I know that under ideal circumstances, I should wash my new MINI myself... but I live in an apartment, so I don't really have a way to wash it at home. Anyone have any advice on where to take it to get it washed? Preferably somewhere on the west side... Culver City in particular.

 

on venice there is 2 good ones in culver city

 

There is a do-it-yourself car wash on Venice and Centinela. This one gets crowded on the weekends / evenings and the owners have posted signs that say "No Bucket Wash".

As for actual car washes the only one I ever used (not with the MINI) is the one on Sepulveda and Venice, it's directly across from 7-11. They always did a good job on the 4Runner and I seem to recall them not being that expensive either.

 

That's the coin-op one, right? I've driven past it before, but I've never used it. How does it work? Do you have to bring your own car wash stuff?

It seems that having a car I care about is going to be a bunch of extra work... heh.

 

Yup. Put quarters in and turn the **** to your selection. (I think it's about $2.50 for a four minute cycle time - I have only gone there once and that was to rinse off my wheels. I go to a different one down in El Segundo for a full wash cuz they don't have "No Bucket Wash" signs) If you have no problems using their car wash stuff, go ahead and start with rinse for however long you want to and then add soap until the cycle is up. Bring your own washmitt (DO NOT use their brushes ) and soap your car. When you're ready to rinse, put in quarters and you should be done. Move your car and dry off in their designated dry off area so that you're not holding up the queue for everyone else.

You don't have to use their stuff, but keep in mind they do have the "No Bucket Wash" signs posted so I don't know if you're daring enough to do a bucket wash there. I never was daring enough so that's why I found a place that didn't have the signs. Hope this helps.

 

The shine and bright on venice and sepulveda does an excellent job..

all hand wash.. and they offer other services... hand wax, clay bar,, etc..