Basic dealership expectations during pickup

[rohankumar]

It's real and it' spectacular!!!!!!!
After what seemed like an endless wait my 2021 MME Premium RWD DMG Ext was delivered at the dealership on Wednesday. We went in to take a look at the car and test drive it around and were really happy with our choice having never seen a DMG in person or checking out the premium sound system on the Select we test drove. The dealership's closed on the weekends and I will be out of town till Tuesday so Wednesdays is earliest we can bring the car in. I was wondering what are the basic expectations I can set for the dealership between now and then? I will be using Ford Options and X plan agreed to by the dealership with no ADM.

• Since we saw water spots and smudge marks on out the outside and inside on the carpeting and the trim I would expect a nice car wash along with some detailing work.
• More importantly I would expect the car is handed to me with the latest software updates. I didn't look through what version the software was on but it definitely didn't have games like tic tac toe etc. (yes I know I should have done better on this front)
• Also how can I check if BlueCruise which comes standard with the premium is available and activated
• Car was on a trickle charge showing 175 miles on a 70% left battery, I would hope they hand it topped up all the way

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[macchiaz-o]

Congrats!! ?

BlueCruise will be there... Whether it's activated or not -- I'm not sure if that happens before or after the first owner takes control of the car??

Tic tac toe isn't its own app. It's a section with the Sketch/Notes app.

They won't load software updates for you unless they are instructed to do so by Ford, or if you come back with specific concerns that are tied to updates. Don't expect this.

My dealer didn't top up the battery... I plugged it in to their charger after my test drive, while we did paperwork.

 

[MMXX500]

99% chance the updates will most likely not be done during P.D.I ( pre delivery inspection ) You should tell your salesman that Ford just released new updates and have them download them before delivery, this can take a Few hours to do.

As far as ‘detailing’ don’t have high expectations, the ‘detail’ at a dealership means a car wash in the most basic form. Dealerships do not hire people with real detail skills because that would cost extra money. They will use glass cleaner to remove the smudges on the paint and there will be no sealant on the paint of any kind. My advice is to tell them not to wash it at all to reduce the chances of them scratching it, then take it straight to Alfredo at ‘So fresh and so clean’ in Modesto.

 

[MachEMaster]

It's real and it' spectacular!!!!!!!
After what seemed like an endless wait my 2021 MME Premium RWD DMG Ext was delivered at the dealership on Wednesday. We went in to take a look at the car and test drive it around and were really happy with our choice having never seen a DMG in person or checking out the premium sound system on the Select we test drove. The dealership's closed on the weekends and I will be out of town till Tuesday so Wednesdays is earliest we can bring the car in. I was wondering what are the basic expectations I can set for the dealership between now and then? I will be using Ford Options and X plan agreed to by the dealership with no ADM.

• Since we saw water spots and smudge marks on out the outside and inside on the carpeting and the trim I would expect a nice car wash along with some detailing work.
• More importantly I would expect the car is handed to me with the latest software updates. I didn't look through what version the software was on but it definitely didn't have games like tic tac toe etc. (yes I know I should have done better on this front)
• Also how can I check if BlueCruise which comes standard with the premium is available and activated
• Car was on a trickle charge showing 175 miles on a 70% left battery, I would hope they hand it topped up all the way

I worked at Ford as a Lot Boy, and then in the Service Bay. All new customer vehicles were delivered washed, tires dressed, and freshly vacuumed. We also went across the street, and filled the tank, at the Chevron. I would expect all of this, but with a %100 battery charge.

 

[MMXX500]

Also, if you don't want the front license plate bracket installed be sure to tell them not to drill the holes in the bumper. Could be too late for this though if they have already PDI'd it.

 

[kindofblue]

99% chance the updates will most likely not be done during P.D.I ( pre delivery inspection ) You should tell your salesman that Ford just released new updates and have them download them before delivery, this can take a Few hours to do.

As far as ‘detailing’ don’t have high expectations, the ‘detail’ at a dealership means a car wash in the most basic form. Dealerships do not hire people with real detail skills because that would cost extra money. They will use glass cleaner to remove the smudges on the paint and there will be no sealant on the paint of any kind. My advice is to tell them not to wash it at all to reduce the chances of them scratching it, then take it straight to Alfredo at ‘So fresh and so clean’ in Modesto.

I agree with having the dealership not wash it but doing it yourself (2 bucket method) before you then get ppf put on it and then Ceramic Pro. You will thank yourself for taking these steps when you see the results and how the car looks in 6-9 months.

 

[IamIA]

The dealership is supposed to charge your car 100%, that is according to what my dealer told me and not to put on additional joy-ride miles.

 

[Maquis]

This thread contains the official predelivery checklist. It’s a year old, so possibly it’s been tweaked since then

 

[kindofblue]

Thanks for the link to the dealer's pre-inspection checklist.

It would seem to me that a discussion of washing and paint inspection is something you could do with your internet sales manager.

As for the front bumper plate I've asked and will remind them to not install it. I plan on getting a license plate wrap (legal in CA)that would cover those holes in the event they're drilled at the factory.

 

[MMXX500]

Thanks for the link to the dealer's pre-inspection checklist.

It would seem to me that a discussion of washing and paint inspection is something you could do with your internet sales manager.

As for the front bumper plate I've asked and will remind them to not install it. I plan on getting a license plate wrap (legal in CA)that would cover those holes in the event they're drilled at the factory.

Yep definitely remind the dealer not to install it. If they arrive at the dealer with the bracket attached it's usually because it was put on at port to cover some kind of damage - if the dealer says it came in attached, remove it and inspect below.

 

[rohankumar]

99% chance the updates will most likely not be done during P.D.I ( pre delivery inspection ) You should tell your salesman that Ford just released new updates and have them download them before delivery, this can take a Few hours to do.

As far as ‘detailing’ don’t have high expectations, the ‘detail’ at a dealership means a car wash in the most basic form. Dealerships do not hire people with real detail skills because that would cost extra money. They will use glass cleaner to remove the smudges on the paint and there will be no sealant on the paint of any kind. My advice is to tell them not to wash it at all to reduce the chances of them scratching it, then take it straight to Alfredo at ‘So fresh and so clean’ in Modesto.

I was of the opinion that many ppl on this forum could alternately take their cars to dealerships for software updates when they weren't being offered to them via OTA or if they were having issues. In my mind I was picturing ford dealerships still having access and loading latest and greatest versions via a USB stick or something.

 

[rohankumar]

Also, if you don't want the front license plate bracket installed be sure to tell them not to drill the holes in the bumper. Could be too late for this though if they have already PDI'd it.

Unlike many of this forum I am not bent our of shape with the front plates. I have for many years lived in states that didn't require or really care for the front plate before moving to CA recently. It also doesn't seem to be a big issue where I live since my other car hasn't had one for a bit. I remember placing a front bracket on order initially, so if it does get installed I can live with that.

 

[rohankumar]

Yep definitely remind the dealer not to install it. If they arrive at the dealer with the bracket attached it's usually because it was put on at port to cover some kind of damage - if the dealer says it came in attached, remove it and inspect below.

No plates present during the first inspection, no visible damage or scuff marks also. I do plan another more through look around once the car is cleaned up next week.

 

[MMXX500]

I was of the opinion that many ppl on this forum could alternately take their cars to dealerships for software updates when they weren't being offered to them via OTA or if they were having issues. In my mind I was picturing ford dealerships still having access and loading latest and greatest versions via a USB stick or something.

The dealership can hook up a laptop and perform the downloads but it's very time consuming so they will rarely do it without charging the hourly labor rate. Ideally they should do it during the PDI but they don't, because the tech doing the PDI will have a fair number of cars to knock out in a day. You are in a good position though because you haven't taken delivery yet so you can make them do it before you take it.

 

[rohankumar]

The dealership started to send in some of the paperwork today and I have to admit having the worksheet from this forum really helped out a ton. Nothing quite prepares for the sales tax amount and kudos to anyone that can turn over a profit when reselling a car. My dealership capped their documentation fee at $80 but tried to sneak in a $250 administrative fee. I called him out referencing the X plan and he just took it off.

I think it should be smmoth sailing on Wednesday, hopefully.

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