Hey everyone. Today I was eager to take my 02' Jet Black Mini Cooper Tobias through the car wash. And. What happens?!

First, I heard this horrible metal on metal sound once I was on the track. The guy spraying down the hoods and windshields didn't do a thing, so I didn't know what to do. There was water being sprayed all over my car so I couldn't just open the window and yell. I was afraid to drive the car because I didn't want to make it worse. The sound lasted for 10 seconds. Then it went away. My rims seem okay so I guess it was coming from underneath.

Shortly after, water starts pouring from the ceiling along the weatherstripping, dripping on my leg!! The headliner there was saturated, and the water was making its way to the sun visor and the A pillar. I was agast. I was terrified the airbag within the pillar was going to be ruined.

I could not wait for the light to turn green to tell me to leave the car wash. Once I did, I parked in a vacuuming bay and inspected the exterior of the car. It was not as clean as it should have been, firstly. There were run tracks all over the fenders, and the car was still damp in odd places. Then, when I opened the door, I was greeted with a doorsill laden with soapy water, that spilled onto the ground. I was stunned by the amount. This of course happened on the passenger side as well. I pulled up the weatherstripping as directed in another post in this forum, to find water and rust, just as the post predicted. The amount of rust wasn't terribly alarming, still, it was sad to see. While I was down there I also noticed the metal kickplate along the sill was coming unadhered on the driver's side. I suppose I shall try to fix that with some double-sided tape.

Anyway, worst of all; my 3rd Brake Light lens came off in the car wash!! Has this happened to anyone else? I can't wash my car myself because I have to park it on the street. I guess I could go to one of those manual car washes, but you always have to rush and I'm concerned about the quality of the soap and ecspecially the brushes. Anyway... At some point, I would think the drying, but who knows, my 3rd Brake Light lens came off. I don't know if the glue dissolved or if it was ripped off, or what. I'm so upset though. I am worried I will have to replace the whole unit. Does anyone know if this is the case?

I also discovered a loose trim piece on the exterior, the chrome strip the rings the car below the windows is loose where it begins on the right C-pillar, and there was water under the glass.

And I really don't know how I am going to wash this car now!

Anyway, glad to be here!!! The car is amazing! But that is another thread.

 

Jeez... what's the name of that place? "Dr. Mangles House of Automotive Pain"?

Ouchies...

 

Hmmm.. did you find the source of the leaks? Can't blame the car wash for that...
I would never take the mini thru an automatic car wash... or any of my cars....
The water is recycled... who knows how well its being filtered. The soap is very harsh as it has to dissolve the worst kind of grime and dirt.
It would be safer to keep it dirty until you can get it washed someplace safe..

 

Sorry to hear about your MINI catastrophe!

I think the problem with the water streaming down the headliner and A-pillar is due to a dislodged drain-tube... I read somewhere else on NAM that a few others have experienced the same situation during heavy rainstorms... apparently there are two drain tubes that run from the roof, down the A-pillars and out the bottom of the car that are there to drain the rain from the roof... if one or both tubes comes apart at the top, the water will just pour into the headliner and down the A-pillar onto the floor, as it did with yours.

Not sure how to fix it, but I'd think that would require removal of the A-pillar plastic inside the car, as well as maybe the headliner, in order to reattach the drain tubes.

rock on,

-boognish

 

Sorry to hear about your expierence.

But on a positive note, welcome to NAM!

 

What a sad first post on NAM! It'll get better, I promise!

Just go to the do it yourself car wash and don't feel rushed. Take your time and if someone else has to wait then they should have woken up a little earlier to beat you there!

Welcome to NAM!

 

Sorry to hear about the soggy car-- I'll have to hose mine down when I get it to make sure it's watertight. Learning a lot on this site.

On NMMini.org, our local Mini club website, there's an interesting article about another threat from automatic car washes. Apparently next to the front wheels is a mechanism called the "shock mount" which does not have a whole lot of ground clearance. Some local Mini owners have reported that the tire-grabber thing has contacted it and torn the rubber housing off. Not sure if they had the standard little teeny wheels or upgraded wheels.

I think I'll be avoiding the automatic places-- either using the driveway or maybe the commercial place with the foamy-brush and the big squirt gun. --doug

 

Does the car have DSC, and if so, was it turned off?

 

The only automatic car wash I ever use are the "brushless" ones, like at some Mobil stations.

 

you washed your car at the house of PAIN !!!

:(

 

Go to the manual car washes and take enough change for at least 3 washes, some windex and enough towels to wash and dry it. The cooper is small enough that you won't need to put more than that in. It's still less than the auto washes charge.
I'd recommend the rinse, then soap, then rinse. Don't use thier wax or brush. Watch the timer and pump in more quarters if needed.
Also let the first rinse run a little to clear the hose before putting it on the car cause no telling what cycle the person ahead of you was using.
During the soap cycle use a micro fiber towel to clean the stubborn spots, don't use the force of the nozzle to clean bugs, there's a lot of pressure and it may chip the paint.
Pull out dry it and wax it with your own wax if you want.
If people are waiting just smile After a few washes you'll be surprised how fast you can get it done.

 

Thanks for the replies and advice, guys! I went to the Mr. Magic Car Wash in Pittsburgh. I took my old Passat there all the time without incident. I was actually afraid before going in that the relatively odd proportions of the Mini would put it in danger inside the car wash, and it seems I may have been right.

I actually figured out what was causing the car to leak inside. The weatherstripping was not secure in its track at the exact spot the leak happened. You couldn't tell by looking at it. I had to take my hand and run it along the strip, pushing upward, and when it got to the spot that leaked, I felt it snap (so to speak) into place. It was something so simple, if only I'd known!

I don't have DSC or anything like that. Today I am going to jack the car up and see if I can find any damage underneath. The sound seemed to be coming from the rear of the car. Hopefully only something minor was rubbing and it wasn't damaged.

As for the brake light, I turned the car on and took a ruler and used it hold the brake petal down, then I checked out the light. It still works fine! I just need the lens because there is nothing keeping the elements from getting inside of it. I called my local Mini dealer, and they only sell the whole light, for $77 or something like that. I wanted to replace all the rear lights with white ones, but now it seems I am stuck shelling out for the same old red one instead, because I am afraid to wait too long incase it rains. Sucks! If anyone has any advice about this light, I'd really like to hear it!

 

Such a painful post to read. :( You should have said something to them immediately. God knows I would be screaming! Between sobs...

Check your exhaust, I think that is what hangs lowest on your car. Hopefully it wasn't damaged.

As for street parking, it is tough, I know...that's why I always look for a plce with a driveway. But I see people in the street bucketwashing their cars all the time. A good bucket with a dirt screen at the bottom would be best. Or meet some local mini buddies who will let you borrow their hose. And the coinop washes are OK, except for that brush. Just go late at night or sometime when you know you won't be holding anyone up taking the time to wash with a sponge there.

 

I was almost afraid to click on this thread....the title sounded so painful. I was not disappointed. Thanks for sharing...stories like this will keep me away from automatic car washes forever!!!!

 

A small update: Regarding my 3rd brake light, it seems the local Mini dealership carries both the red and the white. They were the same price, so I bit the bullet and ordered the white one. He said it would be in around Tuesday. I hope it doesn't rain in the meantime! I am thinking about getting some clear packing tape and covering it over until I can replace it.

Also, I just wanted to say, today I went to the Mini dealership, because I was going to just buy the red, but then thought to see if I could get white instead, and as I was getting back into my car, there was all this traffic, and all these people sitting in their cars looking at me, and I felt so proud! I am so glad to be able to aquire such wonderful things like this car while I am still young! I just can't describe the feeling this car gives me, very exciting. Okay, sorry for the rambling!

 

your rear driver side strut buttom was dragging on the rail.

 

I bet you're right. I wanted to check today, but there's so much traffic on my street. I think a little later I will find a quiet spot on the other side of the block.

 

Should I turn the DSC off before running the car thru a AutoBell carwash.
With the lack of rain Hand washing is out--$250 fine.

 

No. No need.

 

Octaneguy and the rest of the experts on the Detailing sub-forum probably hate this thread.

- Matt

 

We have that here in Cali.It doesn't make weird marks or swirls does it?

I'm very sorry about your car. I hope it'll be OK.


Kirby Kuromi- 07MCSa|BRG/B|Cold-Convenience-HyperSport -Sport|F/R fogs|White turn sigs|Anthracite headliner/grey colorline/brush alloy|Punch Carbon Leather|Hi-Fi|
Multi Func.Wheel|iPOD|18" Black JCW rims|2" shorty antennae
Ordered 10/15 Production start 10/20 Completed 10/28 Leaving Southampton 11/4/07 ETA Port Hueneme 11/26/07 ETA Hawthorne Ca
NOT SOON ENOUGH!

 

My problem with the automatic car washes is that the "touchless" ones never seem to get the car clean (they're fine for knocking off dust and loose dirt, but they leave a film behind (at least with coastal Virginia dirt).

The automatic washes that use the cloth strips or plastic-bristled "spinners" *will* swirl up your paint in fairly short order, so those are definitely out.

If I'm away from home, I use one of the self-serve "booth" washes, and dry it using Hydro right after I'm done. I also bring my own bucket, mitt and soap, so I'm just using their water.

 

I guess nothing beats good old elbow grease! Thanks for the tips.