Car Covers?

Post Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:07 pm

The E30 is going to be used less from now on, perhaps once a week/fortnight.. will be kept on a drive way in the mean time.. What's everyones best thoughts on protecting it from the elements?

Always been against car covers since I saw what happened to my old mans classic Mercedes.. Lets just say rising damp and condensation set in!

What does everyone else do if they don't have the luxury of a garage?

Post Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:32 pm

Hi mate,

I had asked the same not so long ago: http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

Hope this helps.

Post Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:38 pm

Cheers mate..

Did you get the storm force? Says it breathable, can anyone confirm?

I have a phobia since sitting in my dads car and seeing moisture EVERYWHERE! Sure to send my car on a one way trip to China.

Post Sun Jan 11, 2015 3:33 pm

So things to consider

Make sure it is strapped down. If they flap in the wind they will damage the paint
Do NOT leave it covered for extended periods. Paint can micro blister

Post Sun Jan 11, 2015 4:23 pm

Cheers Kos

When you say extended periods, you're talking months right? Not a couple of weeks?

Have you had any experience with the storm force?

Post Sun Jan 11, 2015 4:34 pm

diable wrote:Can you not rent a garage?

Not anymore.. i've been on the kingston waiting list for about 6 months.. but moving the E30 to my parents in essex, and the local council website has no mention of renting garages... got myself a little Peugeot as a daily

Post Sun Jan 11, 2015 4:52 pm

I currently have two breathable car covers on my shell. One is from halfrauds, the other off eBay.

I myself was in doubt whether car covers do more harm than good, however from what I noticed on mine it keeps it protected/ dry from the rain as they are waterproof and although condensation does build up on the roof (the worst place a˜) during cold frosty nights, it isn't as bad as my cars that are not covered and it soon dries in the morning or when it's windy a˜„.

As for interior I keep the rear quarter windows open with military grade dehumidifier bags placed in the footwells and boot. Although a bit worried the dehumidifiers may cause the new dashboard to dry and crack it's been good so far.

I second Kos's comment on keeping the covers fairly tight as not to damage the paintwork (I'm not too bothered about the scratches as it will be resprayed anyway one day).

Post Sun Jan 11, 2015 4:54 pm

Also I take the covers off every 2-3 weeks and open the doors and boot to let it breath a˜„

Post Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:00 pm

Whoa those are cheap around your ends, here they are going for £100pcm a˜³

Post Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:56 pm

Storm force covers are a total pile of sh*t. True as previous comments state they micro blister the paint if left for long periods of time as has happened to me, not only this but i had mine for just over a year and it did not stand up well to the elements. It faded in many important places, ripped and has holes in it. not impressed for a so called breathable cover, and for the price you pay it certainly isn't worth it. Stay clear.

Post Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:43 am

High Wycombe

http://www.gumtree.com/flats-and-houses ... distance=3

Post Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:13 pm

fudge_sta wrote:Storm force covers are a total pile of sh*t. True as previous comments state they micro blister the paint if left for long periods of time as has happened to me, not only this but i had mine for just over a year and it did not stand up well to the elements. It faded in many important places, ripped and has holes in it. not impressed for a so called breathable cover, and for the price you pay it certainly isn't worth it. Stay clear.

Thanks for the heads up!

I was just looking at one from the cover company.. website made it seem like good quality covers, and they seem to do loads of quality control testing. They don't however display their prices.

Sent off for a quote, and they came back to me this morning, with £430

for a car cover!

Post Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:35 pm

You could try to get a NLA genuine one from the States..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-OEM-FACTORY ... b7&vxp=mtr

Post Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:09 pm

e30Passion wrote:You could try to get a NLA genuine one from the States..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-OEM-FACTORY ... b7&vxp=mtr

Looks good, although when you add postage and customs tax, it's a bit risky seeing as the effectiveness would be based on his description alone.

I think he's reluctant to post abroad as well.

Post Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:11 pm

This may help...also do Noah Car Covers...

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/Stor ... oCF17w_wcB

Post Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:51 pm

Gavla wrote:This may help...also do Noah Car Covers...

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/Stor ... oCF17w_wcB

Thanks pal, I'll check it out