If you're thinking of using LHR Valet Parking....

[nsm3]

Saw a roque luggage trolley smash into the back of an AM at Manchester airport in valet parking. Reported it to the operator as we collected our 'beater', but they didn't seem overly interested?

[s2000db]

Take a taxi....

[g7jhp]

Not sure why anyone would trust a valet parking company with any car let alone a Porsche. Either allow extra time or take a taxi.

[ClaphamGT3]

I have used Valet parking many times a year for about 15 years and never had an issue. I cannot see what the hate is. At the end of the day, it is just a car and could just as easily get a minor ding in a long-stay car park or outside your own home

[gtsralph]

Use the POD Business Parking if at T5

[g7jhp]

ClaphamGT3 said:

I have used Valet parking many times a year for about 15 years and never had an issue. I cannot see what the hate is. At the end of the day, it is just a car and could just as easily get a minor ding in a long-stay car park or outside your own home

The Porsche lives in a garage and doesn't do long-stay car parks. The family beater is used when airport parking is required, but I still wouldn't use valet parking as you're not in control of how it's treated and parked. I get a taxi heading to the airport on business which cuts out all the stress anyway.

[james S]

I have had two similar incidents with valet parking companies. In one case they had actually managed to break the gearbox. I accept accidents happen but what really bothers me is their absolute refusal to take any responsibility, or even engage in any constructive dialogue even when the evidence is absolute and apparent for all to see.

I only use them with cars I don't particularly care about.

[ClaphamGT3]

g7jhp said:

ClaphamGT3 said:

I have used Valet parking many times a year for about 15 years and never had an issue. I cannot see what the hate is. At the end of the day, it is just a car and could just as easily get a minor ding in a long-stay car park or outside your own home

The Porsche lives in a garage and doesn't do long-stay car parks. The family beater is used when airport parking is required, but I still wouldn't use valet parking as you're not in control of how it's treated and parked. I get a taxi heading to the airport on business which cuts out all the stress anyway.

Each to their own. I personally can't see any point in owning a car if you can't or won't use it for everyday things

[turbobloke]

ClaphamGT3 said:

g7jhp said:

ClaphamGT3 said:

I have used Valet parking many times a year for about 15 years and never had an issue. I cannot see what the hate is. At the end of the day, it is just a car and could just as easily get a minor ding in a long-stay car park or outside your own home

The Porsche lives in a garage and doesn't do long-stay car parks. The family beater is used when airport parking is required, but I still wouldn't use valet parking as you're not in control of how it's treated and parked. I get a taxi heading to the airport on business which cuts out all the stress anyway.

Each to their own. I personally can't see any point in owning a car if you can't or won't use it for everyday things

A golf fanatic colleague who sees cars as white goods once said something similar...not that I'm attributing that viewpoint to you. The position looking back from my side was that he should then take to the next golf course armed with a putter only, or perhaps a sand wedge only. Who needs more than one golf club?

I could walk around a golf course tapping the ball along with a putter enjoying the scenery as it wouldn't matter at all how often the club touched the ball on the way round - I'm not remotely interested in golf but enjoy walking. Being interested in cars I have more than one because they do different jobs, and I want to select the most appropriate for the job given that it's an option. As such, parking at LHR would mean that the everyday car got used...it's a 7-series with a reasonable V8 and is hardly a burden to use.

When I was running the 911T it was rarely used for journeys other than A to A due to choice. It did go to the Pod and other stuff but mostly A to A and would never have been parked at LHR.

[turbobloke]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Likewise, even for the snotter 7. Given I'm capable of driving carefully and parking carefully, I'll give myself time to do both

[davek_964]

Many years ago, our business travel included valet parking, using a firm with a colour similar to mauve in the name.

I keep change in my car for car parks - usually between £10 and £20 in coins. One of the drivers stole it. I stopped using valet parking at that point, event for cars I don't much care about.

[g7jhp]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Each to their own. I personally can't see any point in owning a car if you can't or won't use it for everyday things

I agree and my car gets used as required, but I limit exposure to damage where possible and airport valet is asking for trouble IMO. Especially when you have use of a family beater.

[Phil B]

So I learnt my lesson but had wrongly assumed that since they inspect your car on departure that they must also recognise they have some responsibility for it. The exotica you see parked at T5 Valet lulled me into a false sense of security. Never again.

[ClaphamGT3]

g7jhp said:

ClaphamGT3 said:

Each to their own. I personally can't see any point in owning a car if you can't or won't use it for everyday things

I agree and my car gets used as required, but I limit exposure to damage where possible and airport valet is asking for trouble IMO. Especially when you have use of a family beater.

I come back to having had perhaps over 200 experiences of valet parking and. Ever having had a single issue

[turbobloke]

ClaphamGT3 said:

g7jhp said:

ClaphamGT3 said:

Each to their own. I personally can't see any point in owning a car if you can't or won't use it for everyday things

I agree and my car gets used as required, but I limit exposure to damage where possible and airport valet is asking for trouble IMO. Especially when you have use of a family beater.

I come back to having had perhaps over 200 experiences of valet parking and. Ever having had a single issue

That's excellent news, and as per our posts (which mention choice and so on) we all make choices and have to take the consequences valet parking isn't for me but it's OK for others and no criticism of anyone is due.

[Sheepshanks]

ClaphamGT3 said:

I come back to having had perhaps over 200 experiences of valet parking and. Ever having had a single issue

Apparently the OPs issue was a small scratch on the door.

If you're the kind of person who wouldn't even notice that, much less be bothered about it, then valet parking is fine.


My issue with it is they can shunt the cars around frequently so a lot of cold starts and stops and/or extended periods with the engine left idling.

[turbobloke]

For those rare occasions when a valet-parked car is taken on a joyride - this ought to catch on, even then it only tells you after the fact!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-272...