[KS_340i]

What would you do?

We're sneaking in a second skiing holiday at easter, as snow was pretty poor over NY. Normally, we fly from Gatwick, and use valet parking. Easier with kids. I know they go and park the car off site somewhere but never had any issued with current car, plus i'm not that precious about it.

This time however, best flight times etc were Luton so we're going from there.

Thing is, hopefully, i get the new 340i on 1 March, it it will be less than 3 weeks old. Not used Luton valet parking but not sure i'd want to let them have the keys to a less than 3 week old car...

So, what's the best of the rest? Short, medium or long term? More to the point, which offers lowest chance of damage! I suspect long term as most folk will leave there car a week or more so less activity etc. Short term might see more movement and risk of damage?

What do you think? Or shall we taxi it to the airport!

[Dadwhitey]

If I had a 3 week old car it would be a taxi just for peace oh mind and relax to enjoy my break not thinking of the car

[....,,,,..,,..]

I hate Luton, I would taxi it.

[Sussex_G20]

taxi taxi taxi

But I use for anything over 3 or 4 days the cost tends to balance out or if going across time zones and long haul - safety (tiredness) and comfort (on board not having to count the glasses)

[Kal101]

Never hand my car over to anyone to park anywhere ever.

On any sort of holiday trip always one of two options

Taxi if from Birmingham airport

Do a one way rental - bit more expensive but adds to the fun as I always upgrade a bit

[Ti Rich]

I have used valet parking at most airports probably 20 times a year for the last 24 years. Never had a single problem.

Heathrow valet had my car at 3 days old.........

BUT I will not use anything to do with purple parking......avoid!

[KS_340i]

I've always used the official Gatwick valet and not had a problem. Agree re purple parking!

Will think about taxi (return around £200 from home, whereas £40 for mid stay car park )...but since the only way i persuaded SWMBO that we could do a second skiing holiday in one season was if we did a more "budget" one, not sure a £200 taxi bill is budget!

[Quakered]

I am with others for the dislike of Luton. It is just too far from Surrey. We only fly if it is from Heathrow and only ever use the short term car park. Easy walk to the bag drop, few minutes through fast track security and into the lounge. Better still, on the way home a little walk to the car and we are driving home. On returning home from hols out East in December we were in the car 20 minutes after disembarking the aircraft. Marvellous! Clearly the most expensive option but not hugely more than leaving your car keys with a YTS boy.

There is a short term car park at Luton and booking ahead the prices aren't too bad.

[NISFAN]

Train to Luton airport parkway and taxi in.

[....,,,,..,,..]

I have no problems using London Heathrow long stay, or Birmingham long stay.

I just will never ever use Luton.

[RobUK]

+1 for the train/taxi ... got a mate who lives in Luton. Not a nice place

[Ross_T_Boss]

I won't do anything other than Taxi now, can't be arsed driving / calling valets to return car etc.

I used valet a few times, the last time i heard + then saw my car being ragged hard up to the parking bay... it was a Golf TDI FFS... pulled out of the car park and promptly stopped to find it had a flat tyre and severe leaking rad that needing filling every 10 miles. Never again!

That said previous experiences were ok, didn't like waiting 20-30 mins for them to bring my car up though when i was 20mins from aircraft to the pick-up point.

[KS_340i]

Gatwick official valet is fine, as you drop off in short stay, and car is already there when you come to collect. Never had any issues with it.

We may well taxi it or use short stay at Luton. Did mid stay years back and very long wait for the bus despite an advertised frequency of every 5-10 mins.

Agree Luton is a dump. Only going there as flight times work best for us. Saying that, Gatwick had some flights but they were 3x more expensive for almost same timings/route, so a £700 saving by going to Luton.

[Minty]

I would avoid parking at Luton at all costs, especially as they are currently doing lots of building work within the car parks.

Last time I flew from Luton my worked booked the official short term car park with a specific entry time. When I arrived on time the car park (basically a building site) was full and I had 10-20 mins of very stressful waiting until fortunately someone came back and drove off. I then had 5+ other cars competing for the same space!! Also, when I collected my car 2 days later it was absolutely filthy. Needless to say I was extremely f*cked off and have got taxis ever since

Minty

[R0B]

I live close to Luton and use it a lot as I travel on business etc. Long stay is actually quite a spacey car park - as ever just look out for an end spot to avoid the odds. Mrs gets annoyed that EVERYWHERE we go, I spend 10 minutes finding the least risky spot.

Might change as she took the prize of our first 403 alloy donk yesterday.

(P.S - I'd offer you a space at mine 15 mins down the road, but live in an apartment block with one *******

[Bibbles]

I used Luton Valet parking when my F31 was 4 weeks old, no issues, the guys there seemed fine and no damage or problems with the car. I do always check the app when away just to see where the car has been parked.

[isleaiw]

Originally Posted by Robbo

I live close to Luton and use it a lot as I travel on business etc. Long stay is actually quite a spacey car park - as ever just look out for an end spot to avoid the odds. Mrs gets annoyed that EVERYWHERE we go, I spend 10 minutes finding the least risky spot.

Might change as she took the prize of our first 403 alloy donk yesterday.

(P.S - I'd offer you a space at mine 15 mins down the road, but live in an apartment block with one *******

I know that feeling well.

Another here who lives within 10 miles of Luton and I have a garage and off street parking....

[KS_340i]

thanks all for feedback. So will either be taxi or long stay (which maybe better bet than short stay)