Has anyone used the Laser Wash touchless car washes? These are common in New England at some Mobil gas stations. The robot arms circle around your car spraying it with water, soap, etc. and then you drive out through the air dry blowers. Specifically, I was wondering about the wheel stop when you pull your car in. Any problems with the MINI getting damaged by this? I don't want to find out the hard way

 

assuming it's like the automatic touchless washes here in mid-Tennessee, it's safe to use.... so long as it's the kind you drive into, and not the kind that pulls your car through it. The ones that pull you through the wash are fine for the most part, but sometimes due to the low ground clearance on the MINI they can get stuck or rub on the bar that goes below the car.

The units you drive up to and place the wheel in a kind of chock are fine, I've been using them since getting the car and have never had a problem that would affect the car. Some wash's are better than others, but never did I feel like the car was gonna get hurt. There's one on my girlfriend's side of town that often get's confused by the shape of the car and just stops half way through the process and dies, forcing me to back up out of the wash and lose the money I put into it....

They touchless washes work very well, though never as well as a good hand wash can do. They invariably always leave some kind of grime or something somewhere, but they are far better than taking it through the kinds that have the spinning brushes - those scare the bejesus out of me, scratch city usa....

 

laser wash I use does not have any wheel stops you drive in and the only thing that touchs your car is soap and water.Even the dryer moves without little wheels running on car.Hand wash is best .

 

I've used a laser wash up here in Vermont... it uses a little wheel guide to tell you when to stop and I have not noticed any problems. It's not the greatest wash but when it's freezing cold outside and you need to get the road grime and salt off, it works fairly well but once it starts getting nice out, I'll get out and wash it myself.

So no harm done to the car, but it's not the best wash ever.

 

I have a "Laser Wash 4000" by me. I ususally just use it in the winter when I can't hand wash my cars. As touchless washes go it works fine. I've had my mini in it and my Silverado extend cab with a full size bed(it's a looong truck), two extremes and no problems .

 

None of them ever seem to reach the boot. And watch the soft MINI windscreen.

 

Great question. I was wondering the same thing myself this weekend as I sat in my boyfriend's jeep and we went thru one similar to yours (I'm in Denver). I know it's not the best wash but it will do in a pinch (I've always hand washed since ownership 1 yr. ago but would sure like an option especially on those cold winter days).

My concern, though, was how hard the water hits the car. Mainly, I was concerned about what can only be described as the "delicate state" of the MINI windshield. Anyone have any issue with that in one of these types of car washes.

Friends in Denver - please let me know if you've found an automatic/touchless carwash you like to use when it's not a possibility to hand wash. I live in Central Denver (Congress Park/Cherry Creek area). Thanks! Karen

 

I use a Laserwash in East Tennessee. They are fairly standard but are franchised so there are upkeep issues on those that are less maintained. The one I go to is very good. I've never had any problems

 

I use a lazerwash when i can't hand wash it. Seems to work fine. As far as damaging the windsceen, it doesnt really spray that hard. I'd say driving your MINI on the interstate in a thunderstorm is a lot rougher than any lazerwash, and I've done both plenty. :smile: