Ideas for car storage

[Varixto]

Hi,

I have recently purchased an E89 Z4 30i SDrive. I have a garage but even though it is long enough, it is too narrow to store the car (besides, I am using the garage for storage for tools and other various bit and pieces). However, I can park the car right in front of the garage door, as it is part of the property.

I have been researching online and found two possible options: a) an all-weather car cover and b) a folding or tent-style garage.
After doing some research about option A (ie: the car cover), I have read too many horror stories about condensation issues and scratches caused by the wind moving the cover.

I am now considering the more expensive option B. After some online research, I have seen that the folding garages (the ones that look like a shell) are quite expensive. It seems that the cheaper option is to buy a garage that looks more like a tent, like this one (Clarke CIG81015):
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cla...1_1725801362_5db30c9686fe9b3a74e507eea2480e0e
I would really appreciate any advice on this, as I have never had one of these garages. Thanks!

 

[Meds]

We built a wooden car port that extends out from the garage.
Twinwall UV resistant roof, a slatted side, guttering and then painted it 'in-trend' moody sky grey.
But all properties are different so this might not work.

 

[Pondrew]

I am now considering the more expensive option B. After some online research, I have seen that the folding garages (the ones that look like a shell) are quite expensive. It seems that the cheaper option is to buy a garage that looks more like a tent, like this one (Clarke CIG81015):
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke- ... eea2480e0e
I would really appreciate any advice on this, as I have never had one of these garages. Thanks!

That looks like a field medical tent from M*A*S*H. :|
Would you, and your neighbours if you have them, be happy with that?

 

[Varixto]

I am now considering the more expensive option B. After some online research, I have seen that the folding garages (the ones that look like a shell) are quite expensive. It seems that the cheaper option is to buy a garage that looks more like a tent, like this one (Clarke CIG81015):
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke- ... eea2480e0e
I would really appreciate any advice on this, as I have never had one of these garages. Thanks!

That looks like a field medical tent from M*A*S*H. :|
Would you, and your neighbours if you have them, be happy with that?

That made me laugh, as I do remember the TV series!
I do not think that there would be an issue, as the garage is out of sight, at the back of the property and separate from it in a small enclosed courtyard/car park, with parking spaces for some of the other properties around. There are spaces for 4 cars in total, including mine so you can have an idea of what sort of private property car park this is.
Basically any neighbour going to this courtyard will be only going there to get or park their cars, as it is at the back of everyone's properties.
I can't modify the garage, that is why I have been thinking about this kind of tent-style garage. I do not need it to look pretty, I need it to protect my car from the elements without condensation / paint damage issues. As long as I stick to the dimensions of my allocated parking area, I should be fine. However, I would check with my neighbours, of course, although I am fairly sure that they would be ok with it.

 

[Varixto]

I have also had a look at this grey one, which looks better:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12657172...ar=427615655092&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Mr Tidy]

Either looks like it would do the job but a car port may be better if it's an option.

 

[Argyll Andy]

I’ve looked at this one too, looks less M*A*S*H* like :wink:

https://www.dancovershop.com/uk/product/folding-garage-car-small-2-6x5-8x2-1-m-grey.aspx

 

[IRD]

I had one of the folding canvas ones a few years ago. I bought it on EBay from a lady who had never used it . So it was like new when it came to me. It wasn’t the easiest thing to put together and fasten down so the wind didn’t move it. You also have to place your car carefully to open and close it otherwise the canvas can catch the paint. Whichever style you buy you will need to be able to anchor it firmly in the ground so it isn’t affected by strong wind.

 

[Mr Tidy]

It looks better, but my Dad bought one like that in the late 60s for my Mum's first car that was parked on the drive.

It had a board between the bottom rails you could position to drive two wheels onto, but we soon discovered the wind would blow it open at the other end, and that was in suburban Surrey. :roll:

But Dad wouldn't admit defeat, so a short bar got concreted into the drive in the middle, a bit of rope spliced onto the middle of the bottom bar with a carabiner-type clip to attach to the bar and job done.

Although getting his car out of the garage was a major operation. Had to fold it right down, tip it vertical and hook another rope with a clip around it attached to a post he'd concreted into the drive - no wonder we didn't use his car too often. :lol:

No wonder he usually commuted by motorbike - then again he was a canny Scot!

 

[Nick W]

I wouldn't waste my money, they're just cheap tents which could easily move around and damage your car. The car port option would be much more sensible but could easily cost more than the car's worth and will need maintaining itself. Just store it in the open, with air circulating 24/7 and as long as you keep using it and the air con works it will be fine. :driving:

 

[CliveN]

Tent type storage isn’t a very good option as it traps condensation as much as a cover especially in wet old U.K. more problematic though is the tents tendency to lift and move in high winds. I had one similar over my motorbike and it simply tore off its base and took the bike with it

 

[Meds]

^^^ That's what we did. ^^^
If the rain comes in at an angle during the wind then the front bumper gets it, but as it's the rear of the coupe that I'm trying to keep dry, I can live with that. Bringing the roof out further would have looked odd.

edit: I've just read your 2nd post about the garage being in what sounds like a small garage block?.
So this might not work at all, it works for us as we have a side wall of the house to allow a basic lean-to type car port.

 

[SqerrNipz]

I had a similar issue, previous owners of my house converted half the garage into a utility room though

I bought a heavy-duty gazebo, just to keep the majority of the elements away…

 

[Varixto]

I had a similar issue, previous owners of my house converted half the garage into a utility room though
I bought a heavy-duty gazebo, just to keep the majority of the elements away…

I think something like this would be ideal for me...Thansk for the reply and photo!

 

[coldel]

I think given the ever so slight change in our weather patterns of late i.e. high winds heavy rain, I would be nervous of not seeing this half way down the road one morning.

 

[SqerrNipz]

I think given the ever so slight change in our weather patterns of late i.e. high winds heavy rain, I would be nervous of not seeing this half way down the road one morning.

I have had a few nervous nights, but it’s stood up to some real batterings in it’s time. Just with 10kg weights on each post.

Our trampoline has been less resilient… :roll:

 

[Varixto]

In the end I opted for the cheapest option, a cover.
I bought a Stormforce 4-layer outdoor cover. The manufacturer recommends removing it at least once a week to avoid condensation, etc...
This is what it looks like, time will tell if it's ok.