Does anyone have any good info about the MINI car cover? does anyone have one to sell? Would a generic car cover do the job, or would it be too big?
casey.

 

I have the black cover with the center zipper it's really cool and gets a lot of laughs. However this particular one is for indoor use only and is not made for outdoor exposure. If you need to have a cover that works in the outdoors make sure the one you choose is built with the correct specificiations for outdoor use. Not all car covers are created equal!

Remember when using a car cover to take great care in keeping the inside as clean as possible. Always store it in the carrying case that comes with the cover when not in use and when rolling it up to put in the case always roll it up with the inside, "inside" and the outside "outside" understand? You need to take great care in keeping the underside material that makes contact with the painted surface of the car as clean as possible. And never use a car cover on a dirty car all you wind up doing is rubbing the dirt around on the painted surface of your car and getting the soft liner material dirty acting like sandpaper. Good luck, which one's are you considering?

 

I have no idea yet, I just got my car this week and i already know i need a car cover. I work really close to home and i usually ride a motorcycle to work. My car sits in the sun alot . so i guess i need a car cover that will be able to withstand the sun pretty well. Any suggestions. how well does the MINI car cover do? what about other after market covers, does it really matter?

 

I'd recommend going with an aftermarket cover, as the ratio of price to performance could be much better than OEM (you're not paying for the MINI logo). I've bought a couple of covers from these guys: AutoAnything. Just type-in your make & model, and they'll list all of the available brands/types/prices. I did a quick check, and there is a cover material made specifically for harsh sun protection.

There are plenty of choices in cover retailers; they're all selling covers coming from just a few cover manufacturers - regardless of the final brand name. Covercraft looks like they're the big supplier (they may even make the OEM cover). In short, pick where you buy the cover based on price and customer service - the cover warranty comes from the manufacturer, so this should be the same wherever you buy.

MGear is right about keeping the paint/cover clean when using a cover; if either gets dirty it's like a giant piece of sandpaper(!)

Hope this info helps...

 

Thanks for all the help guys, its info well needed and will be used while searching for the right car cover.

 

If sun will be your major enemy make sure you get a cover that is built for sun protection more than any other type of protection. Most of the time that would be a cover that has an outside shell of reflective material of silver fabric. You'll want to stay away from anything that absorbs heat obviously like a black or dark blue outside colors.

 

Hey I was standing right next to your car at Tires direct.
I never put two and 2 together.
Sorry I never said Hi.
Anywho, I started w/ a generic cover that was grey perforated cloth from Daie I think.
Thats not the one you want, it looks like a dirty diaper in the back.
Then I scored the Mini outdoor cover on Ebay but some people say they have found scratches were the seams rub on the car.
I have yet to see any scratches yet.
The better covers are going to cost a bit, but it's worth it to get some thing that will last and not damage the paint.
Try this site.
They can put reflective piping on the seams too!
Oh a california duster might be good to have also.
www.griotsgarage.com
Joel

 

Since the cover will be on a lot, try to get one that fits tightly so it won't flap around in the wind and wear through the paint. Even the softest material will do so if it keeps rubbing, dirt or no.

IMHO you have a light colored car so it might be ok to just tint the windows, use a windshield shade, and keep the car waxed instead of having to fuss with a cover. If you have to wash the car each time before you put the cover on it will be a disincentive to actually ever use the car!

 

Yeah I got the windows tinted and a windshield shade too. I ride a motorcycle and i think cause i live so close to work im just gonna ride the bike to work and keep the car at home. that means alot of sun time for the car. This is why i think i should get a car cover. Hpoefully I wont turn into one of those old ladies who only drives the car to pick up groceries and do the hair.......


what do you guys think the sun will do to the MINIs paint over the next couple of years? do you think it will damage it? or am i worrying too much?

 

I think you're right about covering the car if it's going to be sitting outside for extended periods. Regardless of the environment, a cover will make it easier to keep your car looking nice (even if the threat is just morning condensation on the roof). Using a car cover will make your wax last longer and make it easier to detail. This being said, though, the your MINI is still a mass-produced car; as such, it's been designed to handle the elements. Whenever you use the cover, just be sure that the car and the cover are clean and dry and you're good to go. With care, using a cover is like storing a car in a garage.

As much as I like Griot's, their prices are a bit steep for covers. The Griot's orientation "extras" like the red tab and the picture of the car printed on the cover are pretty useless once you've thrown your cover on the car a few times. Yes, they will sew on reflective piping (for an addtional fee), but their covers are the still same as others' offerings. I think most of the other sources will also sew on optional piping if requested.