Dealer Prep / PDI

[AlamedaJeep]

I ordered a JLU Sport S on June 30, and am eagerly awaiting news (I'm in D1 but that's it) and delivery.

In the meantime, I'm wondering what my dealer is likely to do once it arrives. I've heard that their service manager is likely (or even required) to test drive it 8 or 10 miles. I've seen a lot of JLs on the lot with odometers at 3 miles, so I don't know if that is true or not. Can I request that it not be driven before I get it? I may be paranoid, but I'd rather it be driven the absolute minimum before I pick it up, and for sure I don't want some customer taking it for a test drive (it's a manual, and they are pretty rare around here).

Anything else I should worry about? Can they scratch it up in the car wash? I've seen where people request that the front license plate bracket not be installed, though front plates are required in California.

Thanks for any information or suggestions!

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[SandBucket]

I just picked up mine 2 days ago. It only had 5 miles and they kinda apologized that it was so many - said they had to go fill it up with gas. So, I don’t think they did much test driving. I'm okay with that though. You can always test drive it before accepting delivery.
I WOULD ask them to check all the fuses and relays and to drop the tire pressure to specs (~36) before they give it to you.

 

[Litfuse]

I bought a new Miata in 2016 and during the PDI, some teenage porter washed the car and dried it off with a towel that must have had dirt on it. The car was covered in fine line scratches. I didn’t notice them until the next day. The dealer sent it to their body shop to be corrected but it was never 100%. That is why I will not have my Jeep dealer prep my wrangler when it comes in.

 

[Biscuit]

They'll wash it and fill the tank. That's it. They darn sure won't check the fuses or tire pressure, nor will they test drive it.

 

[Elganja]

They'll wash it and fill the tank. That's it. They darn sure won't check the fuses or tire pressure, nor will they test drive it.

I think it varies by dealer... Tri-City Jeep did a good job on my Jeep.

It was clean, test driven (it had 11 miles on it), and the tire pressure was set correctly. I checked the fuses as well, and they all were fine

 

[AlamedaJeep]

Thanks for your responses

When I originally asked the dealer what the mileage might be on a new order, he said it could have up to 20 miles on it due to test drives at the plant and at the dealer. That didn't sound right to me

I think I'll ask the dealer to not have it test driven and cross my fingers.

 

[jl0519]

Thanks for your responses

When I originally asked the dealer what the mileage might be on a new order, he said it could have up to 20 miles on it due to test drives at the plant and at the dealer. That didn't sound right to me

I think I'll ask the dealer to not have it test driven and cross my fingers.

I told my dealer not to wash it or remove any shipping plastic. I've seen a dealership quick wash a vehicle with a broom style brush and swirl up the paint. Not what I wanted on my newly ordered vehicle.

 

[C7-JL]

I told my dealer not to wash it or remove any shipping plastic. I've seen a dealership quick wash a vehicle with a broom style brush and swirl up the paint. Not what I wanted on my newly ordered vehicle.

Same here.

I've done this on my JLUR and my last 3 ordered Corvettes. Other than the mechanical inspection I did the rest and did paint correction from a "clean slate" free of extra dealer added swirls and RIDS. When the Irons was applied the whole Jeep was bright purple from all the rail dust.

As for mileage, my JL came with 3 miles on it but it spent 2 months at the train yard. My Z06 came with 0 miles and clicked 1 mile exiting the dealer parking lot. My 2014 Z51 had 2 miles on it. My 2015 JKU Hard Rock had 6 miles on it. Some people report up to 40 miles on an order off the truck. It seems that some get pulled for inspection and extra miles, some don't.

 

[VolCntry73]

Not that I want swirl marks on my new Jeep...but, I'm not going to worry too much about it. Won't be long before branches from the trails will leave their own marks.

 

[AlamedaJeep]

Not that I want swirl marks on my new Jeep...but, I'm not going to worry too much about it. Won't be long before branches from the trails will leave their own marks.

That's a good point. But for some reason, I'm much more accepting of any damage done by me than done by someone else!

 

[old8tora]

I've seen where people request that the front license plate bracket not be installed, though front plates are required in California.
Thanks for any information or suggestions!

I cannot speak about your dealer , but while talking to a sales rep , I saw them bring a vehicle around which had a dent in the rear quarter panel , and the dealership apologized to the new owner and promised to fix it . No way those morons are going to mess with my JK .

Immediately after I said that : "when my new JK comes in , I will take delivery off the truck , and go on in and pay" . This I did , locking it and taking both keys with me , as soon as it was driven off the truck . Then I left with windshield dirty and only about 3.5 gals in tank . The only thing done on dealer lot was I adjusted side mirrors . I bought a strong license plate frame and had my body shop install it .

With the JL , however , you will probably want to check the welds on the frame , test drive it a little to learn about the electronics , etc., check to see the fuses are seated , before you fork over the money . But I still would not let those morons mess with my JL .

Be cautious when there are morons around . Best wishes .

 

[AlamedaJeep]

With the JL , however , you will probably want to check the welds on the frame , test drive it a little to learn about the electronics , etc., check to see the fuses are seated , before you fork over the money . But I still would not let those morons mess with my JL .

Be cautious when there are morons around . Best wishes .

Thanks for the good advice. The weld issue seems to be the biggest potential issue to me, since it would be difficult to do anything about later. Unfortunately, I'm not really sure what I should be looking for.

 

[old8tora]

Thanks for the good advice. The weld issue seems to be the biggest potential issue to me, since it would be difficult to do anything about later. Unfortunately, I'm not really sure what I should be looking for.

(a) Bring a trusted expert to go under to look with a flashlight ; pay him well for his time and expertise . If the welds are not good , you can keep your purchase money and be happy you checked . (b) It is easy enough to open the fusebox and make sure the fuses are pushed in . (c) it is easy enough to know the day your JL will be delivered by truck . (d) the dealer will attempt to order you about , but be cool , it's your money after all .

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