To Cover or not to Cover

[Beano]

Hi everyone.
Just wondering peoples thoughts on outdoor covers.
I recently brought a E89 3.0l M Sport highline which I would like to try & protect especially during the winter month's & limited use & have no usable garage space.
So I purchased a pucker used BMW E89 cover from Ebay.
But the car seems to get so wet under the cover from condensation that I'm thinking I maybe doing more harm than good in using it.
What are your thoughts & experiences please.?

 

[Mr Tidy]

I have a similar problem as I have no garage, just allocated parking.

When I bought my Z4M Coupe last December it came with an outdoor Stormforce 3 layer cover, but after reading the instructions I sold it!

The car had to be clean and dry before putting the cover on (which could take days this time of year) and I've seen rubbed paint on the corners of cars that have been under covers when the wind blows the cover around. Cars are built to be out in the rain so mine is, for better or worse.

The other issue for me would be finding somewhere to put the cover when I wanted to take the car out!

 

[Zedebee]

Mine lives in a garage, but I use a Stormforce cover if it has to stay outside. I would say really good if your car is going to be laid up outside for a while, but not practical if you’re using it regularly for the reasons given by Mr Tidy. The Stormforce covers pack up nicely into a hold-all sized bag, so there’s no problem keeping it in the boot when not in use.

 

[flybobbie]

I've covered my car every day for 8 years, had no problems. Stormforce cover.
I have to park under a tree, (leaves, twigs, seeds, sap, Pterodactyl poo).
My cover is made of a grey material, it's not plastic.
Only just starting to fall apart around the mirror area.
To remove it roll it from the rear and then the front to the mirrors, then fold and lift.
So very easy to put back on when windy.

 

[Roddy]

I used a Coverite cover on my previous ragtop, dry as a bone after heavy rain

 

[mr.tourette]

I've been considering this but my thoughts are i would like to keep using the car through winter on clear dry days (as long as there's no salt lingering) and a cover would just have me sorning it and not bothering, so a good polish, coat of winter wax and a hydrophobic sealant over the top is my new winter cover

 

[Chris_D]

Stormforce cover here. Bought from a forum member and has been a solid investment.
Got it to help avoid a water ingress problem initially but it’s now used on a regular basis as my car is used infrequently and stored outside.

No condensation issues as the material breathes and I don’t worry about paint damage from rubbing as even in heavy wind it hasn’t been noticeable. Even if you do incur any rubbing then a quick detail with a DA would sort any marks.

Good fit, folds and stores into a bag easily. Does what it says on the tin.

 

[Number5]

OP you say you have “no useable garage space”. That implies you have a garage but its full ?
Is it not worth purchasing a garden shed, decanting everything into that in order to be able to use your garage for your car ?

I live in a cul-de-sac of 6 houses all with double garages I’m the only one who puts my cars away. Everyone else’s are just bursting with crap that could be in a shed (or skipped!)

Alternatively look for a car storage unit.
I pay approx £60/month to store some of mine so even if just Dec,Jan & Feb, £180 may be worth it. ?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone.
Just wondering peoples thoughts on outdoor covers.
I recently brought a E89 3.0l M Sport highline which I would like to try & protect especially during the winter month's & limited use & have no usable garage space.
So I purchased a pucker used BMW E89 cover from Ebay.
But the car seems to get so wet under the cover from condensation that I'm thinking I maybe doing more harm than good in using it.
What are your thoughts & experiences please.?

There are car covers and car covers...depending on the design / price some are more ‘dust covers’ than all weather covers...

I had a lightweight BMW single skin version which kept bird poo etc off but did suffer from bad condensation...I sold it and bought a premium grade 4 layer version which is much better for weather here in Scotland up in the hills..

However as others say it’s absolutely essential to ensure that all road dirt is removed before use otherwise you will get a sanding effect using the dirt against the paint..

So they can be very useful providing you adhere to that golden rule..

So I do use it but again if I think I’m going to use it in the next few days I don’t bother ...it’s a faff doing a thorough wash before putting the cover on..

Again the pollution in built up areas is a pro factor for using one plus no doubt it helps on the prying eyes / sticky fingers issue..

 

[Busterboo]

All yellow zeds with stick-on spoilers should be covered. Permanently. :wink:

 

[mr.tourette]

All yellow zeds with stick-on spoilers should be covered. Permanently. :wink:

So should some gobs

 

[Anonymous]

All yellow zeds with stick-on spoilers should be covered. Permanently. :wink:

So should some gobs

Boys boys ...tis the season to be jolly...let’s extend the warm hands of humanity to all those who are disillusioned, disaffected and malcontent....

 

[Beano]

Thanks all some good advice.
Perhaps I've brought the cover from someone who didn't like the condensation issue either.
Proving just because its from the manufacturer & a good fit doesn't mean its quality .

 

[mr.tourette]

Thanks all some good advice.
Perhaps I've brought the cover from someone who didn't like the condensation issue either.
Proving just because its from the manufacturer & a good fit doesn't mean its quality .

Stormforce is generally the way to go for a good quality breathable outdoor cover

 

[mr.tourette]

All yellow zeds with stick-on spoilers should be covered. Permanently. :wink:

So should some gobs

Boys boys ...tis the season to be jolly...let’s extend the warm hands of humanity to all those who are disillusioned, disaffected and malcontent....

I'm sure Buster will take it in the good humour it was intended

 

[zriha]

Mine is like this. In front of my house. I don't have a garage. So I bought this rugged cover that has a layer of protection against hail. I have a light version (like summer cover just for dust and rain).


Purpose of cover for me is not to draw any attention as Z4 draw attention in Croatia. Also rugged cover protects the car when summer storms hit with potential hail.
It is not a daily driver, and now in winter, I don't have winter tyres so I occasionally drive him around the block if it id dry just to keep the car running.

 

[mcbutler]

You will get condensation underneath the cover as well....

 

[Anonymous]

So should some gobs

Boys boys ...tis the season to be jolly...let’s extend the warm hands of humanity to all those who are disillusioned, disaffected and malcontent....

I'm sure Buster will take it in the good humour it was intended

For sure..I’m thinking of getting it sprayed matt black and removing all body panels to avoid future criticisms and deleting all pictures...

 

[Anonymous]

I used these guys..not cheap but top notch...a side effect from their combo of tailored fit and weight is that wind induced flapping is negligible..

https://www.specialisedcovers.com/stormshield-plus-car-cover/

 

[Rockhopper]

I used a half cover on my last car - made those icy mornings a piece of cake - just take the cover off and drive away - no scraping windows. I've just bought one for my Z4 as well.