Long Term Storage

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Jun 6, 2007 | 07:58 AM

Spyder44

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From: Western Pennsylvania, USA

My Ride: 05 545i Sport, Man, Cold WX Pkg, Black Sapphire Met on Black

I am due to go back to SW Asia here in the fall and will unfortunately need to store my beloved for the entire time.

The better half will more than likely not drive it whilst I am deployed (doesn't want rear wheel drive during winter) and so I need long term storage tips. It will be inside a moderately heated garage and of course covered; but what about a trickle charger or tire considerations? Anyone else have to store their cars for long periods of time?

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated (about the storage - not the deployment)

Spyder

Jun 6, 2007 | 08:05 AM

vegastrashed

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My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe Exterior: 50% side windows / 35% rear window Formula One Pinnacle Series | Flat AMG hood emblem Suspension: Renntech Lowering Module Wheels/Tires: Radenergie R10, Falken FK452 245/30/20, Yokohama ADVAN Sport 285/25/20 ----------------------------------------- 2005 545i Sport SMG | Ti Grau | Schwarzes Dakota | Anthracite Maple | Logic 7 | Nav Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips! Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston Wheels: VIP Modular VR 02 20x9F, 20x10R | Toyo T1R 245/30/20F, 285/25/20R Lights: PIAA 4150K Xtreme White Plus fog lights, AIB v3 MOST IMPORTANT: Hardwired V1; =) ED Date: 4/7/05, Re-delivery date: 5/21/05

Put the car on 4 jack stands.

Jun 6, 2007 | 08:09 AM

Veight

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From: Gurnee, Illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyder44' post='432635' date='Jun 6 2007, 10:58 AM

I am due to go back to SW Asia here in the fall and will unfortunately need to store my beloved for the entire time.

Spyder

Definately get the $50 BMW smart charger. This thing will keep a float charge on your battery and keep the correct charge at all times. Most chargers will cause the battery to fail over time because they do not know when to turn off and cycle on. I also found out that our cars will not accept a trickle charge from a regular battery charger. The computer in the car will not pass the current through.

Im not sure on the tires but I would think you would want to remove them and stack them on their side to avoid a flat spot. Put the car up on jack stands. Fill the gas tank and use "STA-BIL" in the gasoline to prevent decomposition.

Jun 7, 2007 | 05:00 AM

525iSE

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From: Thailand

Dont leave your with brake dust on it, wet or dry, you'll come back finding your rims ruined, like me. Also make sure the car cover doesn't get wet (not even a little bit) while in storage, the water kinda makes the spots on your paint. Those are my only regrets storing my car for 3 months, while I was away on vacation. Cheers..

Jun 7, 2007 | 05:58 AM

Rudy

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From: Pittsburgh, PA USA

My Ride: G30 M550i

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Take a look at these:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=3488
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=18173
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=31954

Jun 7, 2007 | 06:31 AM

HPIA4v2

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From: Seattle, WA

My Ride: E53 E60 E92

Quote:

Im not sure on the tires but I would think you would want to remove them and stack them on their side to avoid a flat spot. Put the car up on jack stands. Fill the gas tank and use "STA-BIL" in the gasoline to prevent decomposition.

Good point.
Make sure you drive it for 15-20 minutes after adding STA-BIL so it circulate through out. Not sure if you need a full tank of gas though.
If you can fill it up before the oxigenated gas being sold at the pump(usually around November time).