The phases of driving an M

[hababa]

I picked up my leased M3 in December, and although I lease my automobiles I tend to take very good care of them - unlike some who's mantra with leased cars is "park it anywhere and drive it like you stole it" (Nothing wrong with that mind you) Personally, I like to keep whats mine in as pristine order as possible, even though it's a relatively short-term relationship.

But for me I'm still parking as far away as others as I can. I still scan the parking lot, noting the direction of the wind, for any chance that a stray cart will break loose and smash into my door. I still check the rear view for that texting jackass with the Pomeranian on her lap, hoping she'll pick her head up in time to see the light is red. I spray off the sand and salt that has accumulated on the side of the car next to where the Wife parks hers in the garage to prevent her from scratching the clear coat when she rubs against it carrying 8 pairs of shoes. IF my kids ride in the backseat I put towels down and drill into them the importance of not putting their soiled boots on the back of the seats in front of them, etc. I guess this is the honeymoon, or anal-retentive, phase.

I figure after my first ding, curb rash, or chipped front end I'll enter the second phase.

I also did this with my 2010 E92, am I the only one who is need of intense therapy? (I know, asked and answered)

[DrtyJrze]

I take care of everything I own or anything I borrow. That's the way I was raised.

But in the end it is a car. It's going to get scratches/dings/etc. Please don't Hulk out on your kids if they get a little dirt in it, ha ha.

[italy3541]

I have OCD so it is impossible for me not to take car of my things. I am unable to sleep if I know my house or car is dirty, so everything I own is always clean and organized. So I know where you are coming from on this. I cant stand when people don't take care of their things..

[huatian]

That is my only phase. Leased or not doesn't matter. There is an old saying I'm found of. "You don't sh#t where you eat"

[Vigilant]

Oh...this sounds too familiar.

[IMMLaw]

Originally Posted by huatian

That is my only phase. Leased or not doesn't matter. There is an old saying I'm found of. "You don't sh#t where you eat"

My family, gf, and friends all hate me because there is only ONE phase - Don't mess my car up: don't jump into the seats, be careful your high heels don't puncture my flooring or leather, don't complain when I park miles away, don't roll your eyes when I tell the valet guy here's more money to park the car and keep the keys myself, don't make fun of me for not allowing dealerships to wash my car through their automatic car wash, etc. It's my car and I'm paying the bills on it.

Plus it's my first M and first nice car. I'm anal and OCD but my baby prefers to be kept as ding and scratch free as possible.

[hyperboost]

the new car OCD, I have it too. I even put on clear bra/venture shield on my leased cars.

[SuspectisHatless]

After a couple of months I care less and less. Its a car and in a few years I will replace it. They will get dinged up, nicked, etc. just as I will get older and balder over time. Just go with flow.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by IMMLaw

My family, gf, and friends all hate me because there is only ONE phase - Don't mess my car up: don't jump into the seats, be careful your high heels don't puncture my flooring or leather, don't complain when I park miles away, don't roll your eyes when I tell the valet guy here's more money to park the car and keep the keys myself, don't make fun of me for not allowing dealerships to wash my car through their automatic car wash, etc. It's my car and I'm paying the bills on it.

Plus it's my first M and first nice car. I'm anal and OCD but my baby prefers to be kept as ding and scratch free as possible.

There is only one phase for me as well, I just sold my 07 335i to a friend and the car was in showroom condition at 60,000 miles. There were no dings, scratches or chips.

I always park at the end of the lot and the car was washed every time it returned to my garage in Manhattan. I intend to treat the M4 the same way.

CA

[M4TW]

What is this "phase two" of which you speak?

[dreamsongs]

Been there done that for the first 3 months. But after that I quickly go into phase 2 which means I'll be washing and vacuuming the car every 6 months and slowly start to not care as much as I did. Then it's off to phase 3 which entails wondering what the next M4 will be like.....it's all downhill from there....

[minisbmw]

I never move beyond phase 1. My cars, home bikes are like new all the time. Good to know that i'm not alone out here.

[04RC51]

This thread is funny! I bought my car to have fun with, not ruin my life obsessing about. The amount of spare time you guys have must be amazing. I just can't bring myself to treat my M4 like a Bugatti. It's just a car? I hope none of you ever get a Ferrari or something super expensive. You will never leave your garage out of fear or paranoia!

I hate taking passengers because I have to clean out the trash from the passenger side. Diet coke bottles and snickers wrappers from my commutes.

I have given it a few good cleanings though since I like clean windows and the rear window always seems to get dirty.

[Ghetto2315]

Hi Everybody - My name is Dan. I have OCD about my cars.

Wow... I feel better now.

[Lups]

Funny thread!

I envy you guys, I would love to be able to keep mine pristine, but here is the sad story of my Peter.

He takes me to the dog park, to school runs, grocery store and so on. My life is a bit busy on the best days, insane in a normal days, and a complete killer on the worst ones. The cup holders are full of stuff a mom needs with her, glove compartment is filled with gloves (go figure), a nappy, change of clothing for my tiny man, my list of stuff to pick up and where to deliver, you get the picture. Its a lot.

I took my friends, who is a car guy girl friend to parks and lunch with me yesterday, and she was laughing how different my car is from his boyfriends. "its a mess, but a loved one". I get him cleaned every week, not that you see the results next day. I've long ago given up and chosen to drive him rather than not using him. He might get dirty, but at least I love the miles I have to do daily.

I envy you all, my love for him shows in the milometer, not in the carpets.

[AW BMW]

When I was younger I used to be that way, I was always cleaning them, washed every week and waxed with out a miss. Kept the interiors super clean and hated having any passengers in my car. When my girlfriends would get in the car they weren't allowed to touch the radio since I had aftermarket radios in most my cars So I used a remote to operate them. But now I have mellowed out a lot since having kids, I still take good care of my cars and keep them clean but if my kids get them dirty it's okay, I just clean up after them that's all. I will say it does feel good driving a freshly washed car, makes me proud of my car somehow.

[gearboxtrouble]

I always buy my cars fully paid up and keep them for 4 years so I tend to take good care of them. This doesn't mean I baby them. I make sure they're all mechanically flawless with no major dings etc but I'm not one of those owners that details the cars every weekend and never drives them in the rain. My M4 is not some collector car. At the end of the day it works for me.

[Lups]

I forgot one thing! Yesterday, my son had a surprise snack in the car, a blue crayon. Fist thing eaten in my beauty.

[jballs16]

I, also, have CDO. It's like OCD but all the letters are in alphabetical order, as they should be.

[Bonzer103]

Originally Posted by jballs16

I, also, have CDO. It's like OCD but all the letters are in alphabetical order, as they should be.

That Gold!

[GBGASTOWERS]

When I only had 1 car and was single it was easy. I would crank the garage stereo and spend several hrs detailing it often. With the addition of more cars and family members it gets done rarely. I even use the touch car washes at the gas stations sometimes now. It's the same type the lexus dealer has. I am almost ready to pay someone I can trust.

[solstice]

I try to avoid any damage to the car and keep it free from mess and dirt inside. I.e I never leave stuff in my car not even in the trunk. My glove compartment only have the insurance and registration cards. Other than that I realized long ago that it's about the driving for me. I drive it every day and it can go weeks between washes and I haven't executed or planned a single mod, I rather save that money for my next car. I have no concerns about how many miles I put on it or how hard I drive it. The plan is to trade it before the warranty expires.