car cover/ no cover parking question

bruceyi · Thu, Aug-17-2006, 07:29:34 PM

i have an 06....aw... at work i have to park in spots that have trees over them... the trees give off a sap that covers the car in small droplets...kinda like small water spots... it gets annoying....

my question is that if i do get a car cover...prob from costco.... will certain areas get scrated up if it is not completely clean...

i wash and wax every 2 weeks....i have a ca duster...but havent used it yet...

how long does it take to put on a cover?? take off...

thanks guys

M3_Dust · Thu, Aug-17-2006, 07:32:46 PM

it takes around a minute to put it on/take off. i use mine daily at work, just make sure your car is clean and use the duster immediately before putting the cover on.

elh0102 · Thu, Aug-17-2006, 07:35:37 PM

I understand how you feel, but dealing with a car cover every day at work would be a huge pain. If I couldn't arrange other parking, I believe I would invest in a 10 year old beater and leave the M3 home. And yes, unless the car is clean, you can scratch it with the cover. The risk of this varies some with the material, but it can happen.

GodfatherINC · Thu, Aug-17-2006, 07:36:36 PM

i need a car cover as well..any good ones out there..or their all the same?

bruceyi · Thu, Aug-17-2006, 07:39:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elh0102

I understand how you feel, but dealing with a car cover every day at work would be a huge pain. If I couldn't arrange other parking, I believe I would invest in a 10 year old beater and leave the M3 home. And yes, unless the car is clean, you can scratch it with the cover. The risk of this varies some with the material, but it can happen.

thanks.....the thing is i dont get covered parking at my apt either...so it would be nice...

it just gets annoying right after i wash....i get stupid droplets on it....

i just want my wash to last more then a day....

i cant get a beater either....so...this is the next best option?

Slpnbyu · Thu, Aug-17-2006, 08:16:48 PM

Taking it on and off a few times every day is probably not a good thing.

I would stick with the BMW cover. The OEM cover fits perfectly and works very well.

My car is outside, but I don't drive it every day so I use the OEM cover. There have been a couple of instances where I have washed the car, covered it right away, left it on during two straight weeks of rain, taken the cover off and not a spot on the car.

Chris(NJ) · Thu, Aug-17-2006, 08:36:56 PM

I have used Cali. car covers and plan to get one for the M. they are pricey, but the material is great. Very light weight and repel the elements. People will say you'll get some scratches, but honestly, I wouldnt worry too much. Most of us here polish the car 1-2x a year which will take out any minor imperfections the cover will cause. Putting the cover on takes about a minute or two and so does removing it. Well worth the protection from sap, rain, and imo, more importantly, sun!

bruceyi · Thu, Aug-17-2006, 08:48:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris(NJ)

I have used Cali. car covers and plan to get one for the M. they are pricey, but the material is great. Very light weight and repel the elements. People will say you'll get some scratches, but honestly, I wouldnt worry too much. Most of us here polish the car 1-2x a year which will take out any minor imperfections the cover will cause. Putting the cover on takes about a minute or two and so does removing it. Well worth the protection from sap, rain, and imo, more importantly, sun!

thanks for the info....

imma try it out....well see how it goes...thanks guys!

**Joe@PTech** · Thu, Aug-17-2006, 08:54:38 PM

My dealer threw in an OEM cover that is great. It has a cutout for the license plate, which you need if you live in CA and are parking your car on the street or in a public parking lot. It is a great cover and fits very tight all the way to about 2" from the ground and snugs around the bumpers.

If you must cover your car at work, that is the way to go. Personally, I think you would be more likely to damage your paint messing with a car cover every day then just parking in a better spot. We have trees at my office, but I park in an open spot, to avoid tree sap. Then I just keep my car waxed and wash it 1-2 times a week. I cover it if I am away and it is freshly cleaned in the garage. That is about it.

addiwei · Thu, Aug-17-2006, 08:57:40 PM

also remember to put the bag in the trunk facing downward when the cover is on your car. This will prevent the cover from slipping up from the back which can happen when it's windy.

Thu, Aug-17-2006, 07:29:34 PM	#1
bruceyi Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 30 Posts: 271 Reputation: 0 Location: LA CALIFORNIA	car cover/ no cover parking question i have an 06....aw... at work i have to park in spots that have trees over them... the trees give off a sap that covers the car in small droplets...kinda like small water spots... it gets annoying.... my question is that if i do get a car cover...prob from costco.... will certain areas get scrated up if it is not completely clean... i wash and wax every 2 weeks....i have a ca duster...but havent used it yet... how long does it take to put on a cover?? take off... thanks guys

Thu, Aug-17-2006, 07:36:36 PM	#4
GodfatherINC Real Estate Broker Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,469 Reputation: 0 Location: SFValley, CA	i need a car cover as well..any good ones out there..or their all the same? __________________ 2004///M3 6MT Silver Gray -Full SS Exhaust System-D/A Race Software-BHS Pulley-K&N 63-ECIS Filter-HRE 540R/PS2-Tein S.Tech Springs-CSL Diffuser-ACS CF Front Lip- ACS Roof Spoiler-Hoen Xenonmatch Fogs-Umnitza Angel Eyes-Blacked Out Front Grill&Side Gills- Coming soon:CLS55 AMG

Thu, Aug-17-2006, 08:16:48 PM	#6
Slpnbyu Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 607 Reputation: 0 Location: VA	Taking it on and off a few times every day is probably not a good thing. I would stick with the BMW cover. The OEM cover fits perfectly and works very well. My car is outside, but I don't drive it every day so I use the OEM cover. There have been a couple of instances where I have washed the car, covered it right away, left it on during two straight weeks of rain, taken the cover off and not a spot on the car. Last edited by Slpnbyu; Fri, Aug-18-2006 at 01:07:51 PM.

Thu, Aug-17-2006, 08:36:56 PM	#7
Chris(NJ) Back home in Jersey Join Date: May 2005 Age: 34 Posts: 3,080 Reputation: 0 Location: Central Jersey	I have used Cali. car covers and plan to get one for the M. they are pricey, but the material is great. Very light weight and repel the elements. People will say you'll get some scratches, but honestly, I wouldnt worry too much. Most of us here polish the car 1-2x a year which will take out any minor imperfections the cover will cause. Putting the cover on takes about a minute or two and so does removing it. Well worth the protection from sap, rain, and imo, more importantly, sun! __________________ 2002 Topaz/Black M3-Slicktop-SMG: OEM CSL Bootlid, Mini-CSL Battery, TMS Pulleys, Stoptech SS Lines, Borla muffler & Midpipe, Hotchkis Sways, Eibach Springs, RE RSMs, PowerFlex Rtabs, PowerFlex Subframe Bushings, TMS Subframe Reinforcement, Blk Grills, Blk Side Gills, VCSL Center Console, Euro Front Bumper, Hamann Fog Ducts, ACS Lower Lip Spoiler, FUCY Rear Diffuser, LED Tail upgrade w/ outer ring mod, D/A street software, RPI Scoops, e92 m3 18" rims w/ PS2s

Thu, Aug-17-2006, 08:54:38 PM	#9
Joe@PTech NorCal BMW Specialists Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 857 Reputation: 0 Location: Bay Area, CA	My dealer threw in an OEM cover that is great. It has a cutout for the license plate, which you need if you live in CA and are parking your car on the street or in a public parking lot. It is a great cover and fits very tight all the way to about 2" from the ground and snugs around the bumpers. If you must cover your car at work, that is the way to go. Personally, I think you would be more likely to damage your paint messing with a car cover every day then just parking in a better spot. We have trees at my office, but I park in an open spot, to avoid tree sap. Then I just keep my car waxed and wash it 1-2 times a week. I cover it if I am away and it is freshly cleaned in the garage. That is about it. __________________ Joe Gaffey \| Performance Technic email: info@performancetechnic.com \| phone: 925.426.1361 facebook \| twitter \| PerformanceTechnic.com

Thu, Aug-17-2006, 07:35:37 PM	#3
elh0102 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,046 Reputation: 0	I understand how you feel, but dealing with a car cover every day at work would be a huge pain. If I couldn't arrange other parking, I believe I would invest in a 10 year old beater and leave the M3 home. And yes, unless the car is clean, you can scratch it with the cover. The risk of this varies some with the material, but it can happen.

Thu, Aug-17-2006, 08:57:40 PM	#10
addiwei Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,363 Reputation: 0	also remember to put the bag in the trunk facing downward when the cover is on your car. This will prevent the cover from slipping up from the back which can happen when it's windy.

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