[06SLK55]

Well, I took my car in for the checkup / complimentary 3000mi service today. The service guy asked me what I wanted, and I told him just the service. And he said, "That's it?"

"Yup, that's it!"

So they took the car, and I waited for it. I had only driven the car once since I last washed it myself so it was super clean going in to the service bay.

When I got it back, I noticed that the car was considerably dirtier than it was just an hour ago. It had water spots all over the body, and some tacky/sticky substance in some spots. There were bits of terry cloth kind of sticking to the paint too. Nothing that I couldn't wipe off -- but it was annoying. I was wondering how the heck it got all that on it from just a checkup in the service bay.

But when I got my service ticket back, I noticed it said as part of the service "Free Car Wash!" DOH!!

I am quite certain that my car came out of this "Carwash" dirtier than it went in. I guess if your car was really dirty it might help. But my car was spotless going in, so it shows how poor their wash is.

I have to remember next time to explicity ask no car wash. I thought if I didn't ask for it they wouldn't do it. (Or at least tell me they were going to so I could deny it!) Oh well. Looks like I have to wash it again lol.

P.S., I can't imagine they actually did anything useful during this complementary service. They didnt tell me anything. Just took the car, 1 hr later "It's done" and off I went lol. Sounds kinda useless to me!

 

[JBSSLK55AMG]

The main reason for the complementary service is to "acquaint" the new owner with Mercedes service (and to encourage you to bring the car back to them for routine maintenance). They also claim to check the car for obvious issues that might have arisen during the break in period and get tires rotated (unless the front and backs are offset, in which case they aren't rotated).

I just bought my second MB from my dealer and my sales person told me I wouldn't need to bring my new car in at 1000 miles if I didn't want to "since I already know the drill".

 

[etyu]

Specify: NO CAR WASH PLEASE

Well, I took my car in for the checkup / complimentary 3000mi service today. The service guy asked me what I wanted, and I told him just the service. And he said, "That's it?"

"Yup, that's it!"

So they took the car, and I waited for it. I had only driven the car once since I last washed it myself so it was super clean going in to the service bay.

When I got it back, I noticed that the car was considerably dirtier than it was just an hour ago. It had water spots all over the body, and some tacky/sticky substance in some spots. There were bits of terry cloth kind of sticking to the paint too. Nothing that I couldn't wipe off -- but it was annoying. I was wondering how the heck it got all that on it from just a checkup in the service bay.

But when I got my service ticket back, I noticed it said as part of the service "Free Car Wash!" DOH!!

I am quite certain that my car came out of this "Carwash" dirtier than it went in. I guess if your car was really dirty it might help. But my car was spotless going in, so it shows how poor their wash is.

I have to remember next time to explicity ask no car wash. I thought if I didn't ask for it they wouldn't do it. (Or at least tell me they were going to so I could deny it!) Oh well. Looks like I have to wash it again lol.

P.S., I can't imagine they actually did anything useful during this complementary service. They didnt tell me anything. Just took the car, 1 hr later "It's done" and off I went lol. Sounds kinda useless to me!

I've been to the back of the service areas when a dealership moved a few years back from Mission Viejo to a nearby much larger location in Laguna Niguel (hint) and saw that they use the car wash type rollers (ouch!) for their free car wash. The cars are then dried by hand. I believe the one in Newport Beach does the same and they're probably busier than Laguna Niguel in offering free car wash not only when a car is brought in for service but also to those who bought the cars from them.

I've always specified NO CAR WASH PLEASE when bringing a car in for service. Anyway, it's probably time to "zaino" the R171.

 

[duketango]

Yeah, I took mine in for service and politely stated, "No car wash". While completing the paperwork to retrieve the SLK, I see a fellow drying off a familiar looking car and watch as he drops his drying towel and picks it back up to snap it off and resume drying. Aiiighghhhh!!! The horror! Plus a galaxy of water spots on my freshly clayed and Zainoed SLK for their trouble. Yay dealers.

 

[GernBlansten]

From day one I said hell no to the complimentary car wash.

 

[06SLK55]

Lol, I guess everyone has a similar experience. The most annoying part is that they dont ask me if I want my car washed. They just did it. I figured when I said "Only the service" that meant only the service and no more!

Oh well, I know better next time. Of course there is probably no guarnatee that they wont "wash" it even if I say no wash .

 

[bradmg]

Just Say No

I've seen on several other forums, for different makes, that even when the customer tells the dealership not to wash their car, it still gets taken to the cleaners. It's one of those automatic things the mechs do on 99% of all vehicles so they don't even look at the service ticket to realize that you don't want the wash. I haven't heard of a good way to avoid this problem other than actually talking to the techs who will be working on your car yourself. The service desk people you normally talk to just write things down and leave it all to the techs after that.

You could always insist on sitting in the car through the entire service.

It's even more fun trying to get what you want when you have a severe language barrier.

 

[NewMB]

Haven't had that problem with my Lexus. The local dealership has noted on their records that I never want the complimentary car wash (unless I change my mind). So far, so good. Still haven't had my SLK into the MB dealership, so it'll be interesting to see what happens. I think if you go out of your way and ask the service writer to note it on the work order, you're more likely to get what you want. Doesn't always work, but your chances are a little improved if it's written down. At least you can go back after the fact and point it out.

 

[bloflin]

On getting the NO WASH across to the dealership. The most effective method I've seen, is the Service agent writes across the windshield with that temporary white marker: NO WASH (of course here in Texas, quite frankly it may also need: ningún lavado).

When you pick up your car, you can see that it stills says NO WASH in marker, then they wipe it off the windshield with a damp towel.

Your dealer may not agree to this step. But certainly tell them what you expect and have it in your records. When you pick it up, if it's been washed, go over it and if you see ANY circular swirls point it out.