What to do initially on a new Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI?

T

The White Miata

New member
After driving the same 1984 BMW 533i for the last 20 years (188,000 miles), my wife gets a well deserved new car this year. She chose the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI (over BMW, Jaguar, Cadillac, etc.), so we have just ordered one for USA delivery in September.



My question concerns car care. What should I do when the car arrives? I use the following products on my Miata:



Shampoo - P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo

Clay Treatment - Pinnacle PolyClay Kit

Polish - Menzerna Final Polish

Polish/Sealant - Klasse All-In-One

Glaze – None

Quick Detailer - Sonus High Gloss Acrylic Spritz

Vinyl/Rubber protector - 303 Aerospace Protectant

Leather Cleaner – Lexol Leather Cleaner

Leather Conditioner – Lexol Leather Conditioner



According to Classic Motoring Accessories, Ltd.

http://store.yahoo.com/classic-motoring/aregepadi.html

these products work well on the German "soft" paint finishes.



Questions:

1. Should I give the new E320 exterior the full treatment as soon as it arrives? Or instead, should I skip the clay treatment and polish, and just apply the Klasse All-in-One? Or should I do nothing for a while, and let the paint breathe?

2. Should I tell the dealer not to wax it before delivery (I assume this would be done, if I don't say anything).



Thanks!

Mike
 
Questions:

1. Should I give the new E320 exterior the full treatment as soon as it arrives? Or instead, should I skip the clay treatment and polish, and just apply the Klasse All-in-One? Or should I do nothing for a while, and let the paint breathe?

2. Should I tell the dealer not to wax it before delivery (I assume this would be done, if I don't say anything).
Click to expand...



My answer to 1.



I would clay the car and apply the AIO. New car paintjobs pick up all kinds of contaminates during transit, so claying is a must. Also, for protection I would add a good sealant over the the AIO (for your Miata also). Why not some Klasse SG?



My answer to 2.



ABSOLUTELY. Make sure to tell them not to touch paint. I honestly wouldnt even let them wash it. I used to work at a car dealership so I know how good (bad) of a job they do.



Enjoy the new car. I love the new E-Class.
 
Hi there, The White Miata, and :welcome to Autopia. It appears that you've decided (in your User CP) to decline Private Messages (PMs) here on Autopia. That's too bad, because it's been my experience that lots of folks share good info and tips thru PMs. Also, that's the only way the Moderators have to communicate with you privately. So ... I have to take this public way to let you know that I'm moving your thread to the Autopia Univ. forum, because that's where we ask people to post questions 'til they have 30 posts -- especially when it's the kind of question that gets asked and answered repeatedly on Autopia. And even the veterans post in AU when they want to share fundamental info or ask a basic question. If you haven't had a chance you might want to check out Autopia's "House Rules" at http://www.autopia.org/rules.php .



Lucky you, to be getting this new Benz. Sorry I can't offer particular tips on its care, but I'm sure others will. Also, if you read thru some of the AU posts and try a search on "new car," I bet you'll get some other good tips too.



Have a great time here, and a wonderful time with your new car.



Lynn

Autopia Moderator
 
Just if you wanted to know...I have used Lexol and loved it, except that it left the seats slick. I have since converted to Zaino leather cleaner & conditioner and love it. You might want to try it out....once again just some input.
 
Yes, I agree on the Klasse SG. I just overlooked it when I listed my products. I use it and it is great, in combination with the AIO.



Andrew, sound like you are recommending I do PolyClay/AIO/SG, but skip the Menzerna Final Polish (which I normally use on my Miata before the AIO). Am I correct on this? Makes sense, since the paint is new.



Thanks!

Mike
 
I would skip the FP also on a new car, but a good glaze like Finish touch glaze is very good for new paint.
 
The White Miata

I would advise the dealer, in writing, as well as verbally, that if they so much as touch the paint on the new Benz with any kind of polisher, polish or paint pretectant, that that act alone will terminate the sale and you will expect a 100% refund of any and all deposits in the form of cash or cashier's check. The only thing I would conside allowing them to do would be to wash off the in-transit protectant - cosmoline, or whatever is in vogue in Europe these days.



Enquire if the new car will be clear coated with the new PPG Cermiclear clearcoat. It looks like t is significantly more resistent to marring than previous clears used by MB. If is isn't, can you get it?



I read somewhere that MB uses the Menzerna twins/triplets at the factory..... Maybe I'm wrong. Check out CMS's site for that might where I saw that little tidbit.
 
Gonzo, Where did you find info on the PPG product? Is this a product that Mercedes-Benz normally applies in Germany? I couldn't find any reference to it at the PPG site:

http://www.ppg.com/car_autocoat/products.htm



2. I do note at the PPG site that they recommend NOT applying any wax or polish for 90 days, to allow the finish to cure:

http://www.ppg.com/car_autocoat/enthusiast.htm

I have also been told this by my local auto paint shop.

The total time from order to delivery will be about 70 days, so the paint can't be more than 30-40 days old when I take delivery in the U.S. Does anybody agree with waiting another couple of months before applying anything?



Thanks,

Mike
 
Paints that come from the factory are baked in super hot curing ovens in the factory. There is no need to wait. A body shop repaint or repair is different, but from from the factory, its fully cured.
 
Greg said:
Paints that come from the factory are baked in super hot curing ovens in the factory. There is no need to wait. A body shop repaint or repair is different, but from from the factory, its fully cured.
Click to expand...



Agreed. :up
 
Check to see if you even need to clay. Do the baggie test. My wife picked up our new Pathfinder this past Saturday. I awaited its arrival in our driveway armed with my Cyclo, pads, and an assortment of polishes and claybar. I inspected the paint and it was absolutely perfect!! No swirls, marring, and extremely shiny and smooth. I ended up just throwing on a coat of Collinite. Do the least amount that's NECESSARY. BTW, by September who knows how many new products will be out. :)
 
Andrew, sound like you are recommending I do PolyClay/AIO/SG, but skip the Menzerna Final Polish (which I normally use on my Miata before the AIO). Am I correct on this? Makes sense, since the paint is new.
Click to expand...



The Final Polish just seems like overkill to me when you are already using the AIO. However, I dont have any personal experience with Menzerna so if you think it improves the look of the finish then by all means go for it. I know the Final Polish is more of a dedicated polish vs the AIO (which also has some protective qualities) so it may help to give you a cleaner surface to work with.
 
Go check a post I made:



http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=190617#post190617



If you can convince the dealer not to touch the car, you will be better off. Walk around their storage lot, unsold cars, in good lighting. Your car will start out just like the ones you see.



Dealers will put on a layer of glaze before delivery, or before the showroom, so that the car looks fantastic, but the oils and fillers will soon wash off.



I would not let them to fix it! I accept it as the way cars are delivered. Get your hands on the car, then follow all of the advice of the Autopian's, you will be happy!



What color is the car?



I am buying a 2004 4runner today, and will let everyone know what I find at Toyota. I suspect it will be the same as MB



Lou
 
Lou, it is brilliant silver metallic with charcoal leather seats.



I will tell the dealer not to touch the car when it comes in. I am interested in his reaction.



Thanks!

Mike
 
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