Touchless Car Wash - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

- Paul - · 07-31-2006, 02:30 AM

Does anyone know of a touchless car wash in the UK as yet? I just googled it and came up with nothing.

ZuerstBMW · 07-31-2006, 02:33 AM

I dont recomend these at all, just a big waste of money. Touchless means that, it doesnt touch the car, so the car doesnt get clean.

Snake Pliskin · 07-31-2006, 03:09 AM

Touchless car wash ... whats' that ?

I assume its a car wash that somehow cleans the car but doesn't touch it ?

In any case, I would never put my cars through any kind of car wash .. you never get the car cleaned as good as you would do it yourself, inside the alloys especially, you still normally have to leather it off and you have the potential for the deaded swirl marks.

Bucket of autoglym shampoo and rinse followed by leather keeps the car looking sweet

Beamers should be banned from car washes

- Paul - · 07-31-2006, 04:13 AM

Yeah, I know, I know.... It's just the car is filthy and I can't be bothered!!

Snake Pliskin · 07-31-2006, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stnewcar

Yeah, I know, I know.... It's just the car is filthy and I can't be bothered!!

Now now ... that's not the attitude !

- Paul - · 07-31-2006, 05:20 AM

You wanna see the flys stuck to the front of it......!!!! If I remember I'll post a pic.

Snake Pliskin · 07-31-2006, 05:27 AM

Yeah the flys can be annoyance .. look unsightly and the longer you leave them the harder they are to remove .. especially if the sun has baked them on even harder.

They soon come off though with a good dab of the sponge and your front end will be just like new.

Oh actually one of the things I am interested in is the paint.

My current car has paint soft as **** and is incredibly prone to chipping .. what is the E90 like for chipping / hardness of paint ?

- Paul - · 07-31-2006, 06:14 AM

I think it must be pretty good - The main place you are going to get chips etc is the front - and that's all plastic so it gives a little. The only chip I have is on the bonnet where a stone hit.

Snake Pliskin · 07-31-2006, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stnewcar

I think it must be pretty good - The main place you are going to get chips etc is the front - and that's all plastic so it gives a little. The only chip I have is on the bonnet where a stone hit.

That's good to know ... soft paint was never something I considered until owning my current car and then every trip out you wonder how much paint is gonna ship off / where will the next battle damage be ... very poor.

I was confident the BMW would be far superior in this dept !

- Paul - · 07-31-2006, 06:48 AM

I suppose if you were really concerned about it - you could get one of them clear bra thingys fitted.

Snake Pliskin · 07-31-2006, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stnewcar

I suppose if you were really concerned about it - you could get one of them clear bra thingys fitted.

Yeah a number of people fitted clear 3m film or similar to their cars, but I never fancied the idea of it incase it teared or something and then there's how it may change the paint underneath .. too many unknowns .. plus the cost of course !

No, it was never a problem before and I doubt it will be an issue with 3 series.

SoYank · 07-31-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stnewcar

Does anyone know of a touchless car wash in the UK as yet? I just googled it and came up with nothing.

There used to be a hand car wash at the corner of Wetherby Road and Hookstone Road in Harrogate but they seem to be closed at the moment. I think they're getting some construction done. The cost is £6. I know this doesn't help you at the moment. You're just gonna have to get out in the Yorkshire sunshine (not today, though, it's raining) and get 'er done.

SRT · 08-12-2006, 02:56 PM

We have a couple of self-service car washes here - usually found at petrol stations. Buy a token, and the machine gives you 6 minutes with a jet wash. 3 minutes soapy water, 3 minutes fresh water. I found the pressure quite useless, it doesn't really shift the dirt, or maybe I just don't know how to use it properly.

But it's a great way to get a hose during ban periods. I find the best thing to do is bring a bucket, buy 2 tokens. Fill the bucket with the soap water, rinse the car with fresh. That's your first token gone. Do your thorough sponge business and then use the 2nd token to finish off. Drive out the way and leather it dry. All done.

It can be quite intense working against the clock though, so it's a good workout at the same time too. More than I get done at the gym, at any rate...

NFS · 08-12-2006, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stnewcar

Does anyone know of a touchless car wash in the UK as yet? I just googled it and came up with nothing.

There was a brushless car wash at a petrol station on the a60 south of Nottingham a couple of years ago .... I think they are reasonably common ... but ..... they don't work.

I used to be pretty lax with my company cars, but now I own my car I like a hand wash .... either done myself or by those nice people in the supermarket car park

SoYank · 08-12-2006, 05:30 PM

The one I mentioned last month in Harrogate (Wetherby Road and Hookstone Road) has reopened. The wash is done by people with high pressure spray and wool mits. They dry it with chamois and/or California Blade. All for £6.

wright761359 · 08-13-2006, 11:10 AM

Yes,there is one just of the m,M1 at Junc 20,at a small village called North Kilworth.It is blinding!,people drive from miles around to use it.
It's like having 5 jet washes aimed at your car at once.
Would recomend it!

vivekk · 08-13-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wright761359

Yes,there is one just of the m,M1 at Junc 20,at a small village called North Kilworth.It is blinding!,people drive from miles around to use it.
It's like having 5 jet washes aimed at your car at once.
Would recomend it!

I've got to say that I wouldn't use a touchless car wash myself- I'd rather do it myself by hand, as the above photo shows.

I suppose it's great if you haven't got time to do that yourself, or just can't be bothered.

However, I don't believe anyone who says a touchless car wash is 'safer' (ie won't produce swirl marks like hand washing will) or is 'better' (will remove the dirt that hand washing won't) than washing your car by hand, because that just isn't true.

As long as you make sure the car surface has plenty of water on it as you hand wash the surface, you won't have any problems.
If you use a good quality polish/sealant afterwards, you'll have long-lasting paint protection.

I've used Autoglym & Meguiars cleaning products & they have worked far better than any touchless system.

All the best.

Viv

- Paul - · 08-14-2006, 12:45 PM

Finally washed it myself!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27002

paddywac · 08-14-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stnewcar

Finally washed it myself!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27002

Honestly if you saw the dirt on my car, I don't think it has been washed since the last meet, there is no point in washing it, with the mileage I do it is dirty again after a day or so. its got scrapes and dents all over, its not that I am not careful or anything its just been an unlucky car, first week I had it some asbo kicked the wing mirror off!

If I can get the digital camera warmed up I might put up a picture if I can work out how to do it.

SoYank · 08-14-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stnewcar

Finally washed it myself!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27002

And the River Ouse silted over, right?

07-31-2006, 02:30 AM	#1
- Paul - Major General Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 5,159 iTrader: (3) View - Paul -'s Garage	Touchless Car Wash Does anyone know of a touchless car wash in the UK as yet? I just googled it and came up with nothing. __________________ My Photos Past and Present

07-31-2006, 02:33 AM	#2
ZuerstBMW Got Toy Fox Terrier? Drives: Crimson Red E90 /Montego E92 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa, FL. Posts: 4,894 iTrader: (39)	I dont recomend these at all, just a big waste of money. Touchless means that, it doesnt touch the car, so the car doesnt get clean. __________________ 08 335i Crimson Red Beige, Burl, 6 Spd, Sprt, Prem, Cold, CA, HD, Ipod, Sirius, Navi, Logic7, PDC, Shades MODS M-Tech Front, Shadow Trim, Painted Grille, Blacklines, Rear Fogs, 3M Bra, 15% Tint M3 I-Knob, Foot Rest, OEM Spoiler 08 328i Montego Saddle, 6 Spd, Sprt, Prem, CA, Sirius, Navi, PDC, Ipod MODS CF Wrap Trim, Aero Lip & Rear, Painted Grill & Reflectors, Rear Fogs, Steel Pedals, M Zhp Knob, ACS Roof Spoiler, BBS Red Caps, 3M Bra, 30% Tint M3 Tri-Wheel w/ Cover, I-Knob, Foot Rest, Spoiler, Door Sills

07-31-2006, 03:09 AM	#3
Snake Pliskin Second Lieutenant Drives: 330i M Sport Saloon Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lincs Posts: 196 iTrader: (0)	Touchless car wash ... whats' that ? I assume its a car wash that somehow cleans the car but doesn't touch it ? In any case, I would never put my cars through any kind of car wash .. you never get the car cleaned as good as you would do it yourself, inside the alloys especially, you still normally have to leather it off and you have the potential for the deaded swirl marks. Bucket of autoglym shampoo and rinse followed by leather keeps the car looking sweet Beamers should be banned from car washes Last edited by Snake Pliskin; 07-31-2006 at 04:44 AM.

07-31-2006, 04:13 AM	#4
- Paul - Major General Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 5,159 iTrader: (3) View - Paul -'s Garage	Yeah, I know, I know.... It's just the car is filthy and I can't be bothered!! __________________ My Photos Past and Present

07-31-2006, 05:20 AM	#6
- Paul - Major General Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 5,159 iTrader: (3) View - Paul -'s Garage	You wanna see the flys stuck to the front of it......!!!! If I remember I'll post a pic. __________________ My Photos Past and Present

07-31-2006, 05:27 AM	#7
Snake Pliskin Second Lieutenant Drives: 330i M Sport Saloon Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lincs Posts: 196 iTrader: (0)	Yeah the flys can be annoyance .. look unsightly and the longer you leave them the harder they are to remove .. especially if the sun has baked them on even harder. They soon come off though with a good dab of the sponge and your front end will be just like new. Oh actually one of the things I am interested in is the paint. My current car has paint soft as **** and is incredibly prone to chipping .. what is the E90 like for chipping / hardness of paint ?

07-31-2006, 06:14 AM	#8
- Paul - Major General Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 5,159 iTrader: (3) View - Paul -'s Garage	I think it must be pretty good - The main place you are going to get chips etc is the front - and that's all plastic so it gives a little. The only chip I have is on the bonnet where a stone hit. __________________ My Photos Past and Present

07-31-2006, 06:48 AM	#10
- Paul - Major General Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 5,159 iTrader: (3) View - Paul -'s Garage	I suppose if you were really concerned about it - you could get one of them clear bra thingys fitted. __________________ My Photos Past and Present

08-12-2006, 02:56 PM	#13
SRT Lieutenant Drives: BMW 5 Series Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 297 iTrader: (0)	We have a couple of self-service car washes here - usually found at petrol stations. Buy a token, and the machine gives you 6 minutes with a jet wash. 3 minutes soapy water, 3 minutes fresh water. I found the pressure quite useless, it doesn't really shift the dirt, or maybe I just don't know how to use it properly. But it's a great way to get a hose during ban periods. I find the best thing to do is bring a bucket, buy 2 tokens. Fill the bucket with the soap water, rinse the car with fresh. That's your first token gone. Do your thorough sponge business and then use the 2nd token to finish off. Drive out the way and leather it dry. All done. It can be quite intense working against the clock though, so it's a good workout at the same time too. More than I get done at the gym, at any rate...

08-12-2006, 05:30 PM	#15
SoYank Major General Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Between here and gone Posts: 6,773 iTrader: (1) View SoYank's Garage	The one I mentioned last month in Harrogate (Wetherby Road and Hookstone Road) has reopened. The wash is done by people with high pressure spray and wool mits. They dry it with chamois and/or California Blade. All for £6. __________________ **2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec** SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • 18" Style 193M • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes

08-13-2006, 11:10 AM	#16
wright761359 New Member Drives: 320d M-Sport Edition,Auto, Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Northampton,U.K Posts: 20 iTrader: (0)	Yes,there is one just of the m,M1 at Junc 20,at a small village called North Kilworth.It is blinding!,people drive from miles around to use it. It's like having 5 jet washes aimed at your car at once. Would recomend it!

08-14-2006, 12:45 PM	#18
- Paul - Major General Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 5,159 iTrader: (3) View - Paul -'s Garage	Finally washed it myself! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27002 __________________ My Photos Past and Present