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long term storage



Simon Kennedy requested info on the long term storage of his M3.
The UK spec 3 series handbook devotes a couple of pages to this subject
and can be summarised as follows:-
"Have the following work performed by your BMW service station (sure!)
1)Cleaning and protective coating of the engine and all other mechanical
assemblies.
2)Wash and polish bodywork, treat rubber seals with talcum or glycerine
oil.
3)Change engine oil. A corrosion inhibitor may also be added to the fuel.
4)Check coolant level and concentration.
5)Check battery cell level.
6)Drain windscreen washer tank and pipes.
7)Fill fuel tank to brim to prevent the formation of moisture condensate.
8)Increase tyre pressures to 4 bar to prevent flat spotting (yes it really
does say 4 bar, but the only alternative to this is to put the car on
axle stands but your old man isn't going to be tempted to drive the
car very often if he's got to remove the stands each time).
9)Ensure that the brakes are dry before the car is parked up to prevent 
corrosion.
10)Remove the battery and recharge it at intervals of not more than 3 months.
11)Have inspection 1 carried out at the end of the storage.

I hope the above is useful. What a waste of a beautiful car. I suppose shipping it here to the UK for lots of TLC is out of the question!! Good luck.

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Stuart Metcalfe                      email s.j.metcalfe@domain.elided
Daresbury Laboratory                 phone 925 603521
Warrington                           fax   925 603416
Cheshire
England                              '95 318iS coupe
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