need advise... storage
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
need advise... storage
Hey,
I will be going abroad to study University in a few weeks and I have no choice but to leave my beloved car on my drive (no shelter) unattended for 2-3 months.. I will come back every 2-3months but will leave again for the next semester in about 3weeks.. So, is it ideal for me to keep the car? Or is it better for me to sell it? I ask this is because I've heard that cars that are rarely used develop problems easily and I don't want that..
Just to note, I have a 50% waterproof cover for my car but that's all I have... Is there anything else I could do to keep it as healthy and happy as possible?
Thanks,
Jeff
I will be going abroad to study University in a few weeks and I have no choice but to leave my beloved car on my drive (no shelter) unattended for 2-3 months.. I will come back every 2-3months but will leave again for the next semester in about 3weeks.. So, is it ideal for me to keep the car? Or is it better for me to sell it? I ask this is because I've heard that cars that are rarely used develop problems easily and I don't want that..
Just to note, I have a 50% waterproof cover for my car but that's all I have... Is there anything else I could do to keep it as healthy and happy as possible?
Thanks,
Jeff
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 0
Mercedes-Benz w124
do you live close to me? if so ill drive it 5 miles per week and wash it if it gets dirty for any reason. those bird droppings are killer! haha, but yea, its up to you. how much do you care for the car? was it your first car? its up to you, not us. that car is pretty good since its only 50k miles. if you sell it in 10 years, with the same amount of miles, it will be worth a lot more.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 882
Likes: 2
From: Sherman Oaks
2004 C240, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
I would have a family member drive it for minimum 20 - 30 minutes at least once a week. and all will be well.
Don't sell it. just let it get taken care of by someone you trust.
My car sat at my bodyshop for 6 months while being repaired and it was fine afterwards, but they did start it and move it every so often when they needed to.
Don't sell it. just let it get taken care of by someone you trust.
My car sat at my bodyshop for 6 months while being repaired and it was fine afterwards, but they did start it and move it every so often when they needed to.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 696
Likes: 4
From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
I've stored cars off and on for over 30 years. Two things that suffer the most on a car during storage are the battery and the brakes.
The battery should be disconnected during storage and trickle charged before restoring service.
The rotor surfaces develop rust. This is not a problem if stored in a garage. If stored outside this can be a problem and require a brake job, sometimes with new parts.
It's ideal to run the car about once a week. But if circumstances don't allow this - for example if you don't trust your scatterbrained sister to handle the responsibility - then don't worry about leaving the car for months at a time. It'll be okay. You can even save on insurance by dropping liability and keeping only fire, theft, and vandalism. The money you save on insurance can cover any repair once you put it back in service.
The battery should be disconnected during storage and trickle charged before restoring service.
The rotor surfaces develop rust. This is not a problem if stored in a garage. If stored outside this can be a problem and require a brake job, sometimes with new parts.
It's ideal to run the car about once a week. But if circumstances don't allow this - for example if you don't trust your scatterbrained sister to handle the responsibility - then don't worry about leaving the car for months at a time. It'll be okay. You can even save on insurance by dropping liability and keeping only fire, theft, and vandalism. The money you save on insurance can cover any repair once you put it back in service.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
try to have someone start it once a week for about ten minutes, and drive once a month, preferably on whatever trips they are doing that day.
if not just disconnect the battery, reconnect in a few months and go.
if not just disconnect the battery, reconnect in a few months and go.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
