I am going to start by saying I couldn't figure out which forum was right for my question but I figure covers go on the exterior of cars...

Anyhow, I am looking to buy a car cover as I will have to keep my car outside for the summer, but I know nothing about the pro and cons of all the different kinds. I don't mind paying for the more expensive ones if it is worth it. Protection (from the elements and scratches) is most important to me, weight and size when folded aren't really as big of a concern.

Here are the ones I found with a quick search

OEM:
http://www.minspeed.net/MCC.htm

Duravent:
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=33844

Ultralon:
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=33971

What do you guys recommend? Are there other good ones I didn't see?

Thanks

 

That is a good assortment of cover options.

My experience: I have an ultralon cover for my miata, and a duravent and OEM for the MINI.

My opinions:
Ultralon - nice fabric, folds very small, good protection*
Duravent - Does the job, more bulky than the other two. Cheap if you don't mind the bulk.
OEM - Nylon, so it folds down small, but light, so can blow about in the wind a bit. Definitely the coolest looking.

Note: if you're cheap like me, and patient, you can get great deals on ebay. I paid $50 each for both the duravent and OEM covers.
Note 2: The boot of the MINI gets REALLY dirty VERY quickly. I'd plan to go over it with Quick Detailer or similar before using a car cover.

*Note that the ultralon is not cat proof. Had it on the miata with the top down when a neighbor cat was seeking high ground. Note being the best judge of firm surfaces, he did a good job of shredding the five year old cover in his quest for a hasty exit.:impatient

 

I like the covers from California Car Cover. Their covers are made by Covercraft, which has been in the car cover business for at least 25 years, probably longer than anyone else. These covers are made in California - and are not some cheapo Chinese-made junk.

My favorite covers are the Superweave, 100% cotton ones. They are heavy and bulky and if you have to take 'em off the car when wet, it's a mess. If the weather is extreme where you are, this cover is probably not the best for primarily outside use.

For indoor/outdoor use, I suggest a breathable, cover, that's easy to pack and is compact when wet. Also, one that will dry quickly when unpacked, if you have to pack it when wet. I have a couple of Superweave covers for my my antique cars. The photos on their website don't really look much like the material itself. The material seems more nylon-ish, but it's some sort of synthetic material. I would guess that a MINI cover in this material would pack down to about the size of a windbreaker jacket. One that covers a mid-30's *huge* car pack down to about twice that size.

Hope that helps.

 

I have been using an outdoor cover for over 20 years and Cal Car does a good job of describing the materials, but there are cheeper places to buy. Just make sure you are buying good material, the cut is usually the same.

For the best outdoor fabric get Stormweave or Noah. Both shed water well and keep dust off. The major difference between these two is cost and bulk.

I have a Noah cover for the MINI and it works very well. I use it while at work and usually don't have to wash but about every two weeks.

 

American Mini Mates $250

http://www.americanminimates.com/misc.html





Info taken from their site:

"American Mini Mates is proud to present Concours Image, a completely unique line of beautifully detailed and highly functional MINI covers. This unique car cover material is called "Image-Fast", an exclusive (patent pending) fabric and image application process yielding absolutely no discernable feel or texture to the cover's graphics. The brightly colored, painstakingly detailed graphics are fade and wear resistant. The fabric is an ultra fine fiber (or fine denier) knit of special construction. It has a smooth "plate finish" front, and an ultra soft brushed back. The fabric also features mechanical stretch, and unlike spandex or Lycra will not wear out or lose recovery.

It is "Anti-microbial" meaning it resists mold and mildew.
It is "UV rated" meaning it resists the sun's UV rays.
Fabric yarn / fiber is softer and finer than cotton, cotton flannel, any non-woven, polypropylene, nylon, or cotton blend.
Fabric fibers will not inherently hold dirt or moisture unlike cotton.
Fabric has higher breatheability than cotton, greater moisture transfer than cotton, and high temperature resistance.
Fabric will not lose shape or recovery.
All panels are sewn using high strength double needle construction.
All panels are sewn "clean finished".
It is 100% machine washable. Normal recommended laundering will not fade, pill or shrink the fabric.
Indoor and “fair weather” outdoor use recommended.
Limited 3 year warranty.
Comes with a free storage bag."

 

thanks for the help guys, i will look at all you stuff you posted and prolly come back with more questions

 

Slightly off topic, but has anyone experienced anything bad with car covers, like paint degradation from moisture, mildew, scratching???

 

No, just don't leave it on wet to dry and don't put it on when the car is dirty.

 

I have an Evolution cover (around $150 if I remember right) and it works very well. Great against the elements (my MINI used to sleep outside), lightweight, not slippery and easy to put on by yourself, and folds up pretty small (maybe 2 feet x 1 foot). I don't use it nearly as much as I used to now that I have parking space in the garage, but it was great when I needed it.