Curious, does the M3 conv. leak in a full service carwash?
- Thread starter tommybes
- Start date
From experience I can tell you that it DEFINITELY WILL leak in a touchless, high pressure style car wash. Water will seep in just a bit at the rear window seams. The manual warns you about this. My 330cic always gets hand washed, but I ran mine thru a touchless wash one time when it was unbelievably dusty from pollen and I had no time to wash it. I won't ever do it again.
I cannot speak for regular brush/felt car washes. Never tried one on the 330cic, never will!
I cannot speak for regular brush/felt car washes. Never tried one on the 330cic, never will!
![[rofl]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_rofl.gif "ROFL [rofl]"){kind=icon}
We have a local machine car wash that sprays water and sponges and shit all over, it is very popular among everyone around here. I see convertibles go through it all the time, and I have been through it myself with a convertible or two (none of them BMW's, though). One time it was in an Audi TT Roadster and another time in a Mercedes CLK Cabriolet. Neither vehicles leaked at all, and I was looking for that, too.
Personally, I find it completely unacceptable if the top leaks anywhere, even through a high pressure wash. I mean, you compromise more than enough by going with a soft-top convert, now you gotta deal with a leaky top too? Jeez....
Personally, I find it completely unacceptable if the top leaks anywhere, even through a high pressure wash. I mean, you compromise more than enough by going with a soft-top convert, now you gotta deal with a leaky top too? Jeez....
Enjoy your new wheels. I am jealous.
Personally I don't take my car through any carwashes. I just replaced my top after ten years. It held its shape and kept water out the entire time.
I cracked the rear window using it in cold weather, so I repaced the top as it was not much more expensive than the window alone.
The original manual and the manual with the new top both recomend staying away from car washes. Also if you use a hand spray wash, do not use wax on the top.
The worst I have seen with any power wash is some water leakage between the front and rear side windows. The rest is dry. I just don't do it because I have heard that the high pressure spray and the wax are bad for the top.
Personally I don't take my car through any carwashes. I just replaced my top after ten years. It held its shape and kept water out the entire time.
I cracked the rear window using it in cold weather, so I repaced the top as it was not much more expensive than the window alone.
The original manual and the manual with the new top both recomend staying away from car washes. Also if you use a hand spray wash, do not use wax on the top.
The worst I have seen with any power wash is some water leakage between the front and rear side windows. The rest is dry. I just don't do it because I have heard that the high pressure spray and the wax are bad for the top.
Yes, the previous Mustangs tops sucked. My buddy had a GT convertible, and it would leak in the rain.
The new 2000 Z3 that I drove back in 2000 also leaked in the rain - right where the top meets the door glass at the windshield frame. It leaked on both sides, dripping right onto your leg. I took it in to the dealership while I was driving it for the summer, and they claimed they couldn't fix it (crappy Greenville, SC BMW dealer).
The new 2000 Z3 that I drove back in 2000 also leaked in the rain - right where the top meets the door glass at the windshield frame. It leaked on both sides, dripping right onto your leg. I took it in to the dealership while I was driving it for the summer, and they claimed they couldn't fix it (crappy Greenville, SC BMW dealer).
I can tell you from personal experience with the Z4 it leaks ever so often, I had a BMW "German" tech tell me you'll never get away from it, the part were the rubber meets together is where it will occurs, just open and close your doors before you run through and make sure your windows are closed properly.
All BMW convrts has a pressure thing were the windows go up and down when you open and close the doors, just make sure your windows are up otherwise they won't move in tightly.
I've only take the car through a powerwash once in Chicago and that's all, not a good idea because it can be bad for the ragtop - turns the cloth to crud.
All BMW convrts has a pressure thing were the windows go up and down when you open and close the doors, just make sure your windows are up otherwise they won't move in tightly.
I've only take the car through a powerwash once in Chicago and that's all, not a good idea because it can be bad for the ragtop - turns the cloth to crud.
Hey thanks guys! Well I took the 2001 m3 for a test drive. My brother was in the front seat and the female dealer was in the back seat. Got 3 miles down the road and would you know it, the damn thing broke down. It wouldn't go any faster than 30 miles per hour. So, yes I drove it all the way back through fast traffic at 30 miles per hour. I know the dealer was so embaressed. lol...... I passed on that car and purchased a brand new 2004. Things happen for a reason and I'm so glad I purchased the new car. Yes, it's an M3. Grey with grey interior. Just beautiful. I will be cleaning my bimmer by hand. Thanks again!
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