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Supagard

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 12:46 pm
by Norton
The dealer is offering Supagard to protect the exterior and interior of my XC40 which is now on order. For many years my position on these point of sale dealer add-ons has been to decline them on the basis that, if they were necessary, the manufacturer would have applied them in the factory. But I have been thinking that there is probably nothing to lose (other than the relatively small amount of money it will cost) in getting the dealer to apply it. I cannot see that it is going to do any harm. Can anyone help me make up my mind?

1. Why are paint and interior protection products not applied in the factory or offered as factory-applied optional extras? Does it mean that Volvo feels they are unnecessary? (Although I see Volvo is listed on the Supagard website as a "Supagard partner".)

2. Can those who have had it done say whether Supagard, if applied correctly by the dealer, is any good?

Re: Supagard

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 1:41 pm
by Metroman
I had mine treated with Supagard , I know that there are probably better products available but its not a prestige classic and I don't have the time or inclination to spend ages polishing and waxing, been there and done that!

I am very pleased with the end result, no doubt there'll be others that see it as another dealer rip off so if you want some degree of paint protection why not?
All I would say is get a price from a good and trusted detailer near to you and haggle on this price with the dealer, if they don't budge take it to the local guys.

You pays your money etc....

Re: Supagard

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 3:13 pm
by RonFleet
I've had Supagard applied to my last six cars (including my latest) over the last 18 years. In my opinion, it helps protect the paintwork and makes cleaning it a bit easier.

Re: Supagard

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 5:06 pm
by Chris John
Lots of commission for the salesman. Same as gap insurance which you can get at far less cost than the dealers offer

Re: Supagard

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 5:10 pm
by jamie307
Thinking of all the cars I've owned, I've never once noticed any damage to the paint from salt, mud, UV light, or acid rain, so I wouldn't consider it worthwhile. If however there was a product that protected against scratches from branches, shopping trolleys etc then I'd be biting the dealer's hand off!

Re: Supagard

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 6:17 pm
by morganj
jamie307 wrote: Tue Sep 15, 2020 5:10 pm Thinking of all the cars I've owned, I've never once noticed any damage to the paint from salt, mud, UV light, or acid rain, so I wouldn't consider it worthwhile. If however there was a product that protected against scratches from branches, shopping trolleys etc then I'd be biting the dealer's hand off!
COVID and bubble wrap are proven effective against scratches.

Or a more realistic option would be PPF.

Re: Supagard

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 11:05 pm
by DrAdrian
Just acquired my second Volvo and put Supaguard on like a shot. My treated V40 would clean itself every time it rained.

Re: Supagard

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2020 6:11 am
by Chris John
DrAdrian wrote: Tue Sep 15, 2020 11:05 pm Just acquired my second Volvo and put Supaguard on like a shot. My treated V40 would clean itself every time it rained.
Wow that’s clever. How does rain and a polish get mud and tar off? ;)

Re: Supagard

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:35 am
by Norton
Thanks for all the comments.

I am still wondering why paint and interior protection products are not applied in the factory or offered as factory-applied optional extras? Does it mean that Volvo feels they are unnecessary or is there another reason?

Re: Supagard

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:54 am
by ciuncky
The reason i personally see for paint protection not applied at factory is because it would be an extra line of production that won't always be used. Because people want to have a choice and not be fed £500 for something they don't want, so realistically that part of the factory would probably see half of the usage of the rest of the line, if that.

To top that off, if i was a factory owner i wouldn't want to eat up all the loss if protection is applied wrong and fucks up the car; this way, you apply it yourself, and it's your trouble to deal with if it goes south.

Additionally, it's always good to create space for aftermarket stuff - think Apple having a very limited amount of phone cases