Ashok Arora

I'm taking my car in for the 1200 mile service soon. To date I've kept it gleaming but I feeling a little lazy. In future I'm thinking of letting others wash the car (I can hear you gasp!!) and the dealer offers a valet (i.e. detailing) service.

Would you trust your dealer not to scratch the paint? My car is Carbonblack...

Ashok
2002 Carbonblack/Caramel

CM5GO

DEFINITELY NOT!!!

Carbon black is too easy to scratch. i promise you that the dealer will not take the same precautions that you would.

I once used a free wash and wax certificate I got from my local BMW dealer on my M3 and it was a wreck when I got it back. Swirls and scratches all over the place.

If you are going to have someone else wash it, take it to a reputable detail shop and make sure they know that you know every square inch of that car and that you will notice any swirls or scratches that may occur during the detail.

My advice? Make time to wash it your self. the alternative risk is just too great in my eyes.

__________________
Chris Z

2003 Porsche C4S
Jet Black on Grey
6spd

00 M5 / Carbon Black / Imola Red / Titanium
B&B Tri Flo's, K&N's
Dinan Stage II Software,
UUC Short Shift, ACS Pedals
Euro angel eyes
StageII Xenon, Amber Fogs
19 inch BBS LM's
KW Variant 2 Coilovers
Nowack / HD Ducts
Mintex Pads (red box)
Euro arm rest
(press www button for pics)
SOLD! (boohoo)

2001 X5 4.4i sport (Sold!)

Audi All-Road 2.7t (Wifey)

de Witt

I agree with CM5G0.

I wouldn't use the dealer valet service. Too many openings for mistakes. How do you know that they really know what to do.

__________________
{o,o}
|)__)
-"-"-
The E28 M5 FAQ
The E34 M5 FAQ
The E24 M6/M635CSi FAQ

Rave E55

Guy's it's just a car a great car, but you should you use a car and not life for it. relax

__________________
S4 996 Turbo
Titan 4x4

tfung

I agree with Rave here... it's just a car.. I'm sure your car went through the dealer car wash before you picked it up.... however, make sure your dealer hand washes the car and not send it through an automatic wash....

__________________
US Spec 2001 E39 M5 - LHD
AC Schnitzer
DFC suspension, anti-sway bars, pedals
front splitters, rear wing w/ carbon fiber

Dinan
CAI, MAFS, Throttle bodies, Velocity Stacks,
Stage 2 aluminum flywheel, front + rear strut bars,
3.45 differential

Others
Custom G-power Exhaust, Autosolutions short shifter
Supersprint Headers, Racing Cats, X-pipe
SPEC stage 3 clutch, Powerchip ECU, Schrick Cams
OZ Racing Superleggera III f19x8.5 r19x10.5, Brembo brakes
Evosport Power Pullies, Rouge transmission mounts, Plasma ignition coils
Euro interior conversion, M-technic grill with brake ducts, turbo timer
CA Automative custom carbon fiber hood


Euro Spec 1999 E39 M5 - RHD
ACS Sports Suspension, anti-sway bars, Type III Racing f19x8.5 r19x9.5


2007 Mercedes E63
2007 Corvette Z06
2008 Nissan GTR

CM5GO

To each his own Rave.

RAREM5

No wash No valet service!

I just finished detailing my beast today. 5 hours worth labor of love. Meguire glaze followed by #26 yellow wax.

Took the beast home from the dealership last night with numorous grease finger/hand prints on it. SA insisted on washing.. I said, no thanks! I'll take it from here.

__________________
RARE ///M5

2001 LMB DINAN ///M5 Gone but never forgotten!
2005 Honda S2000 (Silverstone/Black)
2005 Ducati 749S (Red)

CM5GO

I hear ya Sang! There are not many things more rewarding to me than getting the beast right!

I have had many 5 hour days and nights with me, the beast and the orbital. Sometimes some good ole fashion manual labor can do wonders for me.

How did that #26 turn out? Do you like it better than the Gold Class?

RAREM5

Hey Chris,

I'm glad that we share a same passion!

I'm very satisfy with result. Not to mention price vs. quality. I have been using Zymol Carbon for awhile now and may have to switch here. This is my second coat of #26 and seems to me the wax lasts longer than Zymol. I never used Gold Class though.



How's your beast? Recovered from UUC SS install incident??

HotRod

I just had mine detailed at the dealer a month ago. they did an awesome job!! after seeing the result, i went to talk to the guy who detailed my car. he was extremely knowledgable, had all the right equipment, and had been employed by his dad (detail shop owner!) prior to working at my dealer. one of the best $180 i ever spent!! needless to say, i'm on a quarterly-detail schedule! i drop it off, get a 330i loaner, and pick up a pristine automobile--inside and out--including the carpets and headliner....

i've got a 4.5yr old son, wife, and work i would rather spend my time with, than to do a complete detailing on my car for several hours. but, when the teperature allows it, i do handwash the car once every week or 2--family-be-damned-i'll never go through an automatic carwash with her!!!!!

HotRod

__________________
'01 Silverstone/Black luxury/Burled Walnut
PDC
M-audio
Split seats
Bel 975 Vector Remote
K-40 Jammer

Prometheus NY

That Dinan M5 is awesome. I love the aftermarket lettering. It lets you know that this is not your ordinary M5. What mods does it have?

__________________
2002 Carbon Black M5- NO MODS
2003 MB White SL 55 AMG - NO MODS
2002 Ford Black F-150 4x4 SuperCab Flareside - 5.4 L Whipple Supercharged V8
2002 ArcticCat Thundercat 1000 Black
2005 Honda Black/Tribal 600 RR

Ashok Arora

Mmm.. I think I'll try washing & waxing my car as a form of therapy from now on.

Ashok

RAREM5