Are Dealer Car Washes Safe?
 

Hello,

Bring in my X5 for a minor checkup and was wondering if it's safe to get them to wash the truck (E70 with running boards)?

The dealership is BMW of Mississauga.

Heard rumours of the running boards being stained from dealer washes.

Thanks and keep up the good work everyone!
Qjody

There's a risk of swirl marks. However, if you don't care, then by all means you should be alright.

My dealer hand washes my X.
they do have a car wash for most of their cars. It all depends on the constumer I guess.
They know I am particular and I am a good costumer too.

I saw the guy my dealer has detailing the cars and when I bought my X5 and my 330 I told them no deal if they washed and/or detailed them but I guess its up to you, personally I dont trust them.

i took a chance and washed her after some snow fall last week... (didn't want salt and stuff ruining the paint job)

didn't have any problems getting it washed at the local car wash...

i have running boards and so far after one week no staining... everything looks normal...

i usually apply a spray on wax right after drying it just to maintain its shine!

don't have the patience or time for big maintenance so a quick after hours car wash works for me!

be careful to avoid any rim cleaner at the car wash if you have the running boards.
i had to polish mine out with a cleaner wax to remove stains.
as a matter of fact the wife just came home from the CW and forgot and now i have to do it again.
there are a few threads on this.

There is no answer as it depends upon (a) how good your particular dealer is and (b) how picky you are about your vehicle. That said, generally most, but certainly not all, BMW owners interested enough in their BMW to be posting about it on message boards avoid the dealer car washes.

I think the dealer is a 'safe' place to have your ride washed. However, you won't get as high quality a wash from them.

I have friends in Cleveland, Oh who will take their X to the dealer was during the winter to get the salt off the paint and from the underbody (free wash if you bought your ride there). During the winter, this wash is fine for them because it serves the basic purpose. However, when they want a very good wash with the nice shine, no swirls etc, they take it to one of the 'special' washes in the area (they never wash the X themselves).

Bottom line, I think the dealer is "safe" but not very good for a car wash.