[odiesback]

Hello all,

I have always lived in houses that had garages and it was easy to keep my cars shining and out of the elements, but currently I live in a place with no garage and no ways to wash it.

I’ve come up with several plans on how to keep the cars but I would like to hear from you who do not have covered parking spots or garages how you cope with it! Self-wash bays? Detailers? Car covers? Etc.

Things are lining up so I can get my G80 M3C sometime in the last quarter of 2023 and my wife is getting an X4M (already in production) so any ideas or shares would be very much appreciated!

Thanks

[BzsBimmer]

I had to deal with this a few years back.
Make sure she’s waxed and paint protection done (ceramic and or PPF)

Touch less car wash
Car covers are great. Depends on if a daily driver or not.

Try to park away from trees or dumpsters. There were so many birds and rats at a place I stayed at in the trees and around the dumpsters at night.

Keep a bottle of quick detailer in the car and clean microfiber towels.

[BzsBimmer]

Forgot to add. You can also use Optimum No Rinse (ONR) to “wash” in your parking spot. I would do it on a weekend in AM and take two spots.
Can also dilute to make quick detailer.

[odiesback]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Forgot to add. You can also use Optimum No Rinse (ONR) to “wash” in your parking spot. I would do it on a weekend in AM and take two spots.
Can also dilute to make quick detailer.

Thank you! Will look into those! - good thing I have assigned parking and it’s kind of predicable both the car next to me and the cars are nowhere near dumpsters etc.

I was thinking of blasting the car with a power rinse to remove debris and then take it to a higher end waterless wash/detail. - will get the cars clayed, sealant covered and waxed. Thank you for the ideas!

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by odiesback

Thank you! Will look into those! - good thing I have assigned parking and it’s kind of predicable both the car next to me and the cars are nowhere near dumpsters etc.

I was thinking of blasting the car with a power rinse to remove debris and then take it to a higher end waterless wash/detail. - will get the cars clayed, sealant covered and waxed. Thank you for the ideas!

I would just take it to them. They will wash it there.
If you do a high power spray and then wipe it, you can scratch the clear (if you’re super sensitive to that) or if you drive off, you risk water spots.

[Shaneartistry]

Originally Posted by odiesback

Thank you! Will look into those! - good thing I have assigned parking and it’s kind of predicable both the car next to me and the cars are nowhere near dumpsters etc.

I was thinking of blasting the car with a power rinse to remove debris and then take it to a higher end waterless wash/detail. - will get the cars clayed, sealant covered and waxed. Thank you for the ideas!

P&S rinse less wash is also good. Two buckets of water and a drying towel and you can keep up with washing pretty easily without a hose.

[odiesback]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

I would just take it to them. They will wash it there.
If you do a high power spray and then wipe it, you can scratch the clear (if you’re super sensitive to that) or if you drive off, you risk water spots.

I would not wipe it, just power spray. I used to wash and detail my cars before … two bucket system, etc… now I got to rely on taking to the retailers or doing it offsite.

Managed to have my cars always to minimum swirls and scratches… this set up is new to me now but hopefully I will be able to keep the cars paints in good shape.. just hate regular car washes.. they do not care.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

I don't know if it's an issue where you live, but down here in Florida, sprinkler systems like to spray all over parking spots and in the road rather on the grass. Before I had a garage I'd make sure to be in spots that wouldn't be hit by them.

[odiesback]

Originally Posted by 50shadesofhockenheim

I don't know if it's an issue where you live, but down here in Florida, sprinkler systems like to spray all over parking spots and in the road rather on the grass. Before I had a garage I'd make sure to be in spots that wouldn't be hit by them.

I hear you… sprinklers spraying hard water on car was a big pain when I lived in CA, but here in MD is a non-issue!

[hec-g80]

Carcapsule...

I use it for my Vette.. Carcapsule has various of options to meet your needs.

[JY01]

Try looking into a local car wash membership. I had unlimited touchless washes so I would drive through after work almost every day. Try to avoid letting rain water dry and keep bugs off or else they’ll eat into the clear coat. Also I would recommend tinting the windows including the windshield to protect the interior. On my previous car, I left the windshield untinted and the rubber pieces inside would start melting and become all gooey after a hot day. After windshield tint, I didn’t notice the issue anymore. Luckily the G80 interior doesn’t have much rubber that is susceptible to melting, if you live in an area that’s strict about tinted windshields.

[DO444]

Originally Posted by odiesback

Hello all,

I have always lived in houses that had garages and it was easy to keep my cars shining and out of the elements, but currently I live in a place with no garage and no ways to wash it.

I’ve come up with several plans on how to keep the cars but I would like to hear from you who do not have covered parking spots or garages how you cope with it! Self-wash bays? Detailers? Car covers? Etc.

Things are lining up so I can get my G80 M3C sometime in the last quarter of 2023 and my wife is getting an X4M (already in production) so any ideas or shares would be very much appreciated!

Thanks

I would not bother with a nice car if I had no garage to be honest. Not worth the hassle.

[cubanbimmer3]

I have pledged to never live in a house without a garage for the rest of my life

Seriously though, it sucks, and it infuriates me. Also living in an area with a ton of trees. Pollen and leaves constantly falling,
sticky sap other times of year. Once my year lease is up, never again.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by hec-g80

Carcapsule...

I use it for my Vette.. Carcapsule has various of options to meet your needs.

Will that hold up to the elements outside?

Originally Posted by DO444

I would not bother with a nice car if I had no garage to be honest. Not worth the hassle.

No. Life is too short to own a crappy car.

Originally Posted by cubanbimmer3

I have pledged to never live in a house without a garage for the rest of my life

Seriously though, it sucks, and it infuriates me. Also living in an area with a ton of trees. Pollen and leaves constantly falling,
sticky sap other times of year. Once my year lease is up, never again.

We (Americans) are spoiled, as so many of us have homes with garages on relatively large lots. Go to Europe, where garages are rare and most people park on the street. On our last trip to London, I remember seeing Astons, Ferraris, etc. on street with their wheels all curbed-up.

We have a three car garage, but four cars. The wife's incoming X5 is too big for her to park in the garage (she has depth perception issues) and so it will be outside, unfortunately under a few large trees, so I'm still not sure if I want to deal with a cover (they have their own issues) although we may rent a neighbor's empty garage, possibly. The wife wants to build a detached garage, but that will cost more than the X5 does.

[odiesback]

Originally Posted by DO444

I would not bother with a nice car if I had no garage to be honest. Not worth the hassle.

I get and wish things were that simple. Sometimes it’s all about trade-offs. I live in a nice area although smaller house with no garage. I could easily move to the boonies and have a three car garage but that’s not in my plans so I compromised.

Like other poster said: life is too short for crappy cars

[DO444]

Originally Posted by cubanbimmer3

I have pledged to never live in a house without a garage for the rest of my life

Seriously though, it sucks, and it infuriates me. Also living in an area with a ton of trees. Pollen and leaves constantly falling,
sticky sap other times of year. Once my year lease is up, never again.

Just wait till you get back in a place with a garage, either that or don’t even take delivery of the vehicle until you can get it ppf’d and ceramic.

At least then you can reasonably expect a quick spray wash to dispel most of the crud and you’re good to go.

[DO444]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

We (Americans) are spoiled, as so many of us have homes with garages on relatively large lots. Go to Europe, where garages are rare and most people park on the street. On our last trip to London, I remember seeing Astons, Ferraris, etc. on street with their wheels all curbed-up.

We have a three car garage, but four cars. The wife's incoming X5 is too big for her to park in the garage (she has depth perception issues) and so it will be outside, unfortunately under a few large trees, so I'm still not sure if I want to deal with a cover (they have their own issues) although we may rent a neighbor's empty garage, possibly. The wife wants to build a detached garage, but that will cost more than the X5 does.

We are spoiled here, true.
I keep saying I’m going to go somewhere else but the reality is, America is still pretty great in some parts.

You’d have to pay me a minimum of 1mil/yr to live in liberal centers of dysfunction like CA, etc, but there are a lot of jems of a town still in the USSA.

[cubanbimmer3]

Originally Posted by DO444

Just wait till you get back in a place with a garage, either that or don’t even take delivery of the vehicle until you can get it ppf’d and ceramic.

At least then you can reasonably expect a quick spray wash to dispel most of the crud and you’re good to go.

I’ve already got an M4 vert and an X5 M50i parked outside in the driveway. Have made do by going to the self serve spray washes in between proper hand washes. Infuriating trying to keep them clean though.

[DO444]

Originally Posted by cubanbimmer3

I’ve already got an M4 vert and an X5 M50i parked outside in the driveway. Have made do by going to the self serve spray washes in between proper hand washes. Infuriating trying to keep them clean though.

+1 for your dedication.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by odiesback

I get and wish things were that simple. Sometimes it’s all about trade-offs. I live in a nice area although smaller house with no garage. I could easily move to the boonies and have a three car garage but that’s not in my plans so I compromised.

Like other poster said: life is too short for crappy cars

This is the only real answer:



I kid!

Do you have room for an instant car port?



https://www.wayfair.com/Thanaddo--10...BoCw40QAvD_BwE

[odiesback]

Originally Posted by jmg

This is the only real answer:



I kid!

Do you have room for an instant car port?



https://www.wayfair.com/Thanaddo—10-Ft.-W-x-20-Ft.-D-Garage-Heavy-Duty-Carport-Portable-Garage-Storage-Shed-Canopy-W121266153-L623-K~IANA1022.html?refid=GX528955336514-IANA1022_84725089&device=c&ptid=1957422028556&netw ork=g&targetid=aud-1614881129220la-1957422028556&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=238466167&fd id=1817&PiID%5B%5D=84725089&gclid=CjwKCAjw0ZiiBhBK EiwA4PT9z7GD0-KXkhLEBFxvgO_B36Bs0ca2sYegf59ZM0v9eWoH7mOBwtMCzBoC w40QAvD_BwE

Nice!! I would have no problem having my M3 behind my couch

No, no car port possible unfortunately.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by jmg

This is the only real answer:



I kid!

Sure, you guys laugh, but when I was in college I stored my motorcycle inside my apartment (ground level). Sure, I was always a bit buzzed from the gasoline fumes, but it kept it safe.