R129 Car Cover

[Rory129]

Hi folks,

Can anyone recommend a quality outdoor, waterproof and breathable cover for a R129? I've been looking at the 'Stormforce' covers but they seem to get very mixed reviews. Ideally a snug fitting cover that doesn't try and take off in the wind would be great! Cheers.

 

[BTB 500]

A properly tailored cover is essential as anything else will flap about in the wind and eventually mark the paint. I used a Covercraft Noah one on mine for a couple of years (before I had a garage). Excellent quality and I would certainly recommend it. They have different versions depending on the type of door mirrors (pre/post '99)!

Covercraft Custom Fit Car Covers - Covercraft Europe

 

[Rory129]

Cheers BTB, Covercraft looks like the way forward!

 

[GP801]

+1 for the Covercraft Noah. I use it for the 124. Fits perfectly. It stays on for up to 8 weeks at a time and so far no problems with paint damage. Expensive though but worth it. However its very bulky so not ideal if you need to frequently remove it.

 

[Pharrel]

Around £200 isn't actually too bad for a decent car cover. I envy people that have big garages though. Most newly-built houses seem to have just enough garage space for a Smart.

 

[optimusprime]

I use the Stormforce covers i purchased the a Typhoon fully water proof and i have used one on my car for the last 4 years, they have 4 breather flaps on the roof to let the air circulate .And straps that fit under the car . Also the cover is tailor made to fit each car .With special pockets that sticking out to cover over the wing mirrors that other covers dont accommodate... I took charge of 4 thermal bed sheets that i use to cover the car over with first , and tie them to the door handles with string to keep them in place .The co ver is soft inside but for further insurance the bed sheets will protect it and give extra warmth . I use bungee ropes to hold it down in the wind but fitted polly pipe over them so they dont rub the bodywork

 

[BTB 500]

However its very bulky so not ideal if you need to frequently remove it.

It is relatively bulky when folded, but that thickness gives some 'bump resistance' (a bit like a padded cover). If that's not important to you then other fabrics might be a better choice - there's an excellent comparison chart on the website:

Covercraft Europe Custom Fit Car Covers

For me 'Noah' was the sweet spot though! As mentioned I used it for a few years and then sold it on to a member here, still in 1st class condition. So the overall cost to me was pretty reasonable.

 

[BTB 500]

I envy people that have big garages though. Most newly-built houses seem to have just enough garage space for a Smart.

When we were looking at houses in 2006 we found that the SL (which is not really a big car) wouldn't have fitted in most single garages. Some had doorways that were simply too narrow, and with others the car would have gone in but it would then have been impossible to get out of it!

 

[R129mine]

When we were looking at houses in 2006 we found that the SL (which is not really a big car) wouldn't have fitted in most single garages. Some had doorways that were simply too narrow, and with others the car would have gone in but it would then have been impossible to get out of it!

Dukes of hazard style


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[BTB 500]

Dukes of hazard style

When I was young I had a 600cc Fiat 126 with racing stripes etc. and for a laugh claimed that the doors were welded up on that, to handle the power. My mates and I routinely went in and out through the windows at local pubs etc.

 

[optimusprime]

When we were looking at houses in 2006 we found that the SL (which is not really a big car) wouldn't have fitted in most single garages. Some had doorways that were simply too narrow, and with others the car would have gone in but it would then have been impossible to get out of it!

This is also my problem .But my Covercraft Monsoon fully water proof cover keeps my car dry and snug .

 

[Doodle]

When we were looking at houses in 2006 we found that the SL (which is not really a big car) wouldn't have fitted in most single garages. Some had doorways that were simply too narrow, and with others the car would have gone in but it would then have been impossible to get out of it!

The garage here was given a 7.5ft wide doorway and opens out another 2ft either side, definitely not the norm for this type of property.

 

[BTB 500]

We're lucky enough to have a double garage now, which makes getting out of the car easy. But it has individual doors, so there was only about 1.5" clearance each side on the way in/out. Replacing the 'up and over' doors with electric rollers increased that a bit though (as they're mounted on the back of the brick pillars, rather than in a frame that sits between them).

 

[optimusprime]

Was this first post about car covers? We are not all so lucky to have 2 garages . The wife took our garage at the time ,, because i had no car to put in there .

 

[Deleted member 126251]

We're lucky enough to have a double garage now, which makes getting out of the car easy. But it has individual doors, so there was only about 1.5" clearance each side on the way in/out. Replacing the 'up and over' doors with electric rollers increased that a bit though (as they're mounted on the back of the brick pillars, rather than in a frame that sits between them).

I needed new doors so I had the pillar removed and a large double door fitted. It was a lot of extra cost (could have purchased quite a few covers) but I'm happy I did it as I don't have to try and squeeze into one side.

My son was in a new build house with 2x garage doors - X6 could not fit through!

 

[BTB 500]

I needed new doors so I had the pillar removed and a large double door fitted.

I did consider having that done, but couldn't really justify the cost. I'd been OK getting the car in & out through a single door for some time and electric rollers were going to increase the clearance a bit anyway.

 

[BTB 500]

The wife took our garage at the time ,, because i had no car to put in there .

IIRC there was a survey a few years ago that concluded only about half of UK garages were used to store cars any more.

 

[Smart320]

Hav got a really good double garage BUT prior to buying the house it had been converted into a large office for a Structural Engineer. Doors bricked up and one side wall to the garden opened up with double glazed panels and French doors, fully insulation and tiled floor, massive wall and ceiling insulation and 20 ceiling spots and 10 double wall sockets! Could not bring myself to put the garage doors back in so now have to park the cars on the drive, have planning permission for a big carport but am not sure if it's worth spending the £3k it will cost

 

[R129mine]

Hav got a really good double garage BUT prior to buying the house it had been converted into a large office for a Structural Engineer. Doors bricked up and one side wall to the garden opened up with double glazed panels and French doors, fully insulation and tiled floor, massive wall and ceiling insulation and 20 ceiling spots and 10 double wall sockets! Could not bring myself to put the garage doors back in so now have to park the cars on the drive, have planning permission for a big carport but am not sure if it's worth spending the £3k it will cost

Could be a nice showroom with the cars in it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deleted member 126251]

I did consider having that done, but couldn't really justify the cost. I'd been OK getting the car in & out through a single door for some time and electric rollers were going to increase the clearance a bit anyway.

My neighbours across the road have done the same as you. Personal preference I think but I doubt my SL would have fitted through a single door - it is quite wide.