View Full Version : Car covers?
Now that I have a car that I won't be driving all the time (and still no garage :irate:), I'm thinking about a cover for it. I know that there are some disadvantages with these, but I'd also rather not let the car sit for a week at a time in bird shit and pollen.
Any recommendations for what kind of outdoor cover to get? What about this one?
http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/PNA50X98602.html?Category_Code=9872covers
http://metalcarportsandcarportkits.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/metalcarportcover.jpg
Nick M3
02-19-2010, 12:35 PM
Coverkings are very nice, but $$$$.
The BMW cover that I use on the vette (thanks Alex) has worked really well. Although, I'm not sure I would notice any new scratches or swirls it may have caused on a 25 y.o. vette with other, um, paint issues.
I don't know if it's a good cover, but that's a good price.
I've been thinking (but not acting) about a covercraft dustop for my indoor condo garage dust problem... Apparently, those in the know say that putting a cover on or off causes some issues as well. Thus far, I have stayed clear, just washed regularly (but not crazy frequently either) and shake the dust off while driving. :)
If I kept it parked outdoors, I think an outdoor cover would be necessary against the sun. Would the main issue be how well it breathes?
If I kept it parked outdoors, I think an outdoor cover would be necessary against the sun. Would the main issue be how well it breathes?
I think the main issue is that every time the wind blows it rubs the cover against the paint.
lupinsea
02-19-2010, 02:00 PM
Just make sure you lock it up well.
I think the main issue is that every time the wind blows it rubs the cover against the paint.
:+1 The custom $200+ cover I got for my 190E still caused visible paint damage on a 10+ yo car with 100K+ miles.
rumatt
02-19-2010, 02:27 PM
It still seems to me that just sitting out is better for the paint than using a cover.
I use a BMW cover on the 330. It is basically a Evolution 4 as I use one for the M3. I have not noticed any scratching issues, but then again I only put it on the car after it has been washed. Like equ, I also have a dust problem in my garage.
This is what I'm dealing with.
This is what I'm dealing with.
Ugh...
BTW, I hate those things that your trees drop.
hfh330i
02-19-2010, 03:37 PM
This is what I'm dealing with.
Chainsaw.
This is what I'm dealing with.
Ouch.
Where's all the snow?:D
Superweave from California Car Cover. It's lightweight, had good properties for water and wind protection, and is light enough to wash in your washing machine. It's about 50% more than a standard Noah cover, but it's worth it. The website says not to dry it, but I don't think it used to say that. I dry mine on low heat all the time.
http://www.calcarcover.com/cover_find2c.aspx
I use a cover, am completely psychotic about my car's finish, and I wouldn't leave it outside without a cover and consider it "better" under any circumstances unless either the car or the cover was dirty. Granted, this might be more of a challenge in climates with snow.
You do need to keep both the car and the cover clean. I know you have that tree - don't want the resin to get into the cover and harden enough to make a scratch spot.
Superweave from California Car Cover. It's lightweight, had good properties for water and wind protection, and is light enough to wash in your washing machine. It's about 50% more than a standard Noah cover, but it's worth it. The website says not to dry it, but I don't think it used to say that. I dry mine on low heat all the time.
http://www.calcarcover.com/cover_find2c.aspx
That is spendy. I enjoy their "interactive" decision app, which just suggests Superweave no matter what weather you tell it you experience.
Superweave from California Car Cover. It's lightweight, had good properties for water and wind protection, and is light enough to wash in your washing machine. It's about 50% more than a standard Noah cover, but it's worth it. The website says not to dry it, but I don't think it used to say that. I dry mine on low heat all the time.
I wish I could wash the BMW cover, but it has a plastic window for the license plate (dislike) and the storage bag is sewed into it. Oh well, I got it at dealer cost.
I wish I could wash the BMW cover, but it has a plastic window for the license plate (dislike) and the storage bag is sewed into it. Oh well, I got it at dealer cost.
So what do you do when it gets dirty? Hose it off? Or is it all crusty?
undefined
02-19-2010, 04:52 PM
http://www.lucianibuilders.com/images/garage.jpg
It is expensive, but it's worth every penny if you are going to use it regularly. 6 months after you spend the extra $150, you won't even think about it. You will love being able to wash it though.
I wish I could wash the BMW cover, but it has a plastic window for the license plate (dislike) and the storage bag is sewed into it. Oh well, I got it at dealer cost.
I cut the storage bag off long ago.
So what do you do when it gets dirty? Hose it off? Or is it all crusty?
Mine has actually gotten softer with outside/weather use, sort of like it's more broken in now.
http://www.lucianibuilders.com/images/garage.jpg
That looks more expensive than Rob's car cover.
I could have built a garage...but then I wouldn't have had the money to buy a car to put inside it. So, I bought the car, and now I can't afford a garage. A car cover will have to do.
So what do you do when it gets dirty? Hose it off? Or is it all crusty?
The exterior is dusty. Supposedly it can be washed in a commercial washer, but I think it may fit in my HE washer. If my thick king mattress pad will fit surely it will?
When I remove the cover I start at one end and fold to the center of the roof, start at the other end, fold to the roof, and then fold it until I can fit it in the trunk.
I cut the storage bag off long ago.
I've considered that, but I tuck the bag under the cover to hide my tag even though it is parked in my garage.
http://www.lucianibuilders.com/images/garage.jpg
:thumbup::thumbup:
rumatt
02-19-2010, 09:57 PM
This is what I'm dealing with.
:ack::ack::ack:
clyde
02-20-2010, 11:05 AM
Just make sure you lock it up well.
:lol: :thumbup:
(sorry, Theo)
clyde
02-20-2010, 11:11 AM
That looks more expensive than Rob's car cover.
I could have built a garage...but then I wouldn't have had the money to buy a car to put inside it. So, I bought the car, and now I can't afford a garage. A car cover will have to do.
http://www.nd.edu/~dlindley/handouts/Dr%20S%20kongdrop.jpg
The exterior is dusty. Supposedly it can be washed in a commercial washer, but I think it may fit in my HE washer. If my thick king mattress pad will fit surely it will?
When I remove the cover I start at one end and fold to the center of the roof, start at the other end, fold to the roof, and then fold it until I can fit it in the trunk.
So here's the thing . . . my cover was $100 or $150 more than a "normal" cover. It's $100. What else have you bought for $100 for your car? If fits in the washing machine - granted the washing machine is an HE thing, but it fits easily. I roll the cover up from the back to the mirrors, roll from the nose to the mirrors, roll from the sides, and . . . shove it into a storage bag that is smaller than a sleeping bag. The trunk is almost as empty with the cover as it is without it. If you are getting the cover, it's worth every penny of the cost. I have lots of car care mistakes that I wouldn't make again. I would buy my cover again in a heartbeat.
:lol: :thumbup:
(sorry, Theo)
Grrrr!! So far so good though. I love my cover from bav auto.
Btw congrats on the awesome purchase JST!!
I've got an even better idea. Rather than get a car cover for the Boxster, knowing that a car cover will just end up scratching the car, I'll let you park it in my garage. I'll just stick the E39 outside. No charge. Just leave the keys in case I have to move it for some reason.
I've got an even better idea. Rather than get a car cover for the Boxster, knowing that a car cover will just end up scratching the car, I'll let you park it in my garage. I'll just stick the E39 outside. No charge. Just leave the keys in case I have to move it for some reason.
Looks like HBL has another '01 S coming in. No indication yet about price, but it may be a CPO car.
http://www.porscheoftysons.com/detail-2001-porsche-boxster-s-5228419.html
I've got an even better idea. Rather than get a car cover for the Boxster, knowing that a car cover will just end up scratching the car, I'll let you park it in my garage. I'll just stick the E39 outside. No charge. Just leave the keys in case I have to move it for some reason.
:lol:
wdc330i
02-22-2010, 12:50 PM
Looks like HBL has another '01 S coming in. No indication yet about price, but it may be a CPO car.
http://www.porscheoftysons.com/detail-2001-porsche-boxster-s-5228419.html
plastic rear window year...
wdc330i
02-22-2010, 12:53 PM
That looks more expensive than Rob's car cover.
I could have built a garage...but then I wouldn't have had the money to buy a car to put inside it. So, I bought the car, and now I can't afford a garage. A car cover will have to do.
What about a carport? When you've saved enough $$ you can close it in...
plastic rear window year...
Yeah, but he's got a garage, so he should be fine. :)
What about a carport? When you've saved enough $$ you can close it in...
We live on a fairly steep hill; putting in a driveway and/or adding a new parking slot would be a significant engineering expense, since you'd have to move a bunch of dirt. Unfortunately, there's nowhere flat to cover with a carport--as it is I have to change my tires on what is technically my patio.
wdc330i
02-22-2010, 08:20 PM
We live on a fairly steep hill; putting in a driveway and/or adding a new parking slot would be a significant engineering expense, since you'd have to move a bunch of dirt. Unfortunately, there's nowhere flat to cover with a carport--as it is I have to change my tires on what is technically my patio.
Driveways are a big issue in the DC area. We had a horrible one in our old house (single lane/adjacent retaining wall, where we always had to jockey cars) and now we have a shared driveway that is also problematic. But we do have a garage--just big enough for two cars...Unfortunately, we have three in the family. I dream of a semi-circular driveway and a three car garage, with storage room.
lupinsea
02-23-2010, 02:51 PM
Driveways are a big issue in the DC area. We had a horrible one in our old house (single lane/adjacent retaining wall, where we always had to jockey cars) and now we have a shared driveway that is also problematic. But we do have a garage--just big enough for two cars...Unfortunately, we have three in the family. I dream of a semi-circular driveway and a three car garage, with storage room.
After living in Seattle for a while (which also had many places with tight parking) I'm really appreciating my 4 car driveway (big enought o fit 4 Lincoln Towncars). . . and car port . . . . and garage. Though to be honest the garage is a bit narrow due to the fireplace core, water heater, and steps. But it has 11 ft tall ceilings and is 24 ft long on the interior and is all sheetrocked.
wdc330i
04-05-2010, 04:10 PM
Interesting. I wonder how well a car cover works if you have to deal with an antenna. The M3 convertible has a tall one at the rear. Rob's California Car Cover Company sends you the cover and you have to mark it for an antenna grommet and cut out and send it back for the work. I wonder if the alleged OEM Noah covers already have an opening done.
I'm watching these threads. I'm almost definitely getting a cover for the M3 come fall.
I've been thinking about it, and I'm not sure I'm going to get one for the Porsche. Maybe to use on the few days where it really snows? But I've been driving it enough that there's really no way that I could only put the cover on when it's clean.
I think I'll spend the money on racing wheels instead.
wdc330i
04-05-2010, 04:29 PM
I'm watching these threads. I'm almost definitely getting a cover for the M3 come fall.
Well, judging by Tischer's parts site, the OEM Noah cover must not have an opening for the antenna either, because it doesn't differentiate among sedans, coupes, or convertibles.
Edit: I see. You can also unscrew the antenna for storage under the cover...
Well, judging by Tischer's parts site, the OEM Noah cover must not have an opening for the antenna either, because it doesn't differentiate among sedans, coupes, or convertibles.
Edit: I see. You can also unscrew the antenna for storage under the cover...
Makes sense.
wdc330i
04-27-2010, 08:01 PM
Okay, Rob, I sprung for one of your California Car Covers--in the supreme Superweave fabric. Will let you know how it goes. Now debating about whether to buy a stubby antenna so I don't have to poke a hole in the cover or unscrew the antenna everytime I put the cover on...
Tired of having at least one of my cars covered in tree and bird crap (they seem to go hand-in-hand). And it seems easier to deal with a cover on the convertible than the X5!
This is what I'm dealing with.
That picture makes me want to take that M3 away from you just to wash it ... I'll return it afterward but damn that just looks soooo wrong ....
BTW how is that front plate actually staying on your front bumper like that ... is it very strong two sided tape or is it actually screwed in ?
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