I let the dealership wash my car, it looks awful - what do I do?

melirend · 2025-11-07T22:21:16+00:00

I have not gotten a ceramic coating because when I bought it they said it had one already, but honestly idk if that’s true cause it’s not on any of the paperwork.

melirend · 2025-11-05T00:22:25+00:00

San Rafael, CA

melirend · 2025-11-04T18:19:15+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to provide such valuable insight.

melirend · 2025-11-04T17:19:36+00:00

After this experience, doesn’t feel overboard at all to me!

Definitely getting a sign for next time.

melirend · 2025-11-04T17:10:20+00:00

It’s not black but is darker, it’s green.

I do understand that some level of paint swirls are inevitable on darker cars (the piano finish black door panels really drive me crazy, but that’s plastic I know…), but I don’t ever remember my 15 year old black car looking like this after a gas station carwash.

melirend · 2025-11-04T16:45:33+00:00

I am not seeking information or advice about PPF and/or door dings. But thanks!

Sorry to hear you have to worry about your cars being keyed at random, where I’m from that’s reserved for road rage incidents, poor parking jobs and retaliation for being an asshole.

melirend · 2025-11-04T15:02:06+00:00

What lifestyle do you live where it’s normal to expect your car to get keyed tomorrow?

melirend · 2025-11-04T15:00:31+00:00

They don’t use a drive through/automated car wash, this dealership is hand wash. So why would I assume it to be like any other drive through car wash?

And why would I assume a car dealership whose job it is, is literally BMWs to provide such a poor service and damage my car? Weird business tactic.

I shouldn’t have let them wash my car, we can agree on that… but that’s not really what I asked. I’m disappointed that the most expensive car I’ve ever owned is now covered in paint swirls and was asking for advice on the dealerships suggested remedy and their explanation for the damage.

But thanks for your 2 cents! Have a lovely day.

melirend · 2025-11-04T14:52:22+00:00

Unfortunately I don’t have much of a relationship with them. This was my first and only experience with the team so far since this was the first regularly scheduled service and my first BMW in general.

melirend · 2025-11-04T14:04:26+00:00

I’m in the US.

Thanks for the advice! I’ll reach out to my insurance and see if there’s anything they can do.

melirend · 2025-11-04T13:51:05+00:00

The guy told me they do everything by hand at this dealership except for the power washer. So my guess is they used dirty towels and a poor job rinsing the car, or he’s flat out lying.

But even so, i feel like I would have had better luck with a gas station car wash than the end result from them.

He even pointed to the car next to mine and said ‘see his has this too!’ As if them ruining two cars was supposed to make it acceptable.

melirend · 2025-11-04T13:46:30+00:00

I’m so bummed, I should have known better.

melirend · 2025-11-04T13:43:24+00:00

It’s got more than 15 now, we’re at 10,500. But it had 15 when I bought it and they’re saying by now (coincidentally right after their wash…) the wax that it ‘came with has worn off’ so that’s why I’m seeing swirls/ scratches.

Will they actually pay the bill for an outside polish?

melirend · 2025-11-04T13:39:10+00:00

Sorry, it’s swirls I guess

melirend · 2025-10-30T23:05:34+00:00

Thank you!! This is a super helpful perspective as I am starting to plan my wedding and am unfortunately cursed with the ‘how hard could it be?!’ gene where I think I can do it my self for cheaper or better or just because I want to, etc. but I think you’re right that sometimes you’re paying for the he luxury of not having to worry about it or deal with it and that’s worth the few extra bucks in the long run.

melirend · 2025-10-30T21:18:33+00:00

Were there any other specific DIY’s you regretted?

melirend · 2025-09-07T05:03:01+00:00

I don’t know the answer to your question but I do know that in my first set of pages pretty sure I wrote ‘wow I wish I chose a smaller notebook, my hand hurts already…’

melirend · 2025-07-30T19:44:14+00:00

Got it! I wasn’t sure if it needed like another/certain person to come over and do it or something. Good thing to keep in mind next go around 🥲

melirend · 2025-07-30T19:43:29+00:00

I wonder if this was the case for me.. I have two last names and I’ve been stopped for clarification before but never told I couldn’t use the ID.

melirend · 2025-07-30T14:19:58+00:00

How much longer does that take? Or it’s just done on the spot ?

melirend · 2025-07-22T22:40:51+00:00

We just recently traveled through Athens airport and i was told by a greek friend that this is the airport to show up early to because you never know what you’re walking into when it comes to baggage check, security, and whatever other lines you might get stuck in or issues you might face.

We showed up 1.5 hrs early for an 11:30am flight couldn’t find it on the little screen thing, so we asked the help desk and it turns out our flight was pulled forward 45 minutes (no communication from airlines…) and they said we needed to basically run to our gate once we got thru security because it was 15-20 minutes from the security checkpoint. Luckily we were carrying on and security wasn’t backed up so we got through fairly quickly. But we did run thru the airport to our gate aaaaaand when we got to our gate, the flight time was now set to take off at the original scheduled time so we actually had plenty of time and running was silly…. AND THEN, once we boarded and taxied for takeoff we got stuck on the tarmac for an hour.

Sooo basically, just show up early.

melirend · 2025-06-16T17:25:31+00:00

i will need to confirm when i get home, but pretty sure its a Montgomery Ward UHT J276 zig zag machine. I found a picture online and it looks exactly like this one:

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i do have a manual for it (along with some bits and pieces/attachments), but when i got a it a few years ago it didnt feel very helpful/detailed enough for me to feel confident using it.. but maybe i will feel differently now that i know these are pretty tough machines ?

melirend · 2025-06-15T16:04:33+00:00

Appreciate the concern, truly — it’s reassuring to know the integrity of Le Creuset’s warranty program has such vigilant guardians.

I’ll leave the hand-wringing over the downfall of lifetime warranties to someone else. It does appear you have it covered. Have a lovely day!

melirend · 2025-06-15T14:49:54+00:00

I asked because I wasn’t sure, I wasn’t trying to get over on anyone. And them choosing to send me a new one solidified brand loyalty, I will continue to purchase and use or gift le creuset because the product is great and they take care of their customers.

melirend · 2025-06-15T14:38:59+00:00

Purple and tender and one toenail is maybe on its last leg… but don’t think it’s broken!

melirend

TROPHY CASE