Hibernating a Z4

[Rookie Kootie]

For people who don't have the luxury of storing their z4's off road in their dry garages during winter months, what preliminary tasks do you recommend and why?

The basics would probably be to take the battery out and put it on a charger, wash and wax the paint, use an outdoor cover, leave handbrake off etc...

My main concern is about the cars suspension. I have recently installed all brand new powerflex bushes, arms, track rod assemblies, springs and dampers, top mounts etc, etc... Basically every suspension component was replaced a few months ago and I obviously do not want all this work to go waste while it sits on the drive until March when it'll be used again. Any tips to help in this situation?

1. Should I or shouldn't I put the car on 4 axle stands and remove the wheels? Why would you recommend this?

2. Should the suspension be left to hang freely while car is on axle stands without wheels or should the suspension components be compressed? Why?

3. I have ceramic waxed the car and wrapped the whole car in clear cling film to protect the paint from debris. Will this trap water and moisture and ruin the paintwork? I know it sounds a bit silly, but I'm sure I read on here that a few members done this hence how I got the idea lol.

4. I have adjustable dampers. Should they be set to stiff or soft and why?

Thanks and I will appreciate any helpful advice

 

[HU51A_FU]

Hi Mate,

I was looking at dry storing mine for winter.

Really all you need to do is the following,

- Find a secure storage location - Temperature controlled if you can.

- Put a full tank of fuel in it (vpower) IMO - This is to refrain from the vehicle getting moisture in the tank.

Change the oil & filter - Old oil sitting on components and in the sump isn't good, fresh oil will always help.

Put tire cushions under the tires - This is so no flat spots are created on the tires as it will be sitting for a long time

Make sure your car is clean inside and out & apply a indoor cover over the vehicle

Disconnect the battery - Put this on trickle charge.

Once a month run up the engine to optimum temp to get the oil back up to the cams and around the engine ensuring everything works as it should.

Leave a drip tray under the front end to catch any oil leaks it may have or just to keep an eye out if any leaks do appear as rubber seals perish over time and lack of use will enhance this issue.


This should be fine!

Don't wrap your car in cling film lol! This will make the paint sweat and could bubble the paintwork and cause sweat marks. A breathable indoor cover will suffice from stopping dust landing on the car.

Just for banter! No hard feelings! Just came into my head this vision of your car wrapped.



Hope this helps. I'm sure others have there own ideas too.

 

[thecremeegg]

I left mine for 6 months having done absolutely nothing at all - it was fine bar the steering rack developed a squeak but it just needed some grease.
Why don't you just drive it once a month or so over the winter, it's a car at the end of the day, it won't wash away

 

[Davz]

I wouldn't use V-power due to the ethanol content which can solidify if left standing, which was my experience in a motorcycle fuel tank.
Best bet is to fill up with Esso synergy supreme 99+, a high quality fuel with no ethanol.

 

[Rookie Kootie]

Hi Mate,

I was looking at dry storing mine for winter.

Really all you need to do is the following,

- Find a secure storage location - Temperature controlled if you can.

- Put a full tank of fuel in it (vpower) IMO - This is to refrain from the vehicle getting moisture in the tank.

Change the oil & filter - Old oil sitting on components and in the sump isn't good, fresh oil will always help.

Put tire cushions under the tires - This is so no flat spots are created on the tires as it will be sitting for a long time

Make sure your car is clean inside and out & apply a indoor cover over the vehicle

Disconnect the battery - Put this on trickle charge.

Once a month run up the engine to optimum temp to get the oil back up to the cams and around the engine ensuring everything works as it should.

Leave a drip tray under the front end to catch any oil leaks it may have or just to keep an eye out if any leaks do appear as rubber seals perish over time and lack of use will enhance this issue.


This should be fine!

Don't wrap your car in cling film lol! This will make the paint sweat and could bubble the paintwork and cause sweat marks. A breathable indoor cover will suffice from stopping dust landing on the car.

Just for banter! No hard feelings! Just came into my head this vision of your car wrapped.

JS131579308.jpg

Hope this helps. I'm sure others have there own ideas too.

Thank you for your reply, but my car will have to be parked outside on my drive as I don't have an indoor garage...

 

[Rookie Kootie]

Don't wrap your car in cling film lol! This will make the paint sweat and could bubble the paintwork and cause sweat marks. A breathable indoor cover will suffice from stopping dust landing on the car.

Just for banter! No hard feelings! Just came into my head this vision of your car wrapped.

JS131579308.jpg

Have a look at this thread half way down the first page:

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=117633

It was recommended by a well known member "mr wilks" who had positive results and other members agreed with the cling film idea too...

I just want to make sure it's ok to use cling film while the car is parked outside on my drive for 3-4 month...

Thanks.

 

[Rookie Kootie]

I left mine for 6 months having done absolutely nothing at all - it was fine bar the steering rack developed a squeak but it just needed some grease.
Why don't you just drive it once a month or so over the winter, it's a car at the end of the day, it won't wash away

I work from home so the car doesn't get used and will be SORN'd until March/April time. Plus there is now salt on the roads everywhere and the weather is absolutely shite. I have renewed all my suspension and therefore wouldn't like this cold wet slushy road salt corroding and rotting my car.

 

[HU51A_FU]

Don't wrap your car in cling film lol! This will make the paint sweat and could bubble the paintwork and cause sweat marks. A breathable indoor cover will suffice from stopping dust landing on the car.

Just for banter! No hard feelings! Just came into my head this vision of your car wrapped.

JS131579308.jpg

Have a look at this thread half way down the first page:

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=117633

It was recommended by a well known member "mr wilks" who had positive results and other members agreed with the cling film idea too...

I just want to make sure it's ok to use cling film while the car is parked outside on my drive for 3-4 month...

Thanks.

I would strongly advise not to use this practice mate, if you're car has been professionally ceramic coated and corrected then this is more than enough protection to keep the weather out of the paint surfaces, ceramic coating acts as another layer of lacquer which protects against acid rain, bird droppings, ultraviolet rays therefore reduces oxidization.

Mine lives outside and is ceramic coated with a hydrophobic coating over the top then i have an all weather heavy duty cover that i use over the top, this will suffice and I've personally had no issues. Vehicles need to have ventilation whilest under covers which can be provided by air pockets designed to filtrate air through the cover on the vehicle otherwise they sweat as i found out on a vehicle i previously had under a cover for 3 months.

If you are looking for further protection i would invest in using a reputable company to have your car PPF'd which is a safe way of protecting the paintwork from the elements such as stone chips and salt, this can also be ceramic coated over the top.

Hope this provides more help, i understand in the way of cost saving it sounds appealing and ok to wrap your car in a product such as cling film but if it does go wrong then it will be a hefty bill to sort out.

Cheers

Jamesy

 

[brillomaster]

if you're not driving the car, then it wont get scratched, dirty or salty, so just give it a good wash and wax before you leave it and it'll be fine. make sure its dry inside when you leave it and perhaps leave a dehumidifying pad to collect any moisture that does find its way in.

i'd only cover the car if you have to park underneath a tree or telephone wires, if there was likelihood of tree sap or bird droppings getting on it. but other than that it'll be fine, acid rain really isnt a thing here, and you arent going to get saharan dust storms over winter either.

 

[mr.tourette]

A 3 month lay up..wash and wax, inflate tyres to 50 psi, leave handbrake off, hook up a battery charger, cover or do not ,your choice..done

You could change the oil if you were really fussy but I've never bothered, oil gets changed once a year anyhow on low mileage so 3 months is not going to do any damage imho..if its already seen 10000 miles then that's a different matter

 

[thecremeegg]

I left mine for 6 months having done absolutely nothing at all - it was fine bar the steering rack developed a squeak but it just needed some grease.
Why don't you just drive it once a month or so over the winter, it's a car at the end of the day, it won't wash away

I work from home so the car doesn't get used and will be SORN'd until March/April time. Plus there is now salt on the roads everywhere and the weather is absolutely shite. I have renewed all my suspension and therefore wouldn't like this cold wet slushy road salt corroding and rotting my car.

It's your car but it's not going to dissolve with a drive every few weeks in the rain

 

[HU51A_FU]

OR invest in one of these, my mate stores his classic VW POLO GT40 in one and its mint every time it comes out like once a year if that LOL.

Neighbours will love you :?