[Artc]

Originally Posted by Scottish John

I own a 520 M Sport. Does anyone notice that as soon as there is a little water on the road the driver rear panel gets dirty real quick. I am sure it is due to the width of the tires but i hate a dirty car. Can was also covered in tar marks and it isnt the summer yet.

Was tools mud guards dont come form the M Sport but another poster is trying to source them.

Just your thoughts please on the dirt.

I have a TS 520D SE, and compared to my E60 M Sport the car does get a lot dirtier.......

Tar along the flanks is particularly bad, and I am having rear mud flaps fitted at the moment while the car is in for a service.
Alloys also more difficult to keep clean compared to teh E60.

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Maybe in LA, not so in Scotland - unless you particularly like having a dirty car.

What I'm saying, is that there are other ways to keep a car clean than to wash it with soap and water.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by gatoman39

What I'm saying, is that there are other ways to keep a car clean than to wash it with soap and water.

Really? Pray tell.

[delvek]

I think Gato is referring to spray and wipe ... not something I would feel comfortable with on gritty dirt.

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Really? Pray tell.

There are many waterless autowash products out there. I wouldn't necessarily use them to wash a filthy car. But what you can do, is maintain the look of a clean car, if that makes sense.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by gatoman39

There are many waterless autowash products out there. I wouldn't necessarily use them to wash a filthy car. But what you can do, is maintain the look of a clean car, if that makes sense.

That takes us back to the climate difference between California and Northern Scotland. The roads here are still suffering form the ravages of a particularly harsh winter and a short trip of less than 10 miles can leave the car covered in a mixture of mud, grit, salt and tar spots. I wouldn't consider attempting removal without copious amounts of water and the fact that these waterless products are hard to find up here bears testament to the prevailing conditions.

[Mtechnique]

White is white indeed..
Thanks for the recommendation ref Tar Cleaner.

Originally Posted by Jon D

Hey, it's white and, regardless of semantics, it's the only white they do unless you go for individual. However, you are perfectly correct to highlight my error and I apologise if I confused you .
As to tar spots: I don't know if you can get it over there, but Autosmart Tardis is amazing stuff - just spray it on and the tar spots dissolve within seconds.
You won't regret getting Alpine White - I find it far easier to maintain than darker colours.

[SpawneyGet]

Originally Posted by Jon D

That takes us back to the climate difference between California and Northern Scotland. The roads here are still suffering form the ravages of a particularly harsh winter and a short trip of less than 10 miles can leave the car covered in a mixture of mud, grit, salt and tar spots. I wouldn't consider attempting removal without copious amounts of water and the fact that these waterless products are hard to find up here bears testament to the prevailing conditions.

I totally agree.

Not sure about other parts of the world but, with the amount of salt we use on English roads in the winter, let alone Scotland, I would personally steamclean the underbody regularly (2 or 3 times in the winter) as well.

Additionally, when I used to work for an automaker in another continent in the early 90s, I remember that the cars bound for Britain had to have additional anti-corrosive treatment because of higher level of salt (is it NaCl?) in the atmosphere. Cannot remember the details like whether it was for the coatings or the steel itself, though, so please don't ask.