E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > USA - Mid-Atlantic > Touchless Car Wash?



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      02-08-2007, 08:31 PM   #1
sixspeedsam
I'd Rather Be Apexing...
sixspeedsam's Avatar
United_States
44
Rep
589
Posts

Drives: 330i
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: VA

iTrader: (0)

Touchless Car Wash?

OK, my poor car is covered in salt and looks like complete ass -- and it's silver! I can only pity those rolling in the darker colors.

Anyway, I want to wash the car. But there's a slight problem -- it's a wee bit chilly outside. As much as I'd love to cowboy up and just say to hell with it and risk frostbite, I feel like my fingers are worth more then the car (I know, I know -- shaddup!).

So I ask the DC metro brain trust ... are there any true touch less car washes around here? And by touch less I mean no brushes, squeegies, etc. -- I don't need the scratches.

Better yet would be a nice heated car wash booth or something like that.
Appreciate 0
      02-08-2007, 08:34 PM   #2
bavarian19
General
bavarian19's Avatar
United_States
516
Rep
18,858
Posts

Drives: Car
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: VA

iTrader: (23)

I hear its supposed to snow again on monday night. You could just park your car outside and have the melted snow clean off your car....


You could always do a prewash before going to a real good carwash.


I have actually used the one right off farmwell/waxpool in Ashburn. Even with my Monaco Blue, they did a really good job. Every other car there is a MB/BMW/Acura.
Appreciate 0
      02-08-2007, 08:35 PM   #3
FrankoQ
Deny everything
FrankoQ's Avatar
United_States
217
Rep
11,378
Posts

Drives: 2006 330i; 2015 X6, S1000RR
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Beautiful MD

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
2015 BMW X6  [0.00]
2006 330i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by sixspeedsam View Post
OK, my poor car is covered in salt and looks like complete ass -- and it's silver! I can only pity those rolling in the darker colors.

Anyway, I want to wash the car. But there's a slight problem -- it's a wee bit chilly outside. As much as I'd love to cowboy up and just say to hell with it and risk frostbite, I feel like my fingers are worth more then the car (I know, I know -- shaddup!).

So I ask the DC metro brain trust ... are there any true touch less car washes around here? And by touch less I mean no brushes, squeegies, etc. -- I don't need the scratches.

Better yet would be a nice heated car wash booth or something like that.

I'm having the same issue. and I have a dark blue color.
My car looks like I went offroad. I might post a pic to show the car
in its dirty side.

I'm thinking on washing the car inside my garage. Other ideas are welcomed.
__________________

I need a drink

Appreciate 0
      02-08-2007, 08:44 PM   #4
Dani
Major
Dani's Avatar
United_States
51
Rep
1,022
Posts

Drives: 2006 325I Graphite
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Maryland

iTrader: (0)

maybe I'm lucky that my baby is missing this horrible weather. my loaner is looking so bad I'm even considering spending the money to get it washed.
__________________
Dani
yes thats me in my avatar
DC Metro, 2006 325i SG
Appreciate 0
      02-08-2007, 08:46 PM   #5
bavarian19
General
bavarian19's Avatar
United_States
516
Rep
18,858
Posts

Drives: Car
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: VA

iTrader: (23)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dani View Post
maybe I'm lucky that my baby is missing this horrible weather. my loaner is looking so bad I'm even considering spending the money to get it washed.
I feel somewhat bad. The RX I was driving (family car) is completely covered in sand and salt. I am driving it back up to PA this weekend where they are supposed to get snow. I dont want to give it back in the condition its in, but its going to snow all weekend there... Dont know what im going to do yet...
Appreciate 0
      02-08-2007, 09:03 PM   #6
sixspeedsam
I'd Rather Be Apexing...
sixspeedsam's Avatar
United_States
44
Rep
589
Posts

Drives: 330i
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: VA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarian19 View Post
I hear its supposed to snow again on monday night. You could just park your car outside and have the melted snow clean off your car....

You could always do a prewash before going to a real good carwash.

I have actually used the one right off farmwell/waxpool in Ashburn. Even with my Monaco Blue, they did a really good job. Every other car there is a MB/BMW/Acura.
Gonna have to check that one out. Thanks for the tip AJ.
Appreciate 0
      02-08-2007, 09:04 PM   #7
sixspeedsam
I'd Rather Be Apexing...
sixspeedsam's Avatar
United_States
44
Rep
589
Posts

Drives: 330i
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: VA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dani View Post
maybe I'm lucky that my baby is missing this horrible weather. my loaner is looking so bad I'm even considering spending the money to get it washed.
LOL. A true car enthusiast
Appreciate 0
      02-08-2007, 10:34 PM   #8
WxSquid
Ask The Chief!
WxSquid's Avatar
United_States
11
Rep
270
Posts

Drives: '07 335i Sedan
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: I-270 Traffic

iTrader: (0)

I've been going north to Ellicot City where there is a touchless, but they don't have a drier... I'm tyring to find one a bit closer or south that is touchless with a drier; at least when it warms up my apartment complex has a hand-washing station!
__________________
2007 Jet Black 335i Sedan Prem / Sport / Cold / Sirius / Step
Retired:
Stella - 06 MINI MCS (Tuned)
Eleanor - 04 MINI MCS (JC Works mod)
To Come: E90 M3 or 135i?
Appreciate 0
      02-08-2007, 10:47 PM   #9
spark227
Private First Class
spark227's Avatar
United_States
11
Rep
117
Posts

Drives: 335
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2007 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarian19 View Post
I have actually used the one right off farmwell/waxpool in Ashburn. Even with my Monaco Blue, they did a really good job. Every other car there is a MB/BMW/Acura.
What's the cross street the car wash is located at? or which strip mall at least?
Appreciate 0
      02-08-2007, 11:25 PM   #10
MDman
Private First Class
MDman's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
189
Posts

Drives: Space Grey BMW 335i Coupe
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bethesda, MD

iTrader: (0)

I take it down in VA there is no Flagship Carwash?
Appreciate 0
      02-09-2007, 01:20 AM   #11
MDman
Private First Class
MDman's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
189
Posts

Drives: Space Grey BMW 335i Coupe
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bethesda, MD

iTrader: (0)

I forgot to also mention the highly recommended ShimShimhada Carwash Services in VA, though I think they might be closed for the time being due to extreme cold temperatures. Just ask KL2DC, he is one of the representatives!
Appreciate 0
      02-09-2007, 05:22 AM   #12
bavarian19
General
bavarian19's Avatar
United_States
516
Rep
18,858
Posts

Drives: Car
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: VA

iTrader: (23)

Quote:
Originally Posted by spark227 View Post
What's the cross street the car wash is located at? or which strip mall at least?
Its off of Ashburn Village Blvd. Right next to the new ihop in Ashburn...
Appreciate 0
      02-09-2007, 06:05 AM   #13
KL2DC
Moderator
KL2DC's Avatar
United_States
318
Rep
17,767
Posts

Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DC Metro

iTrader: (23)

Garage List
2015 F36 428i  [0.00]
2011 E90 328i  [0.00]
2006 E85 Z4 3.0i  [0.00]
I've taken my car twice to the touchless drive-through car wash in Merrifield off Rt 50. The car wash is part of a gas station (Sunoco I think), opposite the Sweetwater restaurant in Merrifield. The most expensive wash is $10. I think the wash is pretty effective, the car came out mighty shiny after (they add some rain-x clearcoat stuff)...I recommend it.

My car is zaino'd by shim. With a touchless wash there is a possibility that the harsh detergents might strip away some of the sealant. BUT I figured with 2 inch of grime on the car, the zaino layer is pretty much protected in the wash
__________________

Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
Appreciate 0
      02-09-2007, 08:16 AM   #14
FrankoQ
Deny everything
FrankoQ's Avatar
United_States
217
Rep
11,378
Posts

Drives: 2006 330i; 2015 X6, S1000RR
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Beautiful MD

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
2015 BMW X6  [0.00]
2006 330i  [0.00]
Here is my baby in its dirty outfit.

Name:  DSC06027small.JPG
Views: 2043
Size:  138.3 KB
Name:  DSC06028small.JPG
Views: 2142
Size:  148.0 KB
Name:  DSC06029small.JPG
Views: 2051
Size:  159.3 KB
__________________

I need a drink

Appreciate 0
      02-09-2007, 08:24 AM   #15
sixspeedsam
I'd Rather Be Apexing...
sixspeedsam's Avatar
United_States
44
Rep
589
Posts

Drives: 330i
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: VA

iTrader: (0)

Somehow my TiAg looks dirtier then your monaco. Gonna have to hit the wash this weekend!
Appreciate 0
      02-09-2007, 09:05 AM   #16
pseto
Major General
pseto's Avatar
United_States
800
Rep
7,748
Posts

Drives: E92 M3 ZCP, F80 M3 ZCP- beater
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Rockville, MD

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by WxSquid View Post
I've been going north to Ellicot City where there is a touchless, but they don't have a drier... I'm tyring to find one a bit closer or south that is touchless with a drier; at least when it warms up my apartment complex has a hand-washing station!
I go to the Amoco/Exxon (not sure which) at the intersection of 108 and Snowden River Pkwy. Its touchless with a dryer, although you only get 30 secs to dry off. Its pretty convenient to me, but its tough having to wait in line for almost an hour b/c everyone else has the same idea.
Appreciate 0
      02-09-2007, 09:28 AM   #17
tman
Lieutenant Colonel
tman's Avatar
Canada
44
Rep
1,511
Posts

Drives: 2014 i3 BEV
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Guelph, Ontario

iTrader: (11)

Garage List
2014 i3 BEV  [0.00]
I've used the Station Auto Wash in Leesburg for my G35, FX and now E90 on the odd occasion. It's a multi-million dollar facility with an absolute wicked wash (yes, it does use brushes). They use pure (filtered?) water too!

You get the car hand dried, windows wiped, tires dressed up etc. They even do polishing, although it's just a wipe on and wipe off thing.

They made the whole place look like a "train station" hence the name. I've seen all kinds of high end cars there; MB, Lexus, Porsche, Caddy, Audi etc. Even saw a Maserati once.

It's the mother of all semi-automated car washes if you ask me.

http://www.stationautowash.com/
__________________
OMG! Born Electric 10/17/2018!

2014 I01 i3 BEV
2011 E91 328i xDRIVE TOURING
| 2010 F83 X3 3.0i xDRIVE | 2006 E90 330i 6MT (Ret)
Appreciate 0
      02-09-2007, 10:23 AM   #18
BK
Smiling politely
United_States
165
Rep
7,931
Posts

Drives: 330i
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Washington DC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 330i  [9.00]
There's a gas station touchless car wash with a drier in Tysons Corner, at the Exxon on the corner of Rt 7 and Spring Hill. Rate is $7, $8, or $9 for the deluxe. Get the $8 wash. The $9 wash is the same as the $8 but includes spinning brushes on your rims, so it isn't touchless. The $7 wash is like a 3 minute wash. The $8 wash is 5 minutes.

http://www.exxonstations.com/home.as...=20718&lang=EN

Note I will only do this while it is below 50F outside. At 50F or above, I'd be hand washing at home.
__________________
E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT | 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
Appreciate 0
      02-09-2007, 11:28 AM   #19
sixspeedsam
I'd Rather Be Apexing...
sixspeedsam's Avatar
United_States
44
Rep
589
Posts

Drives: 330i
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: VA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BK View Post
There's a gas station touchless car wash with a drier in Tysons Corner, at the Exxon on the corner of Rt 7 and Spring Hill. Rate is $7, $8, or $9 for the deluxe. Get the $8 wash. The $9 wash is the same as the $8 but includes spinning brushes on your rims, so it isn't touchless. The $7 wash is like a 3 minute wash. The $8 wash is 5 minutes.

http://www.exxonstations.com/home.as...=20718&lang=EN

Note I will only do this while it is below 50F outside. At 50F or above, I'd be hand washing at home.
Yeah, I actually have those rubber surgical gloves for cold weather washing... but even I have my limits

Besides, neighbors already think I'm crazy.
Appreciate 0
      02-09-2007, 12:33 PM   #20
spark227
Private First Class
spark227's Avatar
United_States
11
Rep
117
Posts

Drives: 335
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2007 335i  [0.00]
Sterling BMW is supposed to have an automatic touchless carwash up and running soon. Free for their customers so I'll probably be there at least once a week during the winter months They also give free flowers? Hmm.. something to pass on to the wife or GF I suppose.
Appreciate 0
      02-09-2007, 12:44 PM   #21
sixspeedsam
I'd Rather Be Apexing...
sixspeedsam's Avatar
United_States
44
Rep
589
Posts

Drives: 330i
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: VA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by spark227 View Post
Sterling BMW is supposed to have an automatic touchless carwash up and running soon. Free for their customers so I'll probably be there at least once a week during the winter months They also give free flowers? Hmm.. something to pass on to the wife or GF I suppose.
Free flowers WTF? LOL.
Appreciate 0
      02-09-2007, 04:41 PM   #22
tman
Lieutenant Colonel
tman's Avatar
Canada
44
Rep
1,511
Posts

Drives: 2014 i3 BEV
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Guelph, Ontario

iTrader: (11)

Garage List
2014 i3 BEV  [0.00]
http://www.bmwofsterling.com/Newsletter.aspx

You'll see the "Touchless Car Wash" mid way down the page.
__________________
OMG! Born Electric 10/17/2018!

2014 I01 i3 BEV
2011 E91 328i xDRIVE TOURING
| 2010 F83 X3 3.0i xDRIVE | 2006 E90 330i 6MT (Ret)
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:18 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST