Best car cover E89

[B21]

Loving the conversation here, just such a great community. Thanks all.

Most of the conversation until now has suggested that Stormforce (standard) is a great solution. However the linked website to Specialised Covers suggests that Stormforce (standard) is designed for short-term use and that Stormforce+ is better for longer-term use. In my case I'm looking probably for either a few days or maybe a month or so through the worst of winter.

What confuses me is also the linked website suggests that: "Due to the nature of the outdoor material the covers will not fit when the car is locked and the mirrors are retracted." Does this imply that the car can't be locked underneath the cover, surely not?!

Thanks in advance, Tony

You can lock it..but don't allow the mirrors to fold as they will struggle against the robust construction of the cover..

FWIW its got a neat flap to allow your whippy to stay errect!

Service is first class..decided after the storm to get the under body ties..they are a cost option..they sent them to me FOC..result!

Sometimes its worth paying extra..

[Johnny h]

Hi Tony
Nah, no problem locking the car. Obviously you’ll have to remove the aerial and if there’s an option of the lock and padlock (extra £10 if I remember correctly) then don’t bother! It’s just a wire that goes through a loop underneath the car. The straps that came with mine are adequate to secure it down. Also it has pockets for the mirrors to fit in.

[Pondrew]

What confuses me is also the linked website suggests that: "Due to the nature of the outdoor material the covers will not fit when the car is locked and the mirrors are retracted." Does this imply that the car can't be locked underneath the cover, surely not?!

It's the mirrors, not the locking. Luckily (or unluckily) BMWs don't automatically retract the mirrors on first lock, even with comfort access.
Stormforce do fitted covers with 'ears' for the mirrors, so don't think it's a biggie TBH.

It's worth bearing in mind is that the car really need to be clean and definitely dry before the cover goes on, especially if a fitted one. I used a Stormforce for a short while but the car still 'sweats' underneath which I didn't like. You also have to think about where to store the cover when not on the car, as it needs to be kept clean inside. It will only fit in the bag once IME.

[Mr Tidy]

My current E86 came with a Stormforce cover which I thought might be handy as the car lived outdoors.

It was a good quality product and had ears for the mirrors, but was a pretty tight fit lengthwise.

But having read that the car needed to be clean and dry before fitting the cover put me off a bit as that wasn't always going to be practical. And I had nowhere to put it after I took it off to use the car - it is definitely a struggle to get it back in the bag!

After seeing some paint rubbing on a mate's car he kept under a cover I decided it was probably more trouble than it was worth so I sold it!

[mr.tourette]

Loving the conversation here, just such a great community. Thanks all.

Most of the conversation until now has suggested that Stormforce (standard) is a great solution. However the linked website to Specialised Covers suggests that Stormforce (standard) is designed for short-term use and that Stormforce+ is better for longer-term use. In my case I'm looking probably for either a few days or maybe a month or so through the worst of winter.

What confuses me is also the linked website suggests that: "Due to the nature of the outdoor material the covers will not fit when the car is locked and the mirrors are retracted." Does this imply that the car can't be locked underneath the cover, surely not?!

Thanks in advance, Tony

Tony I have just sold my car and have my stormforce cover going up for sale, was bought new last year and used just for one off season of 3 months.. drop me a pm if you are interested