Paint Protection. I’ve got it but is it worth it?

[Dermottdog]

Ok, XC40 lovers. I’ve cancelled my GardX application.
I will get it Ceramic Coated early doors (arrives on the 27th of September). Thanks for all your comments. I wasn’t truly happy we took it in the first place but all’s well that ends well. I opted for the service package instead. Please, please don’t tell if I’ve done wrong again!!!

[ciuncky]

Out of curiosty, how much were you supposed to pay for it?
I got it for £250, mainly for the interior part as i have a similar one (can't remember name) on my Mazda 3 and it's been so helpful when spilling stuff.
At that price i don't think it's that bad, and i'll keep it even if i apply another extra coat of a different product 2-3 years donw the line, just on the outside

[Dermottdog]

£499

[K1t]

£499

The 'new Car Detail' which I was recommended to go for, included full exterior prep and sealant/coating, alloy wheel sealant, interior trim plastics, carpets and mats, seat leather (bolsters) and alcantara facings etc, came in at a very acceptable £250.00 and takes a full day to complete. I was also advised to take advantage of one his, once-a year, 'maintenance cleans' for the princely sum of £35.00 (This would be entirely optional, but I think worth it)

So as all parties are sufficiently impressed, I have been 'persuaded' to book in my wife's 2018 Suzuki SZ-T (its been standing outside, in all weathers for about 12 months now) for a similar session in October as a bit of a treat!

[Dermottdog]

£499

The 'new Car Detail' which I was recommended to go for, included full exterior prep and sealant/coating, alloy wheel sealant, interior trim plastics, carpets and mats, seat leather (bolsters) and alcantara facings etc, came in at a very acceptable £250.00 and takes a full day to complete. I was also advised to take advantage of one his, once-a year, 'maintenance cleans' for the princely sum of £35.00 (This would be entirely optional, but I think worth it)

So as all parties are sufficiently impressed, I have been 'persuaded' to book in my wife's 2018 Suzuki SZ-T (its been standing outside, in all weathers for about 12 months now) for a similar session in October as a bit of a treat!

Yep. Sounds good. I’ve made enquires locally and received the email below.



Hi Robert

Thanks for your enquiry and apologies on the slow reply, it’s been a bit of a busy day

There are a few options on the level of ceramic coating you require and we would really need to see the car before I can give you a price as every car is different

A rough guide on a single stage machine polish would be £295 then from £260 for a ceramic coating

We are accredited and authorised by Ceramic pro and Gtechniq and they both do different levels of coatings, the guide price above is for there light version which give a 3-5 year protection but they also do another version which can give 9-10 years protection

If you let me know a convenient day and time to call I can then explain options and also arrange a visit to inspect your car

Many thanks
Paul

[michael123]

Doesn't sound real to me 9-10 years of protection (against what btw?)

[Dermottdog]

Doesn't sound real to me 9-10 years of protection (against what btw?)

Come on Michael123, throw me a bone here!!.

I order GardX and it’s wrong!!

I change to Ceramic Coating and it’s too good to be true.
I’d be going for the lesser coating anyway.

[K1t]

£499

The 'new Car Detail' which I was recommended to go for, included full exterior prep and sealant/coating, alloy wheel sealant, interior trim plastics, carpets and mats, seat leather (bolsters) and alcantara facings etc, came in at a very acceptable £250.00 and takes a full day to complete. I was also advised to take advantage of one his, once-a year, 'maintenance cleans' for the princely sum of £35.00 (This would be entirely optional, but I think worth it)

So as all parties are sufficiently impressed, I have been 'persuaded' to book in my wife's 2018 Suzuki SZ-T (its been standing outside, in all weathers for about 12 months now) for a similar session in October as a bit of a treat!

Yep. Sounds good. I’ve made enquires locally and received the email below.



Hi Robert

Thanks for your enquiry and apologies on the slow reply, it’s been a bit of a busy day

There are a few options on the level of ceramic coating you require and we would really need to see the car before I can give you a price as every car is different

A rough guide on a single stage machine polish would be £295 then from £260 for a ceramic coating

We are accredited and authorised by Ceramic pro and Gtechniq and they both do different levels of coatings, the guide price above is for there light version which give a 3-5 year protection but they also do another version which can give 9-10 years protection

If you let me know a convenient day and time to call I can then explain options and also arrange a visit to inspect your car

Many thanks
Paul

Dermottdog, am I reading your detailers email quote correctly or am I missing something? Machine polish @ £295* plus THEN a ceramic coating applied for £260+ making an est. price of £555+ and no mention of alloy wheel and interior treatments?.....wow! Do they know its a brand-new car?As my detailer said to me, WHY would you need to machine polish a 'brand new' vehicle? (unless it has an obvious defect, which would be a DEALER issue anyway) This is why my guy has a dedicated menu price for a "NEW CAR Preparation Detail" for which he was quite adamant, is all my car would need and subsequently got! His ethos is to be honest and upfront and advise the customer what, in his professional opinion, the vehicle 'actually needs' and not add ££££ worth of unnecessary 'works'...........Just be SURE what you will be getting for your hard-earned!
BTW, in your last post you said, tongue-in-cheek.........."I order GardX and it`s wrong".......not a bit of it! What was wrong, in my book, was you about to pay an extortionate price, at a dealer, with no dedicated prep area, by lacklustre, time constrained and indifferent operatives.

[michael123]

Doesn't sound real to me 9-10 years of protection (against what btw?)

Come on Michael123, throw me a bone here!!.

I order GardX and it’s wrong!!

I change to Ceramic Coating and it’s too good to be true.
I’d be going for the lesser coating anyway.

It is not wrong, as far as I understood it should keep going for 2-3 years with proper handling (forget about car wash)

[Dermottdog]

The 'new Car Detail' which I was recommended to go for, included full exterior prep and sealant/coating, alloy wheel sealant, interior trim plastics, carpets and mats, seat leather (bolsters) and alcantara facings etc, came in at a very acceptable £250.00 and takes a full day to complete. I was also advised to take advantage of one his, once-a year, 'maintenance cleans' for the princely sum of £35.00 (This would be entirely optional, but I think worth it)

So as all parties are sufficiently impressed, I have been 'persuaded' to book in my wife's 2018 Suzuki SZ-T (its been standing outside, in all weathers for about 12 months now) for a similar session in October as a bit of a treat!

Yep. Sounds good. I’ve made enquires locally and received the email below.



Hi Robert

Thanks for your enquiry and apologies on the slow reply, it’s been a bit of a busy day

There are a few options on the level of ceramic coating you require and we would really need to see the car before I can give you a price as every car is different

A rough guide on a single stage machine polish would be £295 then from £260 for a ceramic coating

We are accredited and authorised by Ceramic pro and Gtechniq and they both do different levels of coatings, the guide price above is for there light version which give a 3-5 year protection but they also do another version which can give 9-10 years protection

If you let me know a convenient day and time to call I can then explain options and also arrange a visit to inspect your car

Many thanks
Paul

Dermottdog, am I reading your detailers email quote correctly or am I missing something? Machine polish @ £295* plus THEN a ceramic coating applied for £260+ making an est. price of £555+ and no mention of alloy wheel and interior treatments?.....wow! Do they know its a brand-new car?As my detailer said to me, WHY would you need to machine polish a 'brand new' vehicle? (unless it has an obvious defect, which would be a DEALER issue anyway) This is why my guy has a dedicated menu price for a "NEW CAR Preparation Detail" for which he was quite adamant, is all my car would need and subsequently got! His ethos is to be honest and upfront and advise the customer what, in his professional opinion, the vehicle 'actually needs' and not add ££££ worth of unnecessary 'works'...........Just be SURE what you will be getting for your hard-earned!
BTW, in your last post you said, tongue-in-cheek.........."I order GardX and it`s wrong".......not a bit of it! What was wrong, in my book, was you about to pay an extortionate price, at a dealer, with no dedicated prep area, by lacklustre, time constrained and indifferent operatives.

Hi K1t

No, you’re right, it does sound excessively high. I’m sure I told them it was a new car but that’s what they came back with. I have to say that I’m very impressed with your results and you say it could be done in a day. It’s a couple of hours from where we are but I’d rather go with someone who’s been recommended. At the dealers, they tried a little to promote the GardX stuff. They have a promotional car with half the Bonnet treated and the other half not. One of the senior guys said ‘here, run your finger across both sides’. ‘Feel the difference’? Well I couldn’t!!

Just to add, opinions are very subjective, obviously. I respect them and welcome them.

I also asked about the presentation boxes the keys come in. It could be, according to the sales guy, these will be quickly phased out due to costs.

Regards Rob