|
|
|
|
|
| 01-27-2009, 07:59 PM | #1 |
|
Colonel
 
647
Rep 2,051
Posts |
Are touchless car washes safe?
Hi everyone, before I begin with my post I'd just like to introduce myself. I'm a prospective 128i buyer who has been reading the forum for a few months and finally decided to become active myself. Just want to say a quick thanks to everyone who posts and responds here, the information available is tremendous and has only made me more excited about possibly one day owning one of these cars!
By now I know that most people prefer to hand wash their cars with great care. I am just wondering if anyone knows if absolutely necessary is it safe to take the car through a touchless car wash? I have heard a few horror stories about modern cars (BMWs, Mazda RX-8) having their engine computers or other components (headlights?) damaged by going through these car washes. In one article I read a 3 series owner was denied a warranty repair as a result of his ECU being damaged in the wash. Can anyone verify if this is an urban myth or not? What is BMW NA's stand on this? I've also heard you can ask the dealership to wash your car for you...anyone had this experience? |
| 01-27-2009, 08:03 PM | #2 |
|
Brigadier General
 
732
Rep 3,274
Posts |
I've heard that sometimes the water can leak into the car because of the frameless windows, but I've never had personal experience..
__________________
2022 X4 M40i - 2008 135i - 2015 F700GS On Order - 2024 i4 M50 Scruffy's gonna die the way he lived... Mmhm.  |
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-27-2009, 08:06 PM | #3 |
|
Alpine Master
109
Rep 1,310
Posts |
Well, touchless are preferred 10:1 over the contact washes. If you can't hand wash your ride due to weather or whatever, touchless is the next best thing to leaving it dirty, IMHO.
__________________
Alpine White with Taupe Leather 135i, Sports Package, Heated Seats, Comfort Access, iPod Adapter
 Fastness: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252727 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-27-2009, 08:24 PM | #4 |
|
Captain
 
34
Rep 786
Posts |
Never let the dealership wash your car!!!! Most scratch the paint by using dirty rags. One of my friends just got his Monaco Blue E92 M3 from the dealership after the break in service and the whole car was covered in horrible scratches. He hadn't even asked them to clean the car, but most will if not told NOT TO. So beware if this concerns you. I leave a note in the car that says "please do not wash me" when I go to the dealership. It's hand wash only, done by yours truly period.
__________________
'09 135i 6MT : Space Grey/Black ette : Cold Weather Package : Sport Package : Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim : iPod and USB : Nav : HD radio : Premium hi-fi system
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-27-2009, 09:06 PM | #5 |
|
Private First Class
1
Rep 153
Posts |
I did have a small bit of water come through the rear of the driver-side window in a touchless car wash -- but it was still behind the rubber seal. I only noticed that it had been pushed through when I opened my car to find watermarks down the backside of the window.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-27-2009, 11:02 PM | #6 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel
31
Rep 1,917
Posts |
Went to one recently as it had snowed a bunch here and I couldn't stand it being dirty.
No leaks.
__________________
2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport
Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport |
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-27-2009, 11:18 PM | #7 | |
|
Senior Member
14
Rep 244
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
MatthewDFW
BMWCCA 411059 2008 135i =============== Our wee twin turbos may be smallish, but they doth mashie yon backside deeply seatwise. ===============  |
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-28-2009, 01:28 AM | #8 | |
|
Second Lieutenant
5
Rep 224
Posts |
Quote:
my dealership does an amazing job washing my car...  |
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-28-2009, 08:27 AM | #9 | |
|
Most interesting Roadster
69
Rep 2,224
Posts
Drives: '01 Z3.0 Roady;'10 C300 Sport
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Boston 'burbs
|
Quote:
__________________
I can't complain, but sometimes I still do........Life's been good to me so far.
- Joe Walsh |
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-28-2009, 10:54 AM | #10 |
|
Private
 15
Rep 86
Posts |
This is the first I have heard of problems from a touchless car wash. I would prefer this type over the contact type. According to car paint experts on the various sites I have visited, touchless washes use a very strong (caustic?) solution to clean the paint. It is necessary since nothing touches the paint. These solutions eventually damage the clear coat. It might be a good idea to limit your use of them. I always wash my own cars by hand and aside from small scratches from improper technique, they all look like new years later. Make sure you re-wax often if you use automatic washes of any type.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-28-2009, 11:02 AM | #11 |
|
Second Lieutenant
2
Rep 292
Posts |
With low profile tires, be aware of the tracks or guides causing damage to your wheels. As far as the actual touchless wash, I wouldn't worry about it.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-28-2009, 11:44 AM | #12 |
|
Major
 
130
Rep 1,101
Posts |
I saw some damage from a touchless car wash. A car that was very dirty after a snowfall had lots of road grime and sand on it. The high pressure water must have forced caused the sand and dirt to pit the surface of the car. I have used that same wash once beofre (not with my car!) and the machine does a low pressure pass first and applies soap and lets it sit for 30 seconds. Then the high pressure water washed it off. I must say those jets had a lot of pressure! It really rocks the car and lifts the windshield wipes off the window! If your car has any sand on it BE CAREFUL!!! I was suprised by the damage. It was small little marks and you needed to be close to see them. However, it did uniform damage to the hood and doors.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-31-2009, 09:45 AM | #15 | |
|
Private
13
Rep 73
Posts |
And what makes you an expert. You seem like a guy who used to drive a Jeep or SUV and never kept it clean. Then you get a BMW and you think you know it all.
Just kidding Mike.  Brighton carwash down the road from us does $20.00 handwashes that includes interior vacuum and windows. They do a great job. Quote:
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-31-2009, 01:10 PM | #16 | |
|
Second Lieutenant
5
Rep 224
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-31-2009, 06:23 PM | #17 | |
|
Most interesting Roadster
69
Rep 2,224
Posts
Drives: '01 Z3.0 Roady;'10 C300 Sport
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Boston 'burbs
|
Quote:
__________________
I can't complain, but sometimes I still do........Life's been good to me so far.
- Joe Walsh |
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-31-2009, 07:09 PM | #18 |
|
•
18
Rep 709
Posts |
Better to just hose the car off, squeegee the windows, and drive around the block (or on to an empty stretch of freeway if you can manage it).
edit: Beverly BMW swirled cars as recently as 2 years ago, I never let them touch my M. Good to hear they changed.
__________________
 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
| Bookmarks |
|
|
