Carwash scratched my brand new 335i

[pattymac]

Just got my Sapphire black metallic 335i coupe last month. I came from an Audi S4 and this is my first BMW. I love this car!
Just took it for it's first wash to a place I've been many times before with no problems. This time my beautiful car emerged with scratches on both sides. Clearly the scratches were caused by the brushes. I'm sick just thinking about it.
I am trying to figure out if the paint is defective or if the carwash was the problem. The scratches are on both sides but mostly on the drivers side.
Any advise or suggestions? Does BMW have a paint problem? Needless to say this is the last time I take it to a carwash.

[PKL]

Was this an "automatic" car wash? If so, its your fault entirely. Everyone knows they destroy your paint. Especially a BLACK, and METALLIC paint. At least you won't do it again, but unfortunately I say this one is yours and yours alone.

[eamon]

Originally Posted by PKL

Was this an "automatic" car wash? If so, its your fault entirely. Everyone knows they destroy your paint. Especially a BLACK, and METALLIC paint. At least you won't do it again, but unfortunately I say this one is yours and yours alone.

Doesn't BMW perform automatic car washes?
I just thought it might make swirlies, not scratches

[sourphish]

Originally Posted by PKL

Was this an "automatic" car wash? If so, its your fault entirely. Everyone knows they destroy your paint. Especially a BLACK, and METALLIC paint. At least you won't do it again, but unfortunately I say this one is yours and yours alone.

Sorry to say, but I agree as well. Hope your scratches aren't deep and you can just polish them out...

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

BMw is notorious for soft paint. Wash your car at home

[Chriztofor]

"Car wash" and "brand new" 335 should not be in the same sentence!

[jaadoogar]

Sorry to hear. Are hand-wash the only safe carwashes? What about "brushless"?

[N55]

EVERYONE knows that a brush carwash will destroy your paint. Even my GF that is not even into cars at all knows this. It's either touchless car wash or a bucket and elbow grease. +1 Entirely your fault.

I generally goto the spray wash that you put coins in and spray yourself (Wash soap spray> Rinse) then I dry it off in the bay (if carwash is not busy) and go home and wax it.

[jaadoogar]

@ N55 - What kind of wax? What do you use to apply it?

[Jace_91]

if the scratches aren't too bad they should buff out. But yes the problem with a carwash is that those brushes often get debri in them and that scratches the paint. brushless car washes use much harsher chemicals and are also not that good for the paint. I would wash at home.

I believe BMW uses brush car wash but theres are only used on BMWs and they are probably much better cared for, also they know their cars so maybe they spin the brushes slower or use softer brushes etc.

[newuser]

I feel for you. Best to contact a detailer familiar with paint correction. They should be able to look at it and tell you what it would take to fix if it's not too bad.

[eamon]

^^^
Really hope so

[N55]

^ I never let the dealer wash my car. When I took delivery of my brand new 2011 335 they preped it and it was scratched to hell. Sometimes I will just say a quick spray.

@jaadoogar, I use Meguires waxes. I will do a wax with their NXT Tech Wax 2.0 once every couple months but I use their spray version (Link below) after every other wash which is about once-twice a week. To prevent further scratches I use a new microfiber everywash. You can get a 20 pack at sams club (Proforce kind) for like $10. Just save the old ones for cleaning the wheels/exhaust/interior.

http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-spray-wax.html

[PKL]

as others have said, you never let the dealer wash your car either. WASH AT HOME. Period.

[Taipei-TT]

PattyMac..

I feel for you. I'm sure you a not an idiot...welcome to the board though. Sheesh!

Take it to a great detailer. You will pay for it, but most likely, they can get the scratches out. If you use proper wax...overtime, regular waxing can help diminish it. Who knows, you might get it back to new again with the right detailer.

And I'm sure that is your last trip to the car wash.

[Nugget64]

if i were to go to a auto was it'd for sure be touchless

[pattymac]

I guess like an idiot I read my owner's manual and followed the instructions. Page 237 states "Preference should be given to cloth car washes." under the heading "Automatic car washes".

Come on, if a $50k BMW can't handle a modern car wash without scratching the paint, WTF?

Maybe it's the car washes fault. I don't know but this is nuts. My Audi went there for years without a scratch. My wife's BMW has been through the dealership's automated wash many times with no scratches.

[John 070]

I was going to say, what brushes? Wouldn't you have to go out of your way to find them?

My wife's uncle used to setup car washes (state of the art) and he told us they're fine for leases and older cars. But never run a car you like through a car wash. It's not the cloth, but misadjustment of components that make contact when they shouldn't.

Needless to say you'll always see the posts, "I took my mom's 599 GTO through the automatic car wash, so it's more than good enough for my 328 with leatherette" posts.....sure, blame the car....

[mweisdorfer]

This is why you should always go touchless

[DaveL]

Put your bimmer through a car wash huh?? Heartless.

[SteveMD]

Originally Posted by pattymac

Come on, if a $50k BMW can't handle a modern car wash without scratching the paint, WTF?

I'm sorry but any car enthusiast will tell you to stay away from any car wash with rotating brushes. I wouldn't take my $25K Golf GTi through an auto car wash. It has nothing to do with the cost of the car. See that muddy Jeep that just went through before you...the same brushes are rubbing what's left of the mud into your paint.

And black cars are simply the worst for revealing surface marring and scratches from bad washing techniques.

Get it corrected and wash by hand. And since it is a black car, read some of the detailing forums to find out how to wash, dry and wax a black car.

[Shahaed]

Sam thing happened to a guy I know. He got free car washes for life after he told them what happened.