BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW Z4 Forums (G29) BMW Z4 (G29) General Forum Long term storage

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-27-2019, 01:07 PM   #1
Kpoggi
Enlisted Member
13
Rep
40
Posts

Drives: BMWz4
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Nj

iTrader: (0)

Long term storage

Putting the car in the garage for 2 plus months. I am reading conflicting theories. Some say start car every 2 weeks. Some say that is not good for the car. Thoughts?
Appreciate 0
      12-27-2019, 01:14 PM   #2
TK421BMW
First Lieutenant
111
Rep
325
Posts

Drives: BMW 328, X5, Z4
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Minnesota

iTrader: (0)

I'd say just put some Seafoam (or favorite stabilizer) in the gas tank and hook up the battery maintainer. I've done that for 15 winters with my e85 Z4 with no issues. You'd need to run it long enough to warm up, plus with the new batteries not sure how long they need to changer or how much they drain sitting with the new iDrive. Seems like on my new X5 lots of stuff running in the background.
__________________
____________________
Current:
2019 g05 X5 xDrive40i
2020 f30 440 xDrive Convertible
2004 e85 Z4 3.0
Appreciate 0
      12-27-2019, 08:44 PM   #3
BMW003E
Captain
BMW003E's Avatar
United_States
789
Rep
739
Posts

Drives: M2CS, M2C, & X5
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of Enchantment

iTrader: (6)

I wash/wax the car, fill gas tank, add Sta-bil, inflate tires a few PSI above the recommended air pressure, hook up a battery tender, lock it, and then cover the car. I let the car sit without touching it until I'm ready to bring it out from storage. I've been doing that for years with my M3 and have not had any issues when I did start it up.
Appreciate 2
///M TOWN13117.00
      12-31-2019, 05:23 PM   #4
rikwynnpa
First Lieutenant
United_States
459
Rep
382
Posts

Drives: 2019 G29 Z4 3.0
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Philly

iTrader: (0)

Connected battery conditioner today

Bought a BMW battery conditioner online and unboxed it today. Simple to use and supposedly keeps the battery strong when the car is parked for a long period of time. My E89 had a failed battery after less than 2 years due to the long storage periods every winter. I live in Philly and don't take the car out of the garage from Jan to March normally. I can post pics if anyone's interested.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kpoggi View Post
Putting the car in the garage for 2 plus months. I am reading conflicting theories. Some say start car every 2 weeks. Some say that is not good for the car. Thoughts?
Appreciate 0
      01-01-2020, 07:57 PM   #5
SD ///M4
///Multiple
SD ///M4's Avatar
United_States
2992
Rep
4,243
Posts

Drives: M4 Coupe | M3 | Z4M Roadster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Diego, CA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Does the user manual say anything about storing the car for long periods? That's the advice that I'd follow first.
__________________
The Coupe: 2016 M4 | Sakhir Orange | Black Full Merino Leather | CF Trim | M-DCT | More | ED 5/13/16
The Sedan: 2018 M3 | San Marino Blue | Black Full Merino Leather | CF Trim | M-DCT | ZCP | ED 7/18/18
The Roadster: 2006 Z4 | Interlagos Blue | Black Extended Nappa Leather | Carbon Leather Trim | Purchased 7/19/12

Appreciate 0
      01-01-2020, 08:10 PM   #6
SakhirM4
Major General
SakhirM4's Avatar
United_States
10783
Rep
8,852
Posts

Drives: '15 SO M4/'20 Z4 M40i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 BMW Z4 M40i  [10.00]
2015 BMW M4  [8.76]
Quote:
Originally Posted by SD ///M4 View Post
Does the user manual say anything about storing the car for long periods? That's the advice that I'd follow first.
This is all the manual says:

Long-term vehicle storage
When the vehicle is shut down for longer than
three months, special measures must be taken.
Further information is available from a dealer's
service center or another qualified service center
or repair shop.
__________________
Tejas Chapter, BMW CCA, mem #23915, President 27 years, www.tejaschapter.org
Appreciate 2
SD ///M42992.00
CeEl477.50
      01-01-2020, 08:22 PM   #7
SD ///M4
///Multiple
SD ///M4's Avatar
United_States
2992
Rep
4,243
Posts

Drives: M4 Coupe | M3 | Z4M Roadster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Diego, CA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by SakhirM4 View Post
This is all the manual says:

Long-term vehicle storage
When the vehicle is shut down for longer than three months, special measures must be taken.
Further information is available from a dealer's service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Well, that certainly helps!
__________________
The Coupe: 2016 M4 | Sakhir Orange | Black Full Merino Leather | CF Trim | M-DCT | More | ED 5/13/16
The Sedan: 2018 M3 | San Marino Blue | Black Full Merino Leather | CF Trim | M-DCT | ZCP | ED 7/18/18
The Roadster: 2006 Z4 | Interlagos Blue | Black Extended Nappa Leather | Carbon Leather Trim | Purchased 7/19/12

Appreciate 2
SakhirM410783.00
CeEl477.50
      01-02-2020, 08:47 AM   #8
CeEl
Major
United_States
478
Rep
1,250
Posts

Drives: 2020 Z4 M40i
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2024 BMW X5 M60  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by rikwynnpa View Post
Bought a BMW battery conditioner online and unboxed it today. Simple to use and supposedly keeps the battery strong when the car is parked for a long period of time. My E89 had a failed battery after less than 2 years due to the long storage periods every winter. I live in Philly and don't take the car out of the garage from Jan to March normally. I can post pics if anyone's interested.
I have an older BMW battery conditioner that I used with my previous Z4. Do you (or anyone) know if I can use the same one? I thought the G29 has 2 batteries? Or did I misread this?

The old one clammed onto posts in the engine compartment, not onto the battery or the cigarette lighter plug inside the car.
Appreciate 0
      01-02-2020, 04:46 PM   #9
SD ///M4
///Multiple
SD ///M4's Avatar
United_States
2992
Rep
4,243
Posts

Drives: M4 Coupe | M3 | Z4M Roadster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Diego, CA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by CeEl View Post
I have an older BMW battery conditioner that I used with my previous Z4. Do you (or anyone) know if I can use the same one? I thought the G29 has 2 batteries? Or did I misread this?

The old one clammed onto posts in the engine compartment, not onto the battery or the cigarette lighter plug inside the car.
Most recent (within the last 10 years) BMW batteries are lead-cell AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries, except for the F8x M3/M4, which are LiFePo batteries and require a special battery charger. You should be able to use the same battery charger on your G29 that you used on your previous Z4.
__________________
The Coupe: 2016 M4 | Sakhir Orange | Black Full Merino Leather | CF Trim | M-DCT | More | ED 5/13/16
The Sedan: 2018 M3 | San Marino Blue | Black Full Merino Leather | CF Trim | M-DCT | ZCP | ED 7/18/18
The Roadster: 2006 Z4 | Interlagos Blue | Black Extended Nappa Leather | Carbon Leather Trim | Purchased 7/19/12

Appreciate 1
CeEl477.50
      01-02-2020, 10:07 PM   #10
CeEl
Major
United_States
478
Rep
1,250
Posts

Drives: 2020 Z4 M40i
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2024 BMW X5 M60  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by SD ///M4 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by CeEl View Post
I have an older BMW battery conditioner that I used with my previous Z4. Do you (or anyone) know if I can use the same one? I thought the G29 has 2 batteries? Or did I misread this?

The old one clammed onto posts in the engine compartment, not onto the battery or the cigarette lighter plug inside the car.
Most recent (within the last 10 years) BMW batteries are lead-cell AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries, except for the F8x M3/M4, which are LiFePo batteries and require a special battery charger. You should be able to use the same battery charger on your G29 that you used on your previous Z4.
Thank you!
Appreciate 0
      01-03-2020, 11:46 AM   #11
DPelletier
Lieutenant
Canada
675
Rep
556
Posts

Drives: 2020 Z4 M40i
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 Z4 M40i  [7.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW003E View Post
I wash/wax the car, fill gas tank, add Sta-bil, inflate tires a few PSI above the recommended air pressure, hook up a battery tender, lock it, and then cover the car. I let the car sit without touching it until I'm ready to bring it out from storage. I've been doing that for years with my M3 and have not had any issues when I did start it up.
Ditto;

I store up to a dozen cars, bikes, etc. for 6 months at a time every winter for the last 20 years or so. IMO, periodic starting is bad for them unless you let them completely warm up and put them under load......otherwise you are adding condensation and acids to the oil, condensation in the exhaust and generally doing more harm than good.

Dave

Dave
Appreciate 2
BMW003E788.50
///M TOWN13117.00
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:40 AM.




bmw
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST