So went through an nice automatic carwash this AM. Heard a loud sound but didnt think much off it. Got to work and noticed my Alta 4" Antenna had been ripped out of the hole and it damaged the Antenna housing/base too!!

Common?

Sounds like the Car wash is going to reimburse me..but yet TBD....

GRRRR

 

You went through an automatic car wash I wouldn't take my 94 Chevy through those things...

good luck with getting your money back... BTW, I thought the first thing to do on an automatic car wash is take the antenna off

 

Live and learn.... :impatient

 

Yeah, unfortunately, most automatic washes have a sign at the entrance saying that one should remove antennas and any other protruding items. The sign also says that they are not responsible for damage.

 

yeah, don't worry it happens to the best of us... had it happen on the 2nd winter with this car... goes through, clink! it fell!

worse part? it didn't even get my car that clean

 

From page 103 of my 04 manual:
"If necessary, for example before entering a car wash or a garage with an elevator ramp, remove the rod antenna..."

Bugger though. As you said, lesson learned.

 

ive repaired an A4's roof that had an ultraman style antenna that
got pushed around in the auto wash.

 

Well recovered the Antenna..no idea how they found it as this is a huge car wash...so that is cool Replacement base is 56 bucks shipped. Filled out damage report at carwash..will see if they reimburse me

\Maybe free car washes for my wife's car instead?

 

The same exact thing happened to me but I didn't go after the car wash for the money. Should have... O-well.

 

Ok..just got done replacing the antenna base.

For a 2005 S w/o Nav. part number# 65206985714 for $47.04 from the dealer

To install you do have to pull down the head liner a bit...to be able to reach the 2 wire disconnects that are in a plastic bracket. Also you access the special nut by pulling off the hump from inside. Also remove its lower bracket (plastic w/ clips) to give you more finger room.

It is a tight fit up there for your fingers...needle nose pliers and a bit of patience is required.

Takes about .5 hours on your 2nd time.....45 min to 1 hour your first (esp. w/ my 2 year old helping out)

Still no word from the car wash..surprise surprise. Good news is they found the Alta 4" ant. so that saved me 35 bucks shipped.

 

Since I got my rims, I won't put my baby thru one of those god-aweful contraptions... Instead... I take it to the nearest sorority...

 

in my case, it was an OutMotoring 4" version. This car wash also sucked the washer mechanism off one headlight during the same pass.

The owner paid for the antenna, but nor the headlight. because I couldn't find the damaged part in the "tunnel".

But the dealer charged about $700 to replace the housing for the antenna, so I almost felt sorry for the car wash. Almost.

I am considering attaching a Gen 1 roof rack to my cooper. Any word on car wash disasters in that regard?

Cheers!

 

$700 for antenna base replacement is a rip-off! I did mine and it only takes about 45 minutes at the most. I broke mine pushing snow off the roof this past Winter.... so I had to pay the Stupid Tax and buy a new non-nav base unit. Stubby was OK.

As Cpayne posted it is not a hard job to replace .... two plugs and a deep socket to remove the nut that holds it together .... and a bit of finger contorsions!!

 

First off why are you putting your MINI through a drive through car wash?

Hand wash is only $13-$40 depending on service and location.

Most drive thrus got a enter at your own risk waiver type sign and many of them state antennas specifically.

 

So, should I expect an answer to my question, or just wise cracks?