Moving...leave the Z4MR outside?

[Lucky1]

First world problems warning. Well I did an absolutely crazy thing and bought a new house. Going from a one car, one car driveway home to a two car garage, two car driveway which will make my Z4MR and other cars very happy. I think I am certifiably nuts.

To sell my current home I've emptied it and had to store my things in a hurry in the garage. As a result I have nowhere to store my Z4MR save maybe a family member's garage.

I've been very picky about not letting my Z4MR see rain whenever avoidable and I very strictly avoid letting it sit outside and have the top get pelted and soaked during rain. I just feel it prolongs the top longer and keeps the car in better condition not letting it get wet.

I can...

1. Spend two days (okay maybe 1 long day or a day and a half) putting all my stuff back inside to free up the garage only to have to take them back out again in two months (without going into detail its a PITA going from my garage to my house...small door openings and lots of stairs)

2. Park in another garage 7 minutes away and pick up the car in the mornings on the way to work to not waste sunshine drives (summer is short here) or just leave it for two months

3. Let go of my OCD and just park the Z4MR outside (which I'm sure many owners on this forum do regularly) for two months so I can have easy access to it for sunny drives

What would you fellow Z4 guys do if you were me?

[wdb]

Option 2

[Molez93]

I live with a version of option 3 where it’s under a quality cover 24x7 during the driving season. Far from ideal, but in the 4 years I’ve been doing that I haven’t noticed any related issues. Before I became a Lotus owner, it lived all year on my side of the garage.

No way would I pick option 1, though option 2 would be my preferred choice if I 100% trusted its safety “there.”

[pyshin]

Option 2

[Finnegan]

2

[Lucky1]

Think you guys are right. Option 2 it is. Now to spend more time driving (living in) my Zed since I'm temporarily homeless while showings are on.

[Murf993]

I lived in Oakville for a number of years, old home with a big driveway and no garage....the Z4MC was parked outside. Used a good quality wax and washed it regularly without a concern. My Factory Five Cobra also sat outside with a good car cover. I'm now in Niagara on the Lake and have a 96 993 with a car port where the car spends the winter under a car cover. In the nice weather it's often outside and oh the shock on the street in front of the house. A good wax every 4 weeks or so and washed regularly. Seriously, you're liable to get more damage to the paint exterior from road dirt and driving.

[David70]

Would park it outside for two months and not worry about it. How many people drive to work everyday and the car sits outside all day? Difference between them and you is you will add in it sitting outside at night also. Think sun is worse than the dark.

I did have a period in the Winter where I didn't have a garage and took it to a local storage unit for storage. Didn't want it sitting outside in the snow.

[Alaberti]

A covercraft car cover would probably be best; they're pretty good at keeping a car safe from the elements. I'm all about taking care of a car, but unless a car is super rare I don't think it's worth the hassle of being precious over it. If it gets dirty, I'd just clean it. If it were more a case of concern about it being broken into or something, that's different. Just my two cents.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Alaberti

A covercraft car cover would probably be best; they're pretty good at keeping a car safe from the elements. I'm all about taking care of a car, but unless a car is super rare I don't think it's worth the hassle of being precious over it. If it gets dirty, I'd just clean it. If it were more a case of concern about it being broken into or something, that's different. Just my two cents.

I just have this itching feeling that getting the top soaking wet overtime wears it out.

[Molez93]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I just have this itching feeling that getting the top soaking wet overtime wears it out.

Perhaps. I'm certainly no expert on that. I can attest to my 14 year old black top looking identical to when it was 10 years old... having spent the last four upstate NY summers in the driveway under a $300 covercraft outdoor cover.

[David70]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I just have this itching feeling that getting the top soaking wet overtime wears it out.

The car is 14 years old and has been wet how many times? How many additional times will it get wet in the 2 months it is outside?

[Alaberti]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I just have this itching feeling that getting the top soaking wet overtime wears it out.

Using a car cover keeps the car clean and safe from the elements. You could also park it outside without a cover, and it will be fine, though you'll want to clean it from time to time.

[Lucky1]

Broke down and emptied my garage by putting everything back into the house. Took the better part of a day but was worth it. Was easier bringing in than putting out; a bit more organized. Couldn't bear having my Z4MR not nearby and available at a whim in this beautiful summer weather

[creativeliberty1776]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005G2RZHI..._wGi3EbZVZH619


something like this may work depending on your situation.

[Lucky1]

Took her for a drive this afternoon with beautiful weather going on. Drove til the sun went down.

God I love this car.