Even with Gary Gullickson away and the manager's desk covered by someone from the MINI store it only took a half hour of "real" work. Another half hour was absorbed by capuccinos and shooing other customers away from the car so they could get it out of the showroom (it is brought into the showroom for delivery).
Even with Gary Gullickson away and the manager's desk covered by someone from the MINI store it only took a half hour of "real" work. Another half hour was absorbed by capuccinos and shooing other customers away from the car so they could get it out of the showroom (it is brought into the showroom for delivery).
I spoke with the new Service Manager "Terry" and they expect my smart to arrive late Thursday or Early Friday. Prepped and ready by hopefully Monday.
I am going the cashiers check route so picking that up on Thursday while the bank is a bit slower than on a Friday or weekend.
This is actually my first new car so it's an exciting event for me - even at 33 years... LOL
I am trying not to drive the dealer insane, but I guess they are used to it by now.
Any last minute tips or advice is welcome. Things to confirm or ask during delivery? I printed out the pre-delivery check list and sent it to Terry so they would be prepared.
... Any last minute tips or advice is welcome. Things to confirm or ask during delivery? ...
An on-going issue at the time of my JUL '08 delivery, which seems to have died down now, was the sticking shift lever cam. scVAB lubed mine during the PDI and I have had no problems. Loose battery ground straps have been noted, even recently. Othewise, you can go through this thread: Pre-delivery checklist
It may have changed by now, but originally the dealers were reimbursed 7/10ths of a man-hour to do the PDI. There is a lot on the SCOA pre-delivery list(s) that they won't have time to attend to. But over time, there may be things that have commonly come up that they recognize it would be bettter to check in addition to the normal PDI than chance smartUSA having to eat a tow-in (like my shifter lube). I wouldn't present the SCOA list as a "to-do" list, but rather a compendium of things that the large SCOA membership has noted that may prick their momory.
Last edited by Old smart; 12-09-2008 at 06:07 AM.
Reason: add
This is a consolidation of all the items submitted to the “Pre-Delivery Checklist” thread. Whereas smartUSA provides the dealers' service departments with a PDI list, and 7/10ths of a man-hour of reimbursement to accomplish it, everything in this consolidation isn’t going to happen (at least not at smartUSA’s expense). In fact, some items could be owner POST-delivery items. To save as much of the service department’s 7/10 man-hour as possible, I have grouped some items to “Sales Pre-Delivery,” where it goes on the showroom’s clock not service’s. The sales staff may have a lot of this already covered under their own regimen. Again, in no particular order nor order added to the thread.
Sales Pre-Delivery:
$99.00 reservation fee is applied to the invoice
Complete walk through of car with dealer rep
Two operational ignition keys
All door latches and locks working with key fobs
Full tank of gas
Gas cap on tight
Owners manual and assorted booklets in place
Dealer contact list - salesperson, manager, service, parts, etc.
Demonstration of removal and replacement of front service panel
Demonstration of engine access
Demonstration of access to battery, tow eye, and flat-kit
Demonstration of use of flat-kit
Coupe: Check tailgate alignment with the roof
Cabrio: Check you can open and close tailgate several times in a row
If dealer-installed “clear bra,” check for bubbles, no debris underneath, and no edges rolling or jagged
If dealer-installed tinting, check that tint is on correctly with no bubbles, not uneven, and not scratched
Confirm that window tinting has legal light transmission
Check the panels/paint for defects and/or flaws
Call dealer in advance if you don’t want holes drilled for front (or rear) plate state. You may have to provide a written, signed request.
Service Pre-Delivery:
Tire pressure set to factory specs
Re-set TPMS if tires are adjusted
Headlights correctly aimed
Foglights correctly aimed
Horn working
Shifter lubrication performed
Check shifter mechanism for loose fasteners
Fluids topped up (oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer)
Brakes checked and bled if necesssary
Battery charged
Battery load-tested
Battery cables tight
Installed equipment/options working properly (i.e.: heated seats, rear defroster, pod clock, A/C, signal bulbs, etc.)
Check radio operation and reception (AM/FM bands)
Tires balanced
Lug bolts properly torqued (81 ft/lb)
Wheels aligned
Check the orientation of the motion sensor on factory alarm system (20% installed upside down)
Congrats bradgarbus!!! Mine was about 2 1/4 hours. Then about 2 1/4 hours to drive home (guess which 2 1/4 hours was more fun). We did finance at the dealer because when I told them I would go with my Credit Union they promised to beat whatever the rate was by 1/4%. Enjoy your car, Post pics!
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