I know there are a million articles and threads about various ways to prevent door dings. Point is, I'm picking up my Z tomorrow and it'll be my first new car and to be honest the first car I really care about avoiding dings with.

I will be parking in a lot that's almost always completely full (minus a spot or two) so I won't have the luxury of specifically parking far away from other cars. I'll have to park at the first available spot. I was thinking about getting a car cover for the sun anyways, are there any covers with extra padding in the door? Has anyone added a layer of foam or something themselves? I've never owned a car cover so I don't know how much slack there is?

I was even thinking about getting some of those blank magnetic signs to slip on under the cover. I'm not sure how much good they are but they're dirt cheap and might just be effective. Maybe even gluing a layer of foam on the magnets and putting the cover over that...

This is the type of solution I'm looking for, anyone have any suggestions or previous experience?

Thanks and happy driving!

 

I feel your frustration brother! I have the comfort of having almost 1 1/2 floor of unused spaces at my office. 3rd floor is always empty but say maybe 5 cars...and second is about half way empty so I always park in the very back away from everyone. I hardly ever park my vehicle on the 3rd floor due to intense florida sun.

Believe it or not it almost never fails some dumb *** will decide to park next to me and I end up moving my car. Good luck and say a prayer each time you get out that someone want harm your pride and joy!

http://www.dentwizard.com/ can do some pretty nice work if you end up getting hit. I have used them several times...thankfully not on my Z but on other vehicles.

 

yea i feel your pain.. I just avoid parking next to mini vans and cars which a dumb woman will drive.

 

Alright thanks for the tips guys, and thanks for the link.

 

Get a good car cover. One thats pretty thick. People tend to be careful with a car that's covered. Maybe get a good clifford alarm with motion sensors. That would help. When I had a condo thats what I did and no one messed with my car. Now I have a house with garage so I sleep good at night.
Good Luck

 

Although I have a factory cover, it provides little or no protection at all.
I think it's a 50-50 proposition-meaning because it is different, it may make people aware and be more carefull, or to some it's a target.

 

^^^bullseye

 

Man we have a real conundrum. I just don't know what to do. Hmm...

 

Avoid parking next to 4 seater coupes (they have the longer doors).

I've found the Z to have really thin metal on the doors. Compared to my previous 3-series and my wifes Ford, I'm not surprised the Z gets so many dings.

 

http://www.dingguard.com/

 

My work parking lot is full as well but what you need to do in any lot you park in is park on the end, park so you are hugging the end. If you can find a group of people who also avoid door dings and try to park together in row. I did this with my last job. Look byond your parking lot for parking, even if you have to walk a bit.

I've tried my best to avoid dings and have done a so so job, I've got two but they're pretty small and I think the ding doctor can handle them.