Store on a lift longer than 2 months' bad for the suspension?

[nutmegchoi]

Beloved E92 is going to be winterized in a month.
It'll be stored from December to March.
One of my option is store at a shop on a lift.
I was wondering if it's bad for the suspension.

How do you normally stow for the winter?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[GT3 Tim]

Storing it on a lift should be fine...either that or jack stands (basically the same thing when you think about it). It is what I would prefer (luckily I dont have to do that in CA!)

I would NOT simply park it...bad for the tires I would think.

[Beemdog]

Modern tires don't really "flat spot" anymore (keep 'em properly inflated). You can sometimes detect a vibration when first driving on a stored-car tire, but it goes away in a few miles. Ask the guys at Tire Rack...

[mtecnic]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

Modern tires don't really "flat spot" anymore (keep 'em properly inflated). You can sometimes detect a vibration when first driving on a stored-car tire, but it goes away in a few miles. Ask the guys at Tire Rack...

True story. I have to keep mine on tires in my garage in the winter in Wisconsin here. I always noticed a little weirdness in the tires on the first drive but after a few miles or after they've warmed a little it goes away.

[iansanderson]

storing a car on a lift is the preferred way to store. It removes the load off the suspension (dampeners, springs, bushings, ball joints) and keeps your car further away from moisture. If the shop is active, I would definitely invest in the BMW Noah car cover.

[m3ray]

2 months is not storing your car.

[nutmegchoi]

Thank you, guys!
Knowing it's better option makes me feel much better.
Appreciate your inputs!!

[nutmegchoi]

Originally Posted by m3ray

2 months is not storing your car.

I have a winter car as well, so I don't really want to put M on the winter road with slippery condition and salt.
I can live without M 4 months a year to preserve the beauty.

[7500rich]

I've been told the opposite, having the car on a lift or jack stands for extended periods of time is bad for the suspension. I may have been given false information, but I believe it's because the weight of the wheels essentially pulling on the suspension.

I too store mine for the winter with the following method

- oil change
- fill gas tank, add stabilizer
- full detail in/out
- pump up tires to max psi as stamped on side of tire
- bought some rubbery floor overlay to park car on
- dryer sheets in exhaust and intake
- battery tender
- full car cover

Done this the past two years and will be doing again within the next couple weekends. It'll be stored for about 5 months

[njdrive]

Originally Posted by 7499rich

I've been told the opposite, having the car on a lift or jack stands for extended periods of time is bad for the suspension. I may have been given false information, but I believe it's because the weight of the wheels essentially pulling on the suspension.

I too store mine for the winter with the following method

- oil change
- fill gas tank, add stabilizer
- full detail in/out
- pump up tires to max psi as stamped on side of tire
- bought some rubbery floor overlay to park car on
- dryer sheets in exhaust and intake
- battery tender
- full car cover

Done this the past two years and will be doing again within the next couple weekends. It'll be stored for about 5 months

Why the dryer sheets in the exhaust and the rubbery floor overlay?

[JDM_CL9]

Originally Posted by njdrive

Why the dryer sheets in the exhaust and the rubbery floor overlay?

Dryer sheets keep the bugs out, and rubbery floor overlay acts as a temperature barrier between your tires and the freezing concrete floor (further protecting from flat spots).

[badbeef]

I don't drive it much in the winter, but I do once a month or so...when the salt on the road is low or gone. When you do, just make sure you drive it for 30 minutes or so to ensure the engine gets fully up to temp and any moisture can be eradicated. As others have said you can tell the tire flat spots for a few miles, but it goes away. I wouldn't store it all winter without driving it. I think that's harder on the car. Then in the spring change the oil. This has been serving me well with a few cars over a 12 year period. Dryer sheets, battery tender, and socks/balls in the exhaust are other good preventative maintenance...as are visually inspecting for rodents weekly.

[TVMA Doc]

Originally Posted by mtecnic

True story. I have to keep mine on tires in my garage in the winter in Wisconsin here. I always noticed a little weirdness in the tires on the first drive but after a few miles or after they've warmed a little it goes away.

My S2000 sits for several weeks at a time and I've also noticed that any indication of flat spotting resolves very quickly. The worst issue will be battery tending.