JCB Kent - Opinions on dealer prep

[GTI_for_her!]

Hi all,

I appreciate this topic has been covered generally in the past but we're due to pick up the new Gti on thurs from JCB in Gillingham and I'm just looking for any opinions from anyone who has used them on the standards of their prep work.

I'm more of the opinion to get them to leave it and I'll do all the work myself but its the wife's car and I don't really want to rob her of the shiny new car in showroom experience.
Its not getting any Lifeshine etc so would only be what they carry out to present a clean new car.
In any case its got a 500 mile journey north so will be filthy by the time it gets home anyway.

Any opinions appreciated.

[peterdoherty]

Got lifeshine and couldn't fault them TBH - car looked amazing and haven't been able to pick any fault in the prep at all.

AFAIK They don't do the whole 'showroom' experience on handover as you may have seen in some new arrivals photos but I'd rather save a few £k that have an experience!

[2014GTi]

I guess it depends on how well you know the dealership and mechanic who is working on your car.
I have a extremely good relationship with my dealership so had no problems trusting them to carry out the PDI and LifeShine treatment.
Car was faultless.

[Mk1Macca]

I tried to pick up my new GTD yesterday and the prep was very poor. I wish i'd stopped them attempting the life shine - it's been done to a very low standard. The car was still dirty in places, which was a real shame.

They had yesterday to clean it again and I went to collect it at lunchtime today.

Better, but still not a perfect job. There was still over spray of the interior protector on the trim and I could still see excess wax on the paintwork.

There was no big reveal like i've seen in some other threads, just the sales person driving it round for me to inspect in the car park. Bit of an anti climax when they have a nice empty, roped off 'hand over' area in their showroom.

[Mark V GTD]

Which sadly all goes to prove the forum general advice of getting paint treatments done by a specialist.

My car is due from JCB too so would be interested to read further contributions....

[Nellymc]

I picked mine up from Jcb gillingham on a dull day and it all looked fine, next day when the sun was shining it looked dreadful, whole car was covered in fine scratches, especially bad where they had taken foam pads off the doors and rubbed off whatever sticky marks where left.

I contacted my salesman but he wasn't really interested, that's one of the down sides with living 300 miles from your dealer

My advise would be to do the prep yourself, every time I look at my new 25k car on a sunny day it really pisses me off.  :cry

[Mark V GTD]

Hmm sorry to hear that - I will be telling them to do only a technical prep and leave all protective pads, covers etc on the car and I will have it done at a local detailers. I will ensure the paintwork is fuly inspeced before I drive away though.

[Mr Savage]

Do NOT get your car touched by the dealer. They covered my car in tiny scratches in swirl mark formations while attempting to apply G3 Glasscoat. The car looks stunning in normal day light but as soon as direct light is shining on the car you can see all the many imperfections. I would say the cars paintwork is in a pretty poor state and I'm soon paying to have it detailed properly at Midlands Car Care.

[peterdoherty]

I must have been lucky then - any imperfections would be nearly instantly noticeable on the CSG. I do agree however if you have any doubt then get it prepped professionally or DIY.

As for the reveal - some things have to go when you're getting a big discount I think!

Their aftersales does seem to be poor though (probably down to the volume) as I've been dropping emails about the lack of MDI with adv phone prep and they just go unanswered (was noted to be missing upon collection).

[2014GTi]

I agree, if you don't feel / trust your dealership to the correct work when it comes to LifeShine don't let them near the car.