[rwp49]

Whats everyones opinion of using a car wash for their X3. I have been using a touchless wash but today I saw a guy with a 7 series going through one with brushes. Has anyone had a problem with a car wash that uses brushes?

[rmeir]

dont know about bimmers, but we used car washes on our squad cars and eventually the paint was almost wore off. wouldnt use a brush car wash on a good car

[mibmwx3]

I've only used a touchless twice in 1-1/2 years and have washed it by hand all the rest of the time. My previous car was scratched in a brushless car wash so I would never use anything but a touchless - especially with the soft BMW paint.

[kskpsu]

Brushes are bad news, as you will be assured swirl marks that certainly are more pronounced in dark colors. Go touchless if you can't accommodate the best option...hand washing.

[Nahoa]

Agree, brushes are bad. Car wash with brushes totally thrashed the paint on one of our 3er sedans. Lot of work to fix.

[noka]

I've used the kind the vehicle is moved through with (not "brushes" but) thin "cloth strips" that spin at the front and sides and wide cloth strips that flop back and forth over the hood and roof on our 7-Series, GTI and C300. The paint was never damaged at all, from what I can see. With the X3 on order, I'll have to decide if I still want to go that route. The touchless don't clean as well and although I don't mind washing by hand, it's tough in the New England Winter weather.

[Want the thrill]

I only wash by hand and never use any type of car wash. When the car is in for service, I make sure to tell them never to wash the car. Don't trust anything but myself.

[noka]

Originally Posted by Want the thrill

I only wash by hand and never use any type of car wash. When the car is in for service, I make sure to tell them never to wash the car. Don't trust anything but myself.

I'm not that anal about it because in the bad weather here you get all kinds of crap thrown at the vehicle (e.g. sand, salt, etc) so a car wash is the least of the worry with regard to paint.

[Teemo Panda]

i would never, ever use a auto car wash the rest of my life lol.

[mibmwx3]

Originally Posted by noka

I've used the kind the vehicle is moved through with (not "brushes" but) thin "cloth strips" that spin at the front and sides and wide cloth strips that flop back and forth over the hood and roof on our 7-Series, GTI and C300. The paint was never damaged at all, from what I can see. With the X3 on order, I'll have to decide if I still want to go that route. The touchless don't clean as well and although I don't mind washing by hand, it's tough in the New England Winter weather.

That's the kind of wash that scratched my vehicle. They were light scratches that mostly buffed out and the car was 8 years old, so not the end of the world, but would not like to see this happen on my present vehicle.

[02420X3]

I prefer to hand-wash, but I'm both lazier than my preferences, and a realist.

At this time of year I use the touchless car wash. I agree that it does an acceptable, but not a great job. I concede that it leaves dirt behind. But, when I drive out the front side, my X3 is invariably cleaner than when it drove in on the back side.

[daveycrocket]

The last time I used a brush car wash it cost me a paint job. When I came out the other side my car was literally scratched on every square inch. Needless to say I freaked on the guy and he said another vehicle must have been very dirty and left sand/debris in the brushes.

He said nothing he could do about it. I contacted my insurance group and they took care of it for me and took care of getting the money from him.

I have since never or would ever take a car through a car wash with brushes.

Oh and BTW this was on a 1984 Honda Civic DX Hatchback. My car I bought fresh out of high school.

[Nahoa]

Originally Posted by mibmwx3

That's the kind of wash that scratched my vehicle. They were light scratches that mostly buffed out and the car was 8 years old, so not the end of the world, but would not like to see this happen on my present vehicle.

Mine too.

[pokerface]

I'm going to look into OptiCoating my X3 when the time comes.

[ozbmwx3]

Originally Posted by pokerface

I'm going to look into OptiCoating my X3 when the time comes.

When the time comes? Isn't it best to apply these types of sealants up front at, or soon after, vehicle acquistion?

[pokerface]

^ yea, but I haven't ordered my F25 yet

[noka]

Dealer offered interior/exterior protection package. Paint protection was not 3M but is called "Polyseal". I declined it, thinking it was some glorified wax job. It seems that Opticoat 2.0 is 'permanent' if I believe what I read and can be applied by yourself. I guess it would need to be done before (or instead of) applying the 3M protection film?... which I'm scheduled to have applied, called "Autobahnd". Anyone have the Opticoat done or know of anyone who applies this in the Boston area? Comments?

[lbjgh]

I have used automatic scratchers in the past but I only use power washers or wash by hand now.

[Mingstar88]

dealership installed new car wash, it actually uses cloth, i regret accepting it to wash my car!! well i figured at some point i was gonna get a pro to detail my car... got lazy lol

[scotta2]

Just washed mine for the third time since purchase and noticed a "roughness" after hand washing it. This is on the lower areas of the car and worst behind wheel areas, looks like tar, time for the Auto Glym tar remover I suppose!

[lbjgh]

I just washed the crud off my car at lunch today and noticed two small, what looked like pin sized rust marks peaking through the paint.

I thought our cars were hermetically sealed in the dunk tank... I can hear the dealership now, "oh that'll buff right out".

... but, hell I hope this isn't the start of a rust problem on my 2013 model.

[scotta2]

Rust, I sincerely hope not!!