[intensecorp]

Now that the cold weather and snow is finally upon us here in Toronto, I hate to say it but my 325xi is a mess!! I keep on hearing how the no touch car washes, for example, Sunoco's touchless car wash, is not good for our beloved e90's. However, I can't stand a dirty BMW and I NEED to get it washed!! It's too cold to wash it myself, I am not too fond of those coin operated wash bays either, so my question is, whats the truth behind the no touch, should I take it through there or wait (who knows how long) for some decent weather and wash it myself? Thanks for your help everyone!!!

[Ninjaneer]

Might want to check out these threads:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24145
and
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41769

Summary: no touch leaves a film over the car and the wash places typically use recycled water so you don't want to just wash and dry since there's probably some grit left on the car that you could end up dragging across and harming your paint. Perhaps you should consider ONR/QEW for a rinseless wash and you can do it in your garage (if you have a garage! that'd be the benefit during winter) and not have too much of a mess after you're done.

[picus]

You know, I don't even use QEW/ONR in this type of weather; it's just not worth touching the car and the possibility of marring when you know the next day it's going to be filthy again. I'd wait at least until some of the salt is off the roads then either take it to a touchless (and do not dry), or use a rinseless wash as Ninjaneer suggests.

[Ninjaneer]

I guess I'm glad I don't have to deal with that type of weather

edit: It kind of sounds like during winter you'd just want to wash it for the sake of cleaning it off from time to time for peace of mind rather than just letting it sit like that, dirty, till the weather clears

[intensecorp]

Thanks picus, Ninjaneer! To be honest with you I never realized a product like this existed!! Where can I buy ONR? picus, can I find it at Canadian Tire?

Thanks again guys!!

[Ninjaneer]

In that 2nd link, and specifically this post: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...9&postcount=18 they mentioned www.eshine.ca (since you're in Canada)

Other than that you can find it on most auto websites... pakshak.com, autogeek.net, topoftheline.com

You might not find it listed as "ONR" so do a search for "optimum no rinse." Also there's QEW (Quick and Easy Wash).

[intensecorp]

Ninjaneer, what can I say, thanks for that most valuable info. Hopefully Cdn Tire or a retail store sells it as well, if not I will just order it from eShine.ca....just can't stand to see my car so DIRTY!!

[picus]

No retail stores

It's eshine.ca or nothin' here in Canada. Luckily Chris at eshine is a great guy and will have it out to you asap.

Shoot on over to autopia.org and search for ONR or rinseless and read some of the "how-tos" on using ONR, very informative.

[ctgazer]

any reason why you dont like coin-op car washes? well, here's a posting for one located in the toronto area...


http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38560

[antidentite]

Be careful ordering ONR this time of year. I just received my shipment of ONR yesterday with the phrase "Do Not Freeze" handwritten all over the box.

When I opened the package, the ONR was frozen. I'm not sure why it cant be frozen, but it was.

[picus]

Originally Posted by ctgazer

any reason why you dont like coin-op car washes? well, here's a posting for one located in the toronto area...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38560

I don't dislike them, in fact I use them in the winter a lot just to spray off the bottom of my car. If the coin op will allow you to bring in your own stuff (bucket, soap, mitts), then go for it. I just don't like to see anyone using their soap or worse, their brushes.

[bimmernotbeamer]

Not sure where you heard Sunoco touchless washes are no good. I've been using them for the last 6 years and have not had any problems. They are the best way to wash in the Winter IMO.

[Brunotheboxer]

yep i may go touchless here in boston if my car gets dirty in a couple of days.

[ctgazer]

Originally Posted by picus

I don't dislike them, in fact I use them in the winter a lot just to spray off the bottom of my car. If the coin op will allow you to bring in your own stuff (bucket, soap, mitts), then go for it. I just don't like to see anyone using their soap or worse, their brushes.

yah, i dont use their brushes...just the water...usually i like the one at steeles and yonge...they let you dry your car in the winter time and its heated - provided its not busy - plus its close to where i work

[Ghunger]

I can't even find a touchless carwash in my area. It's really annoying. Any suggestions for finding one?

[ctgazer]

Originally Posted by Ghunger

I can't even find a touchless carwash in my area. It's really annoying. Any suggestions for finding one?

try searching other boards...i found some of those coin-ops from an e36 boards

[intensecorp]

Originally Posted by DavidN

Not sure where you heard Sunoco touchless washes are no good. I've been using them for the last 6 years and have not had any problems. They are the best way to wash in the Winter IMO.

picus, thanks for the info for eshine.ca, I will order it asap and try it out!! DavidN, I think the Sunoco touchless is probably the best one out there, which is why I looked into the reasons why they may not be as great for our e90's. As picus and Ninjaneer pointed out in this and other threads, the water is recycled which is not such a bad thing, however, its the drying part of the wash that will cause grit left over to drag across the paint. So as mentioned, I can go to touchless and skip the drying stage or follow some of the other advise mentioned in this thread. Other than that...this weather bites!!!!

[klinkerklu]

When we lived back east I would regularly take the car through a touchless ( a REAL touchless, in which no objects come anywhere near the car) once a week . The plain wash was free when I filled up with gas & it would help keep the layers off grime from forming on the car. I never touched the car with anything, in fear of grime scratches until warm days when I could do a thorough wash myself.
I think it is more important to get that salt/sand/grime shit OFF than let the car sit dirty and build up crap. Even if you drive out of a touchless with a wet car in the winter, so what? It's not wet in the winter? What about the snow/slush/rain that will fall on the car within a few days on the salted crusted mess that's on your car?
I would also occasionally spray out the wheels wells and watch the sludge run out, to my horror.
IMHO, The most important thing to remember, esp in winter, is not to let anything rub on the paint, bc the car is just never going to be 100% clean.

[yellowg555]

I have used touchless washes almost every week and they do a decent job, except for the water spots that evaporate. I washed my car last week in the morning and it was absolutely freezing. I don't think I will do it again until the spring lol.