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My Macan S was finally ready to pick up last Sunday. The car looks gorgeous!
During the signing process with the finance guy, I was talked into a full front PPF + ceramic coating (interior + exterior). The price was acceptable as I didn't want to drive it without PPF on the way home, so I agreed to do it.
Fast forward to today, the car is ready for pick up. I was so excited about driving it home. But then I found a few knife cuts from the PPF installation...see pics. They cut into the paint! 3 of them on the bumper next to the center vent. And one on the hood near the Porsche emblem. I am so heart broken.
Dealer said they will fix it with their body shop...but not sure how...repaint might be need. I am definitely going to reject a repaint on a brand new car.
What are my options? See if they can fix it without a repaint? Get a full refund for PPF and coating + cost to fix the damage? Take the car as is and ask for a compensation? Return the car and order a new one (is this even possible)?
I didn't take the car home...waiting for the dealer to come up with a solution.
I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m not familiar with PPF so others may know better, but besides the damage the application seems terrible. Maybe have them remove it, “fix” the paint damage, and get a refund for the PPF plus $700 which is what you paid for the Papaya paint upgrade. Just my two cents. Make sure they know just how upset you are. Have the PPF done by a good detailer instead.
edit: I would also insist on talking to the shop directly about how they plan to fix the paint.
This is so sad to see. I would also object to a repaint of any part on a brand new car. Unfortunately the only solution would be to reject this car and order another one, if that is possible. In the end I would probably agree to a touch up solution and a big check back from the dealership as compensation for the damage. Sorry you have to deal with this. The dealer should definitely never use this PPF installer again.
Very frustrating but it’s a car. Have them fix it and compensate you for the hassle. If you are not familiar with ppf, have someone who is look at the installation prior to accepting the car.
I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m not familiar with PPF so others may know better, but besides the damage the application seems terrible. Maybe have them remove it, “fix” the paint damage, and get a refund for the PPF plus $700 which is what you paid for the Papaya paint upgrade. Just my two cents. Make sure they know just how upset you are. Have the PPF done by a good detailer instead.
edit: I would also insist on talking to the shop directly about how they plan to fix the paint.
Thanks for the advices. Yea, the dealer said they will let me know the repair options and let me decide. Initially I was hesitant to have the dealership do it, but they kept praising how good and diligent they are to make everything perfect and right and I didn't want to risk driving home without PPF...bad decision.
This is so sad to see. I would also object to a repaint of any part on a brand new car. Unfortunately the only solution would be to reject this car and order another one, if that is possible. In the end I would probably agree to a touch up solution and a big check back from the dealership as compensation for the damage. Sorry you have to deal with this. The dealer should definitely never use this PPF installer again.
Yea, I would definitely reject the car if I didn't pay and sign the documents last week. Yea, they said that is their contracted body shop...but the quality is very poor. How much would a big check be?
First, so sorry this is happening to you. I suggest that you let the dealer do the fixing with the understanding that, when done, it remains your choice whether to accept the car, with some compensation. In addition, they should give you a loaner in the meantime. If you take it elsewhere, the result is at your risk.
Last edited by jhbs; 09-18-2022 at 02:52 AM.
Reason: Fix typos
First, so sorry this is happening to you. I suggest that you let the dealer do the fixing with the understanding that, when done, it remains your choice whether to accept the car, with some compensation. In addition, they should give you a loaner in the meantime. If you take it elsewhere, the result is at your risk.
Thanks. In some ways, I am actually glad that it was done through the dealer as they are responsible to make this right. Else I would need to work with the body shop directly and who knows what their response is going to be.
Yes, they loaned me an used A4. They definitely need to remove the PPF on the bumper and hood to fix the issues…I am worry more damage will be done during second PPF install.
So very sorry to see. I empathize with you. Previously had a dealer install protective film (on a prior car) and did a sloppy job. No damage, but learned my lesson going forward about professional installation.
Agree to see what the dealer offers as a remedy. The cuts are not that big, and may be fixable vs. a repaint.
Beautiful car - try not to let this ruin your ownership experience. Unfortunately, scratches are an inevitable part of ownership (and will eventually occur) and as another poster noted: in the end, it is just a car.
Honestly, I'm kind of over PPF. If you keep cars for a long time, it has to be replaced after a couple years, it often lifts the paint or clear coat in areas especially if the car has been repainted in any areas where it's applied, the edges get dirty and show lines and can start lifting, and I've had damage right through the so it's not all that effective,etc. I've decided that I'm not doing it anymore and will just repaint my hoods and bumpers when they have enough stone chips to be unsightly.
Hope you get this resolved to your satisfaction, but I'd make them reorder the car if it were mine, which they may or may not be willing to do.
So sorry to see that. I have heard horror stories from some friends who agreed to let the dealer install the PPF. They usually are inexperienced individuals who have no idea what they are doing. I had my PPF and ceramic coating done at a high end detail shop and while it was not cheap I can tell they do really high quality work. My advice would be to have them remove the PPF and try to fix it as best they can and give you are full refund for the PPF and a healthy compensation check for all the headache.
They butchered that install. Makes you wonder if they even had a supervisor inspect the work before releasing the car. My guess is no. Hopefully it can be resolved to your satisfaction. Unfortunately the experience lowers your confidence in the dealership and they will try to get it back.
Yea, I would definitely reject the car if I didn't pay and sign the documents last week. Yea, they said that is their contracted body shop...but the quality is very poor. How much would a big check be?
I would ask for a check for $5000 plus a refund of the PPF cost. I would ask them myself first, if they balk I would have my attorney get involved. It's a Porsche, not a Toyota. The dealership can then chase the PPF installer for reimbursement, not your problem.
On a side note NEVER let a dealer install PPF, tint, ceramic, etc. I use my own local guy. There's a usually a reason the guys dealerships use can't support their own shop.
Please let us know how this is resolved. Would like to know since I can identify the dealership from your photo. Hope they make things right.
I had planned to have a specialist do full front PPF when I take delivery, but will live without it. As others have noted, it’s a car and will get scratched.
09-17-2022, 10:37 PM
HELP! MY23 Macan S arrived with mixed feeling
