Hey-

I'm going to be picking up my brand new MINI from the dealer in Chicago and will be driving it home from there. As I don't want to spend the whole afternoon in CHicago detailing my car (nor would I have a place to do it), I"m wondering what my best options are for washing/waxing before I hit the road would be.

I presume the dealer will have it all shiny and clean, I'll just need to wax it. Are auto car wash wax jobs completely rubbish?

Do I have any other options?

Thanks

 

I bet if you asked nicely the might wax it for you at the dealer, for free.

 

I have never heard of a dealer who doesn't detail a brand new car before they give it to you When I picked mine up it looked well frankly brand spanking new

 

really?

that'd be awesome

i'll be sure to ask

is this common?

 

Why would you detail it? It will come to you in such great shape! When you get home, then you can do a very thorough detailing, but it should be good to go when you take delivery. Don't forget your digicam!

 

They will at the very least wash it, and after you just spent 20k+ on a new MCS asking if they could make sure to apply a $5 coat of wax is usually more than ok with a dealer. heck Toyota did it for my father when he got a Camry and then it rained the whole way home from the dealer .

 

just want to make sure it's got a good solid coat of wax before it gets hammered with stuff all along the way home...

 

Are you getting a clear-bra? I wish I did.

When I took delivery of my all-Jet Black MCS 4/4/03, I took off the next week on 4/11 on my first cross-country roadtrip in her. She took an awful lot of rocks and is chipped, but they are her badges of honor.

She's not a museum-piece, she is driven, driven long, and is very much cherished and enjoyed.

At some point, I will paint her and then install a clear invisi-shield type material on her bonnet.

 

i guess i have that option..

my dealer offered 10% discount plus free installation on any dealer add-ons

so that would be roughly $100 for the clearbra

i always that kind of stuff was gimmicky..? isn't it a pain when washing/waxing your car and doesn't it cloud/turn yellow over time?

 

Wow! That is a very good price for the clear-bra! What color is your MINI? I think the bra looks better on certain colors, but unless someone is studying your car's paint-job, it is not noticeable. And they have good warranties/guarantees on the bra-material, too. I'd go for that $100 deal in a heartbeat!

 

Dark Silver..

...good at masking paint chips..

 

Let's see...

Invisishield: Upper Kit $140

-10% = $126

free install

$126 + tax (chicago tax?)

 

Also doesn't show the clear-bra as much as other colors! That is a super deal, Ron!

 

depends on the dealer but 6-8%

 

what i'm wondering, though, is if that would be get wrapped into my car loan, and then tax paid on the total car purchase price (including dealler acces.) at the new car tax level for washington state (9.1%)?

 

You could actually do it ethier way; just tell the finance folks that you don't want to have the clearbra as part oft he loan and you pay local not WA taxes.

 

good to know. Thanks!

 

DUDE! NEVER EVER go to an automatic carwash. If you do a search at most any MINI forum you will find horror stories ... undercarriage damage, suspension damage.

Don't even think it! Just drive home ...

 

Those places usually apply some cheapo type of wax that requires no rubbing or effort to remove... It only takes them a short time to apply and wipe off.. I doubt it would hold up for long...
I would just wait until you get home and give it a nice wash and wax... Enjoy your new car!

 

So I've been talking to a good friend of mine who races his EVO, and I'm thinking that the clearbra might not be that bad of an idea.. especially considering i'll be driving home through mountain passes during late spring...

any thoughts on bumper vs hood vs both?

 

The more protection the better.

 

BOTH! Now just DO it! Do it! Do it!

 

hahaha...



It's just that voice inside my head that was fighting all the time while I added this and that and brought my msrp up over 26k that is now screaming at me for considering another $200...

 

You're paying $26k already, wat's a little $200?? who cares! now go do it.

or spend $4 and get some painter's tape.

 

You guys really recommend the clear bra?

To me, that's a bit too paranoid and overprotective. But if you follow gravel-hauling dump-trucks to work every day, then and only then, I can understand it.

I'm not criticizing here; just saying that the clear bra seem kinda drastic, and permanent. What if you don't like it, once you see it on your car? Is it removable? Do they yellow with age? Can silt, dust and dirt get underneath it, and cause micro-abrasions on your paint?

These are all things to research fully, before committing to a clear bra.