What to do initially on a new Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI?

T

The White Miata

New member
After driving the same 1984 BMW 533i for the last 20 years (188,000 miles), my wife gets a well deserved new car this year. She chose the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI (over BMW, Jaguar, Cadillac, etc.), so we have just ordered one for USA delivery in September.



My question concerns car care. What should I do when the car arrives? I use the following products on my Miata:



Shampoo - P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo

Clay Treatment - Pinnacle PolyClay Kit

Polish - Menzerna Final Polish

Polish/Sealant - Klasse All-In-One

Glaze – None

Quick Detailer - Sonus High Gloss Acrylic Spritz

Vinyl/Rubber protector - 303 Aerospace Protectant

Leather Cleaner – Lexol Leather Cleaner

Leather Conditioner – Lexol Leather Conditioner



According to Classic Motoring Accessories, Ltd.

http://store.yahoo.com/classic-motoring/aregepadi.html

these products work well on the German "soft" paint finishes.



Questions:

1. Should I give the new E320 the full treatment as soon as it arrives? Or instead, should I skip the clay treatment and polish, and just apply the Klasse All-in-One? Or should I do nothing for a while, and let the paint breathe?

2. Should I tell the dealer not to wax it before delivery (I assume this would be done, if I don't say anything).



Thanks!

Mike
 
Congratulations on the new ride! Ask the dealer not to prep the car. It would even be better to take delivery with the protective wrap still on the car and remove it yourself at the showroom just to chaeck for flaws. New cars have spent plenty of time on the ship so the painted has cured. I would just wash, clay and wax. Make sure to wax the wheels, as MB brakes create alot of dust.
 
Hi Mike-

Welcome to Autopia, I am not David, but I can give you some advice.

It sounds like you have some good products already. I would recommend telling your dealership not to touch the car. Chances are, it will be some 16 year old washing it with something dirty. So, I would suggest washing it- your P21S shampoo will be great, clay- Pinnacle's clay is good, then AIO, then I would definitely suggest you get some Klasse SG. It is AIO's sealant brother if you will, and will protect your finish. AIO is really more of a chemical cleaner and doesn't have much in the way of protection. As for the German paint situation, I am not totally buying it personally. BMW's are about medium softness, while Audi's are super, super hard. Mercedes I would place a bit harder than BMW's. Feel free to ask any more questions and just an FYI- the Detailing and Autopia University sections are probably a better fit for questions like these as this is a vendor forum. Good luck.
 
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