Please bear with me, long post, lot's to explain.

I just (a week ago) picked up a 2009 MCS with 71K on the clock. It's in great shape, well maintained, etc. I have hopes it will be a good car.

We also have a 2014 Ford Explorer that is my wife's company car. Gas, maintenance, insurance, all paid for. If it's around, this is the car we drive.

We also have a 1988 BMW 325i convertible. The car is in amazing shape, is my baby, and is driven about once a week when the weather is nice.

We have an ordinance in our village that no cars can be parked on the street overnight during the week. We have a very short driveway -- 148", the only car that will fit is the Mini. So, if the Explorer is at home, the Mini has to sleep in the driveway.

I work from home, the kids walk to school, and if the trip is inside 5 miles, I'll ride my bike (even in winter) so It's not unusual for the mini not to drive for a 3-4 day stretch -- sometimes up to a week.

So, do I just let the mini sit in the driveway when it's not being used, or...

do I move it into the garage each morning when I can park the Explorer on the street, and then move it back to the driveway at night? The tradeoff is wear and tear on the engine vs. the car sitting in the sun all the damn time.

I should also mention that I'm in Milwaukee, so hot summers (usually) and cold, snowy winters -- lotsa salt on the roads.

What would you do?

 

i would hang the exploder over the street from the driveway

 

Not to sound nasty but , move...

 

Do you have a lawn that could be graveled or paved over for parking?

Or,

I have four cars in my three car garage, I have one car, an MG, parked sideways across the back. Is there room to put the car you drive the least across the back wall of your garage and still get the other two cars inside? Four Harbor Freight wheel dollies make turning the back car sideways easy.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb...-pc-61283.html

Dave

 

No real way to park a car on the lawn. That might change in the spring, but I've got at least one winter of the current situation.

Our garage is TINY. 2 cars barely fit when one is the Explorer.

The reality is, the Mini is going to sleep outside -- unless I sell the e30, which I really don't want to do. I'm just trying to figure out the best solution with that being the case. I'm leaning to leaving it outside, and making sure it stays clean and heavily waxed. I'll treat the interior with UV protectant, put a shade in the windscreen, and hope for the best.

 

Ahh...first world problems.

Seriously, I wouldn't worry about the wear on the engine when you start the Mini to move it inside.

 

Amen to that!

 

Get a car cover for the MINI. Issue solved!

 

I thought that a cover on a car that's not freshly washed is going to scratch the hell out of the paint? Otherwise, yes. A cover is a good solution.

 

Only if it is not strapped down securely. If securely strapped down so that it cannot move in the wind it shouldn't be a problem. It is repeated movement of the cover on a dirty car that causes clearcoat scratching. Even then, clearcoat scratches are easily removed with a PC if you use the correct pads and products.

 

Food for thought. I suppose any damage that might be caused from the scratches would be less than leaving the car exposed to the elements.

 

Do you have a little old lady neighbor with a two-car garage and only one car? Work out a rental agreement, do odd jobs for her, etc.

 

I'm working on that angle too. However, because of the street parking restrictions, garage space goes for a premium around here. SWMBO already thinks I'm spending too much of the kids college education on the e30.

The path of least resistance is key here

 

Car cover is a good solution. If it makes you feel better, wipe it down with a 'quik detailer' type product before covering. That's less of a solution in the winter, but that's what tradeoffs are about.

 

I have a similar problem with a little twist to yours. I have a Mini, my wife has a Boxster that she only drives during the summer (stored in the winter), and she has a mini-van that she keeps at the house year-round. She won't get rid of either the Boxster or the van and we are left doing the driveway shuffle during the summer. Since she won't budge, there's no good solution, which sounds like your issue...except you have two fun cars and your wife has a the workhorse (I'm bettin' she's brought this to your attention).


We also sort of share a driveway with somebody that has a history of running into anything parked in the driveway. It's always something.

 

I sort of have the same problem. I live in a townhouse with a shared driveway, so the MINI gets parked on the street. The garage has my 370Z and my wife's car.


It's not as bad as it sounds as I have covered parking at work, so the only time the car is ever in the sun for a full day is the weekends. I also keep the MINI cleaned with a good coat of sealer and a monthly application of Griot's Best of Show wax.


While not the optimal solution, it's doable. After all, the MINI was purchased as my daily driver. When I trade it in in four years, I'll probably trade the Z with it, and get a fully loaded hardtop.

 

You will tire of the car cover in a very short time. Been in your position before.
No good options...

 

To be fair to my wife, she loves the MINI (always wanted one), and she tolerates the BMW -- she likes driving it, but thinks it frivolous. (She's right, but the best things in life are often frivolous.) It's not really a 'my cars' vs. 'her car' thing. We drive the Explorer if it's here (*free* car!), and use the Mini for backup, the BMW for fun. If it wasn't for her work, the MINI would definitely be 'hers', and I would have the workhorse.

I'm thinking I'll get a cover for the MCS, and use it when I know the car is going to sit for a while (and is clean), and otherwise rely on window shades, wax and sealer to help protect the car.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to start cover shopping now.

 

I've been happy with this company:


http://www.carcovers.com/