Car Washes And Xms

[Ciaran]

Anyone ever take their XM to automated carwashes?

I normally hate going near the things, they're not great for the paintwork etc, but since injuring my back a couple of months ago, I haven't been able to bend over to wash the cars properly. Things came to a head on Saturday, where both cars were absolutely filthy and I had to do _something_, so I took them to the carwash at the local Tescos.

Brought the S2 down first, went through without incident, seemed alright, though I noticed it didn't clean the boot properly, put that down to the brush not being able to get under the spoiler lip properly, fair enough.

I then went back home and took the S1 down. I must admit to being slightly concerned about it's larger spoiler, but as it turned out that wasn't the issue.
As soon as the wash started, it promptly snapped the driver's side wing mirror out of it's hinge, and proceeded to smack it back and forth for the rest of the wash cycle. Of course, I could only sit there and watch it, and swear profusely, until the wash finished.

Luckily there doesn't seem to be permanent damage, and I was able to get the mirror back on with a bit of work.
I knew these things could be a bit rough on cars, but that was taking the piss!
I understand they can have issues with things like spoilers and other appendages, but I thought something like wing mirrors, which are a pretty standard feature on most cars, should be safe...
That's the last time I use a carwash that's for sure!

Anyone else had similar? Are S1 mirrors just fragile or something?

Cheers

Ciarán

This post has been edited by Ciaran on July 09, 2007 10:54 am

[lez]

s1 mirror hinges are a piece of poo.

Lucky if you can find a s1 car with a straight one now.

s2 hinges much better.


Once went in car was at asda, think I was in the xant, damn thing stopped with the rollers spinning at the side of the front doors, then stopped altogether, I waited, nothing, after a minute or so I had to climb out the back door and go get help!

maybe xantia mirros are too strong for it......

[DrTim]

I agree with Lez about the S1 mirrors.

I used to put the old one thru the full wash at a local place before the MOT until a few years back, when the indies commented that old cars and carwashes are not a good mix.
Since then its basically rain cleaning only outside. I'm not fussy.

Well my S2 does have a greasy spot on the bonnet recently since high altitude flying butter landed on the bonnet last week while passing some student flats in the centre-(.