Anyone ever have their car detailed at the BMW SPA?

NickStam · 12-08-02, 10:58

Since it's been so cold up here in the Northeast I haven't been able to was my poor car in 3 weeks. So I stopped by a BMW dealership and asked if they work with outside customers. They do, and can do an exterior detail for $90. When I set the appointment and drop the car off, I'm going to ask exactly what they are going to do and what products, but has anyone ever used them before for detailing? Any idea what products they use?

-Nick

Redcar GUY · 12-08-02, 11:35

I would ask how much to use there Bay and water but you do the washing....that way you know what is being used on the car.

NickStam · 12-08-02, 11:51

I wonder if they would go for that. They said they wouldn't just do a wash, because they wash all the cars for people that come in for service. When I was in college I applied for a job at the SPA and they told me that I would have to wash many cars per day. But it won't hurt to ask.

jcattarulla · 12-08-02, 12:13

Nick,
BMW Spa is not bad, but if you are like me, you won't let anyone else detail your car. BMW will not let you rent one of their bays, so instead try borrowing a friend's garage or renting one for a day and do Scottwax's Quick and Easy Wash, which you can find on this board. It's an indoor wash done without a hose. He swears by it, and his work speaks for itself.
John

bmw530i2003 · 12-08-02, 02:53

Hey Man:

I know the BMW dealer in St. Louis uses mostly Meguiar's stuff, so if you don't like that, better ask before they put it on. Good luck.

NickStam · 12-08-02, 03:11

I would really hate to pay someone to touch my car, but my car has changed from project car to daily commuter car. I wish I had a house and a garage so I can shelter my baby! I wish I had time to go down to NYD because at least I know he does great work.

jcattarulla · 12-08-02, 05:13

Nick,
Where are you located?

Scottwax · 12-08-02, 05:24

I wouldn't worry so much about what products they use, but the techniques they use. Dealerships are notorious for using dirty wool pads to polish and wax, leaving swirls everywhere. I would not let any dealership touch my car. Even the high end dealers, like Overseas Importers who bring in Bentleys swirl the heck out of cars...and I know because I spent about 4 hours on an Arnage and 2 hours on a Continental SC removing the mandatory dealer swirls. They also tend to leave white crud in all the emblems and between body panels.

Honestly, you are better off waiting until is is warm enough for you to clean your car than to entrust it to a dealership paying their makeready guys either $8 an hour or by the sheer volume they can turn daily.

jcattarulla · 12-08-02, 05:29

Scottwax: so true, and so tragic. Bently and Rolls dealerships are as bad as English food: they take a beautiful rack of lamb and boil it. Take a gorgeous Azure and use turtle wax.

Nick, maybe one other option is to find a fellow autopian near you who has a garage and is interested in having a detailing session. We did it here in NYC, and are planning another one at my parking garage (indoor, heated, lots of space).
If you are local, lemme know.
John

NickStam · 12-08-02, 06:40

Quote:

Originally posted by jcattarulla
Nick,
Where are you located?

yonkers, ny and work in near new haven, ct

jcattarulla · 12-08-02, 06:50

Nick,
I will be in Westchester (Purchase) on Saturday at my girlfriend's parent's house. If you can make it there, we may be able to work something out. They have a 3 car garage.
Call me: (917) 690-3896.
John

NickStam · 12-08-02, 07:01

ok, let me check my schedule