I went this morning to take delivery of a new ML350. When the car arrived, I made it very clear to the dealer that I would not accept the car if it had swirl marks in the paint (this is a black car). The dealer swore that he would be extra careful, that the car would be handwashed and waxed. Well, as I walked into the dealership, I saw a young guy finishing off the car. He was ardently scrubbing the car with a piece of cloth about 5" by 5". I noticed that some places he was rubbing were still dirty. We drove into the sun, and sure enough, there were scratches all over the hood, trunk, and other areas. Some scratches are deep enough that you do not need the sun to see them.
I told the dealer that I would not accept delivery today, and will give him my decision tomorrow. What do you think I should do? The dealer said he could buff the scratches out, but I feel that's not good enough for a brand new 55k vehicle. As far as I understand, there are two ways to remove scratches - to fill them in with something, or polish off (remove) the top layer of the clear coat. In the first case, the scratches will reappear after washing. In the second case, the clearcoat will become thinner and make the paint more susceptible to future damage.
If I do decide to take delivery, how big a discount should I ask for? Has anybody been through a similar experience?
You will have these swirl marks in your black car, one way or the other. Even if they brought it back to perfect, you will have more in 30 days. Take delivery, drive it, enjoy it.
I went this morning to take delivery of a new ML350. When the car arrived, I made it very clear to the dealer that I would not accept the car if it had swirl marks in the paint (this is a black car). The dealer swore that he would be extra careful, that the car would be handwashed and waxed. Well, as I walked into the dealership, I saw a young guy finishing off the car. He was ardently scrubbing the car with a piece of cloth about 5" by 5". I noticed that some places he was rubbing were still dirty. We drove into the sun, and sure enough, there were scratches all over the hood, trunk, and other areas. Some scratches are deep enough that you do not need the sun to see them.
I told the dealer that I would not accept delivery today, and will give him my decision tomorrow. What do you think I should do? The dealer said he could buff the scratches out, but I feel that's not good enough for a brand new 55k vehicle. As far as I understand, there are two ways to remove scratches - to fill them in with something, or polish off (remove) the top layer of the clear coat. In the first case, the scratches will reappear after washing. In the second case, the clearcoat will become thinner and make the paint more susceptible to future damage.
If I do decide to take delivery, how big a discount should I ask for? Has anybody been through a similar experience?
Thanks!
I would not take the car. Dealers need to respect you and everyon else who is buying MB. It seems as though that feeling is going away and if you closed your eyes you would believe you were at a KIA dealer. Respect yourself and your money. Maybe now the delaer will know you mean business.
You should explain your conundrum to the dealer the way you explained it here armed with what you want to settle the issue. Correctly pointed out above, you will have the swirls in a week or so anyway. Get something for it to make sure the dealer will pay attention to the problem in the future.
It all comes down to you. How bad do you want this car? How good has the dealer been to you?
Unfortunately, you will end up having swirl marks more visable in the darker colored paints; that's just the way it is. Generally speaking, on darker colors, swirls and debree show up more prominently; on lighter colors, swirls and debree are not very noticable.
Scratches, on the other hand, are a big no-no. If on a completely brand new vehicle there are enough scratches that are deep enough, I wouldn't think twice about passing on this one. Swirls, I can live with; scratches - unacceptable.
Scratches not only tarnish the quality of the car exterior (and decrease the car's value), but also speak nightmarish tales about the workers working in the service department and the department itself.
Should you do decide to take the car anyway, have the salesman drop off anywhere from $800-1000 depending on the severity of the scratches. If his mouth drops open at your request, then explain to him that if the situation was reversed (the dealer was accepting your car as a trade-in), he would have no objection deducting the amount of his offer because of the scratches.
If you find him to be unreasonable, condescending or just plain rude, thank him for his time and then leave.
There are many, many, many, many other Mercedes dealers who will have no problem working for you and your business.
It all comes down to you. How bad do you want this car? How good has the dealer been to you?
Unfortunately, you will end up having swirl marks more visable in the darker colored paints; that's just the way it is. Generally speaking, on darker colors, swirls and debree show up more prominently; on lighter colors, swirls and debree are not very noticable.
Scratches, on the other hand, are a big no-no. If on a completely brand new vehicle there are enough scratches that are deep enough, I wouldn't think twice about passing on this one. Swirls, I can live with; scratches - unacceptable.
Scratches not only tarnish the quality of the car exterior (and decrease the car's value), but also speak nightmarish tales about the workers working in the service department and the department itself.
Should you do decide to take the car anyway, have the salesman drop off anywhere from $800-1000 depending on the severity of the scratches. If his mouth drops open at your request, then explain to him that if the situation was reversed (the dealer was accepting your car as a trade-in), he would have no objection deducting the amount of his offer because of the scratches.
If you find him to be unreasonable, condescending or just plain rude, thank him for his time and then leave.
There are many, many, many, many other Mercedes dealers who will have no problem working for you and your business.
The point I wanted to make is he/she already told dealer to not wash. There are many cases in which dealers do not pay attention to us. He/she already told dealer "do not wash." Simple directions. Granted I am sure there would be swirls in the future, but dammit let me make them on my own car.
Out of point I would go to another dealer and see what they have and how long to wait. Depending on their answer, I would move. I am sure you ahve your contract on paper, so use that to your advantage when shopping, as long as u got a deal. Do not show them that paper, or tell them ur price until u have a price from them. Please let us know what happens.
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