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHF88VKT
This is the placard holder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I3JAUHW

A little trimming was required, but I'm happy with the results!

That’s exactly what I did! 👍

[Cobra_X5MC]

similar experience here on my F95 X5m. Car had about 2k miles on it, Fully PPF'd and Ceramic coated.

dropped the car off for service and they had a DO NOT WASH sign on the dash... car was run through the auto wash. When I pulled the dashcam footage, it showed someone at the dealership intentionally removing the no wash sign & then washing it.

The GM of the dealership tried to explain to me that ceramic coating goes under the PPF and she didnt need to pay for it to be redone, lmao!!

They eventually forked up the $2k for the ceramic to be redone on the body, glass & wheels.

[M3Sleeper]

do a full exterior detail and paint correction. Its going to cost them a lot more than $200 to fix that mess.