Fuming with rage!!!

Nocturne_sa · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:06

I bought a 58 reg 3 series off the BMW dealership 2 weeks ago. Checked the body work twice for scratches etc before buying and it was in mint condition. Hand washed it today and guess what...around 8-10 MASSIVE scratches have suddenly appeared all over the car !

I am really really star your swearies properly off right now. Spoke to a chap at chips away and he told me this is what these dealerships normally do to make the sale. He told me that I should take it to the dealership and demand that they remove them free of charge.

I am going to the dealership first thing tomorrow morning. I was just wondering what my options are? Quality and after sales was one of the reasons why I paid extra and bought it off an authorised dealership and I am not impressed.

I'm not even sure if there is a permanent solution for scratches. They would just keep coming out after the car gets washed a couple of times.

Opinions guys?

Cheers

Housey · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:08

Are you saying you didn't check the car over at the point of collection or that you did and these scratches were not visible? If you have had the car for 2 weeks, signed the acceptance paperwork and now only 2 weeks later have found the marks I suggest you might struggle to take it much further with the dealer.

Beans on toast Dave · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:10

how diid they cover them up so you could not see them?

iaind · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:10

How do you suggest the scratches were hidden?

Its much more likely your car's been keyed or something

Nocturne_sa said:
I'm not even sure if there is a permanent solution for scratches. They would just keep coming out after the car gets washed a couple of times.

Eh!?

Nocturne_sa · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:14

The dealership obviously waxed/buffed the scratches..they are very fine and would easily disappear. The reason why I know this is because the day I bought the car I found couple of really small scratches. So I took it to the dealership the next day, they apologised and did 'something' while I sat in the showroom drinking coffee. The scratches were gone, not a sign of them. After this wash, those have reappeared along with others.

Richard_ · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:14

Hi
Depends how deep they are ?

If they are in the clear cote and not to deep you can have them polished out.

If you could not see them before I would guess they are not deep and can be polished out or I have used this to hide them before

http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,1,1

but this is only a short fix and next time you wash they will show up again.

Rich

Alex UK · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:17

The scratches have obviously been created after you purchased the car - perhaps you created them when washing it or something? You won't get anywhere with a dealer - you checked the car over before purchase and accepted it in the condition it was in.

Edit: I'd get it professionally detailed, should remove the scratches and leave the car looking better than when you bought it.

Alex_6n2 · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:18

Nocturne_sa said:
The dealership obviously waxed/buffed the scratches..they are very fine and would easily disappear. The reason why I know this is because the day I bought the car I found couple of really small scratches. So I took it to the dealership the next day, they apologised and did 'something' while I sat in the showroom drinking coffee. The scratches were gone, not a sign of them. After this wash, those have reappeared along with others.

You sure you didn't scratch the paint using a dirty sponge? Use a two bucket method of washing to make sure?

Scratches can easily be removed if they aren't too deep.

Housey · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:20

Today I used some Scratch X to remove a few battle scars from my bonnet and rear arches (people walking past at the station I suspect) and I have to say I was very impressed. Removed 2 sets of quite nastly looking fine scratches completely.

Nocturne_sa · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:20

Alex UK said:
The scratches have obviously been created after you purchased the car - perhaps you created them when washing it or something? You won't get anywhere with a dealer - you checked the car over before purchase and accepted it in the condition it was in.

Edit: I'd get it professionally detailed, should remove the scratches and leave the car looking better than when you bought it.

Thats not possible. Why were the scratches not visible before the wash? Why did the ones they fixed reappear along with others? How can washing the car with a cloth create scratches at random places??!

Disco Boy · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:21

Nocturne_sa said:
around 8-10 MASSIVE scratches have suddenly appeared all over the car !

Opinions guys?

You seem to have scratched your car.

Nocturne_sa · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:22

Housey said:
Today I used some Scratch X to remove a few battle scars from my bonnet and rear arches (people walking past at the station I suspect) and I have to say I was very impressed. Removed 2 sets of quite nastly looking fine scratches completely.

But thats my question, is it a permanent solution? I don't understand why I should be paying for it especially for the ones they apparently removed which have now come back.

Housey · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:22

Nocturne_sa said:
Thats not possible. Why were the scratches not visible before the wash? Why did the ones they fixed reappear along with others? How can washing the car with a cloth create scratches at random places??!

Are you really thinking about these posts before you click Submit Reply?

Richard_ · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:23

The Megs Scratch X is very good Might take a bit to remove them all but they will go with some hard work.

Housey · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:25

Nocturne_sa said:
But thats my question, is it a permanent solution? I don't understand why I should be paying for it especially for the ones they apparently removed which have now come back.

It depends on the type of scratch and how deep it is. You are suggesting that both scratches you knew of and scratches you didn't know of 'came back' when it may just be coincidence. It is very easy to scratch a car with a sponge or cloth when cleaning as it is when removing water with dreaded devices like plastic scraper things used in many Polish car cleaning/money laundering establishments.

Duke · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:26

Nocturne_sa said:
Spoke to a chap at chips away and he told me this is what these dealerships normally do to make the sale.

Do what?

DB_SamX · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:27

Nocturne_sa said:
Thats not possible. Why were the scratches not visible before the wash? Why did the ones they fixed reappear along with others? How can washing the car with a cloth create scratches at random places??!

Dirty car - less likely to see scratches.
They might just have waxed them superficially.
They just can appear if you don't wash properly. Takes relatively more effort to wash so that you avoid light scratches.

That's my take anyway.

Richard_ · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:27

Housey said:
Are you really thinking about these posts before you click Submit Reply?

If you have a light scratch and cover it with polish it makes it harder to see but when you wash the car they come back .. as it will remove the polish

Rich

Alex UK · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:28

Nocturne_sa said:
Thats not possible. Why were the scratches not visible before the wash?

Because you created them whilst washing the car?

Nocturne_sa said:
Why did the ones they fixed reappear along with others?

They obviously weren't 'fixed' in the first place.

Nocturne_sa said:
How can washing the car with a cloth create scratches at random places??!

Bits of grit etc. get onto the cloth which you then wipe across the car.

Ricochet J · 12 Aug 2009 at 19:28

Anyone else having a hard time trying to understand this guy? :confused: