I bought the MINI car cover for my '06 S and was wondering if it is actually doing more harm than good. I live in Las Vegas and it is in the sun for roughly eight hours M-F. I have been covering it for about a year now. Is it doing more harm than good?

 

Show us some pics. Why do you think it might be? Do you see damage?

 

Hate to think what the on-and-off rubbing may be doing to your paint.

 

 

If the car is garaged and the cover stored properly when not being used then it's good for your car, but if it's left on the ground its going to do more harm than good over time. Same as outside car cover. I think that the biggest thing that people forget about car covers is you have to be careful with them. For example, if your car is dirty and you put the cover back on it the inside of the cover will pick that up and over time begin to put small scratches in your paint.
Have you began to see a lot more scratch/swirl marks on your car? Could be time to get a new cover if something has gotten on it....

 

I have been using a cover at work for years and seen a lot of benefit. You will get even more benefit being some place with strong sun like lost wages. I lived in Phoenix for about 30 years and would need to replace the cover about every 3-5 years. Keeping the dust and sun off will not only save your paint but also help a lot with the interior.

Make sure you have a good quality fabric and fitted cover. It will save damage and is a lot easier to work with.

As said above, keep the cover and the car clean and you should not have many problems.

 

It's definitely helpful for preventing sun damage.

The thing about a covers is that it keeps the car cleaner than the dirtiest it would get uncovered... yet dirtier than the cleanest it would be uncovered. It's pretty much always going to be at a medium state of "dirtiness". IF that makes any sense...

It least in the SW you don't have to deal with much rain, which tends to make this cover induced car-dirtying process much worse.

As others have said, you just need to keep the car (and cover) as clean as possible. Also it is critical to keep the paint protected at all times by a good synthetic wax. The covers really beat on your paint but wax helps a lot.

 

I don't agree with the cover will not keep the car clean. The newest fabrics do keep dust, bird crap and other harmful elements from the paint. Yes they get on the cover but it is not a direct transfer to the paint simply because the cover gets dirty. Even using proper tech with putting the cover on and taking it off will keep the junk from getting on the car.

Also, I don't agree the cover beats on the paint. Again it depends on the cover. If it is a universal cover, yes you can get some damage. However a custom fitted cover will not damage the paint. (well maybe on a show car but not something you would ever notice on a daily driver).

I do not mean to disrespect your opinion but as a long time user I think there are many misconceptions about car covers that just are not true.

 

Thanks for the reply, I have seen some scratches on the roof as it is all black. I use the Turtle Wax Ice brand and try to apply it once a month. I just wasn't sure if the cover resting on the roof w/the sun beating on it would damage it also.

 

I have seen some swirl marks, but that's going to happen on a ll black roof no matter what, correct. Also I have a Carbon fiber boot & bonnet so I wanted to protect those pieces most from the sun...keep them from turning green. I guess the roof isn't that big of a deal as I'm going to have it wrapped in vinyl next AMVIV. Anyway thanks for the response, I guess I'm more worried about the sun fading the paint more than anything.

 

I have a MiniMania Stormsheild cover I used on my 2005 MCS. Havent used it on my 09--yet. On the 05 By 5000 miles I could notice where dirt on the underside wreaked minor havoc with my black roof and shoulder lines on the body above the tailights. Although I could cover my 09*, just to see if it fits, I havent done it yet--and the black roof looks pristine.

Id say just make sure it's tightened down with bungees thru the grommets to keep it from flappin. That and dragging it across the paint (say putting it on and pulling it off, solo) does the most damage.

*would have to wait for the car to cool down as hot as the R56 engine/hood scoop area gets mighty hot