Anyone garage/hibernate their Z4 over winter?

[Ed Doe]

I should add that my intrax coilovers dont like salt and cost a fortune to rebuild, and that my rear arch liners are significantly trimmed due to the 10j wheels and chunky tyres, so for me I absolutely want to avoid the salt!

 

[road warrior]

i bought this in 2018 - never missed a beat
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Intelligent-12V-Motorcycle-Motorbike-Battery-Charger-Automatic-Smart-Trickle/293146474624?epid=17025542664&hash=item4440e43880:g:Al4AAOSw3YpdIvFc

 

[DSCOFF]

Mine gets used every day of the year.....also the fact I don't have a garage :?

It's a daily commuter that has the roof down as much as possible weather permitting, Day/Night Warm/Cold also fog! One day on the way home from work think it was like 2 years ago in november, horrendous fog I had the roof down, couldn't even see the clocks let alone the cars infront

Love it!

 

[IRD]

I keep mine taxed and use it when the weather is dry and there is no salt on the roads. I keep it clean using waterless wash so when I put it in the garage it is bone dry. I keep it connected to my CTek so the battery is kept conditioned. During the worst of the Winter if it looks as if we are going to have a protracted spell of bad weather I use an indoor cover. I also have a greenhouse heater which I use during any really cold damp spells. My wife reckons I would bring the car into the Lounge if I could. :wink:

 

[Mr Tidy]

It sounds like you need a set of bi-fold doors in that case, so that you could put it in the lounge! :lol:

 

[earthdweller]

I swear by the ctek, mine is garaged all year round but in fairness is used sparingly during the winter months

It’s currently in my father in laws garage as my drive is currently dug up and I can’t access my garage for another month

I always clean it then cover it and leave the handbrake off

Photos of it on Tuesday after I’d cleaned it and then put it away .. why pics ? Well because why not

 

[g3org3y]

^Very nice. 8)

No fancy cover for my Zed unfortunately.

 

[Anakin]

 

[Z4C_er]

Just bought this. Seems OK?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DW6RHN2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[enuff_zed]

I use the Ctek too. Mine's a weekend car and I tend to wash it, dry it, put it away and connect the Ctek every time, even if it's only on until the next weekend.
I'm lucky in having quite a roomy garage, meaning the plug socket is a fair way from the front of the car, so I had to buy the extra Ctek extension lead to make it all reach ok.
I also found that the connection points on the E89 are so far apart that I had to separate the red and black leads all the way back to the first connector to get them to fit far enough apart. Even then it's a tight fit.

With regard to fuel levels for storage, I was always told to leave the tank brim full as it leaves less room for condensation to form.
Another trick I was told by a Norwegian contact was to add a little white spirit to the tank. Allegedly it somehow prevents the fuel and water from separating. As water would normally sink below the fuel then the fuel pump could conceivably just take a large gulp of water. The white spirit prevents this.
To be honest, I have never bothered with this myself, but it's an interesting theory.

I would think the major problem with modern fuels is the fact that they degrade over time, so in that case it makes sense to only leave a little in the tank and top it up with fresh in the Spring.

 

[hong kong phooey]

ye agree with the fuel situation . I've always left any car ive stored over the winter with a full tank to stop any condensation . and as many handbrake off , tyres pumped up and on a trickle charger under a nice cover . also have a little heater in garage that will come on if it drops to freezing just to help stop rubbers cracking and perishing .

 

[Mister T]

Plan to mine away from Nov to April.

Was thinking of adding this stuff to half a tank of fuel before parking up, what do you all think, worth it or not bother.

https://www.millersoils-shop.co.uk/tank-safe

Fuel tank is plastic, this is usually for classic cars with steel tanks.

 

[Niallc]

any recommendations for a good indoor cover ?

thanks

 

[oldgitdave]

any recommendations for a good indoor cover ?

thanks

I bought one of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DEGZYQM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Not expensive, a good fit & nice and soft. Comes with a bag too .