Ok, so this Friday (3/7) I'm a the dealership buying my E. They go through the list of maintenence packages available. The one that catches my eye is called, "The Ultimate Defense Plan". Has anyone heard of it. Granted, they know I'm buying this new baby and that I'll probaby want to do whatever it takes to protect her. According to the info, its an application of something that gets applied to the E's paint and it "bonds" to the paint. You get a 7 year protection against UV rays, "loss of gloss", bird poop, and tree sap. "Protects the beauty of your factory finish". Also, 7 year interior protection against stains, beverage spills, surface discoloration, & fading. The one that got me, was the 3yr/36,000 mile dent protection. Protects against door ding, shopping card dents, dent repair. According to plan, included is "unlimited paintless den repair services . Removal of dents (up to 4" in diameter) on fendors, doors, quarter panel and rear lift panel. No fee, no deductibles. The catch, its $700, but of course since i just bought the E, I get a $200 discount.
Has anyone heard of this? Is this real or a rip off? Or, is this available somewhere else cheaper??
Thanks a million!:smile:

I don't know anything about this specific product but here's an opinion from an auto detailer about paint and fabric protection products. (http://www.mobileworks.com/autodetailingprotection.html)

"Protection package equals profits" should give you a pretty good idea of what this is all about!

SNAKE OIL don't waste your money on it!!!:mad: 1st are you planning on keeping your E 7yrs., if so great. Put the 700.00 in the bank and in 7 yrs. you should have enough for a new paint job, or if you wash an wax it on a regular bases or take it to a detailer 1-2 times a year in 7 yrs throw a party. :cool: Many of the lower panels on your E are plastic= no dent. The interior already has special fabric that is spill resistant. Just my .02 werD:cool:

SNAKE OIL don't waste your money on it!!!:mad: 1st are you planning on keeping your E 7yrs., if so great. Put the 700.00 in the bank and in 7 yrs. you should have enough for a new paint job, or if you wash an wax it on a regular bases or take it to a detailer 1-2 times a year in 7 yrs throw a party. :cool: Many of the lower panels on your E are plastic= no dent. The interior already has special fabric that is spill resistant. Just my .02 werD:cool:
Its just what I needed to hear. The more research I do here, the more I learn how to take care of my Elie.
This is my first "new" car. Am I naive to think I can keep her shiny?:-P

Its just what I needed to hear. The more research I do here, the more I learn how to take care of my Elie.
This is my first "new" car. Am I naive to think I can keep her shiny?:-P

Nah, you can keep her shiny. That's generally my goal too. Of course, winter always gets in the way and removes the shine and replaces it with dirt... :sad:

But man does it look good in the summer. It's all about how much effort you want to put into it. The others are right though, you don't need that plan from the dealership. There's plenty of advice on here as to how to keep your E pristine. And it's a Sport Utility Box, so don't be afraid to get it dirty and use it sometimes too. :D

"Protection package equals profits" should give you a pretty good idea of what this is all about!

For most of the "Protection Packages" I've seen, you would do MUCH better (and MUCH cheaper) by a GOOD DIY wax/sealant job and spray fabric protector on your seats. Yes, it takes a little of your time, but a HUGE savings in your pocket..... :wink::roll:8)

IMHO - SAVE your money and spend a nice weekend DIY'ing and enjoying the time spent taking care of your E...... :twisted::-D:-D:-D

When I was a wee teen detailing new cars at a Ford dealer around 1980, we had this stuff we called "Secret Weapon". The sales manager would bring back cases of this stuff from the auto auction a few times a month.

Secret Weapon had no label on the case or on the can. It was pink, had the consistency of water, smelled like kerosene and was HIGHLY flammable. It made the car look great - until it rained. The dealer sold this as a paint sealer for about $200/pop, (back then!):lol:

The worst crap wax you can buy over the counter is better than anything a dealer puts on. Save your money and DIY.

When I was a wee teen detailing new cars at a Ford dealer around 1980, we had this stuff we called "Secret Weapon". The sales manager would bring back cases of this stuff from the auto auction a few times a month.

Secret Weapon had no label on the case or on the can. It was pink, had the consistency of water, smelled like kerosene and was HIGHLY flammable. It made the car look great - until it rained. The dealer sold this as a paint sealer for about $200/pop, (back then!):lol:

The worst crap wax you can buy over the counter is better than anything a dealer puts on. Save your money and DIY.

Guess its off to buys some wax ( no crap wax :D) and just put some elbow grease into it. Hmm..wonder how many calories burned in waxing an E?? :confused:

Guess its off to buys some wax ( no crap wax :D) and just put some elbow grease into it. Hmm..wonder how many calories burned in waxing an E?? :confused:

It can be quite a few. There is a deceptive amount of surface area on the E! :D