Valet or Street parking? *especially in NYC

skimmilk20 · 03-23-2009, 10:31 AM

For those who live in cities or travel into urban areas with your car:

Do most of you guys use and trust parking lot structures?

Or..

Do you just park in the street...

I just bought a Bumper Bully.com guard for my bumper but haven't parked it at night in the street yet...

I know there are far nicer cars than a silver 328i, but this is my baby and I wash and wax it frequently, my rims are clean and it just looks so... *sighs... nice....

So do you guys use parking lots or street parking? Based on the recent thread about a fellow owner who got his bumper f*cked up, I'm a little scared...

freshwhite335 · 03-23-2009, 10:37 AM

ur screwed no matter what u do. my grandma has an e90 328xi in JB and lives on LI and even out there after a year her car looks like shit bc people just dont care, they back in to and "love tap" any car no matter how nice.

Prissy · 03-23-2009, 10:41 AM

my friend once landed the key to a valet parking guy, and that was the last time she saw her Mercedes...

Sorry I was off topic hah... ya I pay for indoor parking even if there are lots of free spaces outside... where in NYC you live? I am in Queens, if you are in the city then thats a lot more parking fees that you'll have to throw away.

ilidon · 03-23-2009, 10:44 AM

Well, it depends on the area. I live in queens and I've been parking my car for almost 4 months in the street. It's ok. What I do to prevent dings is when you park always leave adequate space between you and the other car and always put the bumper guard on.

E90Graphite07 · 03-23-2009, 10:45 AM

That's what we pay insurance for... it's really a hit or miss. Just ensure you have your digital camera with you and do a walk through of the car/facility before and after you get your car. This way, the images will have timestamps to prove as evidence. Parking within the streets is really an open invitation to possible scratches by bystanders, bad drivers who can't park, people leaning or sitting on your car.

If you're really paranoid, keep your car in a garage, and take a taxi, especially in NY!

Kev · 03-23-2009, 10:47 AM

I would do neither valet nor street parking. I would park it myself in a garage and walk the distance instead.

cn555ic · 03-23-2009, 10:55 AM

bumper guard does squat especially when you have people that drive BIG suvs and ram into your bumper instead of love tap...what about the front bumper protection?

skimmilk20 · 03-23-2009, 10:59 AM

I'm in bayside, queens.

The issue is I go to the city a lot for my GF and for my buddies. The problem with garages is that there are only a few in the city that you can take a ticket and then just drive in yourself and then park it.

Are there any garages that you guys trust?

and for street parking, I do see a lot of cars on the street, my biggest paranoia is of getting key'd

E90Graphite07 · 03-23-2009, 11:05 AM

Public Transportation => affordable & worry free.

Fixing your car over from love bumps, being keyed, etc ==> too costly for your blood pressure.

Prissy · 03-23-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skimmilk20

I'm in bayside, queens.

The issue is I go to the city a lot for my GF and for my buddies. The problem with garages is that there are only a few in the city that you can take a ticket and then just drive in yourself and then park it.

Are there any garages that you guys trust?

and for street parking, I do see a lot of cars on the street, my biggest paranoia is of getting key'd

In bayside you are 100% good man... I always drive out to the city with my girl on weekends, we just park at meters all the time.

nicknaz · 03-23-2009, 12:48 PM

I never use valets or valet parking lots. period. its just a mess waiting to happen. manual transmission cars are just too tempting for valets.

I didn't use any bumper stopped type products, just tried to be careful where i street parked and my old WRX made it through 2 yrs in NYC area without a mark on its bumpers

STE92VE · 03-23-2009, 12:56 PM

Well, whenever we had to go someplace and park in unfriendly territory, we would take my wife's car (2003 Acura TL) and keep the E92 at home.....after her new car gets home from ED, if we're going someplace with friends, I'll have them drive.

She already has told me that when we go food shopping, I'm to stay with the car and protect it from inconsiderate people who don't value their possessions, let alone someone else's. OK by me, I hate food shopping anyway!

STE92VE · 03-23-2009, 12:58 PM

Oh, and if you're thinking of giving it to a valet, read this:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243870

MorpheIS · 03-23-2009, 01:04 PM

I have been driving out to NYC 2-3 times a week for the past 1.5 years with my e92 335i. I always park in the same few parking garages and have never had any issues.

My recommendation is to pick a garage and get to know the people there. Strike up a conversation with the person that's about to park your car and give them a nudge to take extra good care of it. When you receive your car, always do a quick walk around to check for damage and tip the person a bit extra than the normal $1.

They'll come to know know you as someone that's a bit more anal about your car, but also someone who tips a bit extra!

I park almost exclusively at Icon Parking garages. They always perform a walk around of the car and jot down any visible damage. I've even seen them chase after a woman with a Lexus to notify her that they've found a little scuff on the passenger side door.

Granted, shit can happen at any given time, I've managed to mitigate problems with the above strategy!

jlstyle · 03-23-2009, 01:43 PM

I've been commuting to NYC for past 5 years with my S2k, z4, 335i and I do monthly parking on garages and occasional street parkings.
I'm very rigorous when I select the monthly garage space as I've been to many many garages and only trust couple of them.
If attendants are dicks, they don't give a crap and scratch, dings your car no matter what how much tip you pay.
So be careful picking out the garage to park.

And as far as street parking goes.... It's your destiny. Even if you park in the safest and least busy street, your car always can get a scracth/ding/even dent.
I never park any of my car in the middle of cramped parellel park or neither the trash cans. Always park at the first or last spot of the parellel zone so I never get sandwiched.

skimmilk20 · 03-23-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Oh, and if you're thinking of giving it to a valet, read this:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243870

^ yeah dude, thats why I wrote this thread, I'm frekkin paranoid... my car is CPO'd but brand new to me...

I'm trying to figure out what's worse... bringing it to a parking lot and risking the guys go crazy on my 6-speed manual or parking it in the street and having my car bumped or key'd by some punk kids in the UES.

to ^, which ICON parking lots do you go to?

I'm tempted to park my car in an ICON close to park ave in the 80's, I would imagine there must be richer guys with manual m3's and 335's who park there right?

sizquik · 03-23-2009, 01:45 PM

In a lot and your car will still get dinged. NYC is about as rough as you're going to get in the US

STE92VE · 03-23-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skimmilk20

^ yeah dude, thats why I wrote this thread, I'm frekkin paranoid... my car is CPO'd but brand new to me...

I'm trying to figure out what's worse... bringing it to a parking lot and risking the guys go crazy on my 6-speed manual or parking it in the street and having my car bumped or key'd by some punk kids in the UES.

The only people I let drive my 6MT is the BMW Service Center employees, because they won't let me drive it into the shop area myself.

Bimmer007 · 03-23-2009, 02:16 PM

rent a car for the day

LarrySinNJ · 03-23-2009, 02:18 PM

I second (or third) the ICON recommenation. I often use their lot on W 50th St.

I had my car about six weeks, when I parked on the upper west side, and got my first two dings from the license plate in front of me. Funny - the garage attendants immediately didn't understand any english.

doggiedog · 03-23-2009, 05:23 PM

It's hard in NYC because you can't really choose where you street park. You usually have to take what you get.

I usually park in the Port Authority parking lot because you can park it yourself. The only problem is they raised their rates to $33/day compared to $24 last year.

Cyber · 03-23-2009, 05:36 PM

100 % LOT. Be sure to have the guy examine the car before turning it over and upon delivery.

If you park on the street you may get:

1. Towed (there are douche bag non flatbed towers looking for prey)
2. Keyed (there are douche bags who hate bimmer owners)
3. Bumped (there are douche bags who do not know how to paralel park)
4. Spit on or worse (there are just douche bags)

03-23-2009, 10:31 AM	#1
skimmilk20 Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 215 Posts Drives: 2007 328i 6 spd MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	*Valet or Street parking? especially in NYC** For those who live in cities or travel into urban areas with your car: Do most of you guys use and trust parking lot structures? Or.. Do you just park in the street... I just bought a Bumper Bully.com guard for my bumper but haven't parked it at night in the street yet... I know there are far nicer cars than a silver 328i, but this is my baby and I wash and wax it frequently, my rims are clean and it just looks so... sighs... nice.... So do you guys use parking lots or street parking? Based on the recent thread about a fellow owner who got his bumper fcked up, I'm a little scared...
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03-23-2009, 10:37 AM	#2
freshwhite335 Colonel 149 Rep 2,882 Posts Drives: 991/RR Sport AB Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: 904 FL iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [0.00]	ur screwed no matter what u do. my grandma has an e90 328xi in JB and lives on LI and even out there after a year her car looks like shit bc people just dont care, they back in to and "love tap" any car no matter how nice. __________________ 2014 Range Rover Sport Autobiography 2012.5 991 C2S 1978 Corvette
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03-23-2009, 10:41 AM	#3
Prissy Brigadier General 1073 Rep 4,856 Posts Drives: M340i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (6) Garage List 2015 BMW F30 [5.50] 2020 M340I [0.00] 2017 X3 [0.00] 2008 BMW E92 [9.00] 2010 BMW E92 [10.00]	my friend once landed the key to a valet parking guy, and that was the last time she saw her Mercedes... Sorry I was off topic hah... ya I pay for indoor parking even if there are lots of free spaces outside... where in NYC you live? I am in Queens, if you are in the city then thats a lot more parking fees that you'll have to throw away.
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03-23-2009, 10:44 AM	#4
ilidon Major 60 Rep 1,036 Posts Drives: F13 M6 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: L.I., NY iTrader: (10) Garage List 2009 335i [7.00]	Well, it depends on the area. I live in queens and I've been parking my car for almost 4 months in the street. It's ok. What I do to prevent dings is when you park always leave adequate space between you and the other car and always put the bumper guard on. __________________ F13 ///M6 SMB/SO E92 ///M3 AW/FR- Sold E92 335i MB/BLK- Sold [IMG]http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=133578
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03-23-2009, 10:45 AM	#5
E90Graphite07 Lieutenant 104 Rep 596 Posts Drives: 07 E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	That's what we pay insurance for... it's really a hit or miss. Just ensure you have your digital camera with you and do a walk through of the car/facility before and after you get your car. This way, the images will have timestamps to prove as evidence. Parking within the streets is really an open invitation to possible scratches by bystanders, bad drivers who can't park, people leaning or sitting on your car. If you're really paranoid, keep your car in a garage, and take a taxi, especially in NY! __________________ 2007 BMW 335i, 2014 Audi A4, 2016 Acura MDX Join us on Facebook: E90Post - Houston Houston BMW DIY Services
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03-23-2009, 10:47 AM	#6
Kev Critical Care Anesthesiologist 484 Rep 8,828 Posts Drives: SMB F83 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (24) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 Ca ... [9.50]	I would do neither valet nor street parking. I would park it myself in a garage and walk the distance instead. __________________ kev { divinum est sedate dolorem } "your friendly neighborhood critical care anesthesiologist"
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03-23-2009, 10:55 AM	#7
cn555ic 442 Rep 18,331 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: US iTrader: (6)	bumper guard does squat especially when you have people that drive BIG suvs and ram into your bumper instead of love tap...what about the front bumper protection?
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03-23-2009, 10:59 AM	#8
skimmilk20 Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 215 Posts Drives: 2007 328i 6 spd MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	I'm in bayside, queens. The issue is I go to the city a lot for my GF and for my buddies. The problem with garages is that there are only a few in the city that you can take a ticket and then just drive in yourself and then park it. Are there any garages that you guys trust? and for street parking, I do see a lot of cars on the street, my biggest paranoia is of getting key'd
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03-23-2009, 11:05 AM	#9
E90Graphite07 Lieutenant 104 Rep 596 Posts Drives: 07 E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Public Transportation => affordable & worry free. Fixing your car over from love bumps, being keyed, etc ==> too costly for your blood pressure. __________________ 2007 BMW 335i, 2014 Audi A4, 2016 Acura MDX Join us on Facebook: E90Post - Houston Houston BMW DIY Services
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03-23-2009, 12:48 PM	#11
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3189 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	I never use valets or valet parking lots. period. its just a mess waiting to happen. manual transmission cars are just too tempting for valets. I didn't use any bumper stopped type products, just tried to be careful where i street parked and my old WRX made it through 2 yrs in NYC area without a mark on its bumpers
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03-23-2009, 12:56 PM	#12
STE92VE STEVIL Empire 221 Rep 6,297 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	Well, whenever we had to go someplace and park in unfriendly territory, we would take my wife's car (2003 Acura TL) and keep the E92 at home.....after her new car gets home from ED, if we're going someplace with friends, I'll have them drive. She already has told me that when we go food shopping, I'm to stay with the car and protect it from inconsiderate people who don't value their possessions, let alone someone else's. OK by me, I hate food shopping anyway! __________________ 2007 E92 328i 6MT-Space Gray/Black Dakota/Gray Poplar w/heated seats-PCD 4/27/07 (SOLD) 2009 E90 328i xDrive 6AT-Space Gray/Oyster Dakota/Dark Burl Walnut w/ZPP,ZCW,Xenons-ED 4/17/09 - Redelivery 5/30/09 (SOLD) 2014 E84 xDrive28i 8AT-Alpine White/Black Nevada/Silver Matte w/ZMV,ZLP,494 - DD 3/14/14 (SOLD)
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03-23-2009, 12:58 PM	#13
STE92VE STEVIL Empire 221 Rep 6,297 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	Oh, and if you're thinking of giving it to a valet, read this: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243870 __________________ 2007 E92 328i 6MT-Space Gray/Black Dakota/Gray Poplar w/heated seats-PCD 4/27/07 (SOLD) 2009 E90 328i xDrive 6AT-Space Gray/Oyster Dakota/Dark Burl Walnut w/ZPP,ZCW,Xenons-ED 4/17/09 - Redelivery 5/30/09 (SOLD) 2014 E84 xDrive28i 8AT-Alpine White/Black Nevada/Silver Matte w/ZMV,ZLP,494 - DD 3/14/14 (SOLD)
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03-23-2009, 01:04 PM	#14
MorpheIS Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 335i 6MT, Sport, Prem Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (0)	I have been driving out to NYC 2-3 times a week for the past 1.5 years with my e92 335i. I always park in the same few parking garages and have never had any issues. My recommendation is to pick a garage and get to know the people there. Strike up a conversation with the person that's about to park your car and give them a nudge to take extra good care of it. When you receive your car, always do a quick walk around to check for damage and tip the person a bit extra than the normal $1. They'll come to know know you as someone that's a bit more anal about your car, but also someone who tips a bit extra! I park almost exclusively at Icon Parking garages. They always perform a walk around of the car and jot down any visible damage. I've even seen them chase after a woman with a Lexus to notify her that they've found a little scuff on the passenger side door. Granted, shit can happen at any given time, I've managed to mitigate problems with the above strategy! __________________ 2008 335i Coupe, 6MT, Monaco Blue, Saddle, Sport, Premium, Comf Access, Nav, iPod, CDV Swap
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03-23-2009, 01:43 PM	#15
jlstyle Lieutenant Colonel 357 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: Porsche Panamera Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Audi S7 [0.00] 2015 BMW X5 [0.00]	I've been commuting to NYC for past 5 years with my S2k, z4, 335i and I do monthly parking on garages and occasional street parkings. I'm very rigorous when I select the monthly garage space as I've been to many many garages and only trust couple of them. If attendants are dicks, they don't give a crap and scratch, dings your car no matter what how much tip you pay. So be careful picking out the garage to park. And as far as street parking goes.... It's your destiny. Even if you park in the safest and least busy street, your car always can get a scracth/ding/even dent. I never park any of my car in the middle of cramped parellel park or neither the trash cans. Always park at the first or last spot of the parellel zone so I never get sandwiched.
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03-23-2009, 01:45 PM	#17
sizquik Private First Class 8 Rep 117 Posts Drives: 428i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	In a lot and your car will still get dinged. NYC is about as rough as you're going to get in the US
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03-23-2009, 02:16 PM	#19
Bimmer007 Lieutenant 41 Rep 537 Posts Drives: Cars Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	rent a car for the day
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03-23-2009, 02:18 PM	#20
LarrySinNJ Lieutenant 124 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 2019 330i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I second (or third) the ICON recommenation. I often use their lot on W 50th St. I had my car about six weeks, when I parked on the upper west side, and got my first two dings from the license plate in front of me. Funny - the garage attendants immediately didn't understand any english. __________________ 2019 G20 330i xDrive Med. Blue/Cognac Leather ZCV\|ZPP\|ZPX\|HK\|Remote Start (Ret'd) 2016 F06 640i xDrive Med. Blue/Red Leather MSport\|B&O\|Driver Asst+\|Cold\|Night (Ret'd) 2013 F30 335i xDrive Mineral Grey/Black Leather (Ret'd) 2011 E90 328i xDrive Space Grey/Black Leather(Ret'd) 2009 E90 328i xDrive Monaco Blue/(Ret'd) 2007 E90 328i xDrive Graphite (Ret'd)
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03-23-2009, 05:23 PM	#21
doggiedog Captain 36 Rep 757 Posts Drives: 09 E90 335i 6MT SG/BL Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Lee, NJ iTrader: (0)	It's hard in NYC because you can't really choose where you street park. You usually have to take what you get. I usually park in the Port Authority parking lot because you can park it yourself. The only problem is they raised their rates to $33/day compared to $24 last year.
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03-23-2009, 05:36 PM	#22
Cyber Second Lieutenant 94 Rep 285 Posts Drives: 08 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri State Area EAST iTrader: (0)	100 % LOT. Be sure to have the guy examine the car before turning it over and upon delivery. If you park on the street you may get: 1. Towed (there are douche bag non flatbed towers looking for prey) 2. Keyed (there are douche bags who hate bimmer owners) 3. Bumped (there are douche bags who do not know how to paralel park) 4. Spit on or worse (there are just douche bags)
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