I've had my '04 MC for 3 weeks now, and until yesterday had only washed it in the "touch free" car wash. It doesn't do a very good job, however, so yesterday I ran it through the automatic car wash. Disaster! As I rode through the car wash, I heard and felt all kinds of weird things happening under the car, and as I drove away, I heard a faint thump-thump-thumping sound, which increased in speed as the car did. Today I am not hearing that sound, but I am concerned as to what it could have been. Does anyone have any ideas? Also, my Mini is now covered with the dreaded swirl marks. Is there any way to get rid of them? Can they be buffed or waxed out? HELP!!

my guess is that your rear suspension boot (i don't know the actual term) got caught on one of the car wash guide rails. I have heard of this happening before. I don't think its a major problem but it probably needs to be reattached/replaced. I think car washes that make the grade should have little signs posted that say "MINI FRIENDLY"

>>I've had my '04 MC for 3 weeks now, and until yesterday had only washed it in the "touch free" car wash. It doesn't do a very good job, however, so yesterday I ran it through the automatic car wash. Disaster! As I rode through the car wash, I heard and felt all kinds of weird things happening under the car, and as I drove away, I heard a faint thump-thump-thumping sound, which increased in speed as the car did. Today I am not hearing that sound, but I am concerned as to what it could have been. Does anyone have any ideas? Also, my Mini is now covered with the dreaded swirl marks. Is there any way to get rid of them? Can they be buffed or waxed out? HELP!!

Get a cleaner/wax combination to removes fine swirl marks. I recommend Zymol (Blue liquid wax, around $20) and also a product by Meguiar's called "Scratch-X", lots of elbow grease but very effective at removing these annoying marks from the clearcoat.

Start with a product that is the LEAST abbrasive to your finish. If the marks don't go away with the 2 products from above, then you need to move a notch higher and look into the 3M line of scratch remover products. If you still can't get them out, then only a professional with an orbiter machine can buff them out.


As for the noise I have no idea. Check your front bumper trim and make sure that there is no loose plastic trim from the car, that could be scraping when you drive away.


Moral of the story: NEVER RUN YOUR MINI THRU THE AUTOMATED CAR WASH EVER AGAIN!

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>>Moral of the story: NEVER RUN YOUR MINI THRU THE AUTOMATED CAR WASH EVER AGAIN!

I would stay away from the ones with the rail on the floor.....MINIs are just too low to risk it ...other than that........I fail to see a proven case that auto washes damage billions of dollars worth of property every year as is sometimes claimed.......

I've had good luck with the only product I've tried......ScratchX. IMO, get some and try it. I've used it on swirl marks with some success, but on lots of other scratches on which it was fantastic.