I'm a relatively new MCS owner living in Rochester. I'm a lazy sort and/or don't have a lot of time so I tend to want to use an automatic car wash to give my gem a bath. I've been warned by the dealership to not use a car wash outfit that "pulls" the vehicle along as it goes - because of the limited height of the chasis. I've tried the stand-still types (that rotate around the vehicle as you sit there) but they tend to not hit the back portion (due to the shortness of the MINI). Does anyone have any suggestions? Anyone ever used the Delta Sonic in Henrietta?
There's a 'self serve' hand sprayer car wash on East Henrietta Rd, south of 390 & Jefferson (near the DMV). I usually wash my at home with the hose, but in February or so I go to this place.
DO NOT! I repeat DO NOT! use any Delta Sonics!!!! There are plenty of touch frees around that measure your car first. If you cannot hand wash then I guess they are your best bet. I know there is one on Lyle just west of the Mcdonalds near Mt Read and there is one by our house on West Ridge Rd near R.O.C communications and Century Liquor.
If I do not hand wash at home I only use the drive in hand held wand washes. It is touch free and a Mini could cost as little as 3-4.00 to wash. Any touch unit can scratch the clear coat over time. I once took my truck to a drive through and the drying machine got jammed on the roof. That was the last time. Our Mini is too special to not go the extra effort. Just test the spray wand while pointing at the ground. This is to make sure the high pressure tip is spraying a fan pattern not a pointed pattern. Fan - good, point - bad.
You did not mention where you moved from. If you have not been in our winter salt before, a point of interest. Do not park a salted/unwashed car in your garage. As the salt and moisture on the car warms up the salt becomes more active. Best to leave it outside in the snow.
-s
P.S. WOO HOO! I just became a full member!
-- Edited by MightyMo at 23:08, 2008-06-03
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MiniMo - 2008 MINI Cooper S, Mellow Yellow, Checker glass roof, mirrors and sides, black stripes on boot & bonnet, Piaa black HID Rally lights. Zig Around Zoom Zoom
MightyMo - nice looking avatar! You should post full size pictures so we can all oooh and aah over it
SPD and I wash Bruto and Winnie at home as much as possible, but we've also taken both cars to the hand held drive in and spray car washes and have done both cars at the same time for $2 or $3
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nicole
Bruto: 07 S PS/W, Alta 19mm Rear Sway, Einkei Wheels, Driving Lights (VIP Custom Parts bracket & Hella 500's), Alta Short Shifter, Stratmosphere coilovers, VIP Custom Parts CAI & Strut Bar
You have a choice at the one by the main post office. I do both.. when the weather is good, I do the "I will wash it" but NEVER use the FOAMING brush.. don't know what grit may be in it... so I take an old cloth and hand wash...then when it's COLD out, I do the LAZY method.. sit and let the car wash do its thing... I think it does a great job.. (only it is expensive...).... that's my $.02.
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If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep!
DO NOT! I repeat DO NOT! use any Delta Sonics!!!! There are plenty of touch frees around that measure your car first. If you cannot hand wash then I guess they are your best bet. I know there is one on Lyle just west of the Mcdonalds near Mt Read and there is one by our house on West Ridge Rd near R.O.C communications and Century Liquor.
I just purchased an 09 MCS and have a Delta Sonic nearby in Dewitt(near Syracuse). Is there a clearance problem with using Delta Sonic?
..... Do not park a salted/unwashed car in your garage. As the salt and moisture on the car warms up the salt becomes more active. Best to leave it outside in the snow.
^%*&!!! \ Thanks for telling me AFTER I lived through a CNY winter in which I very much enjoyed my heated garage!!!
-- Edited by Venno at 15:56, 2008-11-20
-- Edited by Venno at 15:57, 2008-11-20
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Venno
DS w/DS '06MCS-17%/Alta CAI/Detroit Bypass Valve/Alta Air Diverter/Schroth Rcng Hrnss/CF Uber Scoop/Alta 19mm Sway Bar/Irlnd Cmbr Plt/Team Dynamics ProRace 1 17" Anthracite Rims with Jerzee Plts and a Gray-Scale Czech roof flag
I have used the Delta Sonic a few times and have experienced no issues with undercarriage clearance. Has anyone had any problems like this? I always prefer a hand wash over a commercial car wash but this is CNY and it's winter time.
Used one over here on the east side of Rochester today on Maidain Lane near Mt. Read. It is a "Lazer Touch". Just pulled in and watched the arm move around the car. Except for soap, water and air, nothing touched the car. Drove out, twisted the ant. back on, looked nice and parked it back home. Happy that I did not even have to tough the car with a washing mitt. -s
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MiniMo - 2008 MINI Cooper S, Mellow Yellow, Checker glass roof, mirrors and sides, black stripes on boot & bonnet, Piaa black HID Rally lights. Zig Around Zoom Zoom
It does cover body but what about the frame, engine parts, drive train, custom wheels, exhust system and the list goes on. Then there is the coverage and the down time without the car while anything is being repaired. UGG......6 more years and I'm moving out of the snow......maybe*%&$#^$#...lol
-s
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MiniMo - 2008 MINI Cooper S, Mellow Yellow, Checker glass roof, mirrors and sides, black stripes on boot & bonnet, Piaa black HID Rally lights. Zig Around Zoom Zoom
brush.. don't know what grit may be in it... so I take an old cloth and hand wash...then when it's COLD out, I do the LAZY method
.. sit and let the car wash do its thing... I think it does a great job.. (only it is expensive...).... that's my $.02.
