Is the factory NOAH fabric done better by someone else? There seems to be a wide range of prices that I would appreciate any advice/knowledge. Thanks.

I have the factory NOAH car cover for my vehicle and it is pretty good. Fits perfectly and doesn't blow off in the wind.

__________________
Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

Eric,

I've been using car covers on various cars for well over 20 years and I've found that the polycotton is the best material for the money. Whatever you do, don't get the Kimberly Clark material. It is not a woven fabric, it is basically a paper of sorts.

I think the mfg. of the last ones that I've bought have been made by the California company. The ironic thing is that they are located in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. They offer a very good product for reasonable money and stand behind their products very well.

Hope to see you in June,

Much depends on what you wish to use your cover for.

I've used three different kinds of fabric; 100% cotton, Noah and Stormguard from Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories.

Stormguard from BHMA was a fabulous material, but it was bulkier than the other two materials, And if you had to remove it when wet it was cumbersome. However it worked very well in snow and ice.
Also, the pattern the way it was cut was very a very lose fit for the car, not a bad thing, but wind had an easy time of getting under the cover, even when tied down.

I ordered my 100% cotton from BHMA, I've had the cover for over SEVEN years. It also has a lose fit and over the years a hole has formed on the front pocket for the Mercedes emblem. The 100% cotton (in my opinion) is extraordinary in the way it keeps the car cool in the summer heat. The outside of the cover has bleached white formt he sun and the inside is still the orignal biege color - but I am not certain how well the 100% cotton inhibits UV light from the car - but it is my preferred cover for hot days

I have purchased three Noah covers for my Mercedes. One cover fit tight - but that may have to do with the mild body upgrades on my model year and Mercedes not upgrading the cover pattern. But the cover has lasted through snow and ice and hot summer sun. ( Be careful not to remove the Noah cover with ice or frozen precip on it, even peeling ice off of a Noah cover can rip the material ). I do use the cover in snow, but take extreme caution when removing snow and ice.
I like the Noah - and it is a paper like multi layer material - breathes well and only a few ounces of rain get through the material in a hard rain.
In the hot summer I use it almost daily on one of the cars, I've had to replace one of the Noah covers after three years due to the fabric ripping.

If your interested I can write more about the pros and cons of using a car cover in terms of the car finish, just let me know.

I have three BHMA covers on my three collector cars, 2 MBs and 1 Mustang. I chose the 100% cotton, blue for the MBs and red for the 'Stang, and they have held up well, but they are only recommended for indoor storage. The SL and 'Stang covers fit perfectly, but the sedan cover is a bit too snug. I also had to return it because they made it wrong the first time. So snug seems like the best they could do for the sedan. The cotton covers are not intended for the rough extremes of outdoor storage and I would expect them to fade very fast if used that way. I suppose the Noah may be better in this respect. My 107 has a hardtop caddy which came with one of the synthetic fabric covers. Not sure which synthetic, but I can say I am unimpressed. It does seem like a paper mat type of fabric and it tears very easy on a sharp edge, like the chrome trim of the hardtop.

Another thing I have noticed about the cotton covers...mine are not lined with any sort of flannel, so they seem a bit porous to dust. When I remove the cover after 5 months of winter storage there is a fine film of dust on the cars. This is not a show stopper, but next time around I'd get something with an inner flannel layer that might do a better job to prevent the dust from migrating through the weave.

I've heard that there are only a few actual manufacturers for covers. But then you hear that about virtually everything from videos to toilet seat lids. Cover Craft seems to be the largest outfit with advertising everywhere. I have not seen a BHMA ad anywhere recently, and get nowhere with my Google searches. I like their covers and would buy again, but also would consider the Cover Craft.

FWIW,

230/8

Yes, I have only used car covers for indoor storage and outdoors on a clear day when at the office. Much of the time when I'm used them at the office I was in a parking garage.

BTW, it wasn't California that I was trying to think of that is in Pauls Valley. That company is Covercraft.

Have a great day,

First, thanks to all for the advice. I want the cover to use on my car whenever it is outside. Most days it is in a covered area but not at night.
I had an MB NOAH for $140 but it was stolen when parked outside during the day!? I will replace with another but perhaps a polycotton if they protect better/last longer/or are in some way a better value. I do not care about dust(unless letting dust scratches the paint) but am more concerned about the paint and interior being baked by the sun and tree detritus at night. I will also lock it on. Not foolproof but better. I liked it well enough but am open to advice.
So MB NOAH for $140 or polycotton for ? What does everyone think?

Eric,

I have used a polycotten outside to keep down cabin temp with great success. What you DON'T want to do is have it on there when it rains. First of all the cotton won't last long if it gets wet often and secondly, you'll have a big mess if it gets soaked.

The polycotten breathes and is soft on the paint. BTW I usually pay about $100 for a Covercraft, Poly cotton.

Good luck,

If I was storing primarily indoors with only an occassional foray outside overnight then I would stick with the cotton styles. I personally have no direct experience with the other materials. But, I have a friend in California who stores his 107 outside under a cover, and it is the Noah fabric. Seems to have held up well and so has the car. So, I'd probably opt for the Noah fabric for the conditions you have described. The lock is a good accessory, as you have already learned from experience.

FWIW,

230/8

thanks again for the info.
I will call Covercraft but likely will go NOAH because the cover does get wet spordically.