how often you wash/clean your M3/M4?

[visi107]

Anyone who lives in cold areas in the winter and wash their car in their garage what kind of setup do you use?

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Somebody has to give something up here.......

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by visi107

Anyone who lives in cold areas in the winter and wash their car in their garage what kind of setup do you use?

Here's my winter indoor garage setup

I use a the pressure washer with the foam lance to dispense soap, and use a hose to clean before and after the car. Using pressure washer in a small closed space creates lots of humidity and makes it hard to dry and apply other products. With the crappy weather we've been getting, I wash my car and the same day it is super filthy

[KevinM]

I wash my cars in my garage year-round.

Optimum No-Rinse for when the cars are dirty. Poor Boy's waterless wash when the car is just dusty.

The only time I break outa hose is when there is serous dirt or mud on the cars.

[silver_mcoupe]

Once a month for the 3 cars - Chemical Guys stuff usually, along with some tried and tested stuff like Klasse.

Takes me between 2-4 hours (X5 is BIG) each time. Just got a foam gun so will see if that helps to cut down the time - I doubt it but it'll be fun.

Not looking forward to cleaning the 666s tho....

[gatorfast]

You California guys are lucky with your perfect weather. Car stays clean for a long time.

[JibSTir13]

I typically spray it with DI water (using a pressure washer) once a week.

Every other week, I also use ONR to wash the car.

I'm considering switching the routine to ONR every three weeks and spraying it with DI water weekly.

I live in NorCal, and park inside at work and at home. So unless it is raining, or the car gets sprayed on the road, the vehicle stays fairly clean but does get a layer of dust that won't blow off during drives about 4-5 days after a wash or spray (and a dirty windshield).

If you live in a different climate, please provide details, so we know what type of environment your car is subjected to.

The car is ceramic coated with CQuartz Reserve.

[uniqueMR]

Once a week

[boglehead]

After a couple drives I hit the car with ONR to maintain it and use P&S Beadmaker as a drying aid. Process only takes 10 min or so.

In my mind, ONR is so easy and effective there is no reason to not hit it few times a week. Of course, my car is not a daily driver in commute sense, but if it is a nice week weather wise I theoretically will drive the car daily for local stuff after work even if its only a few miles total.

[M3Fahrer]

After 4 1/2 years of owning the F80 (4 years 2015 M3, 6 months 2018 M3 CS) I finally broke down and let someone else wash my car. Let me tell you, it's liberating. I took great care of my first M3, but now I'm leasing the M3 CS and I finally said f*ck it. Rock chips and all I still love this car

[Franco3000]

Did it every week to begin with, used different buckets, blah blah, then got tired of it, now its once a month. Stupid 666 style wheels get dirty next day. All these advancements in electronics, yet BMW can't figure out how to us brake pads that produce less brake dust with the same performance.

[LaVitaEBella]

A simple wash every two weeks, a wax atleast twice or thrice a year, and an interior clean-out every month.

[PhatLyfe]

only when it looks dirty, my car is garaged most of the time.

[Bomex]

Do you guys think it's a good idea to go to a hand car wash drive home and spray wax it? Maybe detail spray the car before the spray wax just incase water stains happen on the way home?

[Ropes]

I do the weekly wash and quick detail with the biannual clay bar/ polish/ wax/ sealant. This regime worked great on my 91 NSX with original paint that I sold in 2015 as well as my current cars.

[Tony Foster]

Every weekend

[Wo-Wo]

Originally Posted by Tony Foster

Every weekend

Originally Posted by Tony Foster

Every weekend

Same

[Tony Foster]

Originally Posted by Wo-Wo

Same

Seems every road in Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire is a building site so my black M4 Comp is beige in minutes

[Sti581]

I know this may sound stupid,,, bought the car has ppf, curious not that I’m lazy, but would like to use my local car wash place.....would the soft pads from the rollers cause issues? I use them for my daily cars with no issues...your input is greatly appreciated.

[papasmurf_m3]

I actually enjoy washing my car it relaxes me and it's so easy after the ceramic coating.

For me it's Once a week or a day after I come back from a drive.

[Suds]

I’m gonna get flamed!
My M4 gets run through a car wash about twice a month.

[chatoyer]

Usually weekly. In the winter, I head to a coin-op that lets you sit when it is not busy:

- pre-soak salty areas (including wheels) using Optimum Power Clean 10:1 in an IK 2 multi sprayer. This loosens the salt and dirt considerably. This dilution shouldn’t strip any sealants (it hasn’t yet).
- 2-3 minute rinse with hot water.
- wheel clean using P&S brake buster 7:1 in an IK 2 foamer (does both wheels and tires, with brushes for each to agitate)
- pre-soak of paint, often using my own blend of misc spray wax and quick detailed (for a bit more lubrication for the next step) - but note this isn’t that necessary.
- full ONR waterless wash using their big red sponge in a bucket of warm water (that I bring)
- another 2 minute hot water rinse
- blot/dab dry horizontal panels
- dry using a drying aid such as Beadmaker (usually) or perhaps Optiseal or even Optimum Car Wax, or some other thing I’m trying.
- door jambs and inner trunk lid done using either ONR in quick detailer dilution or even Ultima Waterless wash. Or any detail spray I may bring with.
- drive away and watch it get dirty in a few days.

In the summer, I’d do a two bucket wash using Optimum car soap or, probably this summer, P&S Pearl soap (bought a gallon last fall). Drying is same.

This Spring, though, I plan on doing a paint correction. Picked up a Griot’s G9 polisher and am looking forward to using it. I have some water spots and misc scratches that I can get out with a lighter compound or even something like 3D One. The rest of the car needs a good jewelling, so I’ll probably use Perfect Polish from Angelwax or Poorboys Pro Polish. I’ve got a few others as well, plus a good stockpile of pads.