What did you do for your ZHP/ BMW / MINI today? #2

[cakM3]

Not necessarily today but yesterday after work I took my ZHP to the auto hobby shop at the Naval base where I work and gave it a very nice bath in one of the heated stalls reserved for car washes. I have to say that there's absolutely nothing that looks better than a freshly washed Imola

Of course having the luxury of washing my car inside a heated stall is a very nice thing.... I realize most don't have this availability. Winter cleaning won't be as difficult for me

[NoVAphotog]

I have to say that there's absolutely nothing that looks better than a freshly washed Imola

No pics?!

And two nights ago leaving my gf's house in DC, I discovered my Imola with a natty brown coloring all over the top from the windshield to the trunk. Apparently the LAST BIRDS LEFT IN DC and probably a few SQUIRRELS decided to take aim at my car!!!!

I could barely see out of the windshield...fortunately I discovered a "touchless wash" by my house, I had never been through one of those before but it was awesome! Just did the economy wash 3 times to avoid whatever soap mixture they use beyond the basics and it got all of it off and cleaned the underbody. I know where I'll be going to get salt and stuff off later on!

[cakM3]

Very nice Daniel! Unfortunately I can't use touchless car washes....my lowered ZHP won't clear... such as a life of a lowered car....

I didn't take any pics because it was black outside by the time I was finished washing the car. I will take pics today however.... can't get over the depth of the Imola paint on my car.... guess I still have a great coat of wax on her This weekend I will be doing more PC on my Imola to get her ready for the upcoming winter

[LivesNearCostco]

Saturday I replaced idler and tensioner pulleys. Last night I changed the oil (7600 miles on it) and replaced high pressure power steering hose for the 2nd time.

• Plan for this to be the last time I use Total 9000 5w-40. Nothing wrong with it, just easier and cheaper to get M1 0x-40. But I have almost 2 quarts left of the Total. Since I buy it 5 quarts at a time, I guess I could do one more change with it.
• Both pulleys were previously replaced in 2010, 4.5 years ago and both spun freely with some slight play in the bearings. These were "INA" brand replacements. New ones were SKF for tensioner and URO for idler. Maybe their bearings will last longer than 4 years.
• My PS pressure hose was also replaced 4.5 years ago and really looked like it was leaking again. But the fluid appeared to be oil not ATF. Not sure if it was really leaking or if it's the slow oil leak dripping onto the PS hose. The new hose is CRP--we'll see if it gets covered in oil again. I definitely have an oil leak from either oil pan gasket or front main seal, or both.

The engine does seem a bit quieter with the new pulleys. Sent oil sample to Blackstone.

[az3579]

No pics?!

And two nights ago leaving my gf's house in DC, I discovered my Imola with a natty brown coloring all over the top from the windshield to the trunk. Apparently the LAST BIRDS LEFT IN DC and probably a few SQUIRRELS decided to take aim at my car!!!!

I could barely see out of the windshield...fortunately I discovered a "touchless wash" by my house, I had never been through one of those before but it was awesome! Just did the economy wash 3 times to avoid whatever soap mixture they use beyond the basics and it got all of it off and cleaned the underbody. I know where I'll be going to get salt and stuff off later on!

Be careful with touchless washes. They have been known to use some pretty harsh chemicals and I believe can strip waxes or other protective coatings.
I tried finding more info on this but there's nothing conclusive.

Very nice Daniel! Unfortunately I can't use touchless car washes....my lowered ZHP won't clear... such as a life of a lowered car....

Touchless washes do not have any rails to clear. You drive in and the machine works around your car.

[Rovert]

I always bring mine through the spinny Disney like wash at the BMW dealership. It's like my car is within a grand ball oh twirling characters and after the song, my car is clean. It's magical! LOL. I've never had an issue with those. If 760Li and X5M's can go through repeatedly, so can mine!

[az3579]

I always bring mine through the spinny Disney like wash at the BMW dealership. It's like my car is within a grand ball oh twirling characters and after the song, my car is clean. It's magical! LOL. I've never had an issue with those. If 760Li and X5M's can go through repeatedly, so can mine!

The 7's and X5M's that go through there don't go through there on a regular basis over the course of years...

I'm curious to see the paint on a car that goes through a touchless on a regular basis over the course of say 5 years or so.

[cakM3]

Touchless washes do not have any rails to clear. You drive in and the machine works around your car.

the ones we have here in Rhody have rails to clear..... my ZHP won't clear and I'm okay with this since I have access to a better car wash facility

[alexandre]

The 7's and X5M's that go through there don't go through there on a regular basis over the course of years...

I'm curious to see the paint on a car that goes through a touchless on a regular basis over the course of say 5 years or so.

I run mine through 2-3x every winter. Can confirm my sealant is gone after 3 months while it usually lasts 6-8 during the summer.

[Rovert]

Touchless have to use harsher compounds to clean than spinny spinny ones. The one I use, I've been to the back to see what they inject into the water and it's pretty diluted soap. I turned it up once to see what max is and it wash bubble bath central. LOL. I guess that's why my black car needed little clear correction nor needed waxing and sealing every few months.