Chedeng_05

I've been offered a lifetime free carwash at my dealer. Is this pretty much standard for Mercedes Benz dealerships? This is my first MB so i don't really know much about the perks that comes with it.

I'm going for my first carwash this thursday, and i was wondering how much do you tip the guy?

DiamondNoir2K5

Hell no. Well, at least not outside of SoCal. Where are you?

I was jealous at first when Buellwinkle posted about his free carwashes at Laguna Niguel (free cookies too?), but actually I'd prefer to wash my car myself. That way I have total control over what soap, towels, sealants, waxes, etc. get put on my car.

But, ask me again in 6 months, I might get tired of washing and waxing myself.

HITMAN

I havnt and will never let the mb dealer or any other car wash place touch my baby, and my hands can touch that body

CitronC230K_03

im not tired of washing my car after a year and a half.

Saprissa

I love washing my car too !!
But MBSD actually does a pretty good job at it down here, and for FREE !!

However, I've heard horror stories from people with black or dark-colored paint jobs... streaks, swirls, scratches, etc.

My car is Brill Silver (I know, I know dime-a-dozen) but the paint puts up pretty good with washing. I probably won't go in for a FREE car wash just for the car wash; just do it when the car is already there for Service A or B or warranty work.

Don't think all MB dealerships do it. But majority of SoCal ones do. Maybe it's a reflection on society: lazy or stuck-up !!

CitronC230K_03

Citron is another color that can still look good after a free wash. i still prefer to wash my car on my own though. i usually only get the free wash if i wanna talk to my salesman when i show off my latest mods. ill be back down at MBSD in Nov. showing off my PTS, IMS, and UHI.

nicedeboy

Wow, wish I went to that dealership. I only get a free wash if I get a service done to my car. I like when the dealer washes my car, less work for me. haha

Buellwinkle

It's great, why buy a Benz if you don't take advantage of the perks? This perk is comon in So Cal and at my local dealer, it's a full service wash including vacuuming the interior, clean the wheels, cleaning the windows, armor-all the tires. This would cost me $13 at my local car wash and that's without the tire treatment, just a basic wash. Also at my dealer, tipping is not allowed, it's clearly printed on the receipt. The downside is you have to time it so it's not crowded, otherwise you could end up waiting as much as 2 hours. The upside besides the cost savings is I see the same people every week so I get to meet all sorts of people, they provide cookies/muffins and drinks, they carry 2 different newspapers, have workstations with phones if you need to conduct business, a children's play area, CNN on the 50" plasma as well as being able to walk around and see the latest & greatest like the SLR last week.

Will they baby your car as if you carefully washed it yourself, no, but it isn't any worse than your local car wash. I have 4 cars to worry about, if I can get one washed free, I'm taking it.

Saprissa

great speech Buell... (wiping tear from my eye) just makes me stand up and cheer !

seriously... all too true ! if you're not taking advantage of the perks, you're not Loving Your Mercedes ! I had to go on the "Tour" to convince myself !

CitronC230K_03

honestly i dont need a free car wash for me to Love My Mercedes. I've got the tatoo to prove that. I Love My Mercedes way to much. Though I do take advantage of perks such as free loaners, and drop off/pick service and events such as LMT and C-Spot.

DiamondNoir2K5

I try not to let even my hands touch my baby. Too much oil. No, only microfiber, claybar, and foam applicator pads shall come near her!

rieecha

well here in san jose beshoff offers the free carwash and also discounts to some of thier sponsors like the san jose ballet and other stuff. they do a really good job here too. well free is free. :p

nlpamg

Where do you buy your care car items? Am I just overlooking these things at Pep Boys? Or is there a special store or something. I can't find a clay bar for ****!

CitronC230K_03

Pep Boys sells the clay bar, so does Kragen and Auto Zone.

akbro93704

we can get free car washes at our local dealer(MB of Fresno) whenever we want, even though we didn't get our cars from them....I'd much rather wash it myself though

Chedeng_05

I live in the Southern California area and i got my car at RUSNAK in arcadia.

I love washing my car too, but it's been so hot lately in LA so i thought i would use my free carwash perk and give it a try. I really don't know what to expect aside from what you guys have described and so far so good.

Thanks guys for the info.

Buellwinkle

Timing is everything. Check with the SA's to see when they are least busy.

CitronC230K_03

Buell is right, you can spend nearly 2 hrs waiting for your car on a busy day.

HITMAN

sheep skin gloves, Mr. Clean so i dont have to touch it to dry it, nano wax, and microfiber only for waxing, also only use zymole to do the leather and never condition without de-soiling , :p

and yes my friends think i am nuts lol

nlpamg

Are the sheep skin gloves better than microfiber for cleaning? I just ordered the one from the dealer, and I'm probably going to pick up some microfiber towels for drying.

Guest0001

haha. You dont have to tip any Stealer for a carwash man. They take enough money from us from sales to out of warranty work etc.

Talos

Standard at both Fletcher-Jones Mercedes and Mission Viejo Mercedes. The wait is about 45 minutes on the weekday, and one hour on Saturdays.

CitronC230K_03

every so cal dealer ive heard of does the wash except for Walter's.

Buellwinkle

Cool, we can start our black list of dealers that are too good to wash our cars -

1. Walters

DiamondNoir2K5

I have ordered some stuff direct from Meguiar's, but yeah, most everything I need I've found at Pep Boys. I ordered a California Duster from Amazon.com... Pep Boys definitely has clay bars. Just ask someone in the store to show you where they are. I think they only carry Mother's, but clay is clay.