I'd like to get a car cover for my new Mini. I need something that can be used outside, and offers a lining that *tries* to protect the paint from scratching. I'd appreciate some personal recommendations.

 

I've never seen an outdoor car cover that didn't, by its' very nature, begin to scratch the finish. Maybe if you kept the car immaculately clean... and never let the cover touch the ground... and lived in a non-windy place... and didn't have any sand / pollen / grit blowing in the wind... Maybe then it would work.

I'm sure that there is someone out there with a good experience with these things... I've just never had one myself. I'd just wash as frequently as I could and keep several coats of a good polymer sealant on (Zaino or Klasse). Use a quality rubber/plastic dressing with a UV protectant to keep inside and outside plastic bits conditioned and protected.

I might be tempted to use a outdoor car cover if I was forced to park under some sap-dripping trees (as posted several months ago), but I would only use it during the weeks where the sap was dripping and I would be at the touchless car-wash twice a week to keep the car as clean as possible. You have to keep the cover clean, as well... Washing frequently with liquid detergent (not powder that might not dissolve and will scratch your finish).
If you have a showcar that is stored indoors and can be put away clean every time, I'm all for a soft indoor cover to prevent dust and minor dings/scratches.

 

I use a CA car cover and it works great, as the thread states above, keep the car cleaned/waxed/etc. and you're rocking. check out my review here: http://www.cooperspeed.com/forums/vb...cid=22&pid=192Kevin

 

I've used a Noah brand breatheable car cover for all my cars for about 2 years now. It's not the most expensive, but seems to really keep wetness off the car. They're custom fitted for each car so the fit is perfect.

Regardless of the brand you purchase, it must be breatheable. Without a permeable surface to allow air exchange, moisture will build under the cover and cause rust, mold and other problems.

Do a Google search for Noah or Noah car covers, you'll find a number of vendors.

Let us know what you get!

 

or you can follow my link above to get the link to the Noah and then check out the gallery and see what it looks like on my car. The cover was purchased on 2002 and it fits my 2005 perfect.