I'm looking to use a car cover on the z3 whilst kept in the garage over winter but also whilst the car is on the drive during the summer months. Is there anything I should keep an eye on or any additional advice to keep the car in top condition?
Using a car cover
- Thread starter Madtoady
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- car cover z3
Becareful. They scratch paint work. Bonnet edge, wing mirrors and boot edge. Personally I'd not bother but I'm sure some of the others will tell you different.
I have a stormforce cover, agree in principal better without but when no garage or car port, better than total exposure just make sure car is clean and dry before fitting.
I could show you a horror story of a car that had a cover fitted. It's one of my project cars and now requires a rear end respray because of it. And that's after trying to wet sand the scratches out and machine polish. Of course that enabled me to buy it cheap 
I got one of these, fitted half-cover -- it's excellent, however they don't recommend long term usage since it's fully waterproof... https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MA808GG
I'd love to find a way to keep the car winter proof too, outside, without using one of these inflatable bubble ones...
I'd love to find a way to keep the car winter proof too, outside, without using one of these inflatable bubble ones...
I could show you a horror story of a car that had a cover fitted. It's one of my project cars and now requires a rear end respray because of it. And that's after trying to wet sand the scratches out and machine polish. Of course that enabled me to buy it cheap
I wonder if you could wedge pieces of foam in the bonnet and the bootlid to act as pieces that take the 'pressure' from the cover. Shouldn't be too hard to make a piece few pieces that take the blunt of the wear when the cover is on, shouldn't it?
As others have said - unless your car is clean and dry, the cover is tightly fitting so it doesn't flap anywhere when outside, don't bother. Inside is different, a soft fitted cover would be fine, but shouldn't be used outside.
For outside protection better to have a good polish and wax on the paint
hardtop would be a better investment, to save the ragtop.
I've seen and read about numerous horror stories of forums regarding outdoor car covers.
For outside protection better to have a good polish and wax on the paint
hardtop would be a better investment, to save the ragtop.I've seen and read about numerous horror stories of forums regarding outdoor car covers.
I put a lightweight cover on my car in the garage through the winter, just to keep the dust off.
Other winter storage items are a trickle charger for the battery and inflate tyres to 40 psi to protect the sidewall from deforming. Also consider a dehumidifier (silica gel type or old sock filled with salt) in an open plastic tub inside the cabin.
Put the car in gear and leave the handbrake off, anti freeze should of course be up to strengh.
Opinions vary on how much fuel to leave in the tank. Some say full to prevent corrosion (but Z3s have plastic tanks), other say minimum as the fuel degrades. I am in the second camp.
Hope that was what you were looking for.
Other winter storage items are a trickle charger for the battery and inflate tyres to 40 psi to protect the sidewall from deforming. Also consider a dehumidifier (silica gel type or old sock filled with salt) in an open plastic tub inside the cabin.
Put the car in gear and leave the handbrake off, anti freeze should of course be up to strengh.
Opinions vary on how much fuel to leave in the tank. Some say full to prevent corrosion (but Z3s have plastic tanks), other say minimum as the fuel degrades. I am in the second camp.
Hope that was what you were looking for.
I would miss this if I stored over winter, can't beat roof down when its frosty. 
Mwpe indoor car covers are great ,there made off super soft microporous material ,which lets the car breath ,auto express voted these car covers no 1,out off ten,some cost hundreds ,this cost new around £50 incl delivery off eBay ,and I'm more than impressed with it.
Mine is under a cover in the car port. Always make sure the car is clean before it goes on. Id prefer not to have it in a cover to be honest but some pussy put scratches down the bonnet 
Mine is under a cover in the car port. Always make sure the car is clean before it goes on. Id prefer not to have it in a cover to be honest but some pussy put scratches down the bonnet
Yeah my car has quite a few marks that have the same pest origin :/ the new hard top also has the same problem.
I used a stormforce cover for the last 2 years and not a mark on the car from it and just looking at the cover you can see what its saved the car from! I have a new cover now that's cheep but fits better (stormforce would not over filly cover both bumpers) but it has no lining inside it so when I have cleaned the car I squirt a bit of the cleaner on 2 microfiber cloths and stick them on the boot edge so the cover wont rub, though its shown no signs it makes me feel better, this new cover also has 2 straps under the car and that's a must have so it does not move about.
Hi Madtoady,Ive had my Z3 under a cover for about a year now without any Probs got it on E bay it was'nt overpriced and is waterproof and fleece lined hav'nt noticed any painwork damage yet,with me it was a necessity because the car is outside on my drive also its a ragtop and I live on the coast with salt air and bird and Seagull droppings ect,also its made of reflective type material and would possibly cut out UV damage to the paintwork and rubber components.
Hope this was helpfull: Roadrunner
Hope this was helpfull: Roadrunner
I use the Stormforce cover as well with zero problems, I can't park under cover so unless I want it to become a bird bombing range then I have to put on a cover. The Stormforce one is breathable and a good tailored fit to the car, mine does fully cover both bumpers, I do lay a fleece blanket over the roof/ windows area before fitting the cover. No marks at all on the boot or bonnet from the cover, I think if you buy a cheap one that isn't soft like the Stormforce then you may get problems, but as in all things you get what you pay for.
That's exactly the sort of information I was after thank you. I've ordered a stormforce cover and a few other bits which will hopefully help keep the car in good order.
Rui Almeida
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Hi guys following the thread as I was about to create one in regards to a outdoor fully water proof car cover.
Planning to get a garage but until then could do with a full car cover, can anyone confirm me if the Stormforce one you guys mentioned is breathable, interior is cotton lined and has fitting stripes for underneath the car?
Is it a snug fit?
Where to ordered from and roughly how much?
Thanks in advance
Rui
Planning to get a garage but until then could do with a full car cover, can anyone confirm me if the Stormforce one you guys mentioned is breathable, interior is cotton lined and has fitting stripes for underneath the car?
Is it a snug fit?
Where to ordered from and roughly how much?
Thanks in advance
Rui
Rui Almeida
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- Joined
- Aug 16, 2016
- Points
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Is this the one people are getting?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-Ro...512161&hash=item3ccf940e01:g:TlcAAOSwTuVZpU0p
They refer 4 layer being the inner one a soft one. Does that mean that the cotton lined inner side?
Thanks guys
Rui
Yes that's the one, though I bought my direct.