Parked M3

Tosh · 08-17-2009, 04:07 PM

I took delivery of my e90 M3 last year and have put over 15,000 km on the clock.

I am now traveling and the car is not being driven. I talked to my SA, found out this is not okay and am having a friend take it around about once a week (350 miles ish per month).

I then talked to my sales rep who wanted me driving the car even more than that.

Since I am away and everyone makes it seem as it is some catastrophe, I am hoping to get some sensible recommendations from this forum.

How much does my car need to be driven per month? I was also told stop and go driving won't cut it -- is this true as well?

Thank you.

Dengel · 08-17-2009, 04:58 PM

I am headed off to college and I am having the same dilemma

JuniorDee · 08-17-2009, 06:49 PM

I dont know where these mileage numbers from SA are coming from. I have 7k miles on the car in 16 months. I can guarantee you that there will be mulitple posts after me stating less miles in more time. I am sure your cars are fine.

Take you car to college with you, it will be LEGENDARY.

RealSanaii · 08-17-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuniorDee

I dont know where these mileage numbers from SA are coming from. I have 7k miles on the car in 16 months. I can guarantee you that there will be mulitple posts after me stating less miles in more time. I am sure your cars are fine.

Take you car to college with you, it will be LEGENDARY.

But most colleges don't allow freshman to have a car on campus.

MJC///M3 · 08-17-2009, 08:43 PM

just tell them you have an M3....

by the sheer nature of its greatness....they should allow you a spot on campus...

take that shit to school bro....you will be THE MAN.

JCtx · 08-17-2009, 08:47 PM

That seems to be the advice SAs give to keep the battery charged, but that's crap. Don't have to do anything to your car other than charge the battery every week or 2, and if you're not going to drive it for months, fill up your gas tank and put fuel stabilizer before storing it. And when you take it for a spin, put at least 15 miles to evaporate all the condensation.

Much better to let your car sit inside your garage than letting somebody drive it, especially not directly related to you (check your insurance). But it's your car. Take care.

Donbona · 08-18-2009, 02:21 AM

I agree... take it to school.. im so jealous... wish I could have a car this good at your age! I had an E30 325i sport with Alpina rims on it when I was at college. Im showing my age now

Tosh · 08-18-2009, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elp_jc

Much better to let your car sit inside your garage than letting somebody drive it, especially not directly related to you (check your insurance).

My thinking exactly.

My sales associate and to a somewhat lesser extent, my service advisor, made a pretty big deal out of the car sitting.

Thanks for the replies.

yamahuh · 08-18-2009, 07:34 AM

I have an 2008 with 200 miles on the odometer. I had read/heard the oil needs changing every year regardless of mileage and spoke to my Service Manager. He said they will change the oil as the car was purchased in Aug 08 if I want or I can wait until the break-in is complete for the first service.

Nothing was mentioned about having to drive the car more.....

Georgeair · 08-18-2009, 07:45 AM

There are a bazillion discussions of storing cars way more finicky and valuable than ours.

Get a good friend to lay it up properly and you can let it sit for a very long time with zero effect on the battery, engine, suspension, etc. It's not expensive, just take a little time. Most expensive parts will be Battery Tender, four jack stands and decent fuel stabilizer.

I love this car, but continue to be amazed at some of the asinine SA stories I keep seeing here....

AlpWtE92 · 08-18-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamahuh

I have an 2008 with 200 miles on the odometer. I had read/heard the oil needs changing every year regardless of mileage and spoke to my Service Manager. He said they will change the oil as the car was purchased in Aug 08 if I want or I can wait until the break-in is complete for the first service.

Nothing was mentioned about having to drive the car more.....

How in the world do you only have 200 miles on the car for a 2008? I put 200 miles on my car after the first two days of ownership! Go out and enjoy your car man!

FCP Euro · 08-19-2009, 11:15 AM

As long as your car is driven around once a week, it will be fine. I know people that leave there volvos in the garage all winter and it is fine six months later.

As for the college kid, I would only bring it if you have a safe place to park it. You do not want someone hitting it or keying it, or worse, it getting stolen.

DC5ITR88 · 08-26-2009, 01:03 PM

I would not recommend bringing it to school with u even if u had a safe place to store it. Theres going to be tons of haters around.

artifice · 08-26-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC5ITR88

I would not recommend bringing it to school with u even if u had a safe place to store it. Theres going to be tons of haters around.

I agree... My supra got keyed to hell and back in college outside of my fraternity house. Being in a fraternity might have had soemthing to do with it.

As for how long it sits. I would say just crank it up every now and then to keep the seals all oiled up and not dry out and crack ... At least that is the way i was told to do with other cars.

LateBraking · 08-26-2009, 04:24 PM

I lean to agree with the driven once a week story as well, if you're not going to go through with Georgeair's steps, but, seriously, just do it his way.

I also agree with the keying thing. When I lived on campus, and had a Toyota Solara, THAT got keyed up, hit and run all the time, and had nails put under the tires (and every car in my row). I don't trust those immature anonymous drunkards.

My friend Ade took his car to Cal Poly, and got hit and run after only 48 hours of ownership. Ruined his rear left fender.

And seriously, 200 miles and a 2008? Do you have a daily driver or something?

GregW / Oregon · 08-26-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tosh

I took delivery of my e90 M3 last year and have put over 15,000 km on the clock.

I am now traveling and the car is not being driven. I talked to my SA, found out this is not okay and am having a friend take it around about once a week (350 miles ish per month).

I then talked to my sales rep who wanted me driving the car even more than that.

Since I am away and everyone makes it seem as it is some catastrophe, I am hoping to get some sensible recommendations from this forum.

How much does my car need to be driven per month? I was also told stop and go driving won't cut it -- is this true as well?

Thank you.

I think it will be fine parked in your home garage. Just put a battery tender charger on it, and take it for drives when you are home (use a whole tank so you get fresh fuel). Not sure I would trust any friend to not get carried away driving it. Oil does need to be changed once a year regardless. Fuel stabilizer is an absolute must.

artifice · 08-26-2009, 10:33 PM

Lol take the wheels off and leave it on jacks and have someone come start it every now and then haha

I kid I kid.

08-17-2009, 04:07 PM	#1
Tosh Enlisted Member 6 Rep 33 Posts Drives: e90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Midwest USA by way of Tokyo iTrader: (0)	Parked M3 I took delivery of my e90 M3 last year and have put over 15,000 km on the clock. I am now traveling and the car is not being driven. I talked to my SA, found out this is not okay and am having a friend take it around about once a week (350 miles ish per month). I then talked to my sales rep who wanted me driving the car even more than that. Since I am away and everyone makes it seem as it is some catastrophe, I am hoping to get some sensible recommendations from this forum. How much does my car need to be driven per month? I was also told stop and go driving won't cut it -- is this true as well? Thank you. __________________ ☆AW ☆ e90 ☆ M3 ☆ DCT ☆ eighteens ☆no sunroof☆
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08-17-2009, 04:58 PM	#2
Dengel Non-Guido Jersey Resident 35 Rep 676 Posts Drives: Slow Jeep Rubicon Join Date: May 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (3)	I am headed off to college and I am having the same dilemma
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08-17-2009, 06:49 PM	#3
JuniorDee Captain 73 Rep 610 Posts Drives: the speed limit Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: the land of brat and brotchen iTrader: (1)	I dont know where these mileage numbers from SA are coming from. I have 7k miles on the car in 16 months. I can guarantee you that there will be mulitple posts after me stating less miles in more time. I am sure your cars are fine. Take you car to college with you, it will be LEGENDARY. __________________ EDC.....viagra for your car
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08-17-2009, 08:43 PM	#5
MJC///M3 Colonel 87 Rep 2,324 Posts Drives: 09 SSII E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bronx, NYC iTrader: (0)	just tell them you have an M3.... by the sheer nature of its greatness....they should allow you a spot on campus... take that shit to school bro....you will be THE MAN. __________________ "You will get there, but it is up to you and you alone. It is what you are willing to do, and how you are willing to get there. You must be relentless, you must be tireless, you must pursue at all costs, so that you are ready, when the time is right." -Dad
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08-17-2009, 08:47 PM	#6
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	That seems to be the advice SAs give to keep the battery charged, but that's crap. Don't have to do anything to your car other than charge the battery every week or 2, and if you're not going to drive it for months, fill up your gas tank and put fuel stabilizer before storing it. And when you take it for a spin, put at least 15 miles to evaporate all the condensation. Much better to let your car sit inside your garage than letting somebody drive it, especially not directly related to you (check your insurance). But it's your car. Take care.
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08-18-2009, 02:21 AM	#7
Donbona Lieutenant Colonel 166 Rep 1,659 Posts Drives: E93 M3 DCT 2008 Join Date: May 2009 Location: London UK iTrader: (0)	I agree... take it to school.. im so jealous... wish I could have a car this good at your age! I had an E30 325i sport with Alpina rims on it when I was at college. Im showing my age now __________________ M3 E93 DCT, Space Grey,BC HB29 Forged Deep Concave Wheels, Ericsson Amuse F/R Bumper, Evolve Full Exhaust System, INTRAX Coilovers, STOPTECH BBK, Performance Steering Wheel,Custom Red/Black Leather Seats,///M3 \|\|Bimmerpost M3 Car Of The Month May - 2010SOLD 2010 R35 GTR
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08-18-2009, 07:34 AM	#9
yamahuh Private 7 Rep 56 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Georgia iTrader: (1)	I have an 2008 with 200 miles on the odometer. I had read/heard the oil needs changing every year regardless of mileage and spoke to my Service Manager. He said they will change the oil as the car was purchased in Aug 08 if I want or I can wait until the break-in is complete for the first service. Nothing was mentioned about having to drive the car more.....
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08-18-2009, 07:45 AM	#10
Georgeair Captain 80 Rep 803 Posts Drives: '08 Melbourne E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madison, MS iTrader: (2)	There are a bazillion discussions of storing cars way more finicky and valuable than ours. Get a good friend to lay it up properly and you can let it sit for a very long time with zero effect on the battery, engine, suspension, etc. It's not expensive, just take a little time. Most expensive parts will be Battery Tender, four jack stands and decent fuel stabilizer. I love this car, but continue to be amazed at some of the asinine SA stories I keep seeing here....
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08-19-2009, 11:15 AM	#12
FCP Euro Lieutenant 10 Rep 462 Posts Drives: Volvo 850 T5 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Old Saybrook, CT iTrader: (0)	As long as your car is driven around once a week, it will be fine. I know people that leave there volvos in the garage all winter and it is fine six months later. As for the college kid, I would only bring it if you have a safe place to park it. You do not want someone hitting it or keying it, or worse, it getting stolen. __________________ sales@fcpeuro.com FCP Euro - European Car Parts Specialists
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08-26-2009, 01:03 PM	#13
DC5ITR88 Private First Class 4 Rep 117 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	I would not recommend bringing it to school with u even if u had a safe place to store it. Theres going to be tons of haters around.
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08-26-2009, 04:24 PM	#15
LateBraking Brigadier General 323 Rep 3,882 Posts Drives: Relatively Quick. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.S.A. iTrader: (27)	I lean to agree with the driven once a week story as well, if you're not going to go through with Georgeair's steps, but, seriously, just do it his way. I also agree with the keying thing. When I lived on campus, and had a Toyota Solara, THAT got keyed up, hit and run all the time, and had nails put under the tires (and every car in my row). I don't trust those immature anonymous drunkards. My friend Ade took his car to Cal Poly, and got hit and run after only 48 hours of ownership. Ruined his rear left fender. And seriously, 200 miles and a 2008? Do you have a daily driver or something?
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08-26-2009, 10:33 PM	#17
artifice Major 49 Rep 1,190 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The Colony, TX iTrader: (0)	Lol take the wheels off and leave it on jacks and have someone come start it every now and then haha I kid I kid.
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