New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST > BMW Z4 Forum (E89) > 2009-Current Z4 Forum (E89) General Discussion

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-17-2014, 10:05 AM   #1
tranquility
sportscars only
tranquility's Avatar
Canada
3196
Rep
3,190
Posts

Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Montréal

iTrader: (0)

car covers 101

There might be a situation where I may leave my car parked outside and I'm considering a car cover to protect from the elements. Anyone in a similar situation? I don't live in a humid climate (Toronto), so no concerns about covering it immediately after a long drive and parking? Should I bother getting a lock for the cover? Should I even bother w/ a cover vs convenience of just leaving/going w/ a 'naked' car?
Appreciate 0
      09-17-2014, 01:00 PM   #2
nicknaz
Lieutenant General
nicknaz's Avatar
3183
Rep
10,509
Posts

Drives: C6Z
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NorCal

iTrader: (0)

Personally, I would leave it uncovered and just wash it once or twice a week (automatic, touchless car wash)

My understanding is that paint can get damaged due to trapped moisture

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...-History-by-KC

Apparently all covers let water in during heavy rain, and I would rather go through car wash more often than have to deal with clear coat damage.
Appreciate 0
      09-17-2014, 01:19 PM   #3
Nkc
NOOB
Nkc's Avatar
Canada
1601
Rep
1,356
Posts

Drives: Cars
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: @BMWclassicdivision

iTrader: (0)

How long do you plan to keep it parked for? If you're still driving it every day then I wouldn't get a cover as it's quite a hassle to put on and take off especially when it gets dirty. If you fold it wrong, the dirty side will get on to the clean side and you'll just scratch the paint when you put it on again. Just easier to wash the car more frequently.

I got several car covers that I use when I leave town for more than 2 weeks. I got them on Taobao for roughly 150rmb each and works/fits great.

I forgot the exact place I bought it but its something like this.
http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm...d55e27b&pm_id=

Keeps the extreme heat of HK out of the cabin for the Z3 that I park outdoors. For the Z4 which is already parked indoors, I use the cover to prevent damn cats from fucking on my hood and scratching the shit out of it. I'm serious, them damn cats choose to fuck on my black (extremely hard to maintain) Z4 and not the other 3 cars for some weird reason.
__________________
@BMWclassicdivision
Appreciate 0
      09-17-2014, 01:56 PM   #4
tranquility
sportscars only
tranquility's Avatar
Canada
3196
Rep
3,190
Posts

Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Montréal

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for your comments. Haven't thought about the car starting to get dirty, then putting a cover on it, itself getting dirty and then re-covering the car w/ it. Arrgh, such a pain.

The car might be outside permanently. Maybe I just have to wash it more often.

Just curious what's the pt of a cover if during rain it lets in water more? So for long-term outside but I use the car daily, no pt of having a cover?
Appreciate 0
      09-17-2014, 03:41 PM   #5
rking117
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
118
Rep
1,668
Posts

Drives: Z4 3.0i & 320i
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

If you put a good coat of wax on it you should not have a problem leaving it uncovered. Just make sure you spritz it off every once in a while.
__________________
Enjoying an E89 Z4, F30 320i and Fiat Abarth //
E85 Z4 (sold), E82 128i (sold), Fiat Pop 500 (sold)
Appreciate 0
      09-17-2014, 06:02 PM   #6
BMWZ4RIDER
BMWZ4Rider
BMWZ4RIDER's Avatar
United_States
68
Rep
801
Posts

Drives: 2009 BMW Z4 35i
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Cape Cod, MA

iTrader: (0)

If you cover it dirty, the wind is blowing you will be just scratching the paint. Then it's covered dirty and now raining and the cover sticks to the car, you will be doing more damage to the paint vs leaving it uncovered.
Uncovered NOT under tress and other areas where debris will fall on it.

As stated wax, wax and more wax to keep her paint fresh and easily washable.
__________________
2009 BMW Z4 35i/SMG/DCT/Premium,Cold, Sound PK/Com Acc/Ash/PDC/Wind Deflector/Smoked Reflectors/Red Calipers/Cl Mask/M Series Grill/6000K LED's/De-Badged/M Pedals/CF Mirrors-Engine Cover/Stubby/20% Tint/H8 LED's/LCI Side Markers/Sniper Sprint Spoiler/VMR V710/H&R Sport Springs/KN.
Appreciate 0
      09-17-2014, 11:22 PM   #7
z4z4z4
Lieutenant
z4z4z4's Avatar
United_States
45
Rep
548
Posts

Drives: 2002 M3
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mild mediterranean breezes

iTrader: (1)

Mine has never been garaged since 7/2010. I've wornout two bmw z4 covers. I never wax cars, only bug/tar spot cleaners. There is a patina now after 4 years that likely resulted as much from hand washing, no detergents, and bath towel low quality drying as from covering.
Maybe Titanium silver gets a pass for this treatment compared to other paint colors.
I do admire you owners that pamper your paint.
__________________
Sold 2011 Z4, kept 2002 M3
PM for various e89 parts 4sale.
Appreciate 0
      09-18-2014, 08:39 AM   #8
rking117
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
118
Rep
1,668
Posts

Drives: Z4 3.0i & 320i
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by z4z4z4 View Post
...I never wax cars, only bug/tar spot cleaners. There is a patina now after 4 years...
that Patina is called primer.
__________________
Enjoying an E89 Z4, F30 320i and Fiat Abarth //
E85 Z4 (sold), E82 128i (sold), Fiat Pop 500 (sold)
Appreciate 0
      09-18-2014, 10:03 AM   #9
jparnes1
Colonel
jparnes1's Avatar
No_Country
241
Rep
2,389
Posts

Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NY

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rking117 View Post
that Patina is called primer.
LOL!
__________________
2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus.

2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
Appreciate 0
      09-19-2014, 01:36 AM   #10
nicknaz
Lieutenant General
nicknaz's Avatar
3183
Rep
10,509
Posts

Drives: C6Z
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NorCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by z4z4z4 View Post
Mine has never been garaged since 7/2010. I've wornout two bmw z4 covers. I never wax cars, only bug/tar spot cleaners. There is a patina now after 4 years that likely resulted as much from hand washing, no detergents, and bath towel low quality drying as from covering.
Maybe Titanium silver gets a pass for this treatment compared to other paint colors.
I do admire you owners that pamper your paint.
For sure.. black metallic is ruthless and will look bad with that kind of treatment.

I think if you don't wash careful or wax you might have been better off not covering, and running through automatic carwashes regular.y.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2014, 12:24 AM   #11
z4z4z4
Lieutenant
z4z4z4's Avatar
United_States
45
Rep
548
Posts

Drives: 2002 M3
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mild mediterranean breezes

iTrader: (1)

The cover is the solution for so many threats to the appearance inside and out. Be smart.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-BMW-...-/280853085876
__________________
Sold 2011 Z4, kept 2002 M3
PM for various e89 parts 4sale.

Last edited by z4z4z4; 02-04-2015 at 01:38 AM..
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2014, 06:07 AM   #12
ManiacGT
Major
ManiacGT's Avatar
United Kingdom
84
Rep
1,448
Posts

Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Manchester, UK

iTrader: (0)

I only use my cover if I'm going away/not using the car for more than a week. Then I'll wash it, fit the cover and job done. It stops bird crap etc sitting on the paint.

Always give the cover a rinse off before removing to rid and coarse particles.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:29 AM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST