Can anyone out there tell me if the Indoor cover for the Clubman can be used outside. My dealership said it would be fine for outdoor use, although all the info (what there is of it) on the parts site says it is for indoor use only.
I have the outside cover that looks like the old Clubman, but found that it scuffed the outside of the roof area when we had just a little wind at my shop. I repaired it with Zymol fast shine stuff, but I am hesitant to put in back on the car. It cost $350 so I hate not using it.
Today I was going to pick up the MINI grey cloth cover like the one BMW sells. I have used that cover on my BMW for 6 years with no scuffing at all on my paint. (Of course, it is a convertible so maybe that helps.)

I feel that I made a mistake paying $299 for an indoor cover being told to use it outside. Any info you guys can give me would be appreciated.

I guess at least I can use it inside after detailing to keep the dust off.

 

You cover it INSIDE? Where are you parking? Next to a gravel quarry? I wouldnt pay the extra money for an indoor cover, I would just look into sealing up the garage better.

 

I don't cover the car inside the garage normally. The problem is that the official Clubman outdoor cover scuffed the roof. The MINI dealership told me I should use the indoor cover they sell as an outdoor cover. I told them it was meant to be used inside, but the manager assured me it should be fine for outdoor use.

I would only cover it in my garage if I was not going to drive it for awhile after detailing. I have a BMW (2002) with only 5,725 miles and I have covered it when I don't drive it if I just waxed it. It's a convertible and I never take it out if I have to go to a parking lot, or the weather is bad. Only parked it at my shop which is 100% protected.

As my Clubman is chili red I wanted to protect the paint when outdoors in the Arizona sun. Plus I have a tree in the shop's yard that spits stuff on the cars.

 

Forgot to mention why I cover any car inside the garage. It's a 20x40 garage, only about 4 years old. But when I'm working in there my Greyhounds and Doberman sometimes like to come running through. I don't want them rough housing near the cars, or scratching them with their play. Easier to keep a car covered than worrying about it. Guess that's why the 330Ci is like new inside and out. It's for sale now so I can get a 2009 MINI Cabrio. The Clubman spoiled me for any car but a MINI.

 

I have an interior cover and I dont recommend you to use it in the outside while raining days...

 

You're not helping

The OP is looking for advice not your editorial comments on their parking habits

 

LOL!

 

Sorry about my above comment Cloud, I was just leaning into a little humor. Apparently it wasn't seen that way.

 

From many years of owning classic cars, etc., we have learned to buy what is appropriate.

If you are covering the car outside, then buy one specifically to be used outside. Then it CAN be used inside also. But there is a difference in the material used for outside covers to keep out moisture, etc.

It's worth the extra $$$ in my opinion, to purchase a more expensive outdoor cover - especially one with some sort of tie down straps to keep it from flapping in the wind.

Just my 2 cents.....

 

I appreciate that. The car doesn't go out in the rain, I take the truck on bad days and as you know in Arizona we don't get a lot of them.
The cover is really snug, like a stocking. I'm sure you saw them at the dealership as it is the cover they use to protect new cars that are being picked up.
They said it would be ok to use it outside as they know it is for sun protection, not moisture. I just wondered if that is true. I was intending to buy the gray outdoor cover that I have for the BMW too, but they kept pushing this one on me. It was $90 more than the gray one ($299 vs $210). The other cover was $350 and I will continue to use that one on non windy days I guess. I felt kind of like a fool after getting the indoor cover for outdoors, but the manager really thought it was the best one. Geez.

The gravel pit comment was ok. I'm in rural country here and the garage is nicer than our kitchen. Only normal dust on the cars in there. No windows, now possibility of rodents, etc. Actually one of my favorite places to be. It was built for my husband, but he is too ill to do anything, so it is my refuge.
Thanks all!

 

You should not feel like a fool at all .... After making a few mistakes over the years like we have, we learned the hard way unfortunately.

I used to think the same thing.....$100 versus $300.....hum....well...there IS a difference.

For my Traveller(s), I bought specific car cover(s) made for that model and we spent several hundred dollars on each of them. One is in the garage and the other, my daily driver, gets the driveway (no more room at the Inn - LOL!!).

Ebay can sometimes be a good source - check some car sites - make some phone calls, then you'll be all edumicated on car covers in no time...and you'll see the difference in materials used, etc.

Hope this helps?

Donna

 

Here's mine...

 

Love it.
I finally opened the box and the instructions say it can be used outside, just not for moisture protection. Well, like I said my BMW and MINI don't go out in bad weather. I think I used the wipers on the 2002 BMW maybe once when caught in a monsoon rain that came in about 5 minutes.

Mostly I wanted a cover that wouldn't scuff the surface with minor wind. The rubbery cover MINI sells that looks like the Clubby will scuff it. Right now I left the cover totally off as it is breezy today. It makes me think I should have ordered a more sun friendly color than the red. But Otto will stay waxed and cleaned nearly every day so hopefully the paint won't fade for the few times it sits uncovered.

I drove the Cabrio yesterday. I want the 2009 version, but had to see how the non-S performed. It seemed fine for driving along, plenty of power, but I felt the real difference in starting off at the lights. Otto is always first out at the gate, not even pushing it. The non-S had issues with initial accleration. At least I know now that the new one will have to be an S, too. Too bad as I was hoping for yellow, but unless things change in 2009 it won't be available in S.

Thanks for all the help as always everyone. I can always count on fellow MINIacs.