20 replies to this topic

[pothole]

Last year because of other projects in the garage I had to leave my mini out over winter, so bought myself a cover-zone monzoon which was not cheap, fitted the mini.
Winter passed so still left mini under the cover, to protect it from the weather and during the warm weather of April, I noticed that it was starting to fade on the roof because of the sun, and signs of cracking were appearing in the plastic. Well last week we had a short hailstorm, when I checked on the mini after the storm most of the plastic had come off and had holes in the softcover material underneath. So now not only do I have the built in vents but big holes in the roof. What a waste of money I would have been better with a taupalin from B&Q for a tenner.

pothole

[wardyxxx]

Yeah, mine accelerated the rust. Garaged now.

[pothole]

Yeah, mine accelerated the rust. Garaged now.

Update got a email from cover zone who informs me that "The Monsoon fabric is a Winter cover & not rated for use above 21C whereas Voyager & Stormforce covers are year round covers." but their website claims " Monsoon covers are produced with care to ensure long life and protection for your car. The waterproof material is designed for external use, is ultraviolet resistant, protects from rain, snow, sunlight, dust, dirt, tree sap, birds etc., and annoying little scratches.

Posted a few pics here https://picasaweb.go...611702096829714

pothole

[wardyxxx]

What the hell!!!! What did you do?!

I've got the voyager cover and it's never done that!!

[hunterg30]

got the same cover, nearly 12 months old ,cracking mainly on the roof part.
what a waste of money.i would not recommend these covers to any one.

[Jatsb]

I had a monsoon cover until it decided to do this in a little bit of wind


I replaced it with the stormforce cover from the same site which is a much thicker material and is a much better quality

[garrett3]

I have had two covers and both have fallen apart and ripped easilty in the wind and in some cases just seem to rip/tear in the breeze!

In all I have spent around £250 for covers that do not last a year each.

Sent emails with no reply and my 1 year warranty passed soon after.. DO NOT BUY these covers.

After sales is poor and so are the covers

[pothole]

What the hell!!!! What did you do?!

I've got the voyager cover and it's never done that!!

What did I do, I just covered the mini up, the weather did all that damage, and at least I am not the only one with problems with these covers.

So anyone thinking of buying one dont get drawn in by all the hype, just get some taupalin from B&Q, load of b******t about these covers being breathable, I know mine is now, because in last nights wind it ripped away the top and I now have an exposed mini roof, nipping down B&Q later today.

pothole

[garrett3]

Update got a email from cover zone who informs me that "The Monsoon fabric is a Winter cover & not rated for use above 21C whereas Voyager & Stormforce covers are year round covers." but their website claims " Monsoon covers are produced with care to ensure long life and protection for your car. The waterproof material is designed for external use, is ultraviolet resistant, protects from rain, snow, sunlight, dust, dirt, tree sap, birds etc., and annoying little scratches.

I bought the 'MONSOON' covers as they were sold as all year round and suitable for all weathers.

At the time of sale there was nothing written they they were not suitable for temperatures above 21 degrees etc and only for winter use.

I'm getting the feeling that these covers are 'not fit for purpose'.

Mine is now looking like a patchwork quilt and is loess than 18months old. Its used to cover clean cars and not scrappers with sharp rusty edges either.

Maybe someone should alert the company to this thread so that they can have an opinion etc.
I am happy to post p[ictures of my patchwork quilt covers.

I once got a standard base model cover 'VOYAGER' from them via ebay and not opnly was in NOT 'breathable' it just made the car contantly damp and promoted rust!
NOT water proof, Only RESISTANT!
I bought the monsoon as a replacemnet as it has the ear flaps on the roof that help it to get rid of the damp and was told it ideal for evrything apart from strong storm weather.
I have always removed in very strong wind hence no massive rips but the thing still fell apart!

Not a good product

Edited by garrett3, 22 June 2011 - 12:23 PM.

[garrett3]

This is where I got mine from:

EBAY

Brand New Monsoon 3 Layer Heavy Duty Waterproof Fitted Outdoor Car Cover / Not to be confused with the lightweight Single Layer Water "Resistant" Voyager equivalent.

This Monsoon cover is water PROOF and will keep your mini totally dry!

We are a UK Ltd company registered with Companies House and VAT Registered.

These covers utilise modern high-tech materials that combine a tough waterproof outer skin with a soft non-woven lining that will give maximum protection to your car's paint. Double stitching and heat sealed seams complete the waterproofing and ensure unrivalled strength.

Monsoon covers are produced with care to ensure long life and protection for your car. The waterproof material is designed for external use, is ultraviolet resistant, protects from rain, snow, sunlight, dust, dirt, tree sap, birds etc., and annoying little scratches. It also helps to keep the interior cool. Roof vents are fitted to assist dispersal of damp and condensation.

Sturdy underbody securing straps are provided, so however stormy the weather, you know that your car is secure and protected from the elements. We also provide special silicone covers that can be fitted over the underbody strap connectors to prevent scratching of paintwork.

-Tough waterproof outer skin
-Soft non woven, non scratch inner lining
-Double stitched heated and sealed seams for strength & long life
-Underbody securing straps with soft silicone fastener covers
-Elasticated front and rear hems for snug fit
-Ultraviolet resistant fabric to prevent paint fade
-Roof vents allow moisture and damp to escape
-Separate zipped storage bag.
-Wing Mirror Pockets
-Will also take a security locking kit using central built in locking kit grommet.

This cover fits all Classic Mini Saloon models from '59 to '99 including Clubman & cars with Sportspack Wheelarch extensions. It is just large enough to accomodate nudge bars if fitted

It is not a universal cover as offered elsewhere, it's custom fit! Also Available STORMFORCE, VOYAGER, SAHARA and SOFTECH in Custom Colours.

CAN BE COLLECTED FROM OUR BUSINESS UNIT IN ST.HELENS IF PREFERRED.

More technical information available at http://www.coveryourcar.co.uk/ebay/

PLEASE NOTE: at the time of purchase there was no other information on the site about use below 21 degrees etc and I feel this has been a recent addition.

Thinking of getting a trading standards team to look into this, does anyone feel that would be fair?

I have made contact with them after buying the voyager and was recommended the monsoon. neither have been any good or really fit for the purpose sold to me.
I have made good effort with the company before posting anything about the covers.

Edited by garrett3, 22 June 2011 - 01:59 PM.

[pothole]

This is part of an email I got from the company today.

"Many thanks for the message It certainly looks as though the outer (PVC) layer has deteriorated, & this probably due to the cover being used all year round as any PVC material will fail if used in hot sunshine"

As all their covers are made from PVC, are that admitting that eventually all the covers will fail, what a waste of money these are.

pothole

[garrett3]

Not helpfull are they?

I was recommended by them to get the Monsoon cover after the voyager fell apart lol

[sx_turbo]

I just bought there stormforce cover, mini spares sell the exact same cover, so far I am very pleased with it, its nice and soft so don't ruin the new paint work, and the qaulity seems really good, much better than the cheap one we bought a year ago.

So far since we've had it it has rained almost non stop for the past week and half and the mini has been kept home dry with no hint of dampness thus far.

In the bag there was a list of instructions of do's and donts,

It basicly said that the cover should be removed from the car at least once a week to allow the car and cover to air properly,

[garrett3]

None of these extra instructions are made clear when you buy the covers though.

How good is a £130+ cover that you have to remove weekly to let the car breathe? I have found another company that sells better covers for the same money:

MINI COVER

Read the write up for this one....

Also having spoken to the company there is no need to constantly remove and refit the cover or remove in strong sunlight or hail/heavy weather like the coverzone.

[wardyxxx]

Bought mine from here: http://www.cover-zone.com/

Direct from manufacturer. Any problems, I just gave them a call and everything was always sorted straight away!