What a mark up!!

[Peteaussi]

Hi Guys n Gals,

So I am busy trying to figure out what I want to do with regards to paint protection. I know I want it and I know what is available, but I am really at a sticking point. I wouldn't mind some advice on this and I know it has been covered already so apologies for not adding this to another thread.

I initially called up the dealer to ask about their paint protection options and they quote me $2500 for the following.

"In regards to Paint, Fabric, Carpet and Vinyl protection there are a few options you have. We have our premium pack called 5th Dimension. This is complete vehicle protection which also includes a “SMART Policy”. It is a once only application which comes with a lifetime warranty. The paint protection gives the vehicle a high glossy finish and prevents anything acidic, bird dropping etc from staining the paint work. It also eliminates the need for you to wax and polish your car again! It’s enhanced with a UV protectant to prevent fading and ageing of the paint work. The fabric and carpet protection soaks into each individual fibre. This in turn increases resistance to wear and tear as well as giving you a resilient and effective stain barrier. In contains Bacti Shield- a bacterial protection system which makes it ideal for pet owners! The vinyl conditioner provides a tough barrier for scuff marks and stains. It gives the vinyl a long lasting “as new” appearance. Its low sheen, non greasy and non slick. The “SMART policy” allow you unlimited repairs over your 2 year period. Things such as stone chips, surface scratches on the paint work, small dents and interior trim repairs are covered. You pay $55 for the claim and they will come to you and fix it! This deal is exclusive to dealerships."

I also enquired about the Ventureshield clear car bra and similar paint protection 'GTechniq clear coat' at Perth Graphics Centre and got quoted $1500 for both the Ventureshield on the front and full bonnet, and also the GTechniq clear coat. This doesn't include anything for the interior.

So I got a call today from the dealer and she asked me if I had made a decision and I told her about the aftermarket stuff and she didn't even have time to breath before she dropped the price down to $1500 for the dealer package. It really makes me think how much they put on top of what it actually costs the dealer!! She dropped $1000 without blinking it seems.

But anyways my question to all of you out in VWW world is what are your opinions on my two options considering they are both the same price now? Any advice or even names of other providers would be appreciated.

FYI, I am getting a Carbon Steel 5dr GTI.

Cheers

Pete

[Transporter]

What do you mean by "We have our premium pack called 5th Dimension." ?

[Maverick]

You're not telling us anything that hasn't been discussed a million times before all over the internet.

This is where the dealers make their cream, if you allow the ming mole to seduce you and sign on the dotted line you've just paid a fair portion of her next b**b augmentation.

Your choices are really simple.

Get a quality sealer put on the paint yourself for around $30 and maintain the car through washing and reapplying the sealer every 3-6 months (depending on the conditions where you park the car etc). This takes care of the paint protection from the elements. (or pay to get this done - a few hundred each time for a full detail).

Protect the carpets as soon as you get the car home, pull the mats out and spray the carpets, seats (except if leather) and even the ceiling if you want with scotchguard carpet protector (available from coles, bunnings etc). Allow 2-4 cans depending on your spec. Do the mats as well. It's important to do this as soon as you get the car for best results. Do the mats as well with extra coats and allow to dry overnight. $20 a can x 2-4 ($40-$80)

Protect the vinyl with a decent vinyl cleaner (see waxit.com.au for decent ones - same with the sealant above)

For maximum protection get ventureshield fitted. I had the full GTI kit + extra areas covered for $811 by ducoscratch.com.au, their site shows what you get so you can use it as a reference for locals. Again do this ASAP, the owner of ducoscratch picked up two chips on his way back to his business in his new Passat CC before he had a chance to wrap it.

And of course search as there is heaps of info out there. But beware the Ming Mole, her low cut top get's her plenty of business but the product she's selling isn't worth the price.

[Corey_R]

If that 5th Dimension crap is any good, why would you need a "repair" service?
All of this stuff is junk. I wouldn't even pay $500 for it. The interior you can do yourself by buying scotchguard in a can from Bunnings for about $10 each.

Go for the Paint Protection Film. $1500 for that seems a bit much btw. Usually the standard kit would be about $695 (at least in Sydney). My friend for that on his Audi A4 wagon plus the clear coat hardener on the rest of the body and it still cost less than $1000. I'm not sure how just having the full bonnet done would bring that up to $1500.

[Peteaussi]

What do you mean by "We have our premium pack called 5th Dimension." ?

It is a pack by a group called motorone... (MotorOne) whic consists of the interior, exterior and all that sh*t being protected.

[Peteaussi]

If that 5th Dimension crap is any good, why would you need a "repair" service?
All of this stuff is junk. I wouldn't even pay $500 for it. The interior you can do yourself by buying scotchguard in a can from Bunnings for about $10 each.

Go for the Paint Protection Film. $1500 for that seems a bit much btw. Usually the standard kit would be about $695 (at least in Sydney). My friend for that on his Audi A4 wagon plus the clear coat hardener on the rest of the body and it still cost less than $1000. I'm not sure how just having the full bonnet done would bring that up to $1500.

The GTechni sealer/ laquer costs 495 and the Ventureshield with the bonnet is $1000. Having a look at the Ventureshield website it says the price is $900 installed which isn't that bad and that is just for the basic front kit (ie not the bonnet as well).

Thanks for all of your advice tho... definitely not too worried about the interior now as I can just scotchguard it.

[emuexport]

Pete stay away from the ming mole. Now to be known as the motorone mole or 5th Dimension Mole choose your poison.

The coat that they put on is BS I should know I've had it done twice. Which makes me a sucker twice lol Oh well live and learn.

As you know I am going for the Film and the C1 from GTechniq. The guy at PCG needs my car for two days so I'm not fussed about the price too much as it's going to be made up of a fair bit of manhours and time is money. As opposed to a quick wash and wax from the dealer

Only film will stop stonechips and even then it cant really stop everything. But it sure as hell works well on my motorbike. The bugs just wipe off and when I crashed it up at the track the film took a lot of the brunt of a 120kmh power slide. leaving the panels underneath fairly unscathed considering!

[Corey_R]

The GTechni sealer/ laquer costs 495 and the Ventureshield with the bonnet is $1000. Having a look at the Ventureshield website it says the price is $900 installed which isn't that bad and that is just for the basic front kit (ie not the bonnet as well).

Thanks for all of your advice tho... definitely not too worried about the interior now as I can just scotchguard it.

Fair enough. Btw, what is the 'Ventureshield website'. Do you have a link? I wasn't aware of there being an official site in Australia.
As for the prices you've been quoted - fair enough, sometimes things are just more expensive over that side of the country.

But yeah - glad you're realising that you need to stay away from the ming mole

[Peteaussi]

Fair enough. Btw, what is the 'Ventureshield website'. Do you have a link? I wasn't aware of there being an official site in Australia.
As for the prices you've been quoted - fair enough, sometimes things are just more expensive over that side of the country.

But yeah - glad you're realising that you need to stay away from the ming mole

Wasn't the ventureshield site sorry for the misunderstanding/ brain fart on my part. It was actually on the ducoscratch website that I saw that price fitted. I am definitely going to go for the non dealer option as really the interior stuff I can do easily enough myself with possibly even better products. Thanks for all the help!!!

[Maverick]

The GTechni sealer/ laquer costs 495 and the Ventureshield with the bonnet is $1000. Having a look at the Ventureshield website it says the price is $900 installed which isn't that bad and that is just for the basic front kit (ie not the bonnet as well).

??? Ducoscratch website has the Mark 5 and Mark 6 kits for $550. Fitting is $400, that's $950 fitted.

Duco Scratch Online Store:

This includes the bonnet (first third of the bonnet).

[hooba]

I know I'm old school, but what ever happened to simply maintaining your paint work by lovingly waxing it after a regular hand wash?

These plastic films remind me of people who leave the plastic on their mobile phone screens or cover their carpet with the stuff.

[emuexport]

I hope not as I'm getting it installed on my 118 when it arrives.

I've had it on my bike and you can only see it if you are looking for it. So I dont think its anything like the plastic left on a mobile.

[Maverick]

I know I'm old school, but what ever happened to simply maintaining your paint work by lovingly waxing it after a regular hand wash?

These plastic films remind me of people who leave the plastic on their mobile phone screens or cover their carpet with the stuff.

Please tell us how a loving hand wash and wax on a regular basis protects from stone chips and scrapes in car parks?

BTW my car is covered in plastic protection and so are my phone screens, for that matter so is the RNS 510 screen, all look like new with no marks or scratches.

[GTI6]

Can you actually see the plastic film that protects the exterior of the car?

[G-rig]

Protect the carpets as soon as you get the car home, pull the mats out and spray the carpets, seats (except if leather) and even the ceiling if you want with scotchguard carpet protector (available from coles, bunnings etc). Allow 2-4 cans depending on your spec. Do the mats as well. It's important to do this as soon as you get the car for best results. Do the mats as well with extra coats and allow to dry overnight. $20 a can x 2-4 ($40-$80)

All of this stuff is junk. I wouldn't even pay $500 for it. The interior you can do yourself by buying scotchguard in a can from Bunnings for about $10 each..

I just picked up 4 cans of scotchguard at bunnings, fairly cheap and the stuff from the dealer won't be any better, just a con job.