European Delivery and car washing?

[///bproden]

I've been wondering and trying to plan this. I'm one of those OCD guys who only hand wash, 2 buckets, etc.

What have you guys done for washing your car before dropping it off on ED? I was thinking about seeing if I could take some products with me, or maybe it's best to try and find some when I'm there? Anyone also do a quick wax and/or sealant?

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by ///bproden

What have you guys done for washing your car before dropping it off on ED? I was thinking about seeing if I could take some products with me, or maybe it's best to try and find some when I'm there? Anyone also do a quick wax and/or sealant?

I took it to an automated car wash at the Agip gas station at the entrance to MUC airport:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ag...9f3064c1a885db

I haven't seen any self-wash friendly sites in Germany. But then I did DE in December, and would not have attempted DIY washing even if someone paid me to do it ...

a

P.S.: I do hand-wash my cars in the US during the warmer months.

[coolmody]

I actually found it very difficult to find a car wash while I was there. I didn't wash my car the entire time until just before I dropped it off at the Munich airport. I used the wand washing stations at the AGIP referenced above. Choosing the right mode (soap, rinse, wax) was a bit of a challenge since none of the buttons were in english

I did get a free wash during my 1200 mile service by BMW in Frankfurt, but could never fully wash the bugs off the front of the car (and you will kill hundreds on the autobahn).

[Doctor///M]

Hotel towels and shampoo as a last resort j/k

There is a DIY station (think it accepted euros or credit card) at the Munich airport that I used the evening before I returned the car (overnighted in Oberding). I refused to use the automated washes.

Just take some car wash liquid and a few microfiber cloths - that's what I did. There were also vacuum cleaners.

If u really want cheap frontal protection from bugs, use EZ shield paint protection film. Looks like saran wrap when applied to the car though.

[brianeck]

I did a DIY station in Amsterdam pretty close to the port of departure. I also smoked a nice spliff right beforehand which made it a lot of fun figuring out the wand controls, even though they were in fact in English

[guarnibl]

For those of you who couldn't get all the bugs off -- were they still there when it showed up in the US? How does that all work?

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by guarnibl

For those of you who couldn't get all the bugs off -- were they still there when it showed up in the US? How does that all work?

If you wash the car, bugs come off.
If you don't, you run the risk of US customs/aggro control having a fit about importing corpses of alien bugs. I do not know what the chances of this complication really are, but figured removing bugs' juice off the paint surface is a good idea before the car gets put on a ship for 4-6 week journey to the US.

BTW, Germans are weird about washing cars on Sunday (I believe it is illegal to do so), so plan ahead if your plans include flying out on that day.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...eOverview.aspx


a

[Bluex]

Additionally, you can pay 40 EU and the folks at the Loginout center will wash the car for you....I'm not sure if that's a hand wash or what that entails (have a call into Loginout), but that is an option. My wife was all about that.....didn't want to spend the time washing at drop off

[psuwcc112]

I believe the wash LogInOut offers is hand wash. I didn't use their service though. But was told it is hand wash from my previous inquiry.

[rebirth24]

Basically LoginOut offers a wash at a facility that is located 2km down the street from their office. Nice enough, but you could just drive further down and do it yourself. They really just want your car to be clean enough to see any markings/scrapes/scratches/dents etc. to report to BMW.

If it is products you are seeking, there will be some BMW products at the Welt you can buy and put in your trunk if you want and wash it later. I was going to do my best NOT to wash it at all but that is impossible with all the bugs out there (as previously mentioned).

I personally HATE those machines so I didn't end up washing my car until I found a hand wash in Como, Italy. That was mid trip and kept the car clean enough to turn into LoginOut without issue.

Also they did offer a wash at my 1200 mile service in Munich but I declined on that too. They were nice enough to scrape my bumper as well...hoping the VPC will be taking care of that since I did report it.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by coolmody

I actually found it very difficult to find a car wash while I was there. I didn't wash my car the entire time until just before I dropped it off at the Munich airport. I used the wand washing stations at the AGIP referenced above. Choosing the right mode (soap, rinse, wax) was a bit of a challenge since none of the buttons were in english

I went to this AGIP station also and used the self wash bay. It takes EUR coins only (I needed about 12 EUR)

I went inside to buy some microfiber cloths for the wash and get change and used the soap from the brush (but did not use the brush itself)

It was raining so I did not bother to dry and wax.

[guarnibl]

Originally Posted by afadeev

If you wash the car, bugs come off.
If you don't, you run the risk of US customs/aggro control having a fit about importing corpses of alien bugs. I do not know what the chances of this complication really are, but figured removing bugs' juice off the paint surface is a good idea before the car gets put on a ship for 4-6 week journey to the US.

BTW, Germans are weird about washing cars on Sunday (I believe it is illegal to do so), so plan ahead if your plans include flying out on that day.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...eOverview.aspx


a

That's pretty hilarious. Thanks afadeev! I figured there might be a scenario where I'm limited in time or can't find a great car wash spot that would allow me to get all the bugs off -- I'm more concerned about rock chips.... I still need to find out what I do about that if it happens.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by guarnibl

I'm more concerned about rock chips.... I still need to find out what I do about that if it happens.

My understanding is that there isn't anything for you to do. You drove it and it got rock chips, end of story. Same thing as if you drove off the dealer lot in the US and got rock chips on the way home

[IRNM4N]

quick wax in welt garage will be my plan in 4 days... Going to rain big time while we are there unless the weather channel is run by american meteorologists... Guess the nannies will stay full on!

[elitex]

I am in Munich now and it was really difficult to find a car wash. My car was full of bugs after doing 160 on the autobahn. lol

I took my M5 to these guys, Sunny CarWash e.k.

it's an underground parking garage where these guys wash cars. it was a hand wash and they did a superb job. No swirl marks that I can see.

hope that helps

[guarnibl]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

My understanding is that there isn't anything for you to do. You drove it and it got rock chips, end of story. Same thing as if you drove off the dealer lot in the US and got rock chips on the way home

Appears that it is not end of story, so that's good news. One guy even had $1360 worth of damaged repaired at no cost to him and on BMW's dime This is a huge unexpected ED benefit!

If it is safe to continue driving the car there is no need to do anything. When you drop off the car the HARMS rep will mark any damange on the "Condition Report". (If they don't, be sure you do) You will also be handed a letter from BMW stating the procedure to get the repair completed once you return home.

You simply fax the letter and condition report to your dealer and Kelly at the BMW NA ED department. Then once your car arrives it will either be fixed at the port or by your dealer. All at no cost to you. No forms to fill out at all.

[nicknaz]

It says normal wear and tear (ie rock chips) will not be noted on the form

[Racer20]

I bought some spray wax at the Welt and applied it to the front end as soon as I left there. I used the wand wash at the AGIP along with a bug sponge (purchased at the AGIP) and had no issues getting the bugs off.

I brought my own microfiber sponge and towels for the wash, but used their soap.

[Liquid2.0T]

Whatever you guys do, don't use the recommended car wash for Zurich drop-off. It's way too narrow and its not touchless.

[guarnibl]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

It says normal wear and tear (ie rock chips) will not be noted on the form

Yes. Primary purpose of noting damage at drop off is to establish if the damage was before or after drop off to the transport company. And this is exactly why wear and tear are not noted unless it is a safety issue (i.e., many chips on windshield) -- it technically isn't BMW's responsibility or the insurer to fix chips.

With that said -- many other people have had rock chips touched up on BMW's dime that were not noted on the report (there's even dealers stating they will touch up rock chips after ED on forums) -- but I know that's starting to go by the wayside after more research. If there are just a few and not really noticeable, I wouldn't re-paint anything. And again, probably at dealer discretion to be cooperative on re-delivery. Some people have reported that VDC just fixed the chips without telling them, or the dealer. So it appears to be luck of the draw at VPC (unlikely), and good to have a great working relationship with your dealer (some have stated that their CA said it will be covered, other CA's have stated it won't be).

We'll find out! I would prefer not to have to re-spray either way.

[Technic]

Your Nav system will show you all the car washes around Munich...

Originally Posted by elitex

I am in Munich now and it was really difficult to find a car wash. My car was full of bugs after doing 160 on the autobahn. lol

I took my M5 to these guys, Sunny CarWash e.k.

it's an underground parking garage where these guys wash cars. it was a hand wash and they did a superb job. No swirl marks that I can see.

hope that helps

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Racer20

I bought some spray wax at the Welt and applied it to the front end as soon as I left there. I used the wand wash at the AGIP along with a bug sponge (purchased at the AGIP) and had no issues getting the bugs off.

I brought my own microfiber sponge and towels for the wash, but used their soap.

I have done that in all my ED trips... a bottle of Optimum Opti-Seal spray and microfiber towels in my luggage were enough to protect my cars from Welt to LogInOut.

Bugs came right off at the AGIP station car wash close to Munich airport, then dry and another coat of Opti-Seal. Car was delivered to the States spotless.