[RigaTony1982]

I’m going to be doing an ~400 mile each way trip this coming weekend to visit my family. It’s almost all highway, and I know from past experience on this route that my car will be covered in bugs by the time I get there. There’s a touchless car wash right by my parents house. In the past I’ve run my car through it when I arrive, since I don’t want to leave that stuff sitting on the car for a few days.

This is my first time doing the trip in the Z4. I’ve previously only done hand washes on it. While I won’t make a habit out of this, has anyone else run there’s through a touchless wash? This being my first convertible, I just want to make sure it’ll be ok. I guess my big concern is water getting in the cabin.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

I’m going to be doing an ~400 mile each way trip this coming weekend to visit my family. It’s almost all highway, and I know from past experience on this route that my car will be covered in bugs by the time I get there. There’s a touchless car wash right by my parents house. In the past I’ve run my car through it when I arrive, since I don’t want to leave that stuff sitting on the car for a few days.

This is my first time doing the trip in the Z4. I’ve previously only done hand washes on it. While I won’t make a habit out of this, has anyone else run there’s through a touchless wash? This being my first convertible, I just want to make sure it’ll be ok. I guess my big concern is water getting in the cabin.

I haven't done it in my Z4 but did several times with a prior MINI convertible. Quite a bit of water got in around the top of the windows (primarily due to the track used by the sunroof mode) but I kept towels handy to mitigate.

I wouldn't anticipate you'd have any issues but keep a towel handy in case a little water seeps in.

[RigaTony1982]

Great, thank you! I was thinking it’d be ok on the rare occasion such as this. I’ll throw a small towel in the car and should be good.

[CJ421]

In that situation, I'd find a DIY car wash bay and just use the pressure washer to blast off any bugs. Bring a little bottle of Goo Gone and spray it on the bugs ahead of time to loosen them up.

My fear with the automated washes is wheel rash from the wheel carriers/tracks.

Charles

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by CJ421

In that situation, I'd find a DIY car wash bay and just use the pressure washer to blast off any bugs. Bring a little bottle of Goo Gone and spray it on the bugs ahead of time to loosen them up.

My fear with the automated washes is wheel rash from the wheel carriers/tracks.

Charles

This one doesn’t have a track. You just pull in to where it tells you and stop. I wouldn’t do track one

[Horseman]

Get an exterior waterless spray and some microfiber towels to take care of bugs and dirt and essentially give her a sponge bath whenever you stop. I use Chemical Guys Waterless Wash. Great for touchups and getting rid of bugs and small debris. NOT good for a full on wash after a few weeks of build up lol.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by Horseman

Get an exterior waterless spray and some microfiber towels to take care of bugs and dirt and essentially give her a sponge bath whenever you stop. I use Chemical Guys Waterless Wash. Great for touchups and getting rid of bugs and small debris. NOT good for a full on wash after a few weeks of build up lol.

I should have looked into something like this a little more. I think I’m just gonna run it through the wash this one time and explore this type of idea for my next trip

[GerryC]

I agree with CJ421. Use a DIY wash bay and pre-soak the bugs with Griot's or Chemical Guys bug spray. Follow up with the high pressure spray and a little hand scrubbing if necessary. I find the automated touchless washes just don't do a very good job with the bugs.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

This one doesn’t have a track. You just pull in to where it tells you and stop. I wouldn’t do track one

I would still avoid a touchless car wash and agree with Charles and Gerry about finding a DIY car wash bay and just use the pressure washer. Bring some microfiber cloths to dry off the car.

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

I would still avoid a touchless car wash and agree with Charles and Gerry about finding a DIY car wash bay and just use the pressure washer. Bring some microfiber cloths to dry off the car.

100% concur with what these folks are sayin...

[danbart]

I run mine through the touchless car wash once every week or so with zero issues.

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by danbart

I run mine through the touchless car wash once every week or so with zero issues.

Same here. It does a decent job and no water leaks. Only issue I have is it doesn't clean the sides of the spokes on black wheels very good. Hand washing your car around here isn't a great idea. The water has too many minerals in it, especially calcium. We have a water softener for inside water, but not for outside water.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

I haven't done it in my Z4 but did several times with a prior MINI convertible. Quite a bit of water got in around the top of the windows (primarily due to the track used by the sunroof mode) but I kept towels handy to mitigate.

I wouldn't anticipate you'd have any issues but keep a towel handy in case a little water seeps in.

One additional note: The soft top manufacturer recommends against using those wax/sealant additives common in automatic car washes. I haven't heard of any negative reports from doing so but YMMV.

[RigaTony1982]

Appreciate all the feedback. This is gonna be a one off thing, so I may just try it rather than pack a bunch of stuff to do a DIY rinse.

[crz4]

I use this to remove flies and bugs:
Dr. Wack – CW1:100
https://amzn.eu/d/9eWSV9J

[stlcdr]

I would put a good ceramic or wax coating on it as well as rainx on the windshield prior to driving.

Then take your favorite window cleaner, and a bottle of diluted Dawn with microfiber cloths. I feel that Dawn dishwashing liquid is almost as good as dedicated sprays, but is much easier to use, and less harsh.

I’d skip the public washer/touchless. I do not think it’ll really do too good of a job on the bugs, anyway.

[Balr14]

People mentioning bugs reminds me that we haven't really seen many around here this summer, of any kind but common house flies. It's very unusual. Gardens are hurting, no pollinators. Zero bugs on the front of my car.

[Horseman]

Yeah we get a butterfly migration in October... worst month for bugs around here.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by danbart

I run mine through the touchless car wash once every week or so with zero issues.

You are a braver man than I am!

[rickyr17]

I don't think it'll be a problem if it's just one time. I agree with the others though. I would avoid it if you can. The high-pressure water pushing the rubber seals will eventually weaken the rubber seals causing eventual leaks. That happened to me 25 years ago on a different convertible I owned at the time. The quality of our cars is much higher and tech is better these days but I'm not taking any chances.

If I go on a trip I usually bring a bucket with mf towels, foaming car wash, expandable hose and a foaming hose attachment. Often times, people I visit and even some hotels will have a hose hookup I can use.