Key fobs not opening 'new'car? Pics now added.

[kalimon]

The car looks great, but if you want to keep it that way, tell the dealer to leave it alone and wash and wax it yourself... carefully
Really sorry to hear about the missing key bullsh!t, it's not an ideal way to start off with a new car.
Hopefully it is a genuine balls up and no damage has been done to your lovely new R .

[Booth11]

Car looks fab.  Congratulations on your new R.

As others have said, worth considering collecting it unprepped and detailing it yourself - lots of advice to be had in the detailing section of the forum.  Or consider pro detail - less important about dealer prep if doing that as any decent pro new car detail should include a single stage polish, as well as decontamination and protection, so not the end of the world if dealer does prep it.  Costs for pro detail vary massively depending on your chosen protection, so range from, £250 upwards to £600-700 (if you choose a ceramic coating such as Gtechniq Crystal Serum).  Best to check out some local detailer and look at packages available.

[gtiaps]

Probably just let them do it in the circumstances, will look into basic detailing kits myself and check out any pros in the my area. What sort on money would you expect to pay for pro detailing a new car?

DON'T DO IT!!!! as other peeps have said dealer preps WILL damage your paintwork whether it be swirls or scratches in the paint.
The paint is very soft and prone to marks IMO tell them to leave it unprepared ( plenty of dealer horror stories on here ).
As Becs ( Booth ) has said there's plenty of tips and how too's in the detailing section and at a budget to suit all that's just starting out.
A pro job can be £250 upwards but to start off all you need is good wash products a decent wax and sealant job done. 
30K plus for a lovely R example and to leave it to the garage monkey thats uses a sponge full of dirt etc all over your new paintwork it a NO FROM ME lol

[JoeGTI]

Lol. What ^^^ he says!

Wouldn't be overly asshole-y about t though if possible. Makes life easier all round if you maintain good relations with the dealer. Just ask them nicely to carefully remove the stickers and at most give it a touch-less jet wash. No sponges!

No need to bring it to a pro though imo. I've done it myself before but won't do it again. It's a lot of money and I think I'd get greater satisfaction doing it myself.

[mcmaddy]

I've got the gtechnic exo ceramic stuff on mine and it's the best paint protection I've ever had on a car. Also makes washing it a doddle too. Expensive yes but worth every penny in my opinion. All I said to the dealer was remove transport wrap and then leave it please as it's going straight to get professionally detailed. Dealer said ok that's fine no problem 

[gtiaps]

Yeah I fully agree you only need ask them not to hand wash or prep it and that will be fine.
Mines just been in for its 1st service I was offered the complementary wash I declined dealer said ok and wrote NP WASH on work sheet.
And iv also got one of these ( FLEE BAY  171399704080 ) which hangs on your rear view mirror

[CHB100]

To all  detailers,, first think how long do you own the car. Assume you have bought with own cash or HP . Whatever you will mostly be selling on and getting the next variation In 3 years?. I've been there in 60s/70s Lotus, BMW 2002 turbo,Tii,TR6, Porsche, Williams, 182, Gti's all marks and loads more. The majority not from new, this is by far the most I've spent on a car. And intend to keep it, it may even be my last!? This detailing to me is losing sight of short term ownership, so much time spent on it, do you guys not have other commitments or interests? you will get very little more in return than anyone who goes through the local car wash. I know it can be therapeutic and satisfying.
I'm 70 and know the  buzz, from weekends spent on motors,re built my own Lotus7 did all maintenance, clutches, brakes, long before the days of dealer servicing leaving only time for wash and maybe polish, depends on your circumstances I guess or age! Although I am asked for ID when asking for age discounts. 20 at heart, and looking fwd to enjoying my R for whichever lasts the longest.
Btw I am looking at this Gretech pro ceramic? Treatment as a one off £500 fcs my lady thinks daft.
PS Have had some vino as on my tod tonight, hope not too incoherent, fellow Golfers

[mcmaddy]

Gtechnic exo ceramic should cost you more than £500 if applied by a pro detailer. To me it's not about the next owner benefiting if and when that is it's about trying to keep the car paintwork looking nice for me now and making it easier to clean regularly. You will also get some benefit come sale time as a car regularly car washed or done by the sponge jockeys at your local supermarket will look worse than a carefully looked after car and will almost definitely get you more, might not be much but it will.

[CHB100]

Gtechnic exo ceramic should cost you more than £500 if applied by a pro detailer. To me it's not about the next owner benefiting if and when that is it's about trying to keep the car paintwork looking nice for me now and making it easier to clean regularly. You will also get some benefit come sale time as a car regularly car washed or done by the sponge jockeys at your local supermarket will look worse than a carefully looked after car and will almost definitely get you more, might not be much but it will.

So can you get say 5years from this Gtechnic? And only wash it thereafter. What kit and products do you use, I'm starting from scratch (so to speak) as formerly one bucket micro fibre hand held and leather man!

[brettblade]

To all  detailers,, first think how long do you own the car. Assume you have bought with own cash or HP . Whatever you will mostly be selling on and getting the next variation In 3 years?. I've been there in 60s/70s Lotus, BMW 2002 turbo,Tii,TR6, Porsche, Williams, 182, Gti's all marks and loads more. The majority not from new, this is by far the most I've spent on a car. And intend to keep it, it may even be my last!? This detailing to me is losing sight of short term ownership, so much time spent on it, do you guys not have other commitments or interests? you will get very little more in return than anyone who goes through the local car wash. I know it can be therapeutic and satisfying.
I'm 70 and know the  buzz, from weekends spent on motors,re built my own Lotus7 did all maintenance, clutches, brakes, long before the days of dealer servicing leaving only time for wash and maybe polish, depends on your circumstances I guess or age! Although I am asked for ID when asking for age discounts. 20 at heart, and looking fwd to enjoying my R for whichever lasts the longest.
Btw I am looking at this Gretech pro ceramic? Treatment as a one off £500 fcs my lady thinks daft.
PS Have had some vino as on my tod tonight, hope not too incoherent, fellow Golfers

The primary reason I bought a new car was for original, factory paint.  A properly maintained car looks fantastic when it catches the light in the sun, a poorly maintained (take your pick from "hand car wash", automatic roller washes etc) car will reveal all sorts of paint defects (i.e. swirls, crazing etc).

Just like cars mechanically have progressed a lot, so has paint and the way it is (or should be) cared for.