Keeping my E46 stored

[Smartass]

I'm planning to spend the next year working abroad and will only get back to the UK for one weekend a month at best. Anyone got any tips for keeping my 03 E46 330Ci in good condition despite spending weeks parked outside my flat?

I'm definitely going to put a cover on it, but what do you guys know about trickle chargers? Would I have to run a mains lead out of my flat to run one?

[sniff petrol]

Can you not lend it someone you trust for a year? Would be best to keep it fired up once a week or so TBH. If not then give it a oil and coolant change, over inflate the tyres to prevent flat spots, give it a good clean and polish and put it under a cover in a nice dry garage with the handbrake off. Leave it with a solar trickle charger attached. When you come round to recommisioning the car, take it for a once over at a local garage just to check everything's OK.

[Mattt]

Is it not worth selling it, buying a snotter for the year, then buying another one when you get back properly? You could probably trade up to an M3 once you take into account the saving of depreciation.

[belleair302]

I would get the car stored properly. Pay a company to store your car where it is secure, they will keep the battery, fluids, tyres etc checked and in a temperature controlled environment. Lots of these places around and well worth the investment considering your car. Where are you based?

[MitchT]

Sell it and buy another when you get back. The way the economy's headed used cars will be ten a penny in a year or so... especially luxury cars as many have been funded with mortgage equity withdrawal from overpriced sh*tholes and the owners can no longer afford it what with bills going through the roof and cheap credit disappearing.

[phelix]

Outdoors covers are a pain in the proverbial, IMHO. Unless the car and inside of the cover are spotless the trapped dirt scuffs the paint as you cover and uncover the car. And they're hard to secure from moving at least a little bit on a windy day and that adds more hairline scratches. Can you be sure that the car will be clean and dry every time you go to cover it in preparation for leaving to go away for another month? And if the cover's soaking wet when you come back where do you put the blessed thing?

Selling the car is something to seriously consider; your car is of an age where depreciation is still significant. For the road tax, MOT fee and insurance alone you can probably just about hire a car once a weekend every month.

[Pickled Piper]

I stored an E30 3 series many years ago when I worked abroad. If you are intent on keeping it, by far the best thing to do is get someone to start it for you and run it every couple of weeks.

Trickle chargers will need a mains lead. There are solar powered ones available but have been advised they are a complete waste of time.

Think about selling it and getting a new one on your return.

pp

[sniff petrol]

Pickled Piper said:

Trickle chargers will need a mains lead. There are solar powered ones available but have been advised they are a complete waste of time.

I have a 1.5watt maplins one on my track car and it works fine. For a bigger car with more drain you could always use 2 together if one isn't enough.

[Smartass]

Thanks for the input folks. I think I'll go with professional storage. I've been shopping around and it looks like I can have the car stored with a "start up and run" program and fluid monitoring for less than £100 a month so I'll go for that option. Still less than renting a Fiesta for my weekends at home...