Complimentary Car Wash by the Dealership

[dieterbohlen]

Who gets it done ?
Do they offer you a machine wash or a hand wash ?
Being very pessimistic and don't want any swirl marks on a new car.
Any comments and experiences are welcome.

Thanks

[Transporter]

I would refuse, younever know how clean is their sponge and drying cloth. If they machine wash, I would be worrying about the harsh chemicals used in.

[dasrattles]

i used to worry bout it.... till the guys fixing my bumper gave it a complimentary wash out of good will without first telling me. now that the swirl marks are there, i let the dealership wash it. just polish your car once in a while and it'll keep the pain looking sexy

[Bel]

They did it at the first service... and really it was a pretty shocking job, now I usually tell them not to - just personal preference.

[brad]

nope. My dealer offered me a free car wash every week & I've used it twice. He's only a few km from work so it's not a convenience thing.

He uses a machine with recycled water. I have no idea how often he gets the filters serviced, what detergent he uses or what detergent/water ratio he uses. The rags lying around the area look like they were pulled out of the same rag bag they use for cleaning their hands.

YMMV but it's not for me.

[Lucas_R]

Definetly dont do it if your fussy about your car. I used to work at Holden and they had two mentally challenged guys (not trying to be disrespectfull, but thats what they were - they supported the disabled community by providing simple jobs) who just washed cars all day. Because they werent "all there", they would drop the sponge, then pick it back up and continue washing someones new black HSV / wash the dirty wheels then onto the bonnet / leave the car with suds on it while they had smoko etc etc. Also they use a very stong suds (truck wash), and only replace the water in the big bucket a few times a day.

Not sure if VW dealerships use a similar "support the disabled" program for these simple jobs, but im sure that the process is still similar. In the end, no one is going to respect your vehicle like you do - wash it yourself.

[dieterbohlen]

Thanks everyone. That's what I thought, no one will love and care for my car the way I do.

[The_Hawk]

No one ever loves an cares for your car how you will.

[ido09s]

I picked up my new Tiguan on the weekend and one of the things they told me was i get free weekly car washes through their car wash, said thanks but no thanks.

Then they introduced me to the service dept and they said they always wash cars at every service and i said a very polite thanks but no thanks again.

I have seen dealerships take to cars with high pressure cleaners at 10cm's away. Clean numerous cars, including wheels, without changing the water. Its a great thing to offer with a new car, but if its not going to be done properly why would you offer it at all

[Finance_Analyst]

I picked up my new Tiguan on the weekend and one of the things they told me was i get free weekly car washes through their car wash, said thanks but no thanks.

Then they introduced me to the service dept and they said they always wash cars at every service and i said a very polite thanks but no thanks again.

I have seen dealerships take to cars with high pressure cleaners at 10cm's away. Clean numerous cars, including wheels, without changing the water. Its a great thing to offer with a new car, but if its not going to be done properly why would you offer it at all

Because most people are the following:

1. Lazy and any car wash is better than no car wash
2. Are uninformed and think that the dealer will do it properly (car washes ain't car washes)
3. Think that washing cars are too low for them - want to appear important by getting someone else to do it

Most fall into bucket 1 - even the so called professional ones like sparkles are Sh*thouse. But hey, society now has more middle class ppl who can afford half decent cars and believe having someone wash their car is almost as prestigous as the car it self.