Effect of sun in summer. How important is garaging

rosh · 04-18-2008, 04:39 PM

Hi Guys,

Yeah.. the topic says it all. My BMW is parked outside 24/7 in the apartment complex parking spot (Parking spot at work is also uncovered unless I reach like 6AM). I dont have a garage yet. How much is it going to effect the leather /exterior paint. Got the dark color.

I was not much concerned about this before owning a BMW. I confess.

Kitz · 04-18-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosh

Hi Guys,

Yeah.. the topic says it all. My BMW is parked outside 24/7 in the apartment complex parking spot. I dont have a garage yet. How much is it going to effect the leather /exterior paint. Got the dark color.

I was not much concerned about this before owning a BMW. I confess.

get a car cover..that would solve your problem..my car is also parked outside the apt..

lkn · 04-18-2008, 04:42 PM

Any car and doesn't have to be necessarily a BMW should be parked in a shade area without direct sunlight beaming on the car throughout the day. Have you ever seen a car's rooftop with its paint pealing?

Enough said.

cooldude · 04-18-2008, 05:08 PM

my car is parked outside too, the problem is the office parking which is open and it sucks

F32Fleet · 04-18-2008, 05:14 PM

I bought a BMW sunshade and works great. IMO..the rest is simply more frequent cleanings. clean my leather seats every 3 mo's, reapply vinyl dressing every 2 mo's.

thegeneral101 · 04-18-2008, 06:01 PM

sun exposure is bad either way. if you are very worried about the paint (or anything else on the car) go get a car cover

BMWKLR · 04-18-2008, 06:17 PM

Use a vinyl protectant with sun block, keep a good coat of wax on the car and put a dark tint on the windows. I also have a clear ceramic tint on the front that blocks heat very well.

FirstClass · 04-18-2008, 06:48 PM

Well, if it's sunny then your whole interior and leather are baking at 140+, whereas in a garage it'll be more like 80 max (Worst case scenario with doors open all day, it should never get this hot). What do you think?

P.S. Don't forget about the UV both your paint and interior are soaking up. (And fading because of.)

Revlis · 04-18-2008, 06:49 PM

Keep it waxed and clean and after 10-12 years you might... MIGHT notice a little tiny bit of fading. Though modern water based paints are far less "tough" than the lead based goodness, they are making up for it in other ways and for the most part fading is a minor issue...

Bird crap is the killer though.

e92phreak · 04-18-2008, 07:04 PM

Condition your leather. If you don't, it will eventually crack.

An FYI with the leather... you should also be careful getting into the car. Most of us just slide our bodies on the seat when we get it. Eventually, the side of your seat will wear, and your leather will crack/tear/rip...

Sucks, but that's the reality of these BMW seats. I had the same happen on the E46, so I force myself to get into the car carefully without sliding into the side of the seat. I just want to protect my leather.

E90330iS · 04-18-2008, 07:12 PM

maybe your sun wants a tan?

garyhgaryh · 04-18-2008, 07:28 PM

Every car I have had that's been in the sun 24/7 for years is now in a need of a repaint. Clear coat goes first. Your best bet is to garage it. Car cover is ok, but if it flaps in the wind, it will "sand" down your paint. I can show you pictures if you want..

arabbmw · 04-18-2008, 07:33 PM

for the interior, tint will be a really easy and good looking solution. Any tint shade u get will give 99% uv protection.

kpcoupe · 04-18-2008, 07:42 PM

I would garage it if you can, but if not its not a problem; you'll just avoid the minor things is all. Thats my 0.000126646403 Euros

baron · 04-18-2008, 07:47 PM

I used to have a black MB C43 and I lived in Phoenix for 3 years (not garaged at work, garaged at home) then moved to upstate New York (not garaged at all) exposed to all that snow/salt and the paint was still like new after 6 years. I did have the touch of class treatment and I think that helped.

foxman · 04-18-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosh

Hi Guys,

Yeah.. the topic says it all. My BMW is parked outside 24/7 in the apartment complex parking spot (Parking spot at work is also uncovered unless I reach like 6AM). I dont have a garage yet. How much is it going to effect the leather /exterior paint. Got the dark color.

I was not much concerned about this before owning a BMW. I confess.

find a way to protect it, it will make a BIG difference, my last car was garaged day and nigh, HUGE difference in the paint wear

Island Snow · 04-19-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92phreak

Condition your leather. If you don't, it will eventually crack.

An FYI with the leather... you should also be careful getting into the car. Most of us just slide our bodies on the seat when we get it. Eventually, the side of your seat will wear, and your leather will crack/tear/rip...

Sucks, but that's the reality of these BMW seats. I had the same happen on the E46, so I force myself to get into the car carefully without sliding into the side of the seat. I just want to protect my leather.

^ i use a pillowcase on the driver seat on long trips (ie to Vegas or San Fran)...denim jeans will eat though your nice soft leather seats

Atombyte · 04-19-2008, 02:47 AM

If you're like most people, you drive your car to work in the morning where it sits in the sun all day. I believe that's where most of the sun damage occurs. Sitting outside at night obviously doesn't do much to harm the car. Although mine is parked in my garage at night, it's the daytime at work I worry most about. I just use a sunshade inside the windshield, with a small towel over the steering wheel and a sock (of all things) on the shifter to help keep them cool. I try to keep the car clean and waxed, and the leather treated. Despite that, everything will eventually fade. It sucks, but that's life. Just do what you can and enjoy the car without worrying so much.

sillygoat · 04-19-2008, 04:37 AM

hopefully my huper optik does what its meant to do!

rosh · 04-19-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyhgaryh

Every car I have had that's been in the sun 24/7 for years is now in a need of a repaint. Clear coat goes first. Your best bet is to garage it. Car cover is ok, but if it flaps in the wind, it will "sand" down your paint. I can show you pictures if you want..

Ah.. Good point.. I got the idea.. Damn!

Craigito · 04-19-2008, 05:02 PM

I certainly wouldn't buy a car cover for a 3 series. Let's be serious.
I'd just get a good tint (dark as legal), window shade you can put up in the front window when parked during the day and keep the interior/leather conditioned every 3 months or so.

weez · 04-19-2008, 05:19 PM

I bought a car cover. Since the brits like to take the piss by building garages that dont fit cars

Its the most useless, logic-defying, crap you could build. Pisses me off.
I take that back. My car could fit maybe with about a half inch to spare, but Id have to climb out of the sunroof to ingress/egress. Thats if I dont scrape my doors off.
My worry isnt sun damage (this is England after all) its the rain, bird shit, dirt, etc. The worse thing in the world is having your beautifully waxed car get rained on minutes later or during waxing.

04-18-2008, 04:39 PM	#1
rosh Second Lieutenant 35 Rep 234 Posts Drives: 335i Stock ! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Effect of sun in summer. How important is garaging Hi Guys, Yeah.. the topic says it all. My BMW is parked outside 24/7 in the apartment complex parking spot (Parking spot at work is also uncovered unless I reach like 6AM). I dont have a garage yet. How much is it going to effect the leather /exterior paint. Got the dark color. I was not much concerned about this before owning a BMW. I confess. Last edited by rosh; 04-18-2008 at 04:41 PM.. Reason: Additional info
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04-18-2008, 04:42 PM	#3
lkn Lieutenant Colonel 23 Rep 1,549 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orange County iTrader: (4)	Any car and doesn't have to be necessarily a BMW should be parked in a shade area without direct sunlight beaming on the car throughout the day. Have you ever seen a car's rooftop with its paint pealing? Enough said.
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04-18-2008, 05:08 PM	#4
cooldude Lieutenant 27 Rep 518 Posts Drives: Bmw 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Charlotte iTrader: (0)	my car is parked outside too, the problem is the office parking which is open and it sucks __________________
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04-18-2008, 05:14 PM	#5
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3986 Rep 10,664 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	I bought a BMW sunshade and works great. IMO..the rest is simply more frequent cleanings. clean my leather seats every 3 mo's, reapply vinyl dressing every 2 mo's.
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04-18-2008, 06:01 PM	#6
thegeneral101 Colonel 80 Rep 2,303 Posts Drives: '15 Z06,'13 750Li,'11 Raptor Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Miami/Michigan iTrader: (0)	sun exposure is bad either way. if you are very worried about the paint (or anything else on the car) go get a car cover __________________
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04-18-2008, 06:17 PM	#7
BMWKLR First Lieutenant 145 Rep 370 Posts Drives: white m235 cp RED w/gray pop Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pembroke Pines iTrader: (0)	Use a vinyl protectant with sun block, keep a good coat of wax on the car and put a dark tint on the windows. I also have a clear ceramic tint on the front that blocks heat very well.
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04-18-2008, 06:49 PM	#9
Revlis Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free! 166 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: M4 i3 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	Keep it waxed and clean and after 10-12 years you might... MIGHT notice a little tiny bit of fading. Though modern water based paints are far less "tough" than the lead based goodness, they are making up for it in other ways and for the most part fading is a minor issue... Bird crap is the killer though. __________________ A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
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04-18-2008, 07:04 PM	#10
e92phreak General 396 Rep 21,745 Posts Drives: E92 335i TiAg/E46 323i TiAg Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [9.50] 2000 E46 323i [0.00]	Condition your leather. If you don't, it will eventually crack. An FYI with the leather... you should also be careful getting into the car. Most of us just slide our bodies on the seat when we get it. Eventually, the side of your seat will wear, and your leather will crack/tear/rip... Sucks, but that's the reality of these BMW seats. I had the same happen on the E46, so I force myself to get into the car carefully without sliding into the side of the seat. I just want to protect my leather. __________________ 07 E92 335i \| TiAg \| Step \| Padl \| Cmft \| Alum Trm \| PDC \| Nav \| Assist \| Sat \| Lthr \| Prem \| Sprt \| Rear Splr \| RDSport Quads \| iPod \| V1 \| LT Refl \| VS Clear Bra \| OEM Lip \| KWV2 \| Mtec Sides \| BBS LM-R 00 E46 323i \| TiAg \| 5sp \| Sport \| Roof \| RDSport Cams \| RDSport tune \| RDSport Shift \| Volk LE37 \| M3 spoiler \| PSS9 \| SuperSprint \| Brembo
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04-18-2008, 07:12 PM	#11
E90330iS Major General 151 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	maybe your sun wants a tan? __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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04-18-2008, 07:28 PM	#12
garyhgaryh Major 79 Rep 1,232 Posts Drives: Supercharged e30 M3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: santa cruz iTrader: (4)	Every car I have had that's been in the sun 24/7 for years is now in a need of a repaint. Clear coat goes first. Your best bet is to garage it. Car cover is ok, but if it flaps in the wind, it will "sand" down your paint. I can show you pictures if you want..
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04-18-2008, 07:33 PM	#13
arabbmw Lieutenant 17 Rep 548 Posts Drives: 335i coupe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: G hills iTrader: (2)	for the interior, tint will be a really easy and good looking solution. Any tint shade u get will give 99% uv protection.
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04-18-2008, 07:42 PM	#14
kpcoupe Captain 42 Rep 778 Posts Drives: 328i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	I would garage it if you can, but if not its not a problem; you'll just avoid the minor things is all. Thats my 0.000126646403 Euros __________________
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04-18-2008, 07:47 PM	#15
baron Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 212 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 528i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	I used to have a black MB C43 and I lived in Phoenix for 3 years (not garaged at work, garaged at home) then moved to upstate New York (not garaged at all) exposed to all that snow/salt and the paint was still like new after 6 years. I did have the touch of class treatment and I think that helped. __________________ 2011 BMW 528i 2009 Nissan GTR
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04-19-2008, 02:47 AM	#18
Atombyte First Lieutenant 37 Rep 361 Posts Drives: 2013 M3, 2016 535i, 2019 540i Join Date: May 2007 Location: SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 540i [0.00] 2016 535i [0.00] 2013 M3 [0.00]	If you're like most people, you drive your car to work in the morning where it sits in the sun all day. I believe that's where most of the sun damage occurs. Sitting outside at night obviously doesn't do much to harm the car. Although mine is parked in my garage at night, it's the daytime at work I worry most about. I just use a sunshade inside the windshield, with a small towel over the steering wheel and a sock (of all things) on the shifter to help keep them cool. I try to keep the car clean and waxed, and the leather treated. Despite that, everything will eventually fade. It sucks, but that's life. Just do what you can and enjoy the car without worrying so much. __________________
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04-19-2008, 04:37 AM	#19
sillygoat Captain 67 Rep 804 Posts Drives: 335i tiag Join Date: May 2006 Location: las vegas, nv iTrader: (11)	hopefully my huper optik does what its meant to do!
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04-19-2008, 05:02 PM	#21
Craigito Captain 151 Rep 846 Posts Drives: 20' F82 M4 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M4 Competi ... [10.00]	I certainly wouldn't buy a car cover for a 3 series. Let's be serious. I'd just get a good tint (dark as legal), window shade you can put up in the front window when parked during the day and keep the interior/leather conditioned every 3 months or so. __________________ *Current Ride* 2020 M4 Competition/ Alpine White / DCT/ Full Black Leather / 19in Gunmetal / Executive /LED/Ohlinds RT/SSR DP-CP-Intake/AP Essex 9668/Bootmod STG 2/ VRSF DP
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04-19-2008, 05:19 PM	#22
weez Lieutenant 277 Rep 467 Posts Drives: 2021 X3M Competition Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	I bought a car cover. Since the brits like to take the piss by building garages that dont fit cars Its the most useless, logic-defying, crap you could build. Pisses me off. I take that back. My car could fit maybe with about a half inch to spare, but Id have to climb out of the sunroof to ingress/egress. Thats if I dont scrape my doors off. My worry isnt sun damage (this is England after all) its the rain, bird shit, dirt, etc. The worse thing in the world is having your beautifully waxed car get rained on minutes later or during waxing.
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