Storing the RS4 for 5 years?

Post by **TimDogg** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 3:45 pm

Guys, I've done a search but found nothing. Anyone ever considered storing their RS for a while. I'm looking at approx. 5 years and starting to think about whether I do it myself or get a company to do it. Anyone got any knowledge on this or had it done before?

Thanks.

Post by **HYFR** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 3:58 pm

Are you crazy?
Why would you do that?
Its not a rare car!

Post by **TimDogg** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 4:26 pm

Because I live on an island and it's being eaten by the elements D_K. When I return down south I'll take it out of storage I guess - 5 years maybe?

And it IS rare - only 10,000 ever made unlike the M3 which had 99,000 I believe!

Post by **PJC** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 4:37 pm

Is that with parole Tim?.

Post by **The_Coat** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 4:42 pm

PaulRS4 wrote:Is that with parole Tim?.

Could be out sooner with good behaviour

Post by **nukinukinuki** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 4:44 pm

Is selling not an option? Just consider that if you sold her now and saved the money for 5 years.. I would presume you would get a lot more car for the same money 5 years down the line as depreciation will go in you're favour when you come to buy another? In my experience a car that dosent drive breaks

Storage would go something along the lines of this - There is MUCH more to consider but this is a little pointer in the right direction in no particular order just what i can think of myself..

a CRAZY Wash & wax - No paint surface should go untouched. - Make sure 100% of the car is Dry.
a CRAZY valet inside + Out - Zero moisture wants to be inside or you will come back to a car full of Moss/Mold with Rodents living in there new combfy home.
A good quality plastic Sheet to prevent ground moisture from attacking underneith.
leather treatment to all leather to prevent drying and cracking
Pump Tyres around 10PSI more than stock to avoid Flat Spotting - dont not jack as the suspension could sieze/rust dampers while pistons are at full lift.
Lube all Moving parts with Silicone - Doors/Bonnet/Boot/Rubber Seals etc
Remove window wipers off the glass
Close All Vents/Openings to prevent Rodents gaining access.
Block All Intakes/Exhaust with Tape/bags + rubber bands - You must Prevent any Air Flow in the Engine internals as rust will get the cylinder walls.
No not apply Handbrake.
Remove Battery
Have Jacks Avaliable for someone to periodically spin the tyres by hand to keep wheel bearings and CV's happy or else you will be replacing these.
Replace ALL FLUIDS for Brand NEW prior to storage - (New Coolant -Oil+ Filter- Washer Fluids, Brake Fluid,Transmission)
Fill Your Petrol tank FULL to Avoid Oxidisation.

There are so many things that are required in the Preparation depending on the Area you are Storing the car.
Hope this helps.
Cheers.

Post by **TimDogg** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 4:50 pm

Wow, thanks nukinukinuki that was epic!

You're real funny Paul

I've found a company called Windrush that seem pretty good, I'll call them tomorrow. On their website they have RS4's in storage so somebody's obviously done it. There's a chance of me working overseas soon so it's good to get an idea of what it entails.

http://www.windrushcarstorage.co.uk/

Post by **PJC** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 4:53 pm

Sorry Tim couldn't resist, where you off too this time?.

Post by **andre3k** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 4:54 pm

Yeh, I think selling & coming back to an RS4 is prob a better solution, unless you really really love your car!

You could easily pay for a decoke, a few mods & reupholstered interior the second time round with the cash properly invested.

Post by **Spaceman_RS4** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 4:55 pm

What if the company goes bust 2 years in could you loose your car?

Post by **gilford** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 5:23 pm

I to think you are crazy, it's not a classic Ferrari it's a B7 A4!

Sell now, in 5 years you'll get a minter for £10k

Post by **MrGeneric** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 5:39 pm

Id say your most probably better of storing a b5 rs4!!!

Post by **adsgreen** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:19 pm

I have some comments on the above just based on storing cars myself (granted, not for 5 years but some of them 6 months +).

"a CRAZY Wash & wax - No paint surface should go untouched. - Make sure 100% of the car is Dry.
a CRAZY valet inside + Out - Zero moisture wants to be inside or you will come back to a car full of Moss/Mold with Rodents living in there new combfy home.
"leather treatment to all leather to prevent drying and cracking "
Absolutely - you can't get the car clean and importantly waxed enough.

"A good quality plastic Sheet to prevent ground moisture from attacking underneith."
Not sure I see the point but depends on the actual location where the car is stored. After all the car will not be in direct contact with the ground. Only concern here is that any moisture in the air could collect on the sheet and have nowhere to go.
Always good to have something under the car though that makes it easy to spot any leaks whilst in storage.

"Pump Tyres around 10PSI more than stock to avoid Flat Spotting - dont not jack as the suspension could sieze/rust dampers while pistons are at full lift."
I've never had issues with modern shocks with no weight on them.
I'd certainly never leave the car on tyres (even over inflated) that I intended to use again. Cheap n cheerful 2nd hand tyres are a good fix.

"Lube all Moving parts with Silicone - Doors/Bonnet/Boot/Rubber Seals etc"
"Remove window wipers off the glass"
Yup.

"Close All Vents/Openings to prevent Rodents gaining access."
Again, depends on the actual environment however you run the risk of mould if there isn't enough airflow around and through the car.

"Block All Intakes/Exhaust with Tape/bags + rubber bands - You must Prevent any Air Flow in the Engine internals as rust will get the cylinder walls."
Cylinder is aluminimum.

"No not apply Handbrake."
And worth a gentle spray with wd40 over the discs to prevent corrosion. Worth writing this down on a post it and sticking to steering wheel. else you will forget!

"Remove Battery
Have Jacks Avaliable for someone to periodically spin the tyres by hand to keep wheel bearings and CV's happy or else you will be replacing these.
Replace ALL FLUIDS for Brand NEW prior to storage - (New Coolant -Oil+ Filter- Washer Fluids, Brake Fluid,Transmission) "
All good.

"Fill Your Petrol tank FULL to Avoid Oxidisation."
Old advice - modern tanks are either aluminium or galvanized steel. Either way they have huge corrosion resistance (for obvious reasons).
Also, when you actually look at the Math/Arthur of how much actual water content the tank could have at 100% humidity then you'll quickly see that corrosion isn't a big problem.
However the petrol *will* be completely shot to hell and you'll have to syphon the whole lot out else have some trouble.
Leave the tank empty and fill up when coming out of storage.

Really would look at getting something like a carcoon as this solves many of the problems of long term storage however needs constant power.

Post by **nukinukinuki** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:37 pm

adsgreen wrote:I have some comments on the above just based on storing cars myself (granted, not for 5 years but some of them 6 months +).

"a CRAZY Wash & wax - No paint surface should go untouched. - Make sure 100% of the car is Dry.
a CRAZY valet inside + Out - Zero moisture wants to be inside or you will come back to a car full of Moss/Mold with Rodents living in there new combfy home.
"leather treatment to all leather to prevent drying and cracking "
Absolutely - you can't get the car clean and importantly waxed enough.

"A good quality plastic Sheet to prevent ground moisture from attacking underneith."
Not sure I see the point but depends on the actual location where the car is stored. After all the car will not be in direct contact with the ground. Only concern here is that any moisture in the air could collect on the sheet and have nowhere to go.
Always good to have something under the car though that makes it easy to spot any leaks whilst in storage.

"Pump Tyres around 10PSI more than stock to avoid Flat Spotting - dont not jack as the suspension could sieze/rust dampers while pistons are at full lift."
I've never had issues with modern shocks with no weight on them.
I'd certainly never leave the car on tyres (even over inflated) that I intended to use again. Cheap n cheerful 2nd hand tyres are a good fix.

"Lube all Moving parts with Silicone - Doors/Bonnet/Boot/Rubber Seals etc"
"Remove window wipers off the glass"
Yup.

"Close All Vents/Openings to prevent Rodents gaining access."
Again, depends on the actual environment however you run the risk of mould if there isn't enough airflow around and through the car.

"Block All Intakes/Exhaust with Tape/bags + rubber bands - You must Prevent any Air Flow in the Engine internals as rust will get the cylinder walls."
Cylinder is aluminimum.

"No not apply Handbrake."
And worth a gentle spray with wd40 over the discs to prevent corrosion. Worth writing this down on a post it and sticking to steering wheel. else you will forget!

"Remove Battery
Have Jacks Avaliable for someone to periodically spin the tyres by hand to keep wheel bearings and CV's happy or else you will be replacing these.
Replace ALL FLUIDS for Brand NEW prior to storage - (New Coolant -Oil+ Filter- Washer Fluids, Brake Fluid,Transmission) "
All good.

"Fill Your Petrol tank FULL to Avoid Oxidisation."
Old advice - modern tanks are either aluminium or galvanized steel. Either way they have huge corrosion resistance (for obvious reasons).
Also, when you actually look at the Math/Arthur of how much actual water content the tank could have at 100% humidity then you'll quickly see that corrosion isn't a big problem.
However the petrol *will* be completely shot to hell and you'll have to syphon the whole lot out else have some trouble.
Leave the tank empty and fill up when coming out of storage.

Really would look at getting something like a carcoon as this solves many of the problems of long term storage however needs constant power.

Some things i said were a little overkill i agreee haha
But everything is always worth mentioning to think about but as Adsgreen mentions its all down to the criteria of where the vehicle will be stored and for how long

I would also be a little scared of leaving my pride and joy with some company.. Theres a big difference to storing a car compared to driving it round the block 1'ce a week lol

Post by **HYFR** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:38 pm

Seriously
There will always be low miles minters in 5yrs time for u to buy

Sell the car, spend the money on women and beer, then save for 5yrs for the minter

In 5yrs, buy an R8

Job done

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