Drive through Car Wash with New wheels

jbake · 03-13-2010, 11:16 AM

I just got some 19x9.5 and 19x8.5 wheels on. My question is, can I still go to my drive thru car wash? This place does a really good touchless job but I dont want to ruin my wheels going through. What do you think?

jopa489 · 03-13-2010, 11:30 AM

What's your concern - water pressure or size of your wheels? Size shouldn't be a problem and neither should water pressure really. What kind of wheels?

jbake · 03-13-2010, 11:37 AM

I'm worried about the track that goes on one side of the car scratching the lips on my wheels. Whether it be approaching the track or along the sides.

GnokGnik · 03-13-2010, 11:37 AM

Why would there be a problem? Most of those car wash's not only handle sport sedans/coupes, but also trucks and SUV's...unless they say otherwise.

Edit: ok I get what you mean, ask the attendant if your car would be fine....and if it did damage your car, then you have someone to blame.

bmwgary2 · 03-13-2010, 11:39 AM

Should have no problem with the tracks at all. 19's are nothing and easily fit

I335 · 03-13-2010, 11:56 AM

I would NEVER run my car through a car wash with tracks. IF you're skilled enough to get the wheels dead nuts in the center of the tracks you may be OK but that's not such an easy thing to do since you can't see your wheels when you're sitting in the car. If the tracks are automatic (i.e. they pull your car through) even worse - there's a good chance your car will move side-to-side a bit and scrape your rims for sure...

jopa489 · 03-13-2010, 12:00 PM

Hmm, with tracks and 9.5" wheels, I would be concerned too. I've never seen a touchless with tracks around here though. Usually you just pull in, stop, and the jets move around the car.

jbake · 03-13-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jopa489

Hmm, with tracks and 9.5" wheels, I would be concerned too. I've never seen a touchless with tracks around here though. Usually you just pull in, stop, and the jets move around the car.

Yeah, I need to find something around here like that. I'm just concerned because these wheels unlike my other wheels don't have that lip of rubber that protects the lip of the wheels from curbage etc.

Ti335 · 03-13-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbake

I'm worried about the track that goes on one side of the car scratching the lips on my wheels. Whether it be approaching the track or along the sides.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. There's a good chance the track will scratch up the wheels, since your tires do not have enough sidewall to protect them. There are some touchless washes that do not utilize guiding tracks; try to find one of those.

Bulldog 6 · 03-13-2010, 12:36 PM

I don't risk it. SUV's have way more rubber for the track to grip. Hand wash only for me or BMW dealer. The only reason I trust thier tracks are becasue they sell performance coupes/sedans with 19s so their equipment must be compatable. They aren't going to have incompatable tracks and ruin M-series for example.

Ryan_T · 03-13-2010, 12:37 PM

I avoid car washes with tracks like a plague. I go to the ones with the robotic arm that revolves around the car. No chance of anything touching my car but soap and water.

MrChessy · 03-13-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan_T

I avoid car washes with tracks like a plague. I go to the ones with the robotic arm that revolves around the car. No chance of anything touching my car but soap and water.

+1

golf4501 · 03-13-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan_T

I avoid car washes with tracks like a plague. I go to the ones with the robotic arm that revolves around the car. No chance of anything touching my car but soap and water.

I went to a touchless car wash with tracks once with my E46 sport. The end result was a blown sidewall on my front tire. I never tried it again with my E46 and haven't even thought about taking my E92. I'll go to a spray both to get the salt off, but other than that it's hand wash for me.

1smooth6 · 03-13-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I335

I would NEVER run my car through a car wash with tracks. IF you're skilled enough to get the wheels dead nuts in the center of the tracks you may be OK but that's not such an easy thing to do since you can't see your wheels when you're sitting in the car. If the tracks are automatic (i.e. they pull your car through) even worse - there's a good chance your car will move side-to-side a bit and scrape your rims for sure...

If your rims protrude past you tires then no tracked car washes for you.
If you tires are a little wider than your rims (like my car) then your ok for tracked car washes!

I should mention that my car has the factory sport suspension and 17" wheels (325/ZSP) that come with the sport pkg. I only use Kaady car washes and I never have had a problem and it comes out great!

RON1X · 03-13-2010, 01:18 PM

i have had concern too. Ask the people at the wash if they have the plastic lined tracks. I have 19x10 rears but I only go to a certain car wash in the city because of this. Other places, ESPECIALLY older car washes have metal tracks, they will destroy your wheels! Obviously I prefer hand washing, but I have never had a problem and I've been 20x easily with no issues so far

bimmergixxer · 03-13-2010, 01:20 PM

STAY AWAY from tracks. Hard to line up and you may rub if lowered. Got caught in a new one last year with the G35 and rubbed the undercarriage all the way through since there were 6 cars behind me with no way to back up.

I335 · 03-13-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1smooth6

If your rims protrude past you tires then no tracked car washes for you.
If you tires are a little wider than your rims (like my car) then your ok for tracked car washes!

I should mention that my car has the factory sport suspension and 17" wheels (325/ZSP) that come with the sport pkg. I only use Kaady car washes and I never have had a problem and it comes out great!

It may be working for you, but it's still very dangerous. My tires have rim protectors too but they're not even close to stiff enough to prevent something from squishing them and hitting the rim. Rim protectors on tires are better than nothing, but they're no guarantee against damage - you can push them in with your fingers...

jbake · 03-13-2010, 03:56 PM

Update: I found a car was right here by my office that is 100% and a bit cheaper than the "jack's" car wash I usually go to. They also do detailing and what not for decent prices. No tracks for me!

Thunder Dump · 03-13-2010, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATL E92

i have had concern too. Ask the people at the wash if they have the plastic lined tracks. I have 19x10 rears but I only go to a certain car wash in the city because of this. Other places, ESPECIALLY older car washes have metal tracks, they will destroy your wheels! Obviously I prefer hand washing, but I have never had a problem and I've been 20x easily with no issues so far

This. We have one automatic that I've used a few times with plastic/foam guards over the track rails. No scratching there. Another one in town has the metal ones unprotected so I stay away from there.

Oulixes · 03-13-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I335

I would NEVER run my car through a car wash with tracks. IF you're skilled enough to get the wheels dead nuts in the center of the tracks you may be OK but that's not such an easy thing to do since you can't see your wheels when you're sitting in the car. If the tracks are automatic (i.e. they pull your car through) even worse - there's a good chance your car will move side-to-side a bit and scrape your rims for sure...

+1

cotmfk · 03-14-2010, 08:40 AM

Carwash with tracks= death to staggered wheel set ups.

Craig@SupremePower · 03-14-2010, 12:36 PM

tracks are scary and the harsh chemicals they use are even scarier....

03-13-2010, 11:16 AM	#1
jbake OG 77 Rep 930 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cen Cal iTrader: (0)	Drive through Car Wash with New wheels I just got some 19x9.5 and 19x8.5 wheels on. My question is, can I still go to my drive thru car wash? This place does a really good touchless job but I dont want to ruin my wheels going through. What do you think?
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03-13-2010, 11:30 AM	#2
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	What's your concern - water pressure or size of your wheels? Size shouldn't be a problem and neither should water pressure really. What kind of wheels? __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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03-13-2010, 11:37 AM	#3
jbake OG 77 Rep 930 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cen Cal iTrader: (0)	I'm worried about the track that goes on one side of the car scratching the lips on my wheels. Whether it be approaching the track or along the sides.
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03-13-2010, 11:37 AM	#4
GnokGnik Captain 17 Rep 936 Posts Drives: E92 335i, 997 C2S Join Date: May 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Why would there be a problem? Most of those car wash's not only handle sport sedans/coupes, but also trucks and SUV's...unless they say otherwise. Edit: ok I get what you mean, ask the attendant if your car would be fine....and if it did damage your car, then you have someone to blame.
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03-13-2010, 11:39 AM	#5
bmwgary2 New Member 0 Rep 20 Posts Drives: '10 328i, M3, 135i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New England iTrader: (3)	Should have no problem with the tracks at all. 19's are nothing and easily fit
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03-13-2010, 11:56 AM	#6
I335 Brigadier General 123 Rep 4,249 Posts Drives: '08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New England iTrader: (11)	I would NEVER run my car through a car wash with tracks. IF you're skilled enough to get the wheels dead nuts in the center of the tracks you may be OK but that's not such an easy thing to do since you can't see your wheels when you're sitting in the car. If the tracks are automatic (i.e. they pull your car through) even worse - there's a good chance your car will move side-to-side a bit and scrape your rims for sure...
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03-13-2010, 12:00 PM	#7
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	Hmm, with tracks and 9.5" wheels, I would be concerned too. I've never seen a touchless with tracks around here though. Usually you just pull in, stop, and the jets move around the car. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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03-13-2010, 12:36 PM	#10
Bulldog 6 The Logistician 69 Rep 799 Posts Drives: 2022 230i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 328i E90 [0.00]	I don't risk it. SUV's have way more rubber for the track to grip. Hand wash only for me or BMW dealer. The only reason I trust thier tracks are becasue they sell performance coupes/sedans with 19s so their equipment must be compatable. They aren't going to have incompatable tracks and ruin M-series for example.
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03-13-2010, 12:37 PM	#11
Ryan_T Prospective Lurker 6 Rep 127 Posts Drives: B8 A4 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I avoid car washes with tracks like a plague. I go to the ones with the robotic arm that revolves around the car. No chance of anything touching my car but soap and water.
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03-13-2010, 01:18 PM	#15
RON1X Colonel 75 Rep 2,491 Posts Drives: 991 C2S Guards Red Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (8) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [9.00]	i have had concern too. Ask the people at the wash if they have the plastic lined tracks. I have 19x10 rears but I only go to a certain car wash in the city because of this. Other places, ESPECIALLY older car washes have metal tracks, they will destroy your wheels! Obviously I prefer hand washing, but I have never had a problem and I've been 20x easily with no issues so far __________________ 991.1 C2S PDK, Guards Red \| PDCC \| Sport Chrono + \| Clear Tail Lights \| Alcantara Steering Wheel \| HRE FF01 \| TechArt Springs \| Sport Exhaust Previous: Porsche 997 Turbo 6MT, Atlas Gray \| Cobb Stage 2 \| HRE FF01 \| Europipe Stg. 2 Exhaust \| GMG LMS Rollbar \| GT2 Exhaust Tips \| Pagid RS-29 \| Rennline Pedals \| SSK 997.2 Track Car, heavily modded & E92 M3 DCT, still miss her daily & E92 335i heavily modded Last edited by RON1X; 03-13-2010 at 02:38 PM..
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03-13-2010, 01:20 PM	#16
bimmergixxer Railside Performance 48 Rep 331 Posts Drives: E92 M3 R8 V10 Q5 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Railside Performance iTrader: (8) Garage List 2010 Ducati Streetf ... [7.00] 2017 Q5 [0.00] 2017 BMW R NineT Racer [5.00] 2010 Audi R8 V10 Ma ... [0.00] 2008 M3 [10.00]	STAY AWAY from tracks. Hard to line up and you may rub if lowered. Got caught in a new one last year with the G35 and rubbed the undercarriage all the way through since there were 6 cars behind me with no way to back up.
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03-13-2010, 03:56 PM	#18
jbake OG 77 Rep 930 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cen Cal iTrader: (0)	Update: I found a car was right here by my office that is 100% and a bit cheaper than the "jack's" car wash I usually go to. They also do detailing and what not for decent prices. No tracks for me!
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03-14-2010, 08:40 AM	#21
cotmfk Major General 2051 Rep 6,110 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Somewhere between DC and FL iTrader: (12)	Carwash with tracks= death to staggered wheel set ups. __________________ When you say impact instead of affect/effect, you are communicating that you don't understand the difference between the two words, and are too lazy to learn.
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03-14-2010, 12:36 PM	#22
Craig@SupremePower G.O.A.T.! 1000 Rep 74,998 Posts Drives: '18 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (14)	tracks are scary and the harsh chemicals they use are even scarier....
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