[MetalMK]

Recently, I got a new job that is a lot closer to my house, so I'm planning to drive my 2er to work and leave my other car at home for my family. It is indoor parking but the parking spots are really narrow and pretty much all the spots will be filled with cars. I am concerned about door dents though. What are your ways of avoiding door dents and if they happen, how to get rid of them?

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by MetalMK

Recently, I got a new job that is a lot closer to my house, so I'm planning to drive my 2er to work and leave my other car at home for my family. It is indoor parking but the parking spots are really narrow and pretty much all the spots will be filled with cars. I am concerned about door dents though. What are your ways of avoiding door dents and if they happen, how to get rid of them?

Easiest way is not to park your car in areas where there is tight parking. If you have to do it try to pick a spot at the end or in a corner where only one car can park next to you. That will at least reduce the chance to half.

Get there early you can almost always find a spot at the end of the line or sometimes there is a spot where only one car can fit.

If you do get dinged a paintless dent repair will generally do the trick unless of course there is paint damage as well.

[MetalMK]

Originally Posted by xantdieselx

Easiest way is not to park your car in areas where there is tight parking. If you have to do it try to pick a spot at the end or in a corner where only one car can park next to you. That will at least reduce the chance to half.

Get there early you can almost always find a spot at the end of the line or sometimes there is a spot where only one car can fit.

If you do get dinged a paintless dent repair will generally do the trick unless of course there is paint damage as well.

That's what I used to do. But this parking lot is always filled with cars even at 8 am. I do not think I would be able to find a spot at the end. Probably has something to do with it locating in the middle of the metro area of a big city.

Paintless dent repair could be an option if the dent is on the door, but I don't see a way to access the inside of the rear quarter panel

[paposalsa]

Sounds like a lost battle, people don't care about other cars especially the haters. I would take the other car ....

[Avex]

it's tough to swallow, but dents are a part of ownership of any vehicle. if it can't be avoided and you’re very particular, just include an annual/2yr budget for professional PDR/Touch-up. I did that with my previous 325i, I would let the small dings, dents and paint chips ‘accumulate’ over the course of 1-2 years then when it really annoyed me during my car washes, I would get a trusty mobile PDR/Dent guy to come around.

None of the door guard solutions work for the 2 series as it completely destroys the aesthetic of the car, and I’d hate to apply anything with adhesive on my car body/paintwork.

[wichitagreg]

Buy a 20 year old GMC Jimmy.

Drive it to work.

https://www.kbb.com/gmc/jimmy/1999/

I'm not being funny here. When I had a nice G37 Coupe I wore out two of these thing driving two miles each way to work in Wichita KS. 4x4, bullet proof but ugly.

[BM235iW]

Something like this might work.

https://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3632174.htm

[snaketh]

The first one is always the worst. I do my best to park in corners or next to a wall.

If it's not avoidable I just cross my fingers. As others have said, a good PDR guy can work wonders.

[Unicorn123]

Originally Posted by BM235iW

Something like this might work.

https://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3632174.htm

This is a cool idea!

My father was a big fan of stick-on door molding. He'd buy rolls of side molding from JC Whitney. I do agree that this would not work for the aesthetics of the 2-Series but we rarely had dented doors growing up...

[BM235iW]

Originally Posted by Unicorn123

This is a cool idea!

My father was a big fan of stick-on door molding. He'd buy rolls of side molding from JC Whitney. I do agree that this would not work for the aesthetics of the 2-Series but we rarely had dented doors growing up...

Originally Posted by Unicorn123

This is a cool idea!

My father was a big fan of stick-on door molding. He'd buy rolls of side molding from JC Whitney. I do agree that this would not work for the aesthetics of the 2-Series but we rarely had dented doors growing up...

I believe the idea is these are magnetic bumpers with security cable to be used where parking is tight. My personal concern is the door(s) and attaching magnets need to be clean to avoid scratching.

[B58togo]

Originally Posted by MetalMK

That's what I used to do. But this parking lot is always filled with cars even at 8 am. I do not think I would be able to find a spot at the end. Probably has something to do with it locating in the middle of the metro area of a big city.

Paintless dent repair could be an option if the dent is on the door, but I don't see a way to access the inside of the rear quarter panel

They can access the quarter panel by removing the trunk liners or the rear seat interior parts, depending on where the dent is located.

[Hpirx]

What about some kind of clear wrap product, like from 3M.
Might not prevent a dent per se, but should reduce the paint damage and give you a little more peace of mind.

[Lucky13]

Dentless repair doesn’t need to access the interior of doors or quarter panels. Had my rear quarter panel fixed on the crease over the wheel and also fixed on the crease above the front wheel on a 335 ci. Its all done with suction cups now pulling out the dents not like the old way with rods pushing it out. Actually had two dings taken out of my M235 on each side of the rear at seperate times.

[USA-RET]

You can always buy a padded car cover (Coverking (moving blanket), etc) . Realizing they can be a PITA to put on and remove each time you park at work, but the do work (as long as someone doesn't really whack your car with their door. Down side, putting on and removing from a dirty car can cause surface scratching.

[RoundelM3]

I'm thinking a force-field powered by a flux capacitor that is set "on" when locking the car will do the trick. Other than that, it's common sense about where and how you park, but there's always that $hitforbrained idiot that can't seem to respect other people's property or is too preoccupied with their phone to pay attention to what they're doing.

[arhoads335i]

Park next to cars the same color as yours and that are more expensive.

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by MetalMK

Recently, I got a new job that is a lot closer to my house, so I'm planning to drive my 2er to work and leave my other car at home for my family. It is indoor parking but the parking spots are really narrow and pretty much all the spots will be filled with cars. I am concerned about door dents though. What are your ways of avoiding door dents and if they happen, how to get rid of them?

Move to mars. I heard that there are only one or two other vehicles up there. But seriously, do what I do - park way, way, away from everyone, I also refuse to park in some places if I am not comfortable with the parking situation.

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by MetalMK

Recently, I got a new job that is a lot closer to my house, so I'm planning to drive my 2er to work and leave my other car at home for my family. It is indoor parking but the parking spots are really narrow and pretty much all the spots will be filled with cars. I am concerned about door dents though. What are your ways of avoiding door dents and if they happen, how to get rid of them?

One more serious thought - park with a group of like minded people who watch out for each other.

[hwntime]

Wouldn't these with a magnetic backing attached pretty much be the equivalent without costing $64.95!

[rich8566]

Here's my M2 at JFK Airport

[MetalMK]

Originally Posted by rich8566

Here's my M2 at JFK Airport

Nice "private" spot for an M2!

I can't really park way way way away from everyone because even the furthest spots are filled. I'm just gonna hope for the best

[paposalsa]

Today I saw a fairly brand new M3 park in the middle of a parking lot. I got sick just by looking at the car and immediately though about this thread ...