MY19 Launch Schedule
#803
#806
Senior Member
Dealer sent me pics, I knew it was going to be dirty, but I had to see her!
#807
So you purchased instead of lease? How much is the Xpel full coverage going to cost?
#808
Member
#809
Senior Member
No, looks like natural grain black ash wood trim.
#810
Full xpel stealth on the wagon for me is $8400 or so. I got several quotes and this was the highest, but they also do the most thorough installation (remove numbers / headlights, etc. Given I'm putting stealth on gloss paint, I didn't want any shortcuts. They estimated it'd take 3-5 days.
#811
Senior Member
Full xpel stealth on the wagon for me is $8400 or so. I got several quotes and this was the highest, but they also do the most thorough installation (remove numbers / headlights, etc. Given I'm putting stealth on gloss paint, I didn't want any shortcuts. They estimated it'd take 3-5 days.
i was also quoted in my country at €7600 + taxes for full Xpel Stealth wrap and ceramic coating. pretty steep. here they seem to be taking advantage of being the only shop in hundreads of miles doing this...
there is no way to justify these prices. why? because so many shops are doing it for $4k to $6k. and they do it using plotter and templates, not manual cuts. so it's BS if they come saying that they do a very professional job, with minimal tucking behind panels, etc. many are doing it also and not charging so much.
also, the less they remove panels and stuff the better. everytime you remove stuff you risk breaking something or inducing rattles.
on an Xpeal Stealth over a glossy paint there will always be some parts that will not be covered but they'll only be spotted close to the car, if you don't want to have the PPF tuck under panels and subject to stretching.
#812
San Francisco Bay area - not much is cheap around here unfortunately. There was a 3 month wait to do this at that price =). Others were in the $7K+ range, nobody was in the <$6K for a full stealth wrap.
I get the less is more view, but I spoke with 3-4 other people and they all indicated there would be panel gaps noticeable at 2-3 feet. Some even recommended scuffing the clear coat to get a better blend. I took the path of more work (remove parts, hand cut PPF when necessary), higher cost and maybe higher risk (cut paint) for hopefully a better, more seamless finished product. It better look freakin' fantastic though.
I get the less is more view, but I spoke with 3-4 other people and they all indicated there would be panel gaps noticeable at 2-3 feet. Some even recommended scuffing the clear coat to get a better blend. I took the path of more work (remove parts, hand cut PPF when necessary), higher cost and maybe higher risk (cut paint) for hopefully a better, more seamless finished product. It better look freakin' fantastic though.
that's pretty high for what I have been seeing on US, Canada and UK.
i was also quoted in my country at €7600 + taxes for full Xpel Stealth wrap and ceramic coating. pretty steep. here they seem to be taking advantage of being the only shop in hundreads of miles doing this...
there is no way to justify these prices. why? because so many shops are doing it for $4k to $6k. and they do it using plotter and templates, not manual cuts. so it's BS if they come saying that they do a very professional job, with minimal tucking behind panels, etc. many are doing it also and not charging so much.
also, the less they remove panels and stuff the better. everytime you remove stuff you risk breaking something or inducing rattles.
on an Xpeal Stealth over a glossy paint there will always be some parts that will not be covered but they'll only be spotted close to the car, if you don't want to have the PPF tuck under panels and subject to stretching.
i was also quoted in my country at €7600 + taxes for full Xpel Stealth wrap and ceramic coating. pretty steep. here they seem to be taking advantage of being the only shop in hundreads of miles doing this...
there is no way to justify these prices. why? because so many shops are doing it for $4k to $6k. and they do it using plotter and templates, not manual cuts. so it's BS if they come saying that they do a very professional job, with minimal tucking behind panels, etc. many are doing it also and not charging so much.
also, the less they remove panels and stuff the better. everytime you remove stuff you risk breaking something or inducing rattles.
on an Xpeal Stealth over a glossy paint there will always be some parts that will not be covered but they'll only be spotted close to the car, if you don't want to have the PPF tuck under panels and subject to stretching.
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tonecas (11-26-2018)
#814
Member
Has anyone got their car from VPC Baltimore yet? Mine has been released, but the SA has no time table of when it will be delivered. It has been there since August 10th, probably stuck in the back. If it doesn't come in the next two weeks, may not be able to get it until January with my schedule and the holidays. Is there anyone who can check if this car is in transit or has a ETA for delivery. Here is my VIN # WDDZF8KB1KA509021.
Thanks
Thanks
After waiting 8 months whats a few more days?
Cheers
#815
Senior Member
Mine was delivered to Baltimore VPC @ first week of July and to the dealer this Sat.
Last edited by KarlG; 11-26-2018 at 08:39 PM.
#816
Senior Member
can't see the difference. will need to take another picture of a obsidian black and compare to yours side by side
#817
Member
My wagon made it to my dealer today. My tech friend that sent me the pics said it was on its way to being hand washed. I said he needs to stop them, and I'm not sure if they did. Of course, this goes completely against the agreement I had with the sales manager. 10 months may have just been wasted. But a loaded 2019 wagon may soon be available.
I'm waiting for confirmation whether or not it actually was touched. They're on red alert.
I'm waiting for confirmation whether or not it actually was touched. They're on red alert.
#818
Senior Member
My wagon made it to my dealer today. My tech friend that sent me the pics said it was on its way to being hand washed. I said he needs to stop them, and I'm not sure if they did. Of course, this goes completely against the agreement I had with the sales manager. 10 months may have just been wasted. But a loaded 2019 wagon may soon be available.
I'm waiting for confirmation whether or not it actually was touched. They're on red alert.
I'm waiting for confirmation whether or not it actually was touched. They're on red alert.
You are a crazy lunatic. And I too am a crazy lunatic. I have a full-page printed sheet instructing the dealer NOT to apppy any product, apply any tire shine, don’t do this, don’t do that upon vehicle purchase. I’ve got printed sheets for various different scenarios having to do with my cars.
BUT: at the end of the day, these Mercedes dealers know how to do things pretty much only one way. The way they know how. They don’t cater to “special” people like us. This isn’t a specialty brand. It’s a mass produced brand.
I get mad when the dealer doesn’t follow my instructions. It really makes me wonder, “How hard is it to NOT do the things I ask you not to do? It’s less work.”
But after reflection, the tire shine that was on my tires didn’t ruin my life. People have way worse problems. The fact that my instructions weren’t followed didn’t destroy my car or destroy my life. The car isn’t an actual baby. It’s not a human baby. It’s a disposable machine. Yes, people like us want the car to be virgin from the moment it arrives at the dealer. But even with the tire shine on it with 7 miles on the odometer, I decided the car was still extremely new and has a long life ahead of it under my crazy lunatic custody.
I hope you will be able to enjoy this car. You’ve waited way too long to allow somebody to steal your anticipation these past 10 months and your future enjoyment over a hand car wash. The car was washed by hand. So what. It’s not damaged. If there are swirl marks, then you should take a trip down to the port and see the things they do there! I would bet money your car is just fine; and any swirl marks which may upset you can be easily rectified.
I really hope you will be able to choose to take this car, and in no way do I diminish your wants, needs, preferences, or prerogative to do and think what’s best for you. I’m just trying to sway you with some reflection because the car you have waited for is one of the finest machines on earth, and I wouldn’t want to see you regret passing on the vehicle.
All the best and good luck with this situation.
Last edited by 348SStb; 11-26-2018 at 10:24 PM.
#819
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Brampton, Canada
Posts: 282
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2015 Toyota Corolla LE
My wagon made it to my dealer today. My tech friend that sent me the pics said it was on its way to being hand washed. I said he needs to stop them, and I'm not sure if they did. Of course, this goes completely against the agreement I had with the sales manager. 10 months may have just been wasted. But a loaded 2019 wagon may soon be available.
I'm waiting for confirmation whether or not it actually was touched. They're on red alert.
I'm waiting for confirmation whether or not it actually was touched. They're on red alert.
#821
Member
I am! And it appears you understand where I'm coming from. I provided clear instructions and it's frustrating when they are not followed. I literally got off an airplane to a text message and thankfully I might have been able to stop the car from being touched. Regardless, instructions are instructions. In my world, failure to follow could be catastrophic to my business. So if I choose to not take this car, it'll be a message to them to not **** up again. I'm not a typical customer and they know this. Apparently nobody knew, despite marking in NetStar and other places, that this car was "sold". We will see what the sales manager says tomorrow, but at this point, they could just be trying to save face and lie about whether or not it was washed. I'm prepared to put them on social media blast, as many folks are expecting me to take delivery and see the mods/retrofits I have planned like I'm famous for on other brands.
Here's why this is a big deal. Late last year I took delivery of a brand new SQ5. I had major plans for the car and tens of thousands in Euro parts lying around. The car spent two months in service due to various issues. The car was "hand washed" multiple times during their custody (despite "NO WASH" being stamped everywhere) and looked 10 years old by the time I picked it up. I negotiated with the dealer and Audi to cover multiple stage paint correction. It took almost 24 hours to undo what their incompetence introduced. So great! Paint looked good. Then it had to go back. And was re-delivered to me in the same swirly condition. After the second round of correction, the paint burned and the car needed a respray. Audi bought it back. (And likely only because I was a senior manager for them, previously, and had Scott Keogh on speed dial.)
I do not want to go through this again. That's why I was clear. I would collect the car, install the Euro goodies with my tech friend at the shop, and then truck it to detailing for Ceramic Pro and PPF. Done.
Let's see what they say.
Here's why this is a big deal. Late last year I took delivery of a brand new SQ5. I had major plans for the car and tens of thousands in Euro parts lying around. The car spent two months in service due to various issues. The car was "hand washed" multiple times during their custody (despite "NO WASH" being stamped everywhere) and looked 10 years old by the time I picked it up. I negotiated with the dealer and Audi to cover multiple stage paint correction. It took almost 24 hours to undo what their incompetence introduced. So great! Paint looked good. Then it had to go back. And was re-delivered to me in the same swirly condition. After the second round of correction, the paint burned and the car needed a respray. Audi bought it back. (And likely only because I was a senior manager for them, previously, and had Scott Keogh on speed dial.)
I do not want to go through this again. That's why I was clear. I would collect the car, install the Euro goodies with my tech friend at the shop, and then truck it to detailing for Ceramic Pro and PPF. Done.
Let's see what they say.
#822
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: US
Posts: 804
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2018 E400W4 EU Delivery 1999 E320 2022 E53 COUPE
I don’t want to start an altercation with my comments. I want to help and share some advice which you may find useful.
You are a crazy lunatic. And I too am a crazy lunatic. I have a full-page printed sheet instructing the dealer NOT to apppy any product, apply any tire shine, don’t do this, don’t do that upon vehicle purchase. I’ve got printed sheets for various different scenarios having to do with my cars.
BUT: at the end of the day, these Mercedes dealers know how to do things pretty much only one way. The way they know how. They don’t cater to “special” people like us. This isn’t a specialty brand. It’s a mass produced brand.
I get mad when the dealer doesn’t follow my instructions. It really makes me wonder, “How hard is it to NOT do the things I ask you not to do? It’s less work.”
#823
Member
You're very wrong. Dealers have many ways to do the way the customer wants. Every customer for me is important and I do whatever customer tells me ( i prefer email for non-miscommunication) . This is an example of how i put notes in Nestar so everyone in the store knows what to and NOT do. My customer will get his car in 2 days not washed or detailed because he told me from the first day he ordered the car. How ca I ignore a simple request. like that? I can't, because is just common sense.
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Wassaby (11-27-2018)
#824
Senior Member
You're very wrong. Dealers have many ways to do the way the customer wants. Every customer for me is important and I do whatever customer tells me ( i prefer email for non-miscommunication) . This is an example of how i put notes in Nestar so everyone in the store knows what to and NOT do. My customer will get his car in 2 days not washed or detailed because he told me from the first day he ordered the car. How ca I ignore a simple request. like that? I can't, because is just common sense.
Maybe you work at a smaller dealer. Maybe you don’t. But at large dealers that have multiple buildings, salespeople cannot easily control what goes on at the other buildings. They neither have the time nor the managerial clout to do so with 100% success. The best they can do is tell everybody they know verbally and also send and establish written notices and continue to do so before their message becomes ignored due to perception of being annoying. My salesperson *and* my delivery representative did their best to avoid some things that were requested by me. But these large dealers have 7-8 cooks in the same kitchen, and that’s the problem.
#825
Member
Thanks for being a conscientious salesperson, but I’m not very wrong.
Maybe you work at a smaller dealer. Maybe you don’t. But at large dealers that have multiple buildings, salespeople cannot easily control what goes on at the other buildings. They neither have the time nor the managerial clout to do so with 100% success. The best they can do is tell everybody they know verbally and also send and establish written notices and continue to do so before their message becomes ignored due to perception of being annoying. My salesperson *and* my delivery representative did their best to avoid some things that were requested by me. But these large dealers have 7-8 cooks in the same kitchen, and that’s the problem.
Worse, another tech already made a Facebook post using pics of my car as a kind of for sale advertisement. Dude. It’s mine. Not yours. I get to post it. Not you.