For those times when parking far away from other cars is not possible I have several techniques that have kept me dent free (knock on wood).
1. Avoid parking next to two door cars (they have to swing wider than a 4 door and the doors are heavier).
2. Line up your mirrors with where you assume the neighboring cars door would contact (this usually involves parking further back in the space). The mirrors can take more hits without damage than sheetmetal.
3. Line up your fender trim with the suspected point of contact (same as mirror technique)
4. Park next to minivans (sliding doors can't hurt you)
5. Park next to fellow MINIs whenever possible (this breaks rule 1 except if using rules 2 or 3)
Hope this helps.

 

While I can tell you how to avoid door dings (pretty much everything mentioned above) I can't give you any advice on how not to get enraged when you get one. Thankfully I don't have any yet, but I know I'd absolutely lose it!

 

I have seen some crazy thing, I've want some drive forward into a 2' high planter and still be hitting the gas an another person back over a 1' tall rock. So try as you might, crazies are out there.

So you know, since she walked away you can call the cops for leaving the scene of an accident. I saw this happen after a girl I work with watch someone back into her car over and over while parallel parking, and then they went into the house.

I never pull all the way into a parking spot with the Mini as it has 3'+ to spare in length over an SUV. This way I don't have to worry about those people that can't stop in their spot.

 

I park as far away as possible & when I'm at the grocery store, I take 2 spots, drive right over the yellow line. Sorry, people in parking lots just don't care about other people's property. If that happened to me, I'd be calling the police.

 

Well, you made it happen just by "thinking" it might happen, DOH!

 

end spot, end spot, end spot.

 

Agreed. And, if possible, pick an end spot which is on the driver's side of an expensive sports car (but avoid all Mercedes ).

 

Can't you get a ticket for that? Love the idea...but I thought you'd get a ticket for that.

 

In CA it is. I got a ticket for that once a couple of years ago and I was parked at the top level of garage. Not a single car around and I still got a ticket. Besides that, there'd prob be some jerks who'd think why are you so special that you'd need to take two spaces and key your car.

 

I always park far away and I still got a dent. I have never had any dings on my other cars. I'm always so careful. What's wrong with people?

 

1. Park far away.
2. Watch your wheels when parking close to the curb.
3. If you do park near cars and park to one side of the space, don't be suprised if people think this means you want to share your space.
4. If the lot has a slight incline and baskets everywhere, try to put one of those island things between you and the majority of the baskets (on the uphill side). That way, if the loose baskets that people are too lazy to walk two feet to put up begin rolling, you have some protection.
5. Don't be suprised if you park alone, in the boondocks, 1/2 a mile from the door, and come out to find someone parked right next to you. They probably thought they would park with that nice car in the back but didn't have enough sense to give you a space in between.

 

Taking more than one spot just inspires people to vandalize your car. Best not to draw attention to your car if you want it to be left alone.

 

The snot-covered kids who spill out of the side of the minivan will often fall--toys in hand--right into the side of the vehicle across from the door, which in this case would be your MINI. Neither Joe nor Jane Sixpack is going to reprimand little Britney/Courtney/Megan/Justin/Brandon/Taylor/whatever for damaging other people's property.

 

I too have a 2008 MSC on order! I also have a Cobra that I always try to park on the far side of the parking lot away from all the other cars with plenty of empty spaces around me. However, often when I do, I'll come back only to find several cars parked around me.

 

Nice Cobra!

I think the reason people will park next to Minis and Cobras that are out in the boondocks of the lot, is that they want to check out the cool car. In that case- they are probably not going to ding the door, so not to worry.

 

I have had a 100% no-ding rate with my MINI. I like others here park far away. I don't necessarily park as far away as possible. I have found it is less about distance and more about the overall quality of the parking space as determined by several other factors.

MY #1 criteria when looking for a space is that the space must border either a curb (or similar end cap) or it must be a clearly marked end space.

As stated by a previous poster anytime you can park on the downhill side of an island (next to the curb) this is a bonus to avoid shopping cart attacks.

In time you learn to develop these spot-hunting techniques as second nature.

OH...I NEVER DOUBLE PARK...That Sh!# just pisses me off. Every time I see it. Not that it would ever bring me down to the low level of keying a car. However, not everyone regards other people's property so highly. Bottom line; double parking just makes you a target. Don't do it.

 

My roomate has a FFR Cobra. Is yours a kit or the real deal?
I have always loved those cars and would like to build one myself someday. One of my friends neighbor had an original and once he told me the cost I knew I would never own a real one ; )


It is amazing how many other people have the same experience and gripe as I do. There is nothing that makes me more mad then coming out and having somebody parked next to my car after I parked in BFE.

About the only place I do park where it is always a full parking lot is at the base in front of our academic building. It is not so bad here because I can generally find a curb to park next to and also because there are sooooo many hot cars. The lot is filled with 350Zs, TT's, Vettes, Mini's (three on base), RX8's, Si's, Mustang Gt's, STi's and an A3. Of course there are plenty of trucks but this is the highest average of "fun" cars I have ever seen in a parking lot. Guess it says something about the personality of the guys/gals in Navy flight school!

 

I bought the door defender pads months ago from their online site. Easy to put on and off. I still park away from others when I can but it seems people find your car by the law of magnetic attraction: if you do not want someone to park next to you, they will. The door defender will give you peace of mind when you go into a store from the parking lot. Dings are something I do not worry about any more.

 

Don't park next to grocery carts returns either!

 

Rubbus - your probably right. There are no dings or chips on the car.
loadtoad -It is not an original. Its from Unique. I built it from one of their deluxe pallet kits.
http://www.uniquemotorcars.com/Pages/kits.html

 

Me and my friends used to hide in the back seat of his car that had limo tint in the back at the mall, and wait for people to ding or even just open their doors and rest them against the car. Then we'd jump out and scare the crap out of them, or he'd just hit the panic button on his remote and it'd be hilarious! Ahh...the good old days...then again that was only a couple years ago lol.

 

Ahh...keying the car. That doesn't promote rage...that promotes insanity. You just have to wonder who has so little going on in their life that keying a car becomes a hobby.

 

Okay...but what if someone stole your Door Defender?

 

It really does not matter where you park, if someone wants to park next to you they will.

Here is a pic of my SSR at the movie theatre in the back parking lot away from everyone where no one parks due to the excessive walk to the front entrance.

When I parked here, I was ALONE in the lot, no one anywhere remotedly close and the front lot had PLENTY of spaces before and after the film.

This is what I came upon when the film was over! Pretty disrespectful.

 

^^I swear people do that kinda sh*t on purpose. It's so lame and ridiculous... mad: