How do you avoid door dings?
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Houston, TX
2010 W212, P2, Pano - 2011 ML-350 Bluetec, P1 - 2009 Specialized Rockhopper SL Comp 29
hanjaya1 has a good point. If you can stay between the passenger side (of the car next to you) and a curb, you should be alright. Seems like 90% of drivers are alone so no one is getting out on your side. Other than that I walk, I'm as crazy as the rest of you!
I love the door protectors lyjw88 is showing, I assume they are magnetic, two things concern me, the car better be clean, dirt behind the magnet will scratch the surface and someone will probably steal them first time out!
I love the door protectors lyjw88 is showing, I assume they are magnetic, two things concern me, the car better be clean, dirt behind the magnet will scratch the surface and someone will probably steal them first time out!
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
none
Hey guy's... I'm new and this is my first post... All good advice on door dings. I've used many of the same techniques for years. But I was curious to know what types of experiences you've had with Valet and door dings & curbed wheels...
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Another thing I try to avoid is when I see young kids in vehicles, I don't park next to them. Too often, they just let the doors swing as wide as possilbe. Also run up to their car and may hit mine while running.
No offense to those with kids, but it happens.
No offense to those with kids, but it happens.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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2015 GL450
Yeah, I am forever telling my 4-year-old not to use the door to push herself into the car. You're right, this causes the door to swing wide and stop when it hits the car in the next spot. I catch the door and admonish her most of the time, but I've missed a few...
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
none
Thanks K-A I have been skeptical about them lately. At first I thought they would be a safer option. Private parking area. Only one driver and not a large group of people walking past your car or exiting the others next to your car.
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2015 GL450
Sometimes at upscale hotels and restaurants you can ask for your car to be left out front. This often works with my Mercedes, but for some reason it never worked with my old beat up Subaru.
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Out Of Control!!
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
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2015 GL450
It's odd, but I grew up in West Texas, where any car damage was considered disastrous, the end of the world, a calamity. Eventually, I moved to Boston, and in the first week I was there a colleague told me his wife had totaled her car in a wreck. My reaction was consistent with my upbringing -- "Oh my God! What are you going to do?! How terrible!" His reaction was much more muted. "Ahh, you gotta expect to be in a wreck at least once a year. Cars are disposable."
Since then, my attitude has become much the same. "Whatever." Dings, scrapes, baseball-sized rocks bouncing down the freeway, "whatever." You'd die of hypertension if you worried about it here. At least with most cars here, the damage is collateral rather than malicious. When I had my Porsche, it seemed that people would go out of their way to mess up my car. When I traded it in for my Subaru, it [the Porsche] still had a patch of tar put on the car by an envious person who was taring a parking lot, and that's when I parked as far away as possible from other cars.
I don't worry about dings. I park wherever I want. Sadly, my car is still disposable.
Since then, my attitude has become much the same. "Whatever." Dings, scrapes, baseball-sized rocks bouncing down the freeway, "whatever." You'd die of hypertension if you worried about it here. At least with most cars here, the damage is collateral rather than malicious. When I had my Porsche, it seemed that people would go out of their way to mess up my car. When I traded it in for my Subaru, it [the Porsche] still had a patch of tar put on the car by an envious person who was taring a parking lot, and that's when I parked as far away as possible from other cars.
I don't worry about dings. I park wherever I want. Sadly, my car is still disposable.
Last edited by ttoE550; Jun 19, 2011 at 09:54 PM.
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2011 E550, 2018 Land Cruiser, 1966 Vette
I was cleaning my truck yesterday and saw new, light scratches down the passenger side covering almost the entire length between the wheel wells. My wife had taken it downtown last week and parked in parking garage. I asked her about it and she said she noticed them but cannot swear the incident occurred there. Obviously, some careless jerk walked alongside carrying a purse or briefcase that happened to rub the car in passing.
I would just love, LOVE, L O V E to catch some jerk in the act.
I would just love, LOVE, L O V E to catch some jerk in the act.
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 181
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From: Canada
2011 E350 4Matic Estate in Mystic Red
I was cleaning my truck yesterday and saw new, light scratches down the passenger side covering almost the entire length between the wheel wells. My wife had taken it downtown last week and parked in parking garage. I asked her about it and she said she noticed them but cannot swear the incident occurred there. Obviously, some careless jerk walked alongside carrying a purse or briefcase that happened to rub the car in passing.
I would just love, LOVE, L O V E to catch some jerk in the act.
I would just love, LOVE, L O V E to catch some jerk in the act.
What would you (or anyone else here) do if you caught someone dinging your door, let's say unintentionally?
Super Member
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2015 GL450
Slightly different, but I was teaching at a university and noticed a two students using my Porsche as a writing desk. "Don't write on my car! Are you f***ing idiots?" The following semester, those same two students were enrolled in my class, but for only a few minutes. Maybe my glare for those first few minutes encouraged them to drop.
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From: Placitas, NM
E550
E550 Lux:
I've noticed that the Costcos, in our area at least, have extra WIIDE parking places, with double yellow lines between spaces. We always appreciate that extra safety.
Also, NEVER, EVER, park next to a 70's - 80's two-door hardtop. It's already a wreck, the owner doesn't give a rat's a***, and the doors are at least 8 feet wide and always opened to the stop.
I've noticed that the Costcos, in our area at least, have extra WIIDE parking places, with double yellow lines between spaces. We always appreciate that extra safety.
Also, NEVER, EVER, park next to a 70's - 80's two-door hardtop. It's already a wreck, the owner doesn't give a rat's a***, and the doors are at least 8 feet wide and always opened to the stop.
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From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
My car seems to be a magnet whenever i park far out, usually its another Benz or nicer car....all good advice in this thread. One thing to add, I never park next to a mini van, ever!!
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From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
I park in the handicap spots. But that does not always work. My old car was parked in the handicap spot and someone backed up into the rear door. Of course they did not leave a note. Cost $2,000 to fix. The safest place is the handicap spots it is a lot safer than a regular spot.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
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From: Novato,Ca
2011 Mercedes Benz E550
Park away from most other cars and if you get a ding I am sure threre is a local dent pro/wizard tech in the area,they can remove them in no time for little amount of money.
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From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
MBWorld Fanatic!
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E 350
I park in the handicap spots. But that does not always work. My old car was parked in the handicap spot and someone backed up into the rear door. Of course they did not leave a note. Cost $2,000 to fix. The safest place is the handicap spots it is a lot safer than a regular spot.
