Downtown living without garage?

The_E92_Fan · 01-01-2021, 05:33 PM

I've been considering moving into a downtown area to help split the driving distance between my wife and I. I currently have an apartment that I love and it has a private garage attached. After looking for a while, it doesn't look like the perfect apartment will show up by the time my lease is up, so I may have to settle with no private garage. So the question; those of you who are serious DIY guys like me that need your own space to work AND who do it without your own garage, how do you do it?

thestimp · 01-01-2021, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_E92_Fan

I've been considering moving into a downtown area to help split the driving distance between my wife and I. I currently have an apartment that I love and it has a private garage attached. After looking for a while, it doesn't look like the perfect apartment will show up by the time my lease is up, so I may have to settle with no private garage. So the question; those of you who are serious DIY guys like me that need your own space to work AND who do it without your own garage, how do you do it?

Join a car club, make one in your area for M-owners, and use their garage. I either do that or do m y mods in my office parking lot.

9M71 · 01-01-2021, 07:43 PM

Did this in college, wrenched in a covered parking lot. It was terrible tbh - had to keep a small jack and tools in the trunk which took up valuable space and I'm sure killed the MPGs. Plus all the passerbys who want to make convo and then tell you their life story.

btw strap down your jack if you do leave it in your car. otherwise it's going to make a dent from the inside out.

RoundelM3 · 01-02-2021, 08:17 AM

Have you considered buying a house now that interest rates are below 3%? Also, is there a self-storage facility nearby where you could rent a 10x15 space? You could leave your tools/jack, etc. locked up safely.

The_E92_Fan · 01-02-2021, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoundelM3

Have you considered buying a house now that interest rates are below 3%? Also, is there a self-storage facility nearby where you could rent a 10x15 space? You could leave your tools/jack, etc. locked up safely.

I have considered but I moved for a job. I'll be moving again in 4 years. I think I would lose too much money on fees and buying/selling costs.

RoundelM3 · 01-02-2021, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_E92_Fan

I have considered but I moved for a job. I'll be moving again in 4 years. I think I would lose too much money on fees and buying/selling costs.

Not necessarily - I lived in a new townhome for 3 years, sold it to build a new single-family place, and made $10K after realtor fees/closing costs. I used a flat-fee selling service that saved a good bit of cash. In most situations, a house is never a bad investment. What about the self-storage idea? I know a couple of people who have more cars than garage spaces, and they rent their extra space for cheap.

The_E92_Fan · 01-02-2021, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoundelM3

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_E92_Fan

I have considered but I moved for a job. I'll be moving again in 4 years. I think I would lose too much money on fees and buying/selling costs.

Not necessarily - I lived in a new townhome for 3 years, sold it to build a new single-family place, and made $10K after realtor fees/closing costs. In most situations, a house is never a bad investment. What about the self-storage idea? I know a couple of people who have more cars than garage spaces, and they rent their extra space for cheap.

10x20 rates are around $175 per month. I would only use it a couple times for parts install and oil changes, though I do have a need for storage citing big shelving and my quick jack. If nothing else, I'd happily pay for the convenience of downtown living while my "garage" is only a mile away.

RoundelM3 · 01-02-2021, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_E92_Fan

10x20 rates are around $175 per month. I would only use it a couple times for parts install and oil changes, though I do have a need for storage citing big shelving and my quick jack. If nothing else, I'd happily pay for the convenience of downtown living while my "garage" is only a mile away.

That's more than the rates are around here (SE NC), but not terrible, particularly if you can use the space for storage as well. My only concern about "downtown living" is where to park. Parking garages are ok, but I'd worry about theft/damage.

So are you not able to work from home? Before I retired in 2015, I worked from home for almost 10 years - before it became a thing. Nothing beats a "home office" as far as commute times!

The_E92_Fan · 01-02-2021, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoundelM3

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_E92_Fan

10x20 rates are around $175 per month. I would only use it a couple times for parts install and oil changes, though I do have a need for storage citing big shelving and my quick jack. If nothing else, I'd happily pay for the convenience of downtown living while my "garage" is only a mile away.

That's more than the rates are around here (SE NC), but not terrible, particularly if you can use the space for storage as well. My only concern about "downtown living" is where to park. Parking garages are ok, but I'd worry about theft/damage.

So are you not able to work from home? Before I retired in 2015, I worked from home for almost 10 years - before it became a thing. Nothing beats a "home office" as far as commute times!

I wish I could work from home but I work in construction. I work 50-55 hours a week onsite. It's a blessing, really. 2020 in all it's horror never really affected my job.

RoundelM3 · 01-02-2021, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_E92_Fan

I wish I could work from home but I work in construction. I work 50-55 hours a week onsite. It's a blessing, really. 2020 in all it's horror never really affected my job.

You are indeed lucky to be able to continue working - lots of construction going on where I live too, only it's mostly suburban housing. Hope you're able to find a housing situation that works for you. Be well and stay safe!

bitterspeak · 01-04-2021, 02:42 AM

Try as see if there are DIY garages in your area.

It's a warehouse with a bunch of rent-a-lift and they provide all the tools. Sometimes they can help you out as well. They're typically catered towards car enthusiasts that either need space or need tools. The ones around me are rented by the hour.

W/// · 01-04-2021, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_E92_Fan

10x20 rates are around $175 per month. I would only use it a couple times for parts install and oil changes, though I do have a need for storage citing big shelving and my quick jack. If nothing else, I'd happily pay for the convenience of downtown living while my "garage" is only a mile away.

I personally think this would be worth it. I have so many parts and tools that it would never fit in an apartment and would be so cumbersome. Plus being able to have a space to work on a car, even if it's a few times a month would be worth that $175 to me.

The_E92_Fan · 01-04-2021, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W///

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_E92_Fan

10x20 rates are around $175 per month. I would only use it a couple times for parts install and oil changes, though I do have a need for storage citing big shelving and my quick jack. If nothing else, I'd happily pay for the convenience of downtown living while my "garage" is only a mile away.

I personally think this would be worth it. I have so many parts and tools that it would never fit in an apartment and would be so cumbersome. Plus being able to have a space to work on a car, even if it's a few times a month would be worth that $175 to me.

I agree and after so much discussion here I have an idea of the alternatives.

Taco_Bueno · 01-05-2021, 06:26 PM

Lived in an apartment when I first got my M4. Had a detached garage in the complex secured but apparently the leasing agent had lied to me and when I got back from Plano with my car, had no garage.

Ended up parking it outside in Lubbock for about 6 months. Had 3 mattress pads to cover it in the event of hail (4 instances of golf ball sized hail over this time).

She is safe and sound in a garage now. Never took any damage. Honestly I'd rather deal with inclement weather conditions in a rural area then the degenerates that will surround your car in a city. Best of luck

Elwood F · 09-24-2021, 01:37 AM

I'm planning to store my car for approximately 6 months, in a self-storage unit. One of my friends suggested to me this idea of storing that he had already done. But I'm afraid that, does my car be functional after getting it from the storage. He recommended me to make sure that all the fluids are at proper levels, set tire pressures to the normal cold setting. I'm also planning to remove the battery. Anything else should I know?

AlmondJayRoM3 · 09-24-2021, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elwood F

I'm planning to store my car for approximately 6 months, in a self-storage unit. One of my friends suggested to me this idea of storing that he had already done. But I'm afraid that, does my car be functional after getting it from the storage. He recommended me to make sure that all the fluids are at proper levels, set tire pressures to the normal cold setting. I'm also planning to remove the battery. Anything else should I know?

Done this several times for deployments. Put fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. Top it off with gas. Drive the car so that it’s warm immediately before you store it. This ensures minimal moisture in the exhaust system.

I like to slightly over inflate the tires to minimize flat spotting and to account for air lowering a little bit. Some people say to change the oil before or after storing or both. I’ve never done it and just continue with my norma mileage/annual oil change intervals.

As for the battery, put it on a tender if you can or just disconnect the negative battery terminal.

01-01-2021, 05:33 PM	#1
The_E92_Fan V8 Bait 206 Rep 769 Posts Drives: your mom Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: your moms house iTrader: (0)	Downtown living without garage? I've been considering moving into a downtown area to help split the driving distance between my wife and I. I currently have an apartment that I love and it has a private garage attached. After looking for a while, it doesn't look like the perfect apartment will show up by the time my lease is up, so I may have to settle with no private garage. So the question; those of you who are serious DIY guys like me that need your own space to work AND who do it without your own garage, how do you do it? __________________ Broke AF
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01-01-2021, 07:43 PM	#3
9M71 Major 1234 Rep 1,164 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 \| 6MT Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NYC iTrader: (2)	Did this in college, wrenched in a covered parking lot. It was terrible tbh - had to keep a small jack and tools in the trunk which took up valuable space and I'm sure killed the MPGs. Plus all the passerbys who want to make convo and then tell you their life story. btw strap down your jack if you do leave it in your car. otherwise it's going to make a dent from the inside out.
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01-02-2021, 08:17 AM	#4
RoundelM3 Major General 1834 Rep 6,989 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	Have you considered buying a house now that interest rates are below 3%? Also, is there a self-storage facility nearby where you could rent a 10x15 space? You could leave your tools/jack, etc. locked up safely. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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01-04-2021, 02:42 AM	#11
bitterspeak Private 88 Rep 77 Posts Drives: G80 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Try as see if there are DIY garages in your area. It's a warehouse with a bunch of rent-a-lift and they provide all the tools. Sometimes they can help you out as well. They're typically catered towards car enthusiasts that either need space or need tools. The ones around me are rented by the hour.
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01-05-2021, 06:26 PM	#14
Taco_Bueno Captain 956 Rep 624 Posts Drives: BSM BMW M4 F82 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: The Woodlands, TX iTrader: (0)	Lived in an apartment when I first got my M4. Had a detached garage in the complex secured but apparently the leasing agent had lied to me and when I got back from Plano with my car, had no garage. Ended up parking it outside in Lubbock for about 6 months. Had 3 mattress pads to cover it in the event of hail (4 instances of golf ball sized hail over this time). She is safe and sound in a garage now. Never took any damage. Honestly I'd rather deal with inclement weather conditions in a rural area then the degenerates that will surround your car in a city. Best of luck
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09-24-2021, 01:37 AM	#15
Elwood F New Member 2 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW 6 series(G32) Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Dallas, Texas iTrader: (0)	I'm planning to store my car for approximately 6 months, in a self-storage unit. One of my friends suggested to me this idea of storing that he had already done. But I'm afraid that, does my car be functional after getting it from the storage. He recommended me to make sure that all the fluids are at proper levels, set tire pressures to the normal cold setting. I'm also planning to remove the battery. Anything else should I know?
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