Should I take my 328i to the dealer for detailing?

glacious · 04-09-2010, 03:26 PM

Hi guys. I just bought a 2007 328i in Black Saphire. The car is awesome but the paint has swirl marks everywhere and some light scratches and i wanted to know where I should take my car to remove said imperfections. My dealer does exterior detailing but I'm afraid if I go there all I will get is having them strip off the old wax, buff the paint and then just reapply a new coat of wax, which I'm sure won't really get rid of the problem. What do you guys think I should do and also what am I looking at price wise. Thanks to all for any information you give.

fisherbln · 04-09-2010, 04:02 PM

Find a good professional detailer, I really doubt the dealer is any good and will charge you a premium. Depending on what you want to have done it could range in price from $150 to $350+.

jopa489 · 04-09-2010, 09:55 PM

No. Dealers are quite often complete hacks when it comes to proper detailing. Find someone local in your area (via here or Autopia) who knows what they are doing and have the skills and tools to correct the paint right the first time.

FLA 335 · 04-10-2010, 02:01 AM

NO DEALER!!! I love going to the dealer wor service... but NOT for a detail... look for a pro in your area!!! look at some work that they have done before and make a determination...im sure there are plenty of detailers in so cal...!!

Envious Eric · 04-10-2010, 02:49 AM

huh, dealer for a detail....whats that? blasphemy!!!!

I know a guy...supposedly pretty darn thorough and good with a buffer! LOL

jopa489 · 04-10-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Envious Eric

huh, dealer for a detail....whats that? blasphemy!!!!

I know a guy...supposedly pretty darn thorough and good with a buffer! LOL

pander5 · 04-10-2010, 11:14 AM

The short answer to your question is a definite no. There have to be quite a few quality detailers around your location and I would pay anywhere from $150 to $500.

If you want us to qualify what you hear, call or visit a couple that know what they're doing and then tell us what they propose to do with your paint(depending on what level you want done). Some of us here can tell if you've found someone who truly does know what they're doing.

I'm a detailer myself and know exactly what I would do for your car after seeing it. If I heard what someone else like me wants to do for you I would recognize at least the processes he talks about. What I wouldn't know is his/her skill level or abilities to actually carry out what he proposes. That comes from seeing his /her work and talking to others who've used them in the past.

Again, I have to beleive there are some pro's in your area. The trick is finding them. A lot of us here can help you with that. Another suggestion is to post a request for a quality detailer over in your regional sub forum.

glacious · 04-11-2010, 01:57 AM

Thank you all for your responses. After reading over your suggestions I am going to opt to have a real professional do it.

stimpy · 04-11-2010, 02:20 AM

Make sure you read up on proper washing/drying techniques so you aren't in the same boat after your car is detailed professionally.

Envious Eric · 04-11-2010, 11:37 PM

who is going to do it?

PINeely · 04-12-2010, 01:13 AM

God no.

shipill · 04-12-2010, 01:56 AM

NOOOOOO

kei169 · 04-12-2010, 03:00 AM

Go find FMINUS in this forum!
He does some pretty awesome job!

gdnyc · 04-12-2010, 12:22 PM

Definitely not the dealer! They will probably give you a few extras such as more swirls and holograms.

txusa03 · 04-12-2010, 12:51 PM

Yes, you should take your car to the dealer for detailing.........that is if you like their special swirl markings stamped right on your car painted surface.

glacious · 04-12-2010, 01:19 PM

Lol I got the point. Still not sure where I want to take it. The swirl marks aren't that bad and the scratches are very faint, so I really don't want to shell out more than $250 to $300.

UncleWede · 04-12-2010, 05:47 PM

Alternative is to spend about 500 and get your own supplies, then maintain it into the future.

But BEWARE, once you try it, . . .

p.s. be a good (insert here) and do several favors for someone else until you get the hang of it

glacious · 04-13-2010, 12:20 PM

Does anyone know of any good detailers around my area? I live in Ventura County.

Envious Eric · 04-14-2010, 11:47 PM

patrick from exceldetail is in 1000 oaks

Jason from excaliber detail is up that way too

mbm8021 · 04-15-2010, 10:04 PM

does anyone know of a good detailer in CT/NY?

jopa489 · 04-15-2010, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbm8021

does anyone know of a good detailer in CT/NY?

You could go see the guys at Detailers Domain. They're in Norwood, NJ - that's like an hour from Fairfield I think? Regardless, they are a sponsor of this forum and very good. If you want it done right, it's worth the drive.

04-09-2010, 03:26 PM	#1
glacious Private 5 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Should I take my 328i to the dealer for detailing? Hi guys. I just bought a 2007 328i in Black Saphire. The car is awesome but the paint has swirl marks everywhere and some light scratches and i wanted to know where I should take my car to remove said imperfections. My dealer does exterior detailing but I'm afraid if I go there all I will get is having them strip off the old wax, buff the paint and then just reapply a new coat of wax, which I'm sure won't really get rid of the problem. What do you guys think I should do and also what am I looking at price wise. Thanks to all for any information you give.
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04-09-2010, 04:02 PM	#2
fisherbln Captain 12 Rep 859 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	Find a good professional detailer, I really doubt the dealer is any good and will charge you a premium. Depending on what you want to have done it could range in price from $150 to $350+.
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04-09-2010, 09:55 PM	#3
jopa489 Major General 128 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	No. Dealers are quite often complete hacks when it comes to proper detailing. Find someone local in your area (via here or Autopia) who knows what they are doing and have the skills and tools to correct the paint right the first time. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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04-10-2010, 02:01 AM	#4
FLA 335 Captain 26 Rep 746 Posts Drives: 2009 335i (SOLD) !!!!! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Miami Fl iTrader: (7)	NO DEALER!!! I love going to the dealer wor service... but NOT for a detail... look for a pro in your area!!! look at some work that they have done before and make a determination...im sure there are plenty of detailers in so cal...!! __________________ 2009 BMW 335i Sedan / Auto / Paddles / Sport / BMW Assist / Heated seats / JB Matte Black Grill / Tischer First Aid Kit w\Triangle / Tischer Hood Pad / "Custom" rear fog switch <---- SOLD!!!!
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04-10-2010, 02:49 AM	#5
Envious Eric Banned 40 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: nissan xterra, 335 soon Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1)	huh, dealer for a detail....whats that? blasphemy!!!! I know a guy...supposedly pretty darn thorough and good with a buffer! LOL
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04-10-2010, 11:14 AM	#7
pander5 Special Forces - Discretion is superior 34 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Sapphire Black Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00]	The short answer to your question is a definite no. There have to be quite a few quality detailers around your location and I would pay anywhere from $150 to $500. If you want us to qualify what you hear, call or visit a couple that know what they're doing and then tell us what they propose to do with your paint(depending on what level you want done). Some of us here can tell if you've found someone who truly does know what they're doing. I'm a detailer myself and know exactly what I would do for your car after seeing it. If I heard what someone else like me wants to do for you I would recognize at least the processes he talks about. What I wouldn't know is his/her skill level or abilities to actually carry out what he proposes. That comes from seeing his /her work and talking to others who've used them in the past. Again, I have to beleive there are some pro's in your area. The trick is finding them. A lot of us here can help you with that. Another suggestion is to post a request for a quality detailer over in your regional sub forum. __________________ M3 + trailer hitch = oxymoron
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04-11-2010, 01:57 AM	#8
glacious Private 5 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Thank you all for your responses. After reading over your suggestions I am going to opt to have a real professional do it.
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04-11-2010, 02:20 AM	#9
stimpy Colonel 192 Rep 2,210 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (7)	Make sure you read up on proper washing/drying techniques so you aren't in the same boat after your car is detailed professionally.
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04-11-2010, 11:37 PM	#10
Envious Eric Banned 40 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: nissan xterra, 335 soon Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1)	who is going to do it?
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04-12-2010, 01:13 AM	#11
PINeely Lieutenant Colonel 1094 Rep 1,912 Posts Drives: 2013 535i, 2015 Tundra 1794 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jackson, MS iTrader: (2)	God no.
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04-12-2010, 01:56 AM	#12
shipill Major 492 Rep 1,292 Posts Drives: F10 528 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: East iTrader: (7)	NOOOOOO
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04-12-2010, 03:00 AM	#13
kei169 Captain 25 Rep 735 Posts Drives: e90 325i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (5)	Go find FMINUS in this forum! He does some pretty awesome job!
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04-12-2010, 12:22 PM	#14
gdnyc Lieutenant 25 Rep 472 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Jet Black Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Definitely not the dealer! They will probably give you a few extras such as more swirls and holograms. __________________ 2006 330xi BMW, please get rid of the RFT's and give us a spare tire!
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04-12-2010, 12:51 PM	#15
txusa03 Major General 648 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	Yes, you should take your car to the dealer for detailing.........that is if you like their special swirl markings stamped right on your car painted surface. __________________ under construction!
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04-12-2010, 01:19 PM	#16
glacious Private 5 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Lol I got the point. Still not sure where I want to take it. The swirl marks aren't that bad and the scratches are very faint, so I really don't want to shell out more than $250 to $300.
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04-12-2010, 05:47 PM	#17
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 19295 Rep 9,484 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Alternative is to spend about 500 and get your own supplies, then maintain it into the future. But BEWARE, once you try it, . . . p.s. be a good (insert here) and do several favors for someone else until you get the hang of it
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04-13-2010, 12:20 PM	#18
glacious Private 5 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Does anyone know of any good detailers around my area? I live in Ventura County.
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04-14-2010, 11:47 PM	#19
Envious Eric Banned 40 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: nissan xterra, 335 soon Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1)	patrick from exceldetail is in 1000 oaks Jason from excaliber detail is up that way too
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04-15-2010, 10:04 PM	#20
mbm8021 New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 328xi Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Fairfield County, CT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 328xi [0.00]	does anyone know of a good detailer in CT/NY?
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