I was thinking of storing my car over winter and was woundering if anyone had either of the covers sold through MINI. I was going to buy one but my dealer told me that covers could be bad for your car. I was just woundering what other be do with their cars when they store them.

 

I have a cover, it's not a official "MINI" one though. But your dealer is right - your car needs to be 100% spotless when you put it on, otherwise it will grind any surface dirt right into the paint.

 

You will get a much better cover and lower cost from someone other than MINI.
Just do a web search for car cover, review the types of fabric and find the lowest price. Make sure you get a fitted cover.
I have had many fitted covers the only real difference is the material. NOAH is good with dust and moisture for the price.

P.S. the type of material you need depends on where you store it, indoors or out, heated or not, etc

 

Car covers are really only good for blocking sun, dust, bird crap, and very light rain.

They should never be used as a replacement for a garage, because they will trap moisture (even "breatheable" ones), causing paint issues, and over time, cause scratches in the paint and perhaps rust.

I use one every night that I got from Moss. Great material. Ultralon. I don't use it at all in the winter, because of the moisture issues I mentioned above. Besides, where are you going to put a soaking wet car cover to dry out? Not as easy as it sounds.

 

On the flip side of the coin---I owned a 2000 Miata and in the late summer early fall we went to China for 21 days and covered the car until late May of 2001. I washed and waxed the car 2 hours before it went under the cover. It looked the same the day I took the cover off. Very little dust, no scratches, no paint damage that I could find, except the 2 tiny dings that my Father in Law managed to make through the cover. It was a fitted cover from California Car Cover Company. It was a NOAH material and I would noot hesitate to put one on our Mini for the same. The car sat outside in the side yard at my wife's parents house, it got snowed on, rained on, blown on, and every sea gull in 100 miles used it for target practice. We've still got it and it's too bad it won't fit the MINI or I'd use it whenever I could.

 

I think ultimately, it depends what the weather conditions are like where you live. We have a lot of wind here, that would cause the cover to eventually wear away a prepared surface.

 

I can personally vouch for the quality of this cover:
http://www.americanminimates.com/misc.html
It is sold by a vendor that is local to me, and the quality is top notch. It looks good too!

 

You are correct a cover is not a replacement for a garage, but a good cover is much better than no cover.

I have had my NOAH cover is heavy rain and the car stayed dry. I have left it on outside (airport) for two weeks and the car was as clean as the day I left it.

Also, the only problem I have ever had with a fitted cover rubbing the paint is when I have very strong wind. The Hydro makes the paint so slick I have to make sure the fit is just right.

 

I to am looking for a good cover. I am in MD, so I need one for Winter and Summer. Winter, the MINI won't move except on really nice days. I live in a condo, so I don't have a garage.

 

With a really good car cover approaching $500, what would it cost to rent a garage at one of those mini storage places for the few months you need it? Seems like a better and more cost effective solution.............

 

Actually, I just called a place. You need an 8 X 10 and it will run $249/month

I think this would be better if you needed storage for other things and the MINI. I may be doing this instead, but still need a cover for indoors

EDIT: Here is the place I am looking at

 

When you rent a storage unit, they will usually require that all fluids be drained from the car: fuel, oil, coolant, washer fluid, gearbox, etc. The battery removed also. All of this is good storage sense anyway.

You might also think about storing your Mini on jack stands, and removing the wheels so the tires don't take any damage from sitting in one position too long.

Some will also want to see the title or registration so they know it's your car, and you're not stashing someting stolen. Covering their butts.

 

We recently purchased a car cover from this place:

http://www.bavauto.com/

Don't have much experience with it, have only had it for two weeks, but it appears to be doing an excellent job so far. And the price is very reasonable.

 

The storage place only asked for insurance and registration. I told them I would be in and out often and told them I am in a condo, so no garage. They didn't have a problem with that.

 

We have a used one in great condition,

it is the Factory black indoor cover with the printed zipper
part number 82 15 0 139 323
comes complete with the bag

yours for $175