I would have loved to hear those discussions!

 

ZenAudio,

I am a single spot parker, and quite honestly I have ZERO door dings. My MINI is over 2 1/2 years old. I am very particular when I find a spot in a parking lot... to the extent my family makes fun of me. I usually go to the back, far out or an end spot. I try to follow the rules Camelpilot laid out.

You are just asking for trouble taking 2 spots and if you haven't been keyed yet, you're lucky.

Besides, I think it gives MINIs a bad rep having you park like that.

If you are looking for affirmation for parking in two spots I don't think you found it here.

 

I really don't care how many spots people take, or how they park, I just pull my car to a place that I feel i am safe and the rest takes care of itself. I find it very immature to thread people with keying his car or such stupid activities and yet find myself very useless to post a thread on this unnecessary conversation.

 

I have to admit I try to line up the mirror or door handle or wheel trim to the next car's door to avoid dings. The problem is the rear doors on four door cars have that sharp edge high up so it misses the wheel trim. That is the source of most dings in quarter panels.

If ding paranoia is preventing you from enjoying your car, you can reserve it for special occasions and use a sacrificial beater car. If said beater is a dingproof plastic Saturn or Fiero, so much the better.

Otherwise you could glue nails all over the surface of the car so it resembles a porcupine fish or Pinhead from Hellraiser, but this would not likely be pedestrian-friendly.

 

I read at first that you indeed save your two-spot parking for the outskirts. I myself have no problem with someone parking in the far corner of an uncrowded parking lot taking up two spaces. The thing is, once you have parked out in the boonies there really is no reason to occupy two spaces anymore.

Where I work I park in the far corner of the lot, usually on the end of the row and to the outside. This particular corner gathers several like-minded people and friends with cars sometimes more expensive than mine. Here is what I find to be the best situation that also adds 'safety in numbers' to the mix. People are parking together knowing that their neighbor is conscientious in taking care of their car and will respect those next to them. All the spots become filled with people avoiding damaging each others' rides, and there wont be any worry of door dings. I call it a parking lot cooperative.

So far, no door dings.

When I first got the MINI, in the first week I had it, I had the misfortune of having to go to a local Wal Mart. Knowing the idiots in those parking lots, I of course parked way off in the corner by myself. When I came back out, what was an inch from my door but a shopping cart! Luckily there was no sign that it struck the car, and it was undoubtedly someone's idea of a joke or just being an azzhole. There were no cars around me for at least 40 feet before or after I went into the store.

Still, I could not contain my rage and I hurled the cart down the side of the hill. And it only served to reinforce my observation that Wal-Mart shoppers tend towards being selfish low-lifes. The clincher of this was when I watched (at another time) an SUV pull lazily into a spot bordered by two cars on either side and a woman with a butt nearly the size of the rear of my MINI (I am not exaggerating either) opens the door into the car next to her and has to squeeze and force her lard out onto the pavement. She futzes with her purse and some packages all the while grinding the door into the adjoining car so hard it is visibly buckling the sheetmetal. She slams the door and squeezes her way between the two vehicles and starts waddling into the store. The person who owned the car walked up and I pointed out the damage (a serious dent and paint damage) that would have gone unnoticed since it was on the passenger's side. He went racing after the woman and confronted her. The screaming that ensued was priceless, like a scene from Jerry Springer: "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?" "START BY PAYING FOR THE DAMAGE YOU DID TO MY CAR AND LOSE ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS!!" I got yelled at by her for pointing out what she did! I had a couple choice words that are definitely not fit to print.

 

Yep, always a good idea to try an park next to nice/new cars in the back of the lot.

That said, I saw a SUV driver whack a new Lamborghini still with temporary plates in a Wal-Mart parking lot. The Lamborghini was so low that the SUV door hit the window. Moral is the nice/new cars can leave and some low-life show up. Also, try to take the beater car to Wal-Mart.

 

The ultimate irony of this is that someone who could afford a Lamborghini still chose to shop at Wal-Mart in the first place!

 

I hate it when you park right up close to the pole/garden side (on the right), and then some ****** parks to the left of you, taking up some of your spot because you left a big gap there. .

If someone gives me a door-ding, and his vehicle is still there when I get back, I hope he likes holes in his car.

If someone ever keyed my car, it's a 187.

 

i have zero tolerance for people who take up 2 spaces.. even if it is far away... that said... do what you do... anything to keep your mini safe...

ive had the misfortunte to be keyed.. i parked at the subway station to ride down, a wide open spot was sitting next to the elevator so i took it... too bad i realize it the day after when i got a BIG deep key scratch that leads from the front door to my tail lights on my driver side (driver side door was facing the walk way leading to the elevator)

i guess bottom line is, dont take 2 spots.. just park FAR away!

 

No door dings here I park like Clo-end spot as far over as I can get:smile:

Lois

 

As there are several of us that have never had door dings by simply parking conscientiously in a single spot, you cannot attribute your lack of door dings to the way you park. Also, while I do not advocate damaging the property of others, and most were pointing out the increased possibility of getting your car intentionally vandalized, please consider that the anger you speak of would not exist if you parked in 1 spot

 

I find it odd the bitterness on parking spots and this entire thread. Park in 5 spots, 4 spots, 3 spots, whatever, lol...I got bigger things in life to worry about.

 

but you can walk farther, park on the right side if you know the car to the left is driver occupied only, park close to a friends car that you know and are visiting with, or walk farther still...

The stress of door dings, and keying is worse than the exercise and piece of mind to be selective in your parking choice.

There are inconsiderate and idiotic people in every location in the world. No one can change that, so change what you do in a non-selfish way.

Or walk your dog so they can deliver a payload to your intended victim...

 

Parking like that is just plain arrogant and inconsiderate. I'm as particular and protective of my 03 Cooper as any Ferrari or Maserati owner and I park in one spot, albeit way out where no one else is, no door dings as yet. As someone else said, that type of parking breeds a lot of anger. I'd rather have a door ding then be keyed, graffitied, tires flattened, etc.

 

Graffiti on a MINI? I wonder where you got that idea?

Good job Kaelaria. You're my hero.

 

Hey! Short Bus has the right idea. Park aaaaaaall the way out in Bumpass VA!

 

My secret is parking next to a minivan and lining my car up with the back end of it. This way, the doors up front will swing out in front of my car, and the side doors slide, so no chance of a door ding! That and making sure I park to the passenger side of cars on an end spot - or park a long way away and just enjoy a nice walk. This way you can have more time to enjoy your MINI as you walk up to it later.

Boy has this thread touched a nerve!!! I also don't agree with taking two spots. I think it seems too pretentious. MINI owners should be humble and courteous. I think this is begging for someone to do something to the car that you would really regret - and I would hate to see that beauty damaged!! I'm glad to hear you only do it in the outer limits of the parking lot.

 

I always park at the far end of the car park where not many people go. Only other people who care about their cars. Besides, I consider the extra walking part of my exercise program.

I will also park next to an island as close as I can, thereby creating more space along the exposed side of the car, avoiding the possibility of getting keyed. Or at least minimizing the possibility.

 

Far away or in an empty parking lot. At the flea market or Nordstrom. It does not matter. Taking two spaces will even get a budhist monk P.O'ed. Even if you are not a jerk.. you will sure look like one .. and will eventually invite an unwanted reaction.

I feel bad that you got so many negative responses, but realistically... would you expect anyone to agree with you?

 

also what helps is to park by nice cars (other minis, lexus, bmw...etc). my mindset is if someone has a nicer car they are going to respect a nice car (yours?) and thiers. So they will not swing their doors open, and they will not ding your car.

 

That only works if they stay longer than you...more often than not, you'll come out to fine a rusted van parked inches from you

 

This is definitely one of the hottest threads around here in a while.


And to think it doesnt involve M7!

 

does anyone find it the least bit ironic that the originator of this thread (ZenAudio) parks in a way that would bring him nothing but bad karma?

parking like that not only is an embarrassment to you, it's an embarrassment to all MINI owners. don't be so self-important. relax and enjoy your car. you can wear your dings like a badge of honor. conversely, if your car gets keyed, it's like a tattoo that says 'i'm an A-hole' on your forehead.

 

Buy this:



Everyones happy:smile:
http://www.autogeek.net/parsmarmagdo.html

Of course, there's always some jackass who'll steal them

 

Man, ZenAudio is taking this really well for the amount of personal attacks flying his way. . GJ Zen. Take up 2 spots in my parking lot anytime. :smile: