M3 Storage

Yoddha · 08-16-2014, 05:15 PM

Hello guys,

I have been doing some search on the forums, but am not too certain on the topic, so I just wanted to clarify the information with you guys. I am going away to university and will be gone for approximately four months. My M3 is going to be stored in my garage and will not be moved for the next four months. What would your guys' recommendation be for storage and to keep the car in great condition for when I return. I want to put it on a battery tender, but I am worried that leaving it connected for four months will cause more harm than good. Thank you all for your time and advice.

Warmest Regards,

Ashwin

///M Power-Belgium · 08-16-2014, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M__3__R__A__G__E

Hello guys,

I have been doing some search on the forums, but am not too certain on the topic, so I just wanted to clarify the information with you guys. I am going away to university and will be gone for approximately four months. My M3 is going to be stored in my garage and will not be moved for the next four months. What would your guys' recommendation be for storage and to keep the car in great condition for when I return. I want to put it on a battery tender, but I am worried that leaving it connected for four months will cause more harm than good. Thank you all for your time and advice.

Warmest Regards,

Ashwin

No worries , i'm doing exactly the same thing and that every winter (hibernation) !

1- Fuel here up 100 % with a good fuel stabilizer
2- Oil change
3- Tire pressure up to 4 persones (avoid flat spots)
4- Hook here up with a good battery tender , here is mine with pics # 26 on this page > http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...1#post15488771
And yesterday here with video on this page > # 13 on this page >http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...#post164743515
6- Car cover if you think it's needed .
7- No worries...your car is now ready to leave it !

Yoddha · 08-16-2014, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

No worries , i'm doing exactly the same thing and that every winter (hibernation) !

1- Fuel here up 100 % with a good fuel stabilizer
2- Oil change
3- Tire pressure up to 4 persones (avoid flat spots)
4- Hook here up with a good battery tender , here is mine with pics # 26 on this page > http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...1#post15488771
And yesterday here with video on this page > # 13 on this page >http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...#post164743515
6- Car cover if you think it's needed .
7- No worries...your car is now ready to leave it !

Thanks for the prompt response and detailed information!! So it's ok to leave the tender on for four months?

///M Power-Belgium · 08-16-2014, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M__3__R__A__G__E

Thanks for the prompt response and detailed information!! So it's ok to leave the tender on for four months?

There is no problem with a CTEK battery charger ,works just perfect and for years !
In winter it's connected to my battery for 3-4 months every year , other seasons every weekend ones overnight !
Keeps the battery in top condition and prolongs the life time of the battery !
I've the 2 O rings on + & - poles of the battery always connected , and so with one central connector I charge it takes 5-10 secondes ...so easy and quick !
Actualy it's a must have for our cars...
Here is more >

http://smartercharger.com/

Yoddha · 08-16-2014, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

There is no problem with a CTEK battery charger ,works just perfect and for years !
In winter it's connected to my battery for 3-4 months every year , other seasons every weekend ones overnight !
Keeps the battery in top condition and prolongs the life time of the battery !
I've the 2 O rings on + & - poles of the battery always connected , and so with one central connector I charge it takes 5-10 secondes ...so easy and quick !
Actualy it's a must have for our cars...
Here is more >

http://smartercharger.com/

Thanks mate!! I Will follow these steps

///M Power-Belgium · 08-16-2014, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M__3__R__A__G__E

Thanks mate!! I Will follow these steps

Glad to help an ///M3 buddy in SF ! All my pleasure....

Yoddha · 08-16-2014, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Quote:

Originally Posted by M__3__R__A__G__E

Thanks mate!! I Will follow these steps

Glad to help an ///M3 buddy in SF ! All my pleasure....

When I'm back I will definitely message you so we can go for a drive!!

///M Power-Belgium · 08-16-2014, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M__3__R__A__G__E

When I'm back I will definitely message you so we can go for a drive!!

Would love it ! But we are not neighbours...not sure if you saw my location ?

Krockit1 · 08-16-2014, 08:34 PM

If the is any possibility of mice getting in your car, put cheap fabric softener sheets under the hood, in the trunk, and one on a front and back floor mat. I put them all down on an old magazine to prevent staining. Keeps Mickey Mouse and his gang outta there!

MdMfan · 08-16-2014, 10:12 PM

Stored my M last winter. Did all of the above - battery tender, fuel stabilizer/full tank of gas, oil change, good wash, increased tire inflation, dryer sheets to keep mice away (also put some moth balls in the exhaust tips to keep mice out of there). Car was perfect after 4 months of storage.

Yoddha · 08-17-2014, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krockit1

If the is any possibility of mice getting in your car, put cheap fabric softener sheets under the hood, in the trunk, and one on a front and back floor mat. I put them all down on an old magazine to prevent staining. Keeps Mickey Mouse and his gang outta there!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MdMfan

Stored my M last winter. Did all of the above - battery tender, fuel stabilizer/full tank of gas, oil change, good wash, increased tire inflation, dryer sheets to keep mice away (also put some moth balls in the exhaust tips to keep mice out of there). Car was perfect after 4 months of storage.

I really don't understand where to put the dryer sheets and how many you use. It doesn't make much sense

CBS · 08-17-2014, 08:36 AM

Wow! Never thought about mice.

I've stored my E90 M3 in my Garage the last few years HOWEVER this year will be the first time the E90 and E30 will be stored offsite. Damn, thanks for that tip!

Krockit1 · 08-17-2014, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M__3__R__A__G__E

I really don't understand where to put the dryer sheets and how many you use. It doesn't make much sense

I know, I thought it was nuts too. But got tired of the mothball smell in my boat each spring when a tech at the marina clued me into the dryer sheet thing. Nasty odor gone and no mice.

Just a single sheet laid flat on an old magazine, on the driver's floormat, right rear passenger's floor mat, atop the intake under the hood and in the middle of the trunk. No mice.

b-thumper · 08-17-2014, 10:19 AM

If it were me, I'd also see if you can find a gas station that sells fuel with no ethanol. Looking at pure-gas.org, it looks like the nearest station is in San Jose. Bummer!

///M Power-Belgium · 08-17-2014, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MdMfan

Stored my M last winter. Did all of the above - battery tender, fuel stabilizer/full tank of gas, oil change, good wash, increased tire inflation, dryer sheets to keep mice away (also put some moth balls in the exhaust tips to keep mice out of there). Car was perfect after 4 months of storage.

Mice ?!?!
Never heard or saw mice case in cars like ours ? C'mon...

BaseM3 · 08-17-2014, 11:07 AM

I would store my e36 M3 for months at a time. One other thing I did than mentioned above was to get a container of damp rid and put it on the rear floorboard on a piece of cardboard and close all the vents. This will prevent mold from growing in a damp environment like here in Florida.

modkrazy · 08-17-2014, 02:35 PM

Mice jacking an M3? Pinky and the Brain are really getting out of hand with their schemes.

///WeissBisBlau · 08-17-2014, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

1- Fuel here up 100 % with a good fuel

Just curious here. Why is it important for the fuel tank to be at 100%?

BaseM3 · 08-17-2014, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///WeissBlitz76

Just curious here. Why is it important for the fuel tank to be at 100%?

condensation

badbeef · 08-17-2014, 08:49 PM

I would put a ball in the exhaust tips as well to keep out critters. I have never used the dryer sheets, but many in the Porsche forums swear by them.

sig5x · 08-17-2014, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbeef

I would put a ball in the exhaust tips as well to keep out critters. I have never used the dryer sheets, but many in the Porsche forums swear by them.

I agree, and a sock could also be used to close off the exhaust tips from critters. My MPE came with some cool sock tips, but I didn't get them back after it was installed. Two pairs of old socks will do the trick, though.

I also use a CTEK maintainer for my car. Does the trick and can be left on for months at a time. Works great. I use the under hood jump-start points for it.

Nola 32/65 · 08-18-2014, 12:12 AM

I don't have to store anything right now but if I do, I learned some good tips in here!

08-16-2014, 05:15 PM	#1
Yoddha Captain 251 Rep 817 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [0.00]	M3 Storage Hello guys, I have been doing some search on the forums, but am not too certain on the topic, so I just wanted to clarify the information with you guys. I am going away to university and will be gone for approximately four months. My M3 is going to be stored in my garage and will not be moved for the next four months. What would your guys' recommendation be for storage and to keep the car in great condition for when I return. I want to put it on a battery tender, but I am worried that leaving it connected for four months will cause more harm than good. Thank you all for your time and advice. Warmest Regards, Ashwin
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08-16-2014, 08:34 PM	#9
Krockit1 First Lieutenant 51 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Dousman, WI iTrader: (0)	If the is any possibility of mice getting in your car, put cheap fabric softener sheets under the hood, in the trunk, and one on a front and back floor mat. I put them all down on an old magazine to prevent staining. Keeps Mickey Mouse and his gang outta there! __________________ As a matter of fact, I did steal it
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08-16-2014, 10:12 PM	#10
MdMfan New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Stored my M last winter. Did all of the above - battery tender, fuel stabilizer/full tank of gas, oil change, good wash, increased tire inflation, dryer sheets to keep mice away (also put some moth balls in the exhaust tips to keep mice out of there). Car was perfect after 4 months of storage.
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08-17-2014, 08:36 AM	#12
CBS Major 87 Rep 1,253 Posts Drives: F10535, E90M3, E30M3, E28M5 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Alpina B6 GC [0.00] 2014 535xi M Sport [0.00] 2014 X3 3.5 M Sport [0.00] 2011 M3 E90 [9.74] 2007 Z4 M Coupe [7.00] 1990 M3 [9.50] 1988 M5 [10.00]	Wow! Never thought about mice. I've stored my E90 M3 in my Garage the last few years HOWEVER this year will be the first time the E90 and E30 will be stored offsite. Damn, thanks for that tip! __________________ ESS VT-1 550 \| M24 Oil Cooler \| Fall Line Half Cage \| RaceTech 4009W \| 6 pt Harness \| Lifeline Zero 360 Fire Suppression \| Rear Seat Delete \| Motion Control DA Dampers w/remote reservoirs \| 900/650 Hyperco Springs \| RD Sport Sway Bars \| Brembo 380 BBK \| GC Camber Plates \| Hoosier R7 \| Eisenmann Sport \| Stack Gauges \| Painted Challenge Front Lip \| Painted ZCP Rear Spoiler \| Xpel Ultimate Film \| LuxAngelEyes
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08-17-2014, 10:19 AM	#14
b-thumper Atlantic != Atlantis 90 Rep 171 Posts Drives: German Cars Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chevy Chase, MD iTrader: (0)	If it were me, I'd also see if you can find a gas station that sells fuel with no ethanol. Looking at pure-gas.org, it looks like the nearest station is in San Jose. Bummer! __________________ '05 M3 ZCP (OEM CSL Goodness) / '02 S4 (OEM RS4 Goodness) / '03 RS6 (Nogaro!) / '21 RS6 / '17 C2S / '19 718 Boxster GTS
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08-17-2014, 11:07 AM	#16
BaseM3 Second Lieutenant 42 Rep 213 Posts Drives: 2011 Space Grey M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Jacksonville fl iTrader: (1)	I would store my e36 M3 for months at a time. One other thing I did than mentioned above was to get a container of damp rid and put it on the rear floorboard on a piece of cardboard and close all the vents. This will prevent mold from growing in a damp environment like here in Florida. __________________ 11 Space Grey, M-DCT Base M3
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08-17-2014, 02:35 PM	#17
modkrazy Lieutenant Colonel 171 Rep 1,536 Posts Drives: m3 Join Date: May 2014 Location: tx iTrader: (1)	Mice jacking an M3? Pinky and the Brain are really getting out of hand with their schemes.
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08-17-2014, 08:49 PM	#20
badbeef Second Lieutenant 49 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 3 pedals Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	other I would put a ball in the exhaust tips as well to keep out critters. I have never used the dryer sheets, but many in the Porsche forums swear by them.
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08-18-2014, 12:12 AM	#22
Nola 32/65 First Lieutenant 24 Rep 317 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 ZCP M3 6MT Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New Orleans iTrader: (0)	I don't have to store anything right now but if I do, I learned some good tips in here!
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