How long a M3 can sit/not be used?

[chase]

Hi guys,

I just bought 2013 E93 M3 for a weekend car. I am just wondering how long I can let the car sit in garage without starting the engine. Sometimes I am on travelling more than two weeks for my work.

*Additional question added*
Anyone driving a M3 just for a weekend? How do you guys maintain the car? Do you guys turn on ignition just for a minute or so on the weekdays just to insure the engine against any potential harm?

[Helmsman]

Needs to be started and driven hard minimum one time per day. If not engine corrosion and potential rod bearing failure.

[m235boy]

Originally Posted by chase

Hi guys,

I just bought 2013 E93 M3 for a weekend car. I am just wondering how long I can let the car sit in garage without starting the engine. Sometimes I am on travelling more than two weeks for my work.

Mine sits for 4 months in the winter without starting it. You'll be fine.

[inTgr8r]

^whs
If you aren't already using one, just put a battery tender on it.

[Jay-K]

you will be fine with battery tenderizer.
my car sit like 10 months each year with interval of being started 3 months a time.

[bimmerfrk]

Haven't started mine in over 17 months. Heck not sure if she even will start..... :-/

But she sure looks great sitting there. Cant stop thinking about how me and her hit that red line that one time.

[chase]

Originally Posted by Jay-K

you will be fine with battery tenderizer.
my car sit like 10 months each year with interval of being started 3 months a time.

In terms of driving, I can let it sit for the weekdays and drive for the weekend. I assume this would cause no problem at all?

[bimmerfrk]

Originally Posted by chase

In terms of driving, I can let it sit for the weekdays and drive for the weekend. I assume this would cause no problem at all?

Best not get her panties in a bunch might want to limit to once every two weekends. Just saying.....

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Needs to be started and driven hard minimum one time per day. If not engine corrosion and potential rod bearing failure.

Geez, totally not helpful. smh

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by m235boy

Mine sits for 4 months in the winter without starting it. You'll be fine.

I assume you have a trickle charger installed, but what else do you do? Do you put stabilizer into a full tank of gas?

[BOOF-M3]

My car never leaves my side. Except when the dealer is jacking it up.

[decimation1]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Needs to be started and driven hard minimum one time per day. If not engine corrosion and potential rod bearing failure.

ROFL!!

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Needs to be started and driven hard minimum one time per day. If not engine corrosion and potential rod bearing failure.

Actually this was helpful as humor is one of the best traits a human can exhibit. Especially when one continuously backs it up with knowledge and a helping hand to others.

[Ngilbe36]

Originally Posted by chase

Hi guys,

I just bought 2013 E93 M3 for a weekend car. I am just wondering how long I can let the car sit in garage without starting the engine. Sometimes I am on travelling more than two weeks for my work.

*Additional question added*
Anyone driving a M3 just for a weekend? How do you guys maintain the car? Do you guys turn on ignition just for a minute or so on the weekdays just to insure the engine against any potential harm?

As a weekend car. You don't need to do anything special. Sometimes you'll get a little clunk on start up. I find you can negate that turning the car on without starting the motor for a second.
As for putting it away for the season, put STA-BIL in it and throw a battery tender on it and there shouldn't be any problem. Hang the suspension if you have the proper equipment. It shouldn't really need any special treatment.

[m235boy]

Originally Posted by carenthuziast

I assume you have a trickle charger installed, but what else do you do? Do you put stabilizer into a full tank of gas?

Trickle charger yes, stabilizer no, never had an issue

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by carenthuziast

Geez, totally not helpful. smh

Not to worry. An educational bash when wondering whether an engine can sitt still for a couple of weeks is only in order.

[hungryhippo]

I start my car every day just to make sure nothing broke from being parked

[MaximusB]

Don’t start the car when it is in storage just for the sake of starting it. You’ll introduce moisture inside the engine that won’t be able to evaporate because the engine won’t get hot enough. The moisture will dilute the oil.

If you have to start the car, make sure you will be able to take it for a drive so the engine can get up to operating temperature to burn off all the moisture.

For winter storage, just make sure the gas tank is full so moisture won’t develop and keep the battery charged. You should also do an oil change right before storage as new fresh oil don’t degrade inside the engine from storage but used oil will. If you got used oil in the car before storage then do an oil change when you take it out of storage.

Suspension wise it’ll be fine because all modern suspensions are preloaded. Think of how many cars are sitting in dealerships for months before they’re sold and you don’t see them jacking every car up.

Tires wise you’re fine as well since run flats won’t develop flat spots. At least not from sitting for a few months.

To the OP’s question. If you drive the car every weekend there is nothing to worry about. I own three cars now and two of them, one being the m3 and other is a 16 year old car, both are weekend toys and I’ve yet to encounter any problems from doing all the above.

[JRV]

Drive mine once a week for last 3 years. Seems fine

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by MaximusB

Don’t start the car when it is in storage just for the sake of starting it. You’ll introduce moisture inside the engine that won’t be able to evaporate because the engine won’t get hot enough. The moisture will dilute the oil.

If you have to start the car, make sure you will be able to take it for a drive so the engine can get up to operating temperature to burn off all the moisture.

For winter storage, just make sure the gas tank is full so moisture won’t develop and keep the battery charged. You should also do an oil change right before storage as new fresh oil don’t degrade inside the engine from storage but used oil will. If you got used oil in the car before storage then do an oil change when you take it out of storage.

Suspension wise it’ll be fine because all modern suspensions are preloaded. Think of how many cars are sitting in dealerships for months before they’re sold and you don’t see them jacking every car up.

Tires wise you’re fine as well since run flats won’t develop flat spots. At least not from sitting for a few months.

To the OP’s question. If you drive the car every weekend there is nothing to worry about. I own three cars now and two of them, one being the m3 and other is a 16 year old car, both are weekend toys and I’ve yet to encounter any problems from doing all the above.

Somebody is going to go crazy that you said the E9X has run flats.

[MaximusB]

Originally Posted by carenthuziast

Somebody is going to go crazy that you said the E9X has run flats.

I thought M3s sold in the states have run flats? Mine didn't as I'm in Canada.... oops my bad!

[GRM Scott]

After it's been sitting, give it proper time to warm up so oil can get into any drained passages etc. before you tach it out. (Good for any engine, but extra good for a highly-strung mill.)