Storing a cabriolet safely for a long period - HELP!

Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:24 pm

Hey guys,

gonna be out of the country for about 7 months anfd I am putting my E30 cabriolet in a garage. I have no one to start the car when I am gone. So I have 3 questions
1. I have a hardtop - should I remove the hard top so that the hood is in the up position during winter
2. Someone told me that I should drain the oil or the engine could get damaged when it is finally started. Is this true.
3. I was also told that I should disconnect the battery, how true is this

Any other advice you can give me to keep my car in good working order for when I return?

Thanks for the help.

Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:45 pm

keep hood up and disconnect battery,oil will be fine,change it on return,make sure coolant is ok i.e enough antifreeze.that should do it

Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:50 pm

B7's method would be the way i would go - http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 1&start=75

Tue Oct 04, 2011 7:18 pm

Saved me typing it out. Cheers

Basically, get it off the ground (air between the tyres and floor and suspension fully extended, hood up, windows cracked open and a good cover over it. Invest in a trickle charger to keep the battery good and the SI batteries in order. And the colant needs to be in good order and correct strength in case we get another ultra cold snap.

Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:58 pm

I won't have any power source in the Garage I have rented. What should I do since I cannot use a trickle charger?

Tue Oct 04, 2011 10:42 pm

Long shot but you can buy solar ones. Not sure how good they are but if you could get it outside the garage where it would see daylight? Maybe the roof?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solar-Powered ... 27be1a11f0

The only other thing to do is remove the battery completely and hope the SI batteries are good enough condition to recover when the battery is recharged and fitted when your ready.