Washing the car in the winter?

[Mitch]

How do you keep your BMW clean in the winter months? Now that GA has severe water shortage, does anyone use a waterless car wash or a car wash bay?

[blackstig]

Waterless car wash? How the hell does that work . . . sandblasting? HAHAHA!

Ummm, yeah with this water shortage thing, it kinda kills the experience of washing the car completely. When I lived in the Northern States I didn't wash my car at all for several weeks in a row, that makes for an interesting time when you finally DO clean it.

Now that I'm back in the south, washing isn't that much of a hassle, as long as it stays above 40, it should be relatively easy to wash a car.

-Stig

[Justin]

Yeah it sucks washing your car in the winter but i do it anyways!

[blackstig]

I can't imagine it being too bad here, try washing your car in Northern VA, DC, PA, NJ or NY when it's January and you have a "warm-day" (about 37 degrees) to do it . . . *sigh*

Spoiled brats you all are . . . spoiled brats!

LOL!

-Stig

[Ania]

I take it to the brushless carwash to clean the exterior from salt and other chemicals, and then finish it myself. I'm way too detailed! Never let them touch the interior either...:D

By the way, has anyone tried the original BMW cleaning products from the local dealerships?

[mistertripps]

I keep hearing about this ONR stuff, but I haven't tried it yet. Anyone here have any experience?

[88e28]

I'll let you Know when winter hits.

[atl530i]

No point in making a new thread.

Anyway, I finally washed both my cars today because it was not that cold out. 45 is warm to me anyway. I guess wait for a warm day and hit up a wash bay.

[88e28]

My e28 is washed at the $3.00 car wash soft cloth you have to dry it and vacuum it yourself.

[Philip]

My e28 is washed at the $3.00 car wash soft cloth you have to dry it and vacuum it yourself.

I used to do the same but the M3 is too low. The soft cloth at work is the only automatic car wash that I can use. My car stays pretty dirty all winter anyway, but come summertime and it's washed every saturday and waxed at least once a month.

[stevie30]

Take a ride to Chattanooga! No water shortage here. 5.8 billion gallons of water flow through Chattanooga each day. That will wash a lot of BMWs.

[atl530i]

Here in GA a lot of people are flippin out over the lake. Dumb Core of Engineers....

[88e28]

Hear Hear.

[Philip]

Here in GA a lot of people are flippin out over the lake. Dumb Core of Engineers....

More like dumb Al Gore. If it wasn't for him inventing Global Warming we wouldn't have a drought in the first place.

[BMRSEB]

Take a ride to Chattanooga! No water shortage here. 5.8 billion gallons of water flow through Chattanooga each day. That will wash a lot of BMWs.
Only problem is.. It'll be dirty by the time you get back to Atlanta!.. :1eye:

[wristshot96]

Hey just dont shower for a couple weeks and that will save enough water to wash your car!

--Priorities--

[mistertripps]

When you buy a MINI you have to sign something saying you will never take it through an automated car wash, soft cloth or not.... I figured BMW made you sign the same thing. :wave:

[blackstig]

why not?

I know why I'd never take my car through an automated car washie . . .but that's a different story all together, LOL!

-Stig

[jone3036]

I take it to the brushless carwash to clean the exterior from salt and other chemicals, and then finish it myself. I'm way too detailed! Never let them touch the interior either...:D

By the way, has anyone tried the original BMW cleaning products from the local dealerships?
BMW products are all I use. Well, working at the dealership makes it so easy. I am already there and at cost plus 10% it is a bargain. Here are the essentials. BMW Shampoo. It is mild and really easy to use. The wheel cleaner works well too. The Vynil care rules for the dash an interior. It isn't greasy like Armor All. Plus it has a dust repellant, Good stuff! The Wasch Mitt is sweet as well. Real wool and machine washable. I still use Zymol wax and Lexol leather cleaner. Connelly's Hide Food is the beat leather preservative I hav found. Hope this helps! Enjoy! Oh, BTW, if you have a vert, the top cleaner and impregnator ( Bad German translation) is a must!

[88e28]

Oh, BTW, if you have a vert, the top cleaner and impregnator ( Bad German translation) is a must!

I have seen the Convertible top cleaner at the parts counter, Is it any good?
Also how often do you use Lexyol?

[Stretch]

I can't imagine it being too bad here, try washing your car in Northern VA, DC, PA, NJ or NY when it's January and you have a "warm-day" (about 37 degrees) to do it . . . *sigh*

Spoiled brats you all are . . . spoiled brats!

LOL!

-Stig

X2...Its been snowing a lot more this year so the 4runner has stayed pretty dirty. Once summer rolls around it will be nice because I have a well at the house and I'm not affected by our water restrictions. Until then I just go to the nearby spray n wash

[mistertripps]

why not?

I know why I'd never take my car through an automated car washie . . .but that's a different story all together, LOL!

-Stig

'Cause if you really love your car, you'd never let a machine wash it.

[Marsh]

With the water restrictions, i just take mine to one of those DIY places. Comes out looking good and i only pay about $4.

[blackstig]

I don't mind washing my car myself, but water restrictions are abundant and neighbors-ratting-neighbors is abundant as well. :(

I hit up the DIY places, but not those quarter-per-3 minutes places, because that's a rip off, you wind up paying like 30 bucks, I used to take my Bimmer to the autowash and just let it get a nice top-to-bottom. My Miata requires a bit more delicate touch.

-Stig