carbuff

I'm new to Audi and ordered a 2011 S4 to be delivered in July. I was wondering whether anyone purchased the dealer paint/interior/wheel protection package. The dealer indicated that the paint protection coating will last 10 years and protect your paint from bird droppings and tree sap. Also, the wheel protection will reduce the amount of brake dust stuck on the wheel (only spray wash necessary to remove the brake dust). Anyone have experience with purchasing this dealer package or save the money and wax the car and apply Armour All to the wheels.

Also, is the wheel damage protection warranty worth the price. The dealer wanted $1199 for 5 years of warranty (i.e. if damaged, will replace wheels for free). Any thoughts on whether this is worth it. The other forums indicate this may be a good idea but wanted to know what the experience is like in Canada with damaged wheels around the Toronto GTA area. Thanks.

rbarlow

Pfaff in Vaughn had a sale in May that offered tint, exterior & interior protection and 3M clear-bra for $995. Since tint was already something like $499 and i wanted the clear-bra, I took the deal. Didn't go with the wheel protection though ... been driving a while now and have never had any issues with tires or rim.

One of the lines I heard about the exterior protection was that I'd never need to wax for 5 years. Yeah, ok.

buddysnack

I am very wary of any of these plans. It is a major way for dealerships to make money, and I think they are based upon what we hope for, not what is possible (like not waxing for 5 years). Hmmm...kinda like Las Vegas. More people lose than win.

carbuff

Thanks to both of you for your replies. I ordered my S4 in Brilliant Black with the black trim package and was concerned about scratches and swirls since I know the black colour shows this more. My last two cars were silver but I wanted something different (even though I still have a chance to change it to quartz grey before they build it). I thought getting the paint sealant protection would help prevent the swirls (or at least reduce it). Thanks for the info regarding the package cost you got from Pfaff. I may have to see if my dealer in Markham can match that price since I only got the tint and audi care from them but was thinking of the protection package and 3M clearbra. I had the clear bra on a previous car but found that after 8 years, it start to get discoloured but it was effectively in preventing stone chip damage on the paint (but not the dents).

Did anyone do the 3M product on the entire hood rather than just the front piece?

As I'm lazy in waxing my car (used to do it when I was younger but not now), any good detailing places to recommend in the north part of Toronto/GTA? Thanks.

rbarlow

Good choice on colour, I also went with Brilliant Black. Car should be here next month so I'll let you know how it turns out with the protection.

sakimano

yeah, that warranty...sounds like something that would be VERY hard to actually cash in on

kinda like rust warranty "Nope...that's not rust until it's completely perforating the panel". Ok...see you in 9 years.

p.s. guys...bring those cars out to the S/RS drive that is being planned. PM Mhupel for details

mikeh

Although there are some advantages getting certain things done by the dealer and those advantages may be in terms of the dealer wanting to maintain a relationship most items that are extra are done by a third party. For instance. I recently had my windows tinted by Krown Lakeshore, who by the way did a fantastic job, and they also tint for dealerships including Audi. So "Dealer Tint" is in fact farmed out. You can get tint, 3M, and other protectants done by third party or pay extra for the dealer to do the same. A good question would be to ask the dealer where and who is doing the work and what are the advantages if the same work is done through the dealership?

When you get your new S4 post some pics.

carbuff

Thanks for your additional thoughts on this subject. I agree that the dealer applied items would be more expensive than going to a reputable detailing/tinting shop but, sometimes depending on price, I prefer to get everything done all at once from the dealer rather than going to different places to get tint/paint protection/3M. That said, I am trying to bargain down the dealer on the package deal with tint/paint/3M similar to what was discussed on an earlier post to see if they will go down in price. If not, I will shop elsewhere. BTW, the paint sealant the dealer will use is called Xzilon. I googled it but has mixed reviews. Anyone at this forum used this product before (dealer applied or otherwise). Thanks.

cheeba

All I have to say: Have you ever heard of a high-end detailer using any product that car dealerships use? The answer is "No.", if you don't know yourself.

mikeh

So what are you saying?