It's arriving! Now what?

[quarryler]

Hi all

I'm new to the forum, and am taking delivery of my new GTI in a couple of weeks.  I've had a MkV for the last 5 years and it's been great, so I'm looking forward to upgrading.

The dealer's offering (at a cost) to put SmartGuard paint protection on it.  I know the standard response is (rightly) "don't bother, wax it yourself", but realistically I just don't have the time to do anything other than an occasional bucket-and-hose or trip to the jet wash.  It's not going to get waxed, and it's going to live on the drive - I don't have a garage.

So does anyone have any actual experience of Smart Guard?  What do you think?  My paint's shadow blue, if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

[Mr GTD]

welcome to the nut house!

Now I know you've said you haven't got the time really to wax your car yourself but if it's a brand new vehicle surely you wud want to keep it looking it's best, even if you can only manage a wax every 6wks or so it's better than none at all...

And with regards to the dealers so called protection I personally can't really comment as I haven't had it, all I wud say and this is from what I've read from others is that it's really not worth it, but then again if you really aren't gonna wax the car yourself get a good price from the dealers and I mean real good price as its well over priced.

[Gene Hunt.]

Hi all

I'm new to the forum, and am taking delivery of my new GTI in a couple of weeks.  I've had a MkV for the last 5 years and it's been great, so I'm looking forward to upgrading.

The dealer's offering (at a cost) to put SmartGuard paint protection on it.  I know the standard response is (rightly) "don't bother, wax it yourself", but realistically I just don't have the time to do anything other than an occasional bucket-and-hose or trip to the jet wash.  It's not going to get waxed, and it's going to live on the drive - I don't have a garage.

So does anyone have any actual experience of Smart Guard?  What do you think?  My paint's shadow blue, if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

..........save you'r money,there not worth it. Bring it round to mine & i can wax it for you.

[Dawnskaybug]

What ever it cost pay a professional detailer to do it and pocket the $$. The dealership will mess your paint up the first time they wash it. Some lot guy making £5 an hour is going to wash it with dirty water and apply it. It will last 4 week at the most.

  There are products that actually do what the smartguard claims it does. Optimum Opti Coat. I just did my GTI this weekend with it and after driving it in the rain this week it still looked clean. It has been tested independently to last at least 2-3 years. All you have to do is wash it. No waxing. I dont know if any detailers in the UK use it though. I had to sign a waiver to buy it.

[dubber36]

It all depends how fussy you are about your car. If you don't clean it all that often, then I guess you're not as (some might say anal) as some of us on here. These Smartguard type products are fine for people who only wash their car now and again and that see an 75% level of shineyness as near enough, but for us that like ours cars to be bang on, they just will not do.

There is also a school of thought that the less a car is washed, the less contact you have with it, therefore less chance of inflicting damage with a poor washing technique. Something that will really show up on colours like shadow blue.

How much is the dealer saying is the "cost"?

[Steve30]

Wellcome to the forum, as for paint protection dont bother if you want to save money because its not worth it. If you live near Battersea PM me and i'll also do it for you i've got pleanty wax's and love detailing cars 

[mkviken]

when my car was PDI'd they managed to scratch my headlight which needed replacing which led to a damaged front bumper and grill

next time i buy a new car i will insist it isn't washed/prepped

if you can i would ask them not to clean/prep the car as much as possible. obviously they need to take the stickers off and hose the bird sh!t off etc

i polished and waxed mine and sealed the wheels etc as soon as i got it home. i wouldn't waste my money on that super guard crap. my dad got it free on his honda and it made no difference.

[Edi35]

My dealer throws in AutoGlym protection as part of the deal and the cars have always been fantastic when picked up. The treatment lasts a while and as I wash mine weekly and I only need to wax it may be twice or three times a year so I am only semi anal  I would say if its free then let them do it otherwise invest in a bit of time while the car is perfect and you will have started off well. I have been using the same dealer for many years and they know to get it right on my new car. This is the one and only time they wash it as I always ask them to leave it well alone when it's in for servicing etc.

[quarryler]

Thanks everyone!

I'd love to have time to clean and wax the car regularly, but I'm a single parent and what with work too it's all I can do to keep the nipper, me and the house clean!

The dealer (who's been on the whole very good) has a couple of different options, but basically it's around the £300 mark.

Having shopped around a bit, I can definitely get Autoglym LifeShine for less, so I think that's the question answered.

Thanks for your help!

[dubber36]

£300??? I thought you said "cost price"

Not Smart Guard, but the same sort of thing http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Supagard-car-protection-kit-/271003804189?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Car_Care_Cleaning&hash=item3f1915e21d

Looks like the dealers is trying to make an extra £290 out of you.