Dealership Detailing

[Yeineken]

Just got a nice coupon in the mail for a dealership detail offering it at $199.95

Anyone have experience with dealerships detailing. Are they worth it vs having a detail specialist do it.

I usually keep the car clean but needs a polish like no tomorrow. Should I use the 200 toward the dealership detail or 200 towards my own polisher? Note I've never machine polished before.

[Qunadry]

I do not even let the dealer wash my car after service. Find a good detailing shop.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

I do not even let the dealer wash my car after service. Find a good detailing shop.

+100!!!

[Yeineken]

Okay guys point me in the direction of a good machine polisher! I reckon it's time for me to learn.

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by Yeineken

Okay guys point me in the direction of a good machine polisher! I reckon it's time for me to learn.

Autopia.org

Do a lot of research. I have a pc7424xp which is perfect for a brand new car but I wish I invested in a machine that can deal better with deeper scratches.

[tglazed]

I detailed for a BMW dealer for 2 years and we did great work. Hand washing with a sponge that we power wash after every car we wash. Clay bar then rinse. Use an air gun to dry the car, hand wax and then usually remove with a polishing pad. If the cars needed cut and polished we would do that also.

[MightyMouseTech]

There is a HUGE variety of service you get at a dealer. Depends on your dealer.

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

I do not even let the dealer wash my car after service. Find a good detailing shop.

It really depends on your dealer/detailer... but I second this. My previous car (E90) went in for a recall/warranty service + wash. The paint was great going in, and very swirly coming out. lol. Then again I have since found that this dealership doesn't have a great track record, do your research first. Personally I prefer the DIY route, you can spend $500 and not have to buy any more detailing supplies for years to come save for the odd bottle of soap/polish, clay bar, towel, etc.

[mabutler308@yahoo.com]

I would agree. I have let my dealer wash my car before and won't let them do it again. Whatever they use to spray on, they don't wipe off. The last time I let them wash it, I had to take a polishing compound to get all the marks off - it took me almost 3 hours. So I just do it all myself now.

[P1]

Depends on the dealership, and then even down to the person who is doing the detailing. I know for a fact that the guy who runs the detailing department at my local BMW dealership is very knowledgeable and they use QUALITY products. But that doesn't mean that the kid who's washing my car will know what to do with them.

For $200, you probably can get a good wash 'n wax. But you can expect double that if you're looking at getting your paint polished by a professional.

[DSSG]

My dealer can barely wash my car correctly.

[originalgoods13]

Dealerships, from what i have gathered, still have the old school way of detailing using the 3M step buffing method and it can never be perfect. Here's an example on my '14 X5, after I said no wash, they washed it and scratched it, offered detailing, and here is the outcome after I stripped off the wax/glaze they used to hide imperfections

[hau_nguyen91]

The dealer here cost 299 for a "panoramic detail" whatever that mean..since it cost so much , i would assume it'll be good