should I cover my E85 when long term parked outdoors?
- Thread starter bcolins
- Start date
Best place to store a car, for 6 to 9 months, is somewhere warm and dry, on a trickle charger, wheels off. 
Anything else and I would expect a few gremlins when you next see it. If you have to leave it outside, then maybe find someone who can take it for a spin once a month or so. No idea on car covers. Our son's mk2 mx5 sat on our drive for 2 years before I sold it. No cover, but I used to take it for the odd spin and clean any bird cr#p off. No issues with it. edit: ( It had a hard top fitted)
Anything else and I would expect a few gremlins when you next see it. If you have to leave it outside, then maybe find someone who can take it for a spin once a month or so. No idea on car covers. Our son's mk2 mx5 sat on our drive for 2 years before I sold it. No cover, but I used to take it for the odd spin and clean any bird cr#p off. No issues with it. edit: ( It had a hard top fitted)I left mine untouched for three months this winter with a Concours Auto Products Eclipse cover: https://www.concoursautoproducts.co.uk/car-covers-bmwz4-e86-roadster2002.html
Slightly cheaper on eBay.
Make sure to add ratchet straps to fix the cover length-wise front to rear using the provided eyelets, as otherwise the cover can blow off in high winds.
No ill-effects whatsoever and the car was in the same condition taking the cover off as it was when I put it on. The E85/6 has very hard paint which resists marring. I placed a couple of disposable dehumidifiers inside.
Slightly cheaper on eBay.
Make sure to add ratchet straps to fix the cover length-wise front to rear using the provided eyelets, as otherwise the cover can blow off in high winds.
No ill-effects whatsoever and the car was in the same condition taking the cover off as it was when I put it on. The E85/6 has very hard paint which resists marring. I placed a couple of disposable dehumidifiers inside.
We had a "Specialised" custom cover for the maserati.
I eally wouldn't use it for that length of time, especially if exposed to the wind, or if a soft top. The car needs to be spotlessly clean and waxed as otherwise any dust will for a grinding paste where the cover touches and the wind will take the shine off the lacquer. Pre Covid I found storage for £75/month with power, which was better.
I eally wouldn't use it for that length of time, especially if exposed to the wind, or if a soft top. The car needs to be spotlessly clean and waxed as otherwise any dust will for a grinding paste where the cover touches and the wind will take the shine off the lacquer. Pre Covid I found storage for £75/month with power, which was better.
Park it on my drive and I'll use it every week to keep things 'moving' and wash it occasionally too..
I found that all the covers I'd previously tried resulted in excessive amounts of condensation unless removed regularly. So for my last E85 I bought a hardtop - surprisingly easy to fit and remove and a much better solution if the car is stored outside for long periods of timebcolins said:
