SL/R231: To drop it, or not? That is the question
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From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
To drop it, or not? That is the question
Hello all,
Got my car back from the shop today (had a new front bumper put on and painted)The work looks to be quality work and the people were some of the nicest I have ever seen in an auto body type shop in my life. The thing is the inside of the car totally smells like cigars/cigs. As a non smoker this bothers me very much. I don't think someone smoked in my car, but more likely they smoke all in the garage. I spend a lot of time keeping my car clean and I go over the leather each week to make sure its shiny and smells and looks nice.
Should I make a big deal out of them giving my car back smelling like smoke and make them pay to detail the inside, or just let it go and detail it myself the next chance I get?
The only thing is it's going to rain tomorrow, so I will have to have the windows up and so that means I will then smell like cigars.
Got my car back from the shop today (had a new front bumper put on and painted)The work looks to be quality work and the people were some of the nicest I have ever seen in an auto body type shop in my life. The thing is the inside of the car totally smells like cigars/cigs. As a non smoker this bothers me very much. I don't think someone smoked in my car, but more likely they smoke all in the garage. I spend a lot of time keeping my car clean and I go over the leather each week to make sure its shiny and smells and looks nice.
Should I make a big deal out of them giving my car back smelling like smoke and make them pay to detail the inside, or just let it go and detail it myself the next chance I get?
The only thing is it's going to rain tomorrow, so I will have to have the windows up and so that means I will then smell like cigars.
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; Aug 5, 2023 at 07:03 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 291
Likes: 152
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2019 SL450; 2023 M850i coupe
Hello all,
Got my car back from the shop today (had my front bumper painted)The work looks to be quality work and the people were some of the nicest I have ever seen in an auto body type shop in my life. The thing is the inside of the car totally smells like cigars. As a non smoker this bothers me very much. I don't think someone smoked in my car, but more likely they smoke all in the garage. I spend a lot of time keeping my car clean and I go over the leather each week to make sure its shiny and smells and looks nice.
Should I make a big deal out of them giving my car back smelling like smoke and make them pay to detail the inside, or just let it go and detail it myself the next chance I get?
The only thing is it's going to rain tomorrow, so I will have to have the windows up and so that means I will then smell like cigars.
Got my car back from the shop today (had my front bumper painted)The work looks to be quality work and the people were some of the nicest I have ever seen in an auto body type shop in my life. The thing is the inside of the car totally smells like cigars. As a non smoker this bothers me very much. I don't think someone smoked in my car, but more likely they smoke all in the garage. I spend a lot of time keeping my car clean and I go over the leather each week to make sure its shiny and smells and looks nice.
Should I make a big deal out of them giving my car back smelling like smoke and make them pay to detail the inside, or just let it go and detail it myself the next chance I get?
The only thing is it's going to rain tomorrow, so I will have to have the windows up and so that means I will then smell like cigars.
I’d want them to know there’s an issue with the cigar smell since getting the vehicle back from their shop to see what they say. If you think their fix is to just spray fragrance to mask the smell, I think I’d want to clean and condition the inside of the vehicle myself to make sure it’s done right. If they just spray a fragrance you may end up with a hybrid smell of pina colada/cigar.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
I thought so too, but since I can be a little touchy with my car I wasn’t sure if it was me making a bigger deal than I should. Gonna see if a few more people chime in about it from the forum.
EDIT. I originally said I had my front bumper painted, but actually I had a new bumper installed and painted. I edited my original post when I realized it.
EDIT. I originally said I had my front bumper painted, but actually I had a new bumper installed and painted. I edited my original post when I realized it.
Sorry to hear about your issue... totally unacceptable.
I’d want them to know there’s an issue with the cigar smell since getting the vehicle back from their shop to see what they say. If you think their fix is to just spray fragrance to mask the smell, I think I’d want to clean and condition the inside of the vehicle myself to make sure it’s done right. If they just spray a fragrance you may end up with a hybrid smell of pina colada/cigar.
Good luck!
I’d want them to know there’s an issue with the cigar smell since getting the vehicle back from their shop to see what they say. If you think their fix is to just spray fragrance to mask the smell, I think I’d want to clean and condition the inside of the vehicle myself to make sure it’s done right. If they just spray a fragrance you may end up with a hybrid smell of pina colada/cigar.
Good luck!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 509
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From: Beech Mountain, NC
E63s SL550 GL450
I would be very upset as well. Can't stand the smell of tobacco smoke, especially disgusting cigars. I would refrain from using a shop if I knew it was a possibility to inundate the car with that smell, regardless of how good their work is. The problem is, if you take it back to them to fumigate, it's probably going to be a waste of time. I would want it taken to a reliable detail operation and have the cigar smoker pay for it.
Thread Starter
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From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
Agreed.
I don't smoke and I don't care who does, but I don't want someone smoking around my rides, house, or me and my family. I just don't get why "some" smokers don't get that non smokers don't want/like the smell of smoke. Or maybe they do get it, but just don't care? After the drive to work this morning I decided just to clean the car myself this coming weekend, however I will bring it up to the shop this morning and I wont go back for future work. It's a shame, because I really liked that shop and would have taken many cars there over time, and taken my car back for future work.
I don't smoke and I don't care who does, but I don't want someone smoking around my rides, house, or me and my family. I just don't get why "some" smokers don't get that non smokers don't want/like the smell of smoke. Or maybe they do get it, but just don't care? After the drive to work this morning I decided just to clean the car myself this coming weekend, however I will bring it up to the shop this morning and I wont go back for future work. It's a shame, because I really liked that shop and would have taken many cars there over time, and taken my car back for future work.
I would be very upset as well. Can't stand the smell of tobacco smoke, especially disgusting cigars. I would refrain from using a shop if I knew it was a possibility to inundate the car with that smell, regardless of how good their work is. The problem is, if you take it back to them to fumigate, it's probably going to be a waste of time. I would want it taken to a reliable detail operation and have the cigar smoker pay for it.
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I would have been at least as upset as you, if not more. I am currently driving a nearly new, 2023 S500 loaner from a dealer. The car has about 3K miles on it and the smell of smoke permeates the interior. I hate it. In your case, at the very least, I’d call the shop owner, expressing my unhappiness with the issue and see what they suggest. If it were my shop, I would offer a detail to make the customer happy. Of course, I never would have allowed smoking in my shop in the first place. Best of luck to you.
Thread Starter
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From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
Agreed.
I spoke with the woman that I dealt with at the body shop. She seems to be an office manager, or maybe just a service adviser?? Anyway, I started by given them the praise they deserved. Work seems to be well done, time to complete and friendliness of everything was very good.Then I explained about the smoke smell in my car. Here's the kicker..........
She then said she is the only one that smokes in the shop, (lol) but she doesn't smoke in clients cars. I explained that I don"t think thats what happened. I believe the smoke is coming from smoking in the shop by someone. I then asked her directly if she smokes back there? There was a millisecond pause and she then said no. My gut tells me that she was afraid to say yes, because she knows you can't do that here in Maryland buildings. Since we were on the phone I couldn't read her face.
I told her that I am more concerned now then if she would have said yes she stands and smokes at the back door, etc., but since you are saying you are the only one that smokes, and you don't smoke in the building, not even at the back door then how does my car have such a strong cigar, or cig smell? She then said I don't smoke cigars. Whatever, I am not a smoker so I don't know for sure what it is, but it is a smoke smell. Non smokers can easily tell when there is smoke around. I then went over how I keep the car, etc.
She is to speak with the shop and then get back to me. I go on record now that she comes back with we don't know how, or why the car smells like cigs.
One thing for sure is it didn't smell like that when I gave it to them
Stay tuned..
I spoke with the woman that I dealt with at the body shop. She seems to be an office manager, or maybe just a service adviser?? Anyway, I started by given them the praise they deserved. Work seems to be well done, time to complete and friendliness of everything was very good.Then I explained about the smoke smell in my car. Here's the kicker..........
She then said she is the only one that smokes in the shop, (lol) but she doesn't smoke in clients cars. I explained that I don"t think thats what happened. I believe the smoke is coming from smoking in the shop by someone. I then asked her directly if she smokes back there? There was a millisecond pause and she then said no. My gut tells me that she was afraid to say yes, because she knows you can't do that here in Maryland buildings. Since we were on the phone I couldn't read her face.
I told her that I am more concerned now then if she would have said yes she stands and smokes at the back door, etc., but since you are saying you are the only one that smokes, and you don't smoke in the building, not even at the back door then how does my car have such a strong cigar, or cig smell? She then said I don't smoke cigars. Whatever, I am not a smoker so I don't know for sure what it is, but it is a smoke smell. Non smokers can easily tell when there is smoke around. I then went over how I keep the car, etc.
She is to speak with the shop and then get back to me. I go on record now that she comes back with we don't know how, or why the car smells like cigs.
One thing for sure is it didn't smell like that when I gave it to them
Stay tuned..
I would have been at least as upset as you, if not more. I am currently driving a nearly new, 2023 S500 loaner from a dealer. The car has about 3K miles on it and the smell of smoke permeates the interior. I hate it. In your case, at the very least, I’d call the shop owner, expressing my unhappiness with the issue and see what they suggest. If it were my shop, I would offer a detail to make the customer happy. Of course, I never would have allowed smoking in my shop in the first place. Best of luck to you.
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; Aug 3, 2023 at 05:37 PM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 291
Likes: 152
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2019 SL450; 2023 M850i coupe
Agreed.
I spoke with the woman that I dealt with at the body shop. She seems to be an office manager, or maybe just a service adviser?? Anyway, I started by given them the praise they deserved. Work seems to be well done, time to complete and friendliness of everything was very good.Then I explained about the smoke smell in my car. Here's the kicker..........
She then said she is the only one that smokes in the shop, (lol) but she doesn't smoke in clients cars. I explained that I don"t think thats what happened. I believe the smoke is coming from smoking in the shop by someone. I then asked her directly if she smokes back there? There was a millisecond pause and she then said no. My gut tells me that she was afraid to say yes, because she knows you can't do that here in Maryland buildings. Since we were on the phone I couldn't read her face.
I told her that I am more concerned now then if she would have said yes she stands and smokes at the back door, etc., but since you are saying you are the only one that smokes, and you don't smoke in the building, not even at the back door then how does my car have such a strong cigar, or cig smell? She then said I don't smoke cigars. Whatever, I am not a smoker so I don't know for sure what it is, but it is a smoke smell. Non smokers can easily tell when there is smoke around. I then went over how I keep the car, etc.
She is to speak with the shop and then get back to me. I go on record now that she comes back with we don't know how, or why the car smells like cigs.
One thing for sure is it didn't smell like that when I gave it to them
Stay tuned..
I spoke with the woman that I dealt with at the body shop. She seems to be an office manager, or maybe just a service adviser?? Anyway, I started by given them the praise they deserved. Work seems to be well done, time to complete and friendliness of everything was very good.Then I explained about the smoke smell in my car. Here's the kicker..........
She then said she is the only one that smokes in the shop, (lol) but she doesn't smoke in clients cars. I explained that I don"t think thats what happened. I believe the smoke is coming from smoking in the shop by someone. I then asked her directly if she smokes back there? There was a millisecond pause and she then said no. My gut tells me that she was afraid to say yes, because she knows you can't do that here in Maryland buildings. Since we were on the phone I couldn't read her face.
I told her that I am more concerned now then if she would have said yes she stands and smokes at the back door, etc., but since you are saying you are the only one that smokes, and you don't smoke in the building, not even at the back door then how does my car have such a strong cigar, or cig smell? She then said I don't smoke cigars. Whatever, I am not a smoker so I don't know for sure what it is, but it is a smoke smell. Non smokers can easily tell when there is smoke around. I then went over how I keep the car, etc.
She is to speak with the shop and then get back to me. I go on record now that she comes back with we don't know how, or why the car smells like cigs.
One thing for sure is it didn't smell like that when I gave it to them
Stay tuned..
Is it possible the smell is something else, i.e., did they short something out when doing the bumper work?
Have you checked that all vehicle electrics, e.g., lights etc. are working?
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
Impossible.
I know cig/cigar smoke well, because I hate it.
Everything works as it should. Soon as I sat in the car I smelled it. If it were not for me having to get back to work I would have walked back in the building right then..
When I got to work this morning they were like, "why you smell like cigs" I never told them about the smell prior. It was too chilly to ride with the windows open this morning, but I had them open on the way home to air the car out. I will check the smell when I go out in a few minutes to see how the smell is since I have had fresh air for a few hours...
Edit-
The smell is basically gone now. After two 45 min highway trips with the windows open it aired out the car nicely. Once I clean the car this weekend (if it doesn't rain)all will be good. FYI the lady at the body shop never called back with what the foreman had to say about this. It's a shame, because I really liked them.
I know cig/cigar smoke well, because I hate it.
Everything works as it should. Soon as I sat in the car I smelled it. If it were not for me having to get back to work I would have walked back in the building right then..
When I got to work this morning they were like, "why you smell like cigs" I never told them about the smell prior. It was too chilly to ride with the windows open this morning, but I had them open on the way home to air the car out. I will check the smell when I go out in a few minutes to see how the smell is since I have had fresh air for a few hours...
Edit-
The smell is basically gone now. After two 45 min highway trips with the windows open it aired out the car nicely. Once I clean the car this weekend (if it doesn't rain)all will be good. FYI the lady at the body shop never called back with what the foreman had to say about this. It's a shame, because I really liked them.
I agree it’s not looking like they’ll admit the smoke smell is from cigarettes/cigars.
Is it possible the smell is something else, i.e., did they short something out when doing the bumper work?
Have you checked that all vehicle electrics, e.g., lights etc. are working?
Is it possible the smell is something else, i.e., did they short something out when doing the bumper work?
Have you checked that all vehicle electrics, e.g., lights etc. are working?
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; Aug 4, 2023 at 07:01 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,493
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
First, I almost didn't read this thread because I thought you were asking about lowering the car. 🤪
My fear about taking the car back for a cleaning is like sending your food back to the kitchen. You'll never know what ingredients they use.
My fear about taking the car back for a cleaning is like sending your food back to the kitchen. You'll never know what ingredients they use.
Thread Starter
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From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
Hate it. I always tell the service adviser to instruct them to not turn on the radio or adjust anything other than what is needed to drive the car. Once back in the day I picked up my then CLK 430 from a shop (non MB) after doing some work. When I got in the car and started it my radio was blasting louder than I ever could imagine. I walked right back in and gave the manager an ear full. I was pissed. What the F does my radio have to do with the non radio work you are performing? I didn't say that, I was thinking that.
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; Aug 5, 2023 at 06:59 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
Come on now, give me more credit than that......
The car is almost normal smelling again, but after I clean it tomorrow it will be 100%. I wouldn't have taken it to them to have it cleaned for fear of what you mentioned. I would have taken it to a detailer and then sent the shop the bill.
The car is almost normal smelling again, but after I clean it tomorrow it will be 100%. I wouldn't have taken it to them to have it cleaned for fear of what you mentioned. I would have taken it to a detailer and then sent the shop the bill.
