Who is obsessed with keeping their M3 clean

LarThaL · 04-30-2012, 06:34 PM

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have always been a clean freak when it comes to my cars. While they are not garage queens, I always want them to look like one. The M3 is such a special car to me, that I really find myself going overboard, but I love it. So....how many of you do the following:

1. Clean/detail at least every other week
2. Vacuum interior every other day
3. Clean and detail the engine bay regularly
4. Check for dead bugs on the front after EVERY drive (and clean if necessary)
5. Clean the dust off the air vents with a cotton swab
6. Clean around the rear M3 badge with a cotton swab
7. Clean the brake dust off the wheels after every drive
8. Clean the wheel barrels at least weekly
9. Clean and polish your muffler cans
10. Clean your exhaust tips after every drive
11. Clean and polish the INSIDE of your exhaust tips regularly
12. Regularly clean the underside of your car with at least a towel and basic cleaning spray of some type
13. Use masking tape to get dust off the felt door opening liner
14. Periodically remove the wheels to clean and detail your brake calipers and suspension components

And please don't tell me to get a life. I have one. It is quite good.

yoelev · 04-30-2012, 06:37 PM

the answer is:

no one does the following. cept you. embrace it.

Envious Eric · 04-30-2012, 08:59 PM

thats a little overkill for bi-weekly, but more power to you and I'll bet your car is probably the best looking around your town! Kudos!

THE TECH · 04-30-2012, 09:00 PM

I do most of that but only on a weekly basis.

GOLFFRR · 04-30-2012, 09:06 PM

I do pretty much the same but like Tech said once a week. I prob would do it more but I just don't have time. Need to golf

ONEOF40 FS M3 · 04-30-2012, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarThaL

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have always been a clean freak when it comes to my cars. While they are not garage queens, I always want them to look like one. The M3 is such a special car to me, that I really find myself going overboard, but I love it. So....how many of you do the following:

1. Clean/detail at least every other week
2. Vacuum interior every other day
3. Clean and detail the engine bay regularly
4. Check for dead bugs on the front after EVERY drive (and clean if necessary)
5. Clean the dust off the air vents with a cotton swab
6. Clean around the rear M3 badge with a cotton swab
7. Clean the brake dust off the wheels after every drive
8. Clean the wheel barrels at least weekly
9. Clean and polish your muffler cans
10. Clean your exhaust tips after every drive
11. Clean and polish the INSIDE of your exhaust tips regularly
12. Regularly clean the underside of your car with at least a towel and basic cleaning spray of some type
13. Use masking tape to get dust off the felt door opening liner
14. Periodically remove the wheels to clean and detail your brake calipers and suspension components

And please don't tell me to get a life. I have one. It is quite good.

I do most of the above weekly for three cars, #4 always and #14 never...

TTG · 04-30-2012, 09:23 PM

I am guilty of all charges..... but I should admit that my car is a garage queen but after every drive she gets completely cleaned up....

Once a year, she goes on jacks and get a 3 day wheels off detail as well ....

And to this date the only water that touched the paint is the water I wash it with.... Undercarriage is still brand new looking....

PS: I totally know what you mean by polishing exhaust cans :-)

My wife's MINI gets the same treatment as well....

shrimp_chips · 04-30-2012, 09:30 PM

Try using a lint roller instead of masking tape in your thirteenth step

tibra1 · 04-30-2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarThaL

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have always been a clean freak when it comes to my cars. While they are not garage queens, I always want them to look like one. The M3 is such a special car to me, that I really find myself going overboard, but I love it. So....how many of you do the following:

1. Clean/detail at least every other week
2. Vacuum interior every other day
3. Clean and detail the engine bay regularly
4. Check for dead bugs on the front after EVERY drive (and clean if necessary)
5. Clean the dust off the air vents with a cotton swab
6. Clean around the rear M3 badge with a cotton swab
7. Clean the brake dust off the wheels after every drive
8. Clean the wheel barrels at least weekly
9. Clean and polish your muffler cans
10. Clean your exhaust tips after every drive
11. Clean and polish the INSIDE of your exhaust tips regularly
12. Regularly clean the underside of your car with at least a towel and basic cleaning spray of some type
13. Use masking tape to get dust off the felt door opening liner
14. Periodically remove the wheels to clean and detail your brake calipers and suspension components

And please don't tell me to get a life. I have one. It is quite good.

+1..Im with you on this Im OCD>.and my Sat afternoon routine..whatever needs doing/cleaning gets done.

Templar · 05-01-2012, 08:12 AM

I don't remember the last time I cleaned my exhaust tips...

Oh, it was probably before I got the black Gintani Sport I have now

SamS · 05-01-2012, 08:25 AM

I've been known to do a few of those things, including taking the wheels off and cleaning the suspension components. That decisions was actually influenced by some oil that dripped down there, so it was nice to get both sides perfectly clean front/back. And I got to learn a bit about the components/design behind the wheels.

I do like a spotless interior. Sounds silly to most, but when I step into the M3, I want it to look and feel like a brand new car. That means a quick vacuum after every trip, if necessary.

OP, have you taken a shot at paint correction/compounding? That's a great way to put an OCD eye-for-detail to great use

Poppin Fresh · 05-01-2012, 08:44 AM

I wish I had a lot of time for that much dedication. Cleaning my car has been my other source of therapy after a stress filled work week.

THE TECH · 05-01-2012, 08:48 AM

You must be retired to have that kind of time.

hankcah · 05-02-2012, 12:58 PM

Why are you using cotton swabs on the air vents? Why not get detailing brushes and/or use a credit card wrapped in microfiber?

I wash mine every week. I only vacuum about once every 2-3 months. Also I would recommend getting a 3M clear bra installed so you can keep the paint perfect to prolong the life of the front paint where rock chips and bugs tend to gather.

Wayne R · 05-02-2012, 01:33 PM

Detailed by me every week, garage kept, covered, and never has been driven in rain.

Poleposition · 05-02-2012, 01:40 PM

Retired and/or no kids

dnotorious · 05-02-2012, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarThaL

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have always been a clean freak when it comes to my cars. While they are not garage queens, I always want them to look like one. The M3 is such a special car to me, that I really find myself going overboard, but I love it. So....how many of you do the following:

1. Clean/detail at least every other week
2. Vacuum interior every other day
3. Clean and detail the engine bay regularly
4. Check for dead bugs on the front after EVERY drive (and clean if necessary)
5. Clean the dust off the air vents with a cotton swab
6. Clean around the rear M3 badge with a cotton swab
7. Clean the brake dust off the wheels after every drive
8. Clean the wheel barrels at least weekly
9. Clean and polish your muffler cans
10. Clean your exhaust tips after every drive
11. Clean and polish the INSIDE of your exhaust tips regularly
12. Regularly clean the underside of your car with at least a towel and basic cleaning spray of some type
13. Use masking tape to get dust off the felt door opening liner
14. Periodically remove the wheels to clean and detail your brake calipers and suspension components

And please don't tell me to get a life. I have one. It is quite good.

how long is this ordeal? some of us only have weekends.. so for me after an 1.5 hours of cleaning I am ready to drive .. show me some before and after pics.. i'd like to see those clean barrels

Alpha///M · 05-02-2012, 02:03 PM

Re: removing wheels for cleaning, I guess a floor jack and torque wrench for lugs is required? Any recommendations for leather seat cleaners/conditioners? Seems "LarThaL" is the clean guru!

Malek@MRF · 05-02-2012, 02:24 PM

You are not alone. I have taken care of all my cars in a similar fashion, and have been called names such as crazy, bored, insane, weird.

At the end of the day, if you enjoy doing it, and it gives you joy to take some time to yourself doing these things, then I say go for it.

Malek

KmndntKlink · 09-01-2012, 11:28 AM

lol I hear ya bro, I'm not as anal as you (cotton swabs :O) but I do make sure I clean out the interior dailey, wipe off dust as I see it and do leather treatments every 2 months.
For exterior I started hand washing it every 2 weeks or so, depending on how dirty it gets. Don't do any underside cleaning though, don't even know how without some ramps or a lift o.O cleaning wheels is such a PITA
I'll prob be washing it more frequently in the winter (but its so COLD T_T)

Props to you though for loving your ///M so much!

positiveions · 09-03-2012, 04:38 AM

A perfectionist lives on to see another glory day

1MOREMOD · 09-03-2012, 09:57 AM

get to the track and you will quit caring so much about any of that. i still have hot rubber marks on my hood from a month ago i havent dealt with yet.

04-30-2012, 06:34 PM	#1
LarThaL Colonel 336 Rep 2,940 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: West Springfield, MA iTrader: (0)	Who is obsessed with keeping their M3 clean I don't know about the rest of you, but I have always been a clean freak when it comes to my cars. While they are not garage queens, I always want them to look like one. The M3 is such a special car to me, that I really find myself going overboard, but I love it. So....how many of you do the following: 1. Clean/detail at least every other week 2. Vacuum interior every other day 3. Clean and detail the engine bay regularly 4. Check for dead bugs on the front after EVERY drive (and clean if necessary) 5. Clean the dust off the air vents with a cotton swab 6. Clean around the rear M3 badge with a cotton swab 7. Clean the brake dust off the wheels after every drive 8. Clean the wheel barrels at least weekly 9. Clean and polish your muffler cans 10. Clean your exhaust tips after every drive 11. Clean and polish the INSIDE of your exhaust tips regularly 12. Regularly clean the underside of your car with at least a towel and basic cleaning spray of some type 13. Use masking tape to get dust off the felt door opening liner 14. Periodically remove the wheels to clean and detail your brake calipers and suspension components And please don't tell me to get a life. I have one. It is quite good. __________________ **Audi S6 Audi S3 * Porsche Cayman GTS* --Former BMW M3 owner** Last edited by LarThaL; 04-30-2012 at 06:40 PM..
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04-30-2012, 06:37 PM	#2
yoelev First Lieutenant 19 Rep 366 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	the answer is: no one does the following. cept you. embrace it. __________________
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04-30-2012, 08:59 PM	#3
Envious Eric Banned 37 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: nissan xterra, 335 soon Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1)	thats a little overkill for bi-weekly, but more power to you and I'll bet your car is probably the best looking around your town! Kudos!
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04-30-2012, 09:06 PM	#5
GOLFFRR 10794 Rep 27,588 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	I do pretty much the same but like Tech said once a week. I prob would do it more but I just don't have time. Need to golf __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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04-30-2012, 09:23 PM	#7
TTG ... 935 Rep 4,326 Posts Drives: M340 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [7.84] 2007 335 Coupe (ret ... [9.00]	I am guilty of all charges..... but I should admit that my car is a garage queen but after every drive she gets completely cleaned up.... Once a year, she goes on jacks and get a 3 day wheels off detail as well .... And to this date the only water that touched the paint is the water I wash it with.... Undercarriage is still brand new looking.... PS: I totally know what you mean by polishing exhaust cans :-) My wife's MINI gets the same treatment as well.... __________________ 2020 G20 M340 xDrive - Portimao Blue - ZDA\|ZPP\|ZPX\|1CR\|1PE\|6NW\|6WD 2016 F10 535i xDrive - AW - Retired 2011 E92 M3 - AW……………....ED April 29th, 2010 - Retired 2007 E92 335i -Space Gray.....ED Oct 19th, 2006 - Retired
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04-30-2012, 09:00 PM	#4
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	I do most of that but only on a weekly basis.
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04-30-2012, 09:30 PM	#8
shrimp_chips First Lieutenant 83 Rep 367 Posts Drives: F10 M5 ZCP Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Seattle iTrader: (7)	Try using a lint roller instead of masking tape in your thirteenth step
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05-01-2012, 08:12 AM	#10
Templar Lieutenant Colonel 268 Rep 1,883 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: One of the coasts... iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	I don't remember the last time I cleaned my exhaust tips... Oh, it was probably before I got the black Gintani Sport I have now __________________ '11 BMW E92 ///M3 - ZCP and DCT '15 Ford F-250 - Lariat, 6.7 Powerstroke Turbo-diesel
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05-01-2012, 08:25 AM	#11
SamS Banned 866 Rep 6,248 Posts Drives: Tesla M3 Perf + '18 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	I've been known to do a few of those things, including taking the wheels off and cleaning the suspension components. That decisions was actually influenced by some oil that dripped down there, so it was nice to get both sides perfectly clean front/back. And I got to learn a bit about the components/design behind the wheels. I do like a spotless interior. Sounds silly to most, but when I step into the M3, I want it to look and feel like a brand new car. That means a quick vacuum after every trip, if necessary. OP, have you taken a shot at paint correction/compounding? That's a great way to put an OCD eye-for-detail to great use
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05-01-2012, 08:44 AM	#12
Poppin Fresh Colonel 85 Rep 2,148 Posts Drives: With a sunroof and front plate Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bergen County NJ iTrader: (0)	I wish I had a lot of time for that much dedication. Cleaning my car has been my other source of therapy after a stress filled work week. __________________
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05-01-2012, 08:48 AM	#13
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	You must be retired to have that kind of time.
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05-02-2012, 12:58 PM	#14
hankcah First Lieutenant 42 Rep 364 Posts Drives: BMW 335i E90 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Saint Louis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Why are you using cotton swabs on the air vents? Why not get detailing brushes and/or use a credit card wrapped in microfiber? I wash mine every week. I only vacuum about once every 2-3 months. Also I would recommend getting a 3M clear bra installed so you can keep the paint perfect to prolong the life of the front paint where rock chips and bugs tend to gather.
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05-02-2012, 01:33 PM	#15
Wayne R Poor Old Sod 0 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: State of Confusion iTrader: (0)	Detailed by me every week, garage kept, covered, and never has been driven in rain.
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05-02-2012, 01:40 PM	#16
Poleposition ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 512 Rep 1,437 Posts Drives: very well Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	Retired and/or no kids __________________ 2022 Individual M5 Comp Venetian Violet 2021 X6M Comp 2024 i4 M50 on order IG @purpleM5Comp_NY
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05-02-2012, 02:03 PM	#18
Alpha///M Scrappy Coco 62 Rep 447 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 AW DCT ZCP ESS 625 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 [0.00]	Re: removing wheels for cleaning, I guess a floor jack and torque wrench for lugs is required? Any recommendations for leather seat cleaners/conditioners? Seems "LarThaL" is the clean guru!
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05-02-2012, 02:24 PM	#19
Malek@MRF BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 731 Rep 3,735 Posts Drives: E92 M3, E46 M3, G82 M4 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Irvine, California iTrader: (5)	You are not alone. I have taken care of all my cars in a similar fashion, and have been called names such as crazy, bored, insane, weird. At the end of the day, if you enjoy doing it, and it gives you joy to take some time to yourself doing these things, then I say go for it. Malek __________________ BMW PERFORMANCE SPECIALISTS. Race Engines. Suspension. F/I. Brakes. Race Preparation. Factory Service. Alignments. OFFICIAL PARTNERS: KW. MOTON. Brembo. AP Racing. BBS Motorsport. iND. HRE. Turner Motorsport. VAC. BMW Motorsport. Facebook \| Instagram \| Yelp! \| Flikr Phone: 949-233-0448 \| E-Mail: info@mrfengineering.com
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09-01-2012, 11:28 AM	#20
KmndntKlink Lieutenant 21 Rep 469 Posts Drives: 2010 e92 m3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (4)	lol I hear ya bro, I'm not as anal as you (cotton swabs :O) but I do make sure I clean out the interior dailey, wipe off dust as I see it and do leather treatments every 2 months. For exterior I started hand washing it every 2 weeks or so, depending on how dirty it gets. Don't do any underside cleaning though, don't even know how without some ramps or a lift o.O cleaning wheels is such a PITA I'll prob be washing it more frequently in the winter (but its so COLD T_T) Props to you though for loving your ///M so much! __________________ E92 ///M3 in Dakar Yellow, M-DCT, iDrive, 220M OEM rims, Active Autowerke Green filter, Turner Motorsport test pipes, BPM stage 2 tune, Stoptech ST-40 F+R in yellow.
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09-03-2012, 04:38 AM	#21
positiveions Lieutenant General 961 Rep 11,722 Posts Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upland, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2016 VW Golf Sports ... [0.00] 1998 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	A perfectionist lives on to see another glory day
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09-03-2012, 09:57 AM	#22
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	get to the track and you will quit caring so much about any of that. i still have hot rubber marks on my hood from a month ago i havent dealt with yet. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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