dukester34

MB dealerships that offer free car washes? I have only been to one dealership and it was one of the advertisements they offered. anyone else's do this? can I go to any dealer and get a wash?

LAC300

I believe all offer free washes in connection with service (would be unreasonable to give a customer a dirty car). There are a couple dealerships in my area (Southern California) that offer free car washes anytime for owners (can also use at other dealerships for that brand so for example you can buy/lease from Fletcher Jones Newport Mercedes and wash at Fletcher Jones Lexus in Beverly Hills). This is a dealer offered perk to incentive buying from them rather than a competitor, not a MBUSA offer. I know some people are able to extract a lot of value from this.

jester1

Mine is with service.

My last car was a Lincoln.

They USED to automatically wash your car with service.Then it went to only if requested & someone was available.

They Used to have pastries at the coffee station for waiting customers.That disappeared too.

Cambridgehank

My question has been, do I trust the car wash machines at the dealership?
I stopped by the dealership that sold me the car and another salesman asked if I wanted the free car wash.
I go to a hands only car wash around the corner and he assured me the dealer's cash would not harm the paint.

thefisch

Before a second MB dealer opened up in my area, the original sole MB dealer for 20+ miles only offered free car washes (between services) to customers who purchased from them (getting service wasn't enough). When the new MB dealer opened up about 15 miles away (but closer to my house) offering free car washes between services to any customer (service or purchase), the original dealer followed suit.

Now I can go to either dealer and get free car washes. Neither checks the database as far as I can tell although the original dealer is much busier with longer waits (and a little more attitude about it). Both do a decent job on the vacuuming and the wheels. Too bad they are not open on Sundays.

The new dealer also has a menu for extra options. $20 gets all the windows cleaned inside and out and the tires dressed. $30 more ($50 total) gets you wax polish and clay bar apparently. Another $50 ($100 total) gets a mini detail that adds carpet cleaning and leather conditioning IIRC.

ua549

My dealer in Clearwater USED to have free car washes every Saturday morning. The young vehicle prep guys worked for tips and did a great job including vacuuming, windows and floor mats. Alas, the service was stopped because ostensibly it interfered with their other duties. Now the only free washes are with service. There are 6 Mercedes-Benz dealers within 25 miles of Tampa. I don't know if the other dealers offer free car washes on Saturdays.

BeachBunny

All of the MB, Infiniti, and Lexus dealerships in this area give away free washes to anyone who has purchased a car there (MB or otherwise) OR if you're driving the brand they service. It's cheap marketing for them -- you're more likely to come back to a dealership which goes the extra mile. I routinely drive past dealerships to go to the one which treats me (and my car) better. Just did it today actually.

makris0000

Autonation dealerships do free washes for anyone. I am not sure where you are located but I know Mercedes of Tampa and Crown Eurocars in Pinellas Park do free washes for anyone as well as Autonation dealerships.

If you are from the Tampa Bay Area do NOT go to Mercedes of Tampa to get your car washed. Last time I went there the carwash ripped my windshield washers and some covers and stuff off my car.

makris0000

They used to do free washes every day. I actually brought my moms S class there a few months back when they stopped doing washes but they gave us one anyway because I called up and asked and the lady on the phone said they still do free washes.

ua549

Now it is by appointment only. One only had to show up on a Saturday morning and get in line at the wash station. The whole process took about 15 minutes.

Pntblnk

Pntblnk

NYC-Style

Make sure you note whether or not it's brushless...mine isn't and it left several scratches on various parts of the car. Fortunately I was able to buff them out but I'll never let them wash it again...I specifically remind my tech "do not wash car" after servicing.

visualguy

I wouldn't let them do it even if it was "brushless". You don't want to let the dealership wash your car unless you don't really care about the condition of the paint on your car, or you absolutely don't have the ability to do it yourself.

sam9187

+1
Dealerships are horrible at car washes. I learned that the hard way.

Long Islander

I put a sign on all my cars to have them not wash the car. Even if they do it by hand, they just take the dirty sponge from the SUV before your car and spread it all over your car.

dudley07726

sam9187

Me too and they would gift me several swirls as a parting present.

mobster600

ua549

I always hand wash my own car with plain running water and a mitt. It takes less than 5 minutes. Then I either touch up the finish using Meguiar's Ultimate Quik spray (20 minutes) or a full Meguiar's Ultimate liquid (30 minutes).

NFAREVIEW

MB of Tampa is free. And no they aren't touching my paint. I wash weekly with the three bucket method (car body, wheels, rinse) all with grit guards in the bottom and have color coded microfiber mitts so I don't accidentally use a wheel one on the paint. We had PPF applied to bumper, lights, hood, roof, mirrors and A pillars and 6 months after delivery, no rock chips or swirled paint. Not taking any chances with this one.

Long Islander

Me too. Although it takes about one hour to wash and dry one car.

ua549

I've waxed my car several times since new. It has never taken more 20- 30 minutes depending on if I'm using spray or liquid. With Meguiar's there is never a white residue to remove. Just a light haze.

superangrypenguin

Let me put this to all of you in something you can understand

If a hot blond chick offers you no string attached bareback sex, will you do her? If not, walk away from this.

thefisch

I already feel bad enough that I've let the dealer wash my car out of convenience. Am I supposed to get the car checked at a clinic now? Not sure my HMO will cover that...