Dealing with Valet parking

drvai · 12-07-2012, 04:16 PM

Im sure Im not the only one here that hates Valet parking. I really try to avoid them, but sometimes there is no option. They treat the cars like crap, scrape bumpers, etc....

Their only contribution is to increase the rates of obesity (even more!). I don´t understand why people can´t just walk.

Any tips on how to handle these parasites???

j2m · 12-07-2012, 04:23 PM

Easy now bro, I'm a Valet and I take my job very seriously!

24601 · 12-07-2012, 04:51 PM

If I know I'm going to a place that only has valet I just take another vehicle or carpool.

MDyDinanM · 12-07-2012, 04:56 PM

find another place to park nearby

gatorfast · 12-07-2012, 05:04 PM

What kind of tips are you looking for? Once you hand the keys over there isn't much you can do. If they offer it you can always throw them some $ to keep the car in front.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 12-07-2012, 05:04 PM

Find a safe place to park yourself then take a cab or walk ... I do it it works out well and when I plan to have a special meal with my significant other I'll call a cab for the round trip

works like a charm.

m3an · 12-07-2012, 05:10 PM

take it from a former valet; throw them some $$ up front a park the car yourself or let them park it up front. How could you not take the M anywhere just cause it may be valet.. I love driving my car. Spend some $$ up front to not regret anyhting later. Don't be stingy.!@

e1000 · 12-07-2012, 05:18 PM

It's just a car. Treat a valet with respect, speak to him like a human, keep your car clean, and politely ask for him to put it in a safe place. I haven't had a problem yet. Yeah of course it makes you nervous, you're handing your keys to a complete stranger, but you can do a few things to let them know your car isn't the one they want to abuse.

Dgarcia41982 · 12-07-2012, 05:21 PM

Eat at burger king!

CanAutM3 · 12-07-2012, 08:13 PM

It is not a solve everything option, but you can have your car coded with a "valet mode". It limits max RPM (usually 4500RPM). It would not prevent the scratching of bumpers but at least you know the crap will not be beaten out of the drivetrain.

I believe Mike Benvo offers this coding option and probably other tuners too.

Dovetonsils · 12-07-2012, 08:21 PM

Once you hand the keys over there isn't much you can do. If they offer it you can always throw them some $ to keep the car in front.

M4Now! · 12-07-2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drvai

Im sure Im not the only one here that hates Valet parking. I really try to avoid them, but sometimes there is no option. They treat the cars like crap, scrape bumpers, etc....

Their only contribution is to increase the rates of obesity (even more!). I dont understand why people cant just walk.

Any tips on how to handle these parasites???

Wow, that's some serious emotion... My local valets are great, leave the car up front (or ask), and I've had a single instance of someone being careless. And his boss jumped on it immediately.

KIS · 12-07-2012, 08:49 PM

I echo the sentiments of others. I love an establishment with valet parking. I've never had my car moved from the front, and usually I hold the key. Now I do pay for the privilege, but that's the way I like it. Btw, have you read the threads where a guy picks a safe spot to park his car and it is then vandalized? I'd rather have it up front.

J///M · 12-07-2012, 08:50 PM

$$$$ Talks my friend. Let them keep it up front and don't be an ass to them. They've driven far nicer cars than ours so an M isn't really that special.

dreamspeed · 12-07-2012, 09:51 PM

Usually you can separate valet places into 3 categories

1. High end place where you can have reasonable faith they will take care of your car

2. Average place where there is a decent chance your car will be scratched/scraped/dinged BUT you can find street parking

3. Average place where there is a decent chance your car will be scratched/scraped/dinged and you CAN'T find street parking

If it's option 3 i just take my civic

drvai · 12-07-2012, 10:56 PM

At least in south Florida, I frequently see (and hear) valets racing through the parking garages. I wouldn't care too much about that, but the issue is that they scrape the bumpers when going over speed bumps (which are all over parking garages).

The other issue is that not all of them really how to drive a 6MT

BPMSport · 12-08-2012, 01:06 AM

If I'm in a situation where there isn't a viable place to park myself, I'll usually pay the valet $20-$60 depending on the venue to let me park it in their lot. I think only two places in the last 4.5 years have turned it down and I had no choice but to let them park it.

And +1 to what dreamspeed said. A lot of high end places I wouldn't mind them parking it. They are driving Ferrari's and Bentleys all day anyway.

FVM3 · 12-08-2012, 01:25 AM

I will pay little more and tell them I will park myself. This always works for me

py0413 · 12-08-2012, 09:39 AM

Bus, taxi, limo

Powerbeast · 12-08-2012, 09:56 AM

Pay an extra $20 and park up front on your own.

ES_TRADER · 12-08-2012, 10:33 AM

I deal with valet with my 92 previa. They can have at it all they want. High end or not. I'm there to eat, not flash my ride in front of the door.

DBH · 12-08-2012, 11:00 AM

1) Find another place to park it yourself,
2) give valet tip in advance to self-park (try tearing $20 bill in half and give him 1/2 up front and 1/2 upon return of car),
3) drive wife's Volvo.

12-07-2012, 04:16 PM	#1
drvai Major 135 Rep 1,274 Posts Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Dealing with Valet parking Im sure Im not the only one here that hates Valet parking. I really try to avoid them, but sometimes there is no option. They treat the cars like crap, scrape bumpers, etc.... Their only contribution is to increase the rates of obesity (even more!). I don´t understand why people can´t just walk. Any tips on how to handle these parasites???
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12-07-2012, 04:23 PM	#2
j2m Colonel 180 Rep 2,446 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Calgary, Ab iTrader: (8) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [10.00]	Easy now bro, I'm a Valet and I take my job very seriously! __________________ 11' E92 M3 Space Grey \| DCT \| ESS VT2- 625 \| Gintani Race (valved) + Quad Res Catless X-Pipe \| KW Sleeve's \| GC Camber Plates\|Arkym Diffuser \| Vorsteiner VRS Lip \| P3 Boost Guage \| Stud Conversion PHOTO's: Click Here ESS VT2 625 PHOTOS: Click Here
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12-07-2012, 04:51 PM	#3
24601 Major 95 Rep 1,318 Posts Drives: Toy Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oahu, Hawaii iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 Subaru Outback [0.00] 2015 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [10.00]	If I know I'm going to a place that only has valet I just take another vehicle or carpool. __________________ Sold - 2014 F01 750Li xDrive CBM M-Sport Sold - 2013 E92 M3 SS w/ ZCP l ZPP l 2MK l 6NR l 752 Sold - 2009 E92 335i LMB M-Sport Sold - 2003 E46 M3 LSB SMG
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12-07-2012, 04:56 PM	#4
MDyDinanM OIF Veteran 246 Rep 2,106 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M5 [6.88]	find another place to park nearby
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12-07-2012, 05:04 PM	#5
gatorfast Major General 4992 Rep 6,860 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	What kind of tips are you looking for? Once you hand the keys over there isn't much you can do. If they offer it you can always throw them some $ to keep the car in front.
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12-07-2012, 05:04 PM	#6
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 612 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	Find a safe place to park yourself then take a cab or walk ... I do it it works out well and when I plan to have a special meal with my significant other I'll call a cab for the round trip works like a charm. __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found
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12-07-2012, 05:10 PM	#7
m3an Banned 39 Rep 1,590 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Florida iTrader: (2)	take it from a former valet; throw them some $$ up front a park the car yourself or let them park it up front. How could you not take the M anywhere just cause it may be valet.. I love driving my car. Spend some $$ up front to not regret anyhting later. Don't be stingy.!@
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12-07-2012, 05:18 PM	#8
e1000 that's what SHE said! 75 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (1)	It's just a car. Treat a valet with respect, speak to him like a human, keep your car clean, and politely ask for him to put it in a safe place. I haven't had a problem yet. Yeah of course it makes you nervous, you're handing your keys to a complete stranger, but you can do a few things to let them know your car isn't the one they want to abuse. __________________
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12-07-2012, 05:21 PM	#9
Dgarcia41982 Private First Class 26 Rep 198 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 sedan Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: New jersey iTrader: (0)	Eat at burger king!
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12-07-2012, 08:13 PM	#10
CanAutM3 General 21115 Rep 20,741 Posts Drives: 2021 911 turbo Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 Audi RS6 [10.00] 2021 Porsche 911 turbo [10.00]	It is not a solve everything option, but you can have your car coded with a "valet mode". It limits max RPM (usually 4500RPM). It would not prevent the scratching of bumpers but at least you know the crap will not be beaten out of the drivetrain. I believe Mike Benvo offers this coding option and probably other tuners too. Last edited by CanAutM3; 12-07-2012 at 08:21 PM..
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12-07-2012, 08:21 PM	#11
Dovetonsils Banned 0 Rep 62 Posts Drives: nice Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: baode iTrader: (0)	Once you hand the keys over there isn't much you can do. If they offer it you can always throw them some $ to keep the car in front.
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12-07-2012, 08:49 PM	#13
KIS Lieutenant 38 Rep 543 Posts Drives: 2015 Jaguar F Type R Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (0)	I echo the sentiments of others. I love an establishment with valet parking. I've never had my car moved from the front, and usually I hold the key. Now I do pay for the privilege, but that's the way I like it. Btw, have you read the threads where a guy picks a safe spot to park his car and it is then vandalized? I'd rather have it up front.
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12-07-2012, 08:50 PM	#14
J///M Private 18 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 2015 AW M4 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (3)	$$$$ Talks my friend. Let them keep it up front and don't be an ass to them. They've driven far nicer cars than ours so an M isn't really that special.
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12-07-2012, 09:51 PM	#15
dreamspeed Lieutenant Colonel 260 Rep 1,616 Posts Drives: 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Usually you can separate valet places into 3 categories 1. High end place where you can have reasonable faith they will take care of your car 2. Average place where there is a decent chance your car will be scratched/scraped/dinged BUT you can find street parking 3. Average place where there is a decent chance your car will be scratched/scraped/dinged and you CAN'T find street parking If it's option 3 i just take my civic
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12-07-2012, 10:56 PM	#16
drvai Major 135 Rep 1,274 Posts Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	At least in south Florida, I frequently see (and hear) valets racing through the parking garages. I wouldn't care too much about that, but the issue is that they scrape the bumpers when going over speed bumps (which are all over parking garages). The other issue is that not all of them really how to drive a 6MT
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12-08-2012, 01:06 AM	#17
BPMSport BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3387 Rep 7,541 Posts Drives: Harrop M3 / F10 M5 / F82 M4 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (9) Garage List 2000 BMW M5 [0.00] 1990 BMW 735i Turbo [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 [7.50] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M5 [0.00]	If I'm in a situation where there isn't a viable place to park myself, I'll usually pay the valet $20-$60 depending on the venue to let me park it in their lot. I think only two places in the last 4.5 years have turned it down and I had no choice but to let them park it. And +1 to what dreamspeed said. A lot of high end places I wouldn't mind them parking it. They are driving Ferrari's and Bentleys all day anyway. __________________ -----\| Like us on Facebook \| Instagram \|\| Tuning Information \| Remote Coding \|----- ----Visit us at www.BPMSport.com - Emotion. Driven. \| Toll Free: (888) 557-5133----
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12-08-2012, 01:25 AM	#18
FVM3 Major General 273 Rep 5,751 Posts Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	I will pay little more and tell them I will park myself. This always works for me
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12-08-2012, 09:39 AM	#19
py0413 Major 110 Rep 1,291 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: BC iTrader: (2)	Bus, taxi, limo __________________ Must stop eating..............
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12-08-2012, 09:56 AM	#20
Powerbeast Lieutenant General 5408 Rep 10,825 Posts Drives: F80 M3 RarriRot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4)	Pay an extra $20 and park up front on your own.
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12-08-2012, 10:33 AM	#21
ES_TRADER Colonel 344 Rep 2,928 Posts Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 Ford Raptor [0.00] 2012 328i E92 [10.00] 2013 X5 [0.00] 2013 335i F30 [8.00] 1990 Toyota Previa [0.00] 1997 E36 M3 [10.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 535i [0.00]	I deal with valet with my 92 previa. They can have at it all they want. High end or not. I'm there to eat, not flash my ride in front of the door.
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12-08-2012, 11:00 AM	#22
DBH First Lieutenant 3 Rep 349 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	1) Find another place to park it yourself, 2) give valet tip in advance to self-park (try tearing $20 bill in half and give him 1/2 up front and 1/2 upon return of car), 3) drive wife's Volvo.
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