[dJt3xtbook]

I know many people feel it's a cardinal sin to valet their cars (especially if it's MT), but unfortunately, I live in Los Angeles where it is occasionally mandatory if I'm attending a dinner or whatnot where other parking isn't available. FYI, my G82 is my daily driver, so I don't have any other car and I prefer not to use Rideshares like Uber/Lyft if I can avoid it.

Since April when I got my car, I had to use Valet about 13-15 times. About 8 of them were painless where I drop my car off in the same lot it's going to be parked and I can keep an eye on it. I could see some of the drivers having trouble with the clutch, but nothing major. Unfortunately, about 5+ times, my G82 is driven away, out of sight and I have no idea what/where my car will be up to until I retrieve it hours later.

I have been babying my G82 and I am hyper careful when parallel parking as to not risk scratching my right side wheels/tires against the sidewalk. When I got in my car yesterday, I received an alert that my LEFT rear tire had low tire pressure. I got out to check to see if I had a nail in my tire or something when I was shocked to see my wheel was scratched. It wasn't major, but still about 1/4 of dime size scratch. Very annoying to see, especially because I'm 99.9% sure it wasn't my own fault.

That being said, how do y'all feel about handing over your keys to Valet?

[Tyga11]

The only time I would valet is if it's an unavoidable situation - like if I'm driving to San Diego and the hotel only has valet parking. No choice there.

I can't really think of a restaurant here in Phoenix that is valet only or there is issues with parking.

Do you think a good solution for your problem is to give the valet a $20 before hand and say 'take good care of her' or whatever? That would help prevent you from taking an Uber. I guess I would do something like that if I were in your shoes

[Pantagathus]

Originally Posted by Tyga11

The only time I would valet is if it's an unavoidable situation - like if I'm driving to San Diego and the hotel only has valet parking. No choice there.

I can't really think of a restaurant here in Phoenix that is valet only or there is issues with parking.

Do you think a good solution for your problem is to give the valet a $20 before hand and say 'take good care of her' or whatever? That would help prevent you from taking an Uber. I guess I would do something like that if I were in your shoes

The valet from Ferris Bueller's day off has entered the chat

[merlin3008]

I’m always hesitant as well. I’m not sure about BMWs new app, but with my Mercedes, I really like the game too function on there iPhone app. In valet mode, it alerts me when my car is started, when it leaves a certain area, or goes above a certain speed. I can also always locate it on a map. Just a little piece of mind that it’s not going anyway.

[Delmoney335]

Avoid at all costs

[2011ninja]

I wouldn't valet my new at time 6MT MK7 GTI never mind my immaculate F80 6MT

[xmanpro]

Valet is like taking your car to the dealer for service. It will get all sorts of gnarliness in there from everyone wanting to check it out. It is unavoidable. Just live your life man.

[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by xmanpro

Valet is like taking your car to the dealer for service. It will get all sorts of gnarliness in there from everyone wanting to check it out. It is unavoidable. Just live your life man.

I'd rather take my car to valet than service any day. At least I don't have anxiety about valet swirling my paint in an attempt to wash it against my wishes.

[xmanpro]

Originally Posted by unfoundnemo

I'd rather take my car to valet than service any day. At least I don't have anxiety about valet swirling my paint in an attempt to wash it against my wishes.

Real facts

[calibro9]

I had to valet my new G80 MT the other night here in Austin at Uchi (famous restaurant ). I simply gave the guy $50 and he let me park it up front next to a Lambo.

[r3dbimmer89]

I feel the OP's pain...LA is such a B**** to find parking and it's so easy to just valet since it's everywhere. I have had a few moments with scratched rims etc over the years so usually I just tip the valet guy $20-30 to keep the car out front rather than parking in some off site lot somewhere.

[xmanpro]

Damn y'all all ballers. I'm in the $3 - $5 tip crowd.

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by calibro9

I had to valet my new G80 MT the other night here in Austin at Uchi (famous restaurant ). I simply gave the guy $50 and he let me park it up front next to a Lambo.

Nahhhhh man….

Owner of Lambo gassed to see a new G80 parked next to the Lambo…

The G80 🔥

[Bimmer TiM3]

Not no, but hell no

[Soylent]

My brother-in-law managed multiple valet lots in downtown San Diego and La Jolla. I would never valet my G82.

[_E90S65_]

NEVER valet.

Too many horror stories about "next-day-I-found" damage, rashed rims, etc.

[Jproos]

Originally Posted by merlin3008

I’m always hesitant as well. I’m not sure about BMWs new app, but with my Mercedes, I really like the game too function on there iPhone app. In valet mode, it alerts me when my car is started, when it leaves a certain area, or goes above a certain speed. I can also always locate it on a map. Just a little piece of mind that it’s not going anyway.

You can tell where it is in the BMW app. Still, I would avoid a valet where they drive it away to some unseen location, especially with a manual.

[bsmf8x]

When I was a kid I worked valet

Do not ever valet a sports car. Ever. Especially an M.

If you have no choice, tip the guy before and say please take care of it and I'll take care of you on the way out. He'll make sure he brings it back to you himself to get the nice tip and he won't abuse your car, just hand him a 5 on the way out.

Ever nice rwd car we drove we either burned out, or did some dumb shit. We did everything we could to hide damages. Keep in mind I was like 17. Most valet's are under 25, we didn't have developed prefrontal cortexes lol

[DoubleDave]

All of the suggestions above are good ones but at the end of the day, you take a risk every time you give someone else your keys.

I had a ‘19 AMG C63 sedan (worst car ever) that I took in for service. I set a speed alert on that car to let me know if it went over 85mph. Needless to say it went over that speed threshold while in for electrical issues, because driving over 85 mph for a 10 mile round trip was totally necessary to diagnose an electrical issue (sarcasm if not obvious).

Point is, pick and choose who you give your keys to. If you have a choice, park it yourself and if you don’t…encourage others to be nice to your stuff and rain fire if they don’t.

[ZGM3]

Never been a fan of Valet...

Another reason to add dash cams to your car.

I was driving someones brand new Porsche GT4 car once (with 1 piece carbon buckets that are easily scratched when getting in and out, plus a brand new Alcantara steering wheel that I didn't want to get messy), and I simply told the valet attendant that the car had non functioning parking brake. They didn't want to park it themselves and let me park it wherever I wanted in the lot. I still paid and tipped out, but saved me the stress of damage to someones car..

[Sinjen]

The fact that these cars don't have a valet mode is ridiculous.

[Tyga11]

Originally Posted by Sinjen

The fact that these cars don't have a valet mode is ridiculous.

What's valet mode?