I'm looking for some opinions from people who are or have used outdoor car covers for their mini. I understand the protection aspects but I am wondering about how well the covers stay in place in high winds. I worry about the cover beating the car in a wind. Its seems the shape and small size of the car would allow a tighter grip of the cover. My car will be outdoors three or four days at time while I am out of town about three times a month. The car will have a zaino treatment. I was eyeing the top line cover at Moss Motoring. So go for a cover or not?

 

I had the minimania one and it was fine in the wind. The covers are not generic one-size fits all but custom cut for the car. If your worried about the paint, make sure you buy a top of the line one with a soft felt underlayer.

 

We've got the Moss Ultralon, as well as a cable and lock to go with it. I think it's going to take something on the order of a tornado or hurricane to blow it off. Since we don't have either around here, I don't see any probs!

The Ultralon has a soft inner liner, but it isn't absorbant like felt will be, so it won't maintain a layer of dampness against the car.

 

The NOAH cover has a piece of material sewn into it that's shaped like a cone and slips completely over the stock antenna. No grommets to let water in. Also, there's enough room on the front for a set of rally lights on the upper or lower grill.

 

But the dealer satin looks great for a $26+ difference. Although it's indoor only.

 

I too am concerned about damage to the car's finish by the movement of the cover during windy conditions. Unfortunately I do not have any indoor location to park the car and since I rarely drive the MINI during the winter months, I've though about getting a cover for it. Last winter I just gave the car a good waxing prior to the winter season, but I'm tempted to get a cover for this upcoming winter.

Has anyone had any experience with paint damage due to the cover?

 

Water IS going to get in, grommet or not. There will always be moisture under the cover from evaporation from the ground.

If you wash the cover, say once a week or so, it will lessen the possibility of damage, mainly from dust getting trapped under the cover.

 

I've been using car covers for over 20 years, the last 8 I've been using Noah. I put the car cover on every day at work, unless it's about to rain. I never put the cover on a dirty car, which is generally after it rains. I never wash the car cover, but it gets rained on enough to keep it relatively clean. What I found in the past that if you wash a cover, you seriously reduce its life time. Noah covers are good for about 4 years of Florida sun. I suspect they'll last much longer farther north. If the car cover gets wet, I put it in a garbage bag in the trunk and carefully put it on the car the next day and let it dry in the sun. The car cover will occasionally blow off, especially after a few years of use when the elastic gets a little weaker. You could use a lock but be careful, my brother had the lock severely scratch up the side of his car. Also, be real careful with snow or ice, a sure way potentially trash your car.

For the Mini, I purchased an Alta shorty antenna. It's very easy to install the car cover over the Alta antenna, but was a real pain over the stock antenna.

You will get some very minor scratches with a car cover, but in general the car will be much better off if you cover it. My 18 year old MR2, which I sold earlier this year, had paint and interior that still looked like new thanks to the 4 or 5 car covers I used over the time that I owned it.

 

Ok, silly question, but when we say sun here, are we also referring to a reduction in heat? I.e. are the covers fairly reflective? I'm a bit scarred - the volvo I just parted with began to deform - cracked leather front seats, warped panels from volvos environmentally friendly but not so effective glues, etc., due to high heat. I bike everywhere in LA, so mini will really be sitting and baking in some sunny spots.

 

Most covers are not reflective nor do they need to be. The reduction of temperature on the inside of the car will be dramatic, even if they are not reflective.

 

My cover is a StormShield I bought from MINIMania a couple years ago for $179. Does real well against everything at all temps. Fairly EZ to put on by yourself as long as the antenna is removed. My only complaint is not having a transparent license plate window on the rear, for parking in city-run lots like the airport (where the plate MUST be exposed.) Otherwise a fine durable cover that does not scuff too bad.

 

See my Gallery. $160.00 for an all season, snow and ice cover, it fits snugly and I only put it on the day of washing and waxing my MINI. After that, the road grime on the car may get scratched into the paint.
BTW, I've had multiple, positive comments from women on the portion that covers the aerial, lol. It's reminiscent of putting a condom on... Can I say condom here on NAM? ;-) Puts a smile on everyone's face.

 

It's reminiscent of putting a condom on... Can I say condom here on NAM? ;-) Puts a smile on everyone's face. Ya...but on a "mini"...I don't think so.