Picking up car...do I need protection?
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From: Germany
06 E350 Wagon, 05 MINI Cooper S Convertible
Picking up car...do I need protection?
I'm picking up may car on March 1st. 
Since the weather is still "not great" here in Germany, do I need to do anything to my car immeditely to protect it, for instance, should I put a coat of wax on it, spray my floor mats, treat the leather? 
I am getting winter mats so that should keep it a bit cleaner. I have 3 kids and I'm afraid they are going to trash the thing in a matter of weeks. I have already laid down the law, 
no food, no drinks except water etc, but I've said that before and it never holds! I want to enjoy the car, but I don't want it to look like my Suburban did after 2 months.
Getting pretty excited!
Since the weather is still "not great" here in Germany, do I need to do anything to my car immeditely to protect it, for instance, should I put a coat of wax on it, spray my floor mats, treat the leather? I am getting winter mats so that should keep it a bit cleaner. I have 3 kids and I'm afraid they are going to trash the thing in a matter of weeks. I have already laid down the law, no food, no drinks except water etc, but I've said that before and it never holds! I want to enjoy the car, but I don't want it to look like my Suburban did after 2 months. Getting pretty excited!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
"I've said it before and it never holds"?
Don't you mean you never hold? Thats some "law" you lay down! A Benz is not a cheap disposable car. While it is not an "investment" either, something that expensive should be regarded and taken care of by us mere mortals. The "super rich" are something else... My car looks the same today as it did on delivery day BEFORE we went inside and signed the papers. I tell the family if they want to eat and drink, stay in the kitchen. They all (wife included) know I mean it. You should see how a couple of teenagers whose rooms are always trashed, are automatically so carefull upon entering & exiting the car NOT to hit the door sills or jambs with their shoes! Amazing. I'm not irrational about anything else. Just my personal car. My only other rule is that all the other cars in the house just have to be taken to the carwash at least once a month, and that air, oil & coolant levels are checked twice a month by the respective drivers. ... and I mean that too.
Don't you mean you never hold? Thats some "law" you lay down! A Benz is not a cheap disposable car. While it is not an "investment" either, something that expensive should be regarded and taken care of by us mere mortals. The "super rich" are something else... My car looks the same today as it did on delivery day BEFORE we went inside and signed the papers. I tell the family if they want to eat and drink, stay in the kitchen. They all (wife included) know I mean it. You should see how a couple of teenagers whose rooms are always trashed, are automatically so carefull upon entering & exiting the car NOT to hit the door sills or jambs with their shoes! Amazing. I'm not irrational about anything else. Just my personal car. My only other rule is that all the other cars in the house just have to be taken to the carwash at least once a month, and that air, oil & coolant levels are checked twice a month by the respective drivers. ... and I mean that too.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Feb 12, 2005 at 12:09 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
Jawhol, Barry! :LOL:
I waxed my car as soon as I got home. Hit the seats with some Lexol and bought some floor mats to protect the beautiful factory mats.
If I ever get another German car *cough M3 next time* it'll be European Delivery for sure.
Have Fun!
I waxed my car as soon as I got home. Hit the seats with some Lexol and bought some floor mats to protect the beautiful factory mats.
If I ever get another German car *cough M3 next time* it'll be European Delivery for sure.
Have Fun!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Michigan, USA
'05 E320 CDI, '07 VW Touareg V10 TDI, 2007 Porsche GT3
Exposure to road salt (inevitable here in Michigan) will quickly damage unprotected carpeting and the fabric on the door sills. When our CDI arrived here in early November, I immediately removed the carpet mats and installed a set of M-B winter rubber floor mats. They fit well and are high quality items, I carefully Scotchguarded the fabric door sill areas and the carpet on the footrest and around the periphery of the footwells where the rubber mats might not perfectly cover the carpet.
So far, all looks well. We shall see when spring arrives and I do my major cleanup (no point yet - it'll just immediately get dirty again). But this regimen has done a good job on past cars, including the BMW that preceded the CDI.
So far, all looks well. We shall see when spring arrives and I do my major cleanup (no point yet - it'll just immediately get dirty again). But this regimen has done a good job on past cars, including the BMW that preceded the CDI.
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 182
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From: O.C.
Mercedes Benz
Some leather protector wouldn't be a bad idea. I would hold off on the wax for at least 3 months so that the paint can fully cure. It also depends on the car's manufacture date. A car cover would be nice along with rubber mats.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 551
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From: Virginia
2005 Carlsson CD32 E320 CDI Inline-6
You shouldn't need protection picking up an E350 Estate...
Of course, wear at least one concealled pistol whenever you leave your home, but other than that you should be OK in the wagon.
If it were an SLR you should certainly take additional measures.
KB
If it were an SLR you should certainly take additional measures.
KB
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2005
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'03 BMW X5 4.6is, '06 E350
I would strongly that you use Zaino. I am not an advertiser for Zaino Bros, but I used it on my BMW X5 and my wife's E320 and I can absolutely say that there is no better paint sealant/wax out there.
Contrary to others, I suggest that you apply wax or sealant as soon as you drove it home. Go to http://www.zainostore.com and see for yourself.
Contrary to others, I suggest that you apply wax or sealant as soon as you drove it home. Go to http://www.zainostore.com and see for yourself.
