[sgreschel01]

Im a brand new owner of a 2008 335i and was wondering if you would you take your BMW through a touchless car wash?

[mashimarho]

A lot of people do not. I, personally, only do hand washes.

Long story short: A car is a car... You drive it and a few car washes through the thing won't be too bad.
Secondly, you're in a warm area... I'm sure you can do a car wash by hand better than I can here. I washed my car yesterday and 15 seconds after I hose down my car the water freezes....

[bmwauug]

I do - and have had no issues; also run 2 black cars through no swirls or issues either. Delta Sonic is my place...

I typically do not let them had dry my car, though.

[John 070]

No, I wouldn't, but if the dealer washed it like they did on mine in Dec., I would just let it go.

[Q4P]

All the time... considerably more expensive cars go the one that I frequent and the car's paint is still flawless.

[mike3000fl]

i have but it never really gets that final film of dirt completely off the car. i suppose if you had a recent wax/sealant job it might be more effective.

i'm not sure about the liquid wax and other crap those things squirt on your car either.

[335BBS]

Touchless is pretty harmless. I hand wash then go touchless over the next few days to keep it clean. DO NOT dry it as touchless doesnt take all the grime off.

[AddictedToBavarian]

Always hand wash man. Search "two bucket method".

[335BBS]

Come to think of it, I gather the chemicals in touchless cause the discoloration of window trim...it did on my last two Audis. Ask Pinarello Rider about car washes.

[Aggression]

I do what I gotta do to keep the salt from snowy roads off of it

[bmwauug]

This

I do what I gotta do to keep the salt from snowy roads off of it

And, this...

All the time... considerably more expensive cars go the one that I frequent and the car's paint is still flawless.

[gary88]

I hand wash my car almost to the point of being OCD in the warm months, but now with it being winter and the ridiculous amount of salt that comes with it I take it to a high-end touchless wash and it's not a problem. No swirls or anything, and no fine layer of grime left behind either. Looks just as good as if I washed it myself.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by gary88

I hand wash my car almost to the point of being OCD in the warm months, but now with it being winter and the ridiculous amount of salt that comes with it I take it to a high-end touchless wash and it's not a problem. No swirls or anything, and no fine layer of grime left behind either. Looks just as good as if I washed it myself.

You wont get swirls if nothing touches the car and you WILL be left with a film of grime if nothing touches the car. Check top corners of windshield where wiper doesnt reach.

[cfabluenose]

Use car washes in the winter all the time. Gets most of the salt and crud off the car although not as good as hand wash of course. The touchless washes don't harm the paint at all. I guess an expensive alternative would be to frequently take the car to a detailer with an indoor wash bay.

[Calithreethree5]

Im sure its probably fine.

[hipnotic]

i wash my car myself

[kelvin2010]

I only do hand wash in summer, and use touchless in winter.
Nothing wrong so far.

[darkw1sh]

I invested the time into teaching my girlfriend how to wash my car, and now enjoy beers while watching her wash it.

[E90_boostjunky]

everytime i wash my car i go to the car wash where you can spray it your self, it comes out clean usually if theres no damn snow and they through salt down, but after every wash i spray wax it, its like OCD, but a good way to keep salt from sticking to your car is WD-40, i used to soak my previous car in it everytime it snowed, and people always wondered why my car was so damn clean in the winter time id just be like its a secret.

[mike3000fl]

Originally Posted by E90_boostjunky

a good way to keep salt from sticking to your car is WD-40, i used to soak my previous car in it everytime it snowed, and people always wondered why my car was so damn clean in the winter time id just be like its a secret.

this reminds me of the time i wanted to coat my car with rain-x

[E90_boostjunky]

^ haha ive thought about doing that too so when it rains out i dont have to worry about washing it

[RoundelM3]

I use Hydro-Clean car washes, where they partially hand-wash it before it goes through the automated part with soft chamois-like "blankets" that apply more detergent, then it goes through touchless rinse and high-pressure air blow-dry. Comes out with no scratches and looks great every time.