Parking your car outdoors

[nyce46]

Winter is approaching in the northeast, and I wondered if anyone has any suggestions for maintaining the exterior of your BMW when it's always parked outdoors.

I've got an '04 325xi and want to keep the appearance as sweet as possible. An indoor garage is not an option and a car cover is just not practical. Anybody in the same boat?

 

[bmw046series]

How about a car port or parking garage.

 

[Vroman]

Constantly wash it.

 

[DrivingTopless]

Avoid parking under trees and have a good coat of wax applied.

 

[jimn]

I'm in the same boat. I have a brand new BMW in Massachusetts and no garage. I've had various cars over the years that had to live outside. Basics are, wash often, maintain the wax or sealant (sealant is better), and feed the plastic bits and tire sidewalls with ArmorAll or similar. I bought a nice cover for my car, and find it fairly simple (it's Weathershield, which is much lighter than conventional covers), though I don't use the car every day. A cover keeps leaves and other biological hazards from collecting. (My old Mercedes has a wonderful little spot for catching leaves under the hood hinges. Strong potential for rust there when they are left to rot... A cover helps.) A cover doesn't do much for moisture levels (park on pavement instead of dirt/grass). And it makes it extra important to keep it reasonably clean. Good luck!

 

[MrElussive]

Your location says NYC. I'm guessing you just park the car in any spot you can find on the street. In this case, a car cover would only attract more attention to your car (the WRONG kind of attention). Just park it in a safe spot, keep the car clean, and make sure it always has a good coat of wax on it.

 

[Wretchy]

How do you like your xi for driving in the winter?

 

[nyce46]

It hasn't started snowing here yet, so haven't had a chance to test out the xi capabilities.

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep bringing it to the car wash (no driveway ) and keep my fingers crossed.

 

[poboyis]

if you are going to constantly wash it, squirt the lock cylinders with WD-40 to drive out the water and keep it from freezing so you can get in you car in the morning without using a heat gun (been there)

 

[///M SPEED]

if you are going to constantly wash it, squirt the lock cylinders with WD-40 to drive out the water and keep it from freezing so you can get in you car in the morning without using a heat gun (been there)

Very good tip....

 

[epj3]

Very good tip....

Also wipe down the door seals (the rubber things) with an alcohol-based cleaner so they dont rip!!

 

[dm_longhorn]

I unfortunately park my car outside as well.. my apt complex has treated me well so far.. until I found a nice ding in my driver side door...

i have to stop writing about it... b/c i'm still so ****ing pissed.. ****UE:OWIEJF:OWJ