I don't care how far out in the parking lot I park, it's not far enough. I park so far out my wife has me drop her off at the door while shopping at the mall.

When we go out to the car, low and behold there will be a junkmobile parked right along side the MINI.

Sometimes there will be TWO JUNKERS parked on either side of the MINI. And it never fails, they parked so close that you JUST KNOW that they had to bump the MINI just to get their door open.

Let me describe the clunker that I found parked next to me today at the mall:

(1) Big ole 1970's Buick. Major bondo work on the right front fender.

(2) Four tires, but different sizes with two white walls on the front, black on the rear and tread was all but gone.

(3) The trunk lid was white but the rest of the car was blue except for the right front fender.

(4) Left rear tail light lens missing, but replaced with RED TAPE.

(5) And last but not least, a rusted rear bumper with a faded bumper sticker that read: QUESTION AUTHORITY

This is just one of the beaters of late that the MINI seems to attract. So I think I will just leave the MINI in the garage and take the van on shopping runs.

My wife says I'm crazy about the MINI, and that it's going to get dents and scrapes and not to worry about it, but hey this is NOT just any new car it's a NEW MINI!

 

LOL!!!!!

 

MINI is small. it is a advantage. but some time, for these junkers, it seems the parking space is bigger next to your MINI!

That is a very possible reason that those junkers were parked next to you.!

 

Some suggestions for my favorite MCO member, D.J.

Park your MINI via parallel only- that way there are no doors to endanger you.
Use your black plastic wheel wells to your advantage- they don't dent and will repell some attacks.
Use your side mirrors to your advantage- they stick out on both sides enough to keep unfriendlys at bay.

If I see a door nearby I position my car with my best smash proof parts adjacent to said doors.

This technique looses it's ability to protect you if you are the first to park or you are unlucky- like me- on my first public park I got a big door smush- ouch.

 

Hello Minihune and thanks for the nice complement. What I sometimes do now is find the little islands in the parking lots that have the trees and plants and park next to one of those.

By doing so, only one side of your car has a chance on getting wacked.

I just don't remember those old Buick's being so darn big!

 

It's simple, really - flies are atrracted to honey.

 

Chow!

Donna
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

I share your pain my daughter hates my quest for "MINI worthy spots". Though it is funny to here my wife and daughter use the phrase "MINI worthy" now when referring to our parking spots.

MINI worthy is by definition - " a parking space bounded on one side by curb or other obstruction so no car can park there. It must be sufficiently wide that when a MINI is placed along said boundary there is at least four feet between the MINI and the opposite unobstructed boundary."

This allows junkers with 10 foot long bondo and primer colored doors, room to park on the line and still not be able to hit you MINI with there carelessly flung open entry hatches.

 

i don't really have that problem...
my thing is that giant SUV's always park next to my MINI and usually straddle the line or come too close for comfort...

why, why, why???

well of course i understand why, but i wish it wasn't so...

 

This all hits me close to heart. I take all the precautions. I never park horizontal to other vehicles if at all possible. When I do I try to park with only one side exposed and as far away as I can, and I've even considered hauling thick styrofoam pads to set next to the sides. Yet I seem to always get a crease right in the driver's door on every car. I see others with cars parked every which way with NO dents. It is karmic.

My new Mini is on it's way to the dealer and I found something that might help. I have an earlier thread about these, possibly titled something like "magnetic door guards". You can buy magnetic rubber ones that come off and can be stored in the trunk when not needed (I'd hate to have to permanently ruin the lines). Either refer to that earlier thread or search under Z3 Soulutions or Roadster Solutions. It is a weird web address that's almost all numbers (that I don't have), but gets you a BMW dealer that sells them: about $50 a pair.

But we should not have to suffer this abuse! Unfortunately it is not a just world so you may want to check them out.

I say wear protection when an encounter may occur. Safe driving to all.

 

Thankfully, at work, everybody has a mutual respect for everyone else's car. I haven't taken delivery of my MINI yet, but everybody at work either wants to see it or wants to drive it when I get it. I could probably park inches from my co-workers' cars without fear of door dings. At the mall...well, I guess I'll have to take my chances...

 

Its universally true! i have the same experience & fears....

Why can't SUV drivers park straight in a parking space? 9/10 times they have one rear wheel on/over the white line??!!!??? Learn to drive that barge.

Why does the biggest POS park soo close to my MINI? I'm afraid the things got roaches or fleas or something....

Why does WalMart & many stores make their spaces MINI size when most visitors drive MAXI SUV's & P'ups & take up the whole freak'n space line to line?

inioway, maybe do like the boaters do, hang bumpers on the door! Can you buy the magnetic plastic sheets that they print refrigerator magnets from? Ask a print shop.

 

I always seem to get the vintage cars next to mine(ie old Jag,old Mercedes).
Another trick is to park next to other new cars or only those with 4 doors(doors are shorter). It's become quite the game trying to find a good spot.
Lois
ps A Miata friend of mine DID buy the funny colored swimming pool noodles & uses them like boat bumpers especially at Rams football games!!!!

_________________

 

Minimad. That may be a good idea about checking for sheetss of magnet material from a printer. Maybe I could put them on backwards and let the magnetic pole slam the door back at dweebs who don't have the insight not to open their doors into mine.

I fear some four doors since the back one is often curved so, even with good molding, have potential to sneak over and bash hard. It doesn't help that careless kids or a mom distracted by bending over and unlatching a baby use those doors.

I live in Iowa so may just get some big sows stationed on both sides to do the blocking for me. They'll also be trained to administer swift justice upon above mentioned dweebs.

P.S. I get the concept of ricer, and go ahead and jump on me for being politically correct (sometimes that is a good thing if a term is hurtful) but doesn anyone else think that terms is a bit racist? OK go ahead and take your shots at me...