I've heard of these destroying antennas and such, but are they generally OK for the car's paint? Do they use harsh chemicals that I should be aware of?

It kind of depends, on how picky you are. Some of the detergents can be a little harsh and the "scrubbers" they use can scrub the dirt from the muddy SUV that went through just ahead of you into YOUR paint. Personally, I hate the wax they spray on the whole car that makes you wipers less effective.

IMO, if you need a quick bath for your car, they're OK. However, I see no need to pay someone $10 to spray my car with harsh soaps and rub dirt into the paint only to have water steraming down the sides from the mirrors and tires.

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Mr. BILL

91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)

Only time I ever use a drive through is with my wifes Honda, but I hate them because of reasons stated above already. If I don't feel like washing her car now I just take it in for an oil change. For $20.00 they change my oil, change the filter and wash the exterior of the car.:p

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Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

Most Drive thru car wash places use recirculated filtered water to keep cost down. and depending on how fine and how often the filters are cleaned small particles of dirt slip by and in effect are being blasted onto you car at something like 1200-1550 lbs. pressure. You figure it out if that can hurt your finish.

I see Speedy lives in California. But for those that live in the winter climes, keep in mind that the recirculated water gets very salty in the winter months. So when you go to the car wash, they effectively spray salty brine in all the hard to reach places in the car.... just the opposite of what you're trying to accomplish. I heard the rinse water is fresh, though. I've always thawed out the hose and washed my cars by hand in the wintertime.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

Yeah, but my car also gets very salty in the winter months! Seems to me an occasional trip to a soft cloth car wash is going to do less damage than leaving the dirt on the car, when it's too cold to wash. The touchless car washes don't get the car clean and use very high pressure.

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Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

After trying a few local places, I've got one or two that I trust not to trash the finish or accessories. I went through "Ernies" (the popular no touch in Worcester, MA) once, and it completely took off all the wax finish and left the car looking like it had been in the sun for years! I was FREAKIN' out!

Naturally, I stopped everything and went back to wax it right away. Needless to say, on a non-metallic paint finish, I don't recommend the touch free joints.

I wonder if they used the same formulation that dishwashers use -- you know, the one that warns you against using it on gold-trimmed dishes, because it can remove the metal!

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

I would rather not risk going to a car wash.

I mean, its like having a shower. Its not the same if it were a machine-scrub?

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.