Garage Parking Master Race

NewLeaf1986

How many people here garage their cars? Any tips you've learned over the years squeezing in without damaging anything?

We have a garage, property built circa 1980. We have a 2008 Jaguar XF and a 2003 W211 Mercedes E55. 

The Jag doesn't fit. Flat out doesn't fit, centered properly and the wing mirrors closed in they touch the sides of the door opening.

My E55 I can get in without any dramas but I have to ignore the PDC and have about an inch behind me if I want the door to close and have to slide out the drivers door in a most ungraceful manner if I'm to avoid pinning the door against the garage wall.

And I'm not fat. 

If anyone's got any bright ideas how to bend the rules of physics I'm all ears

Clive_Woody

We’ve always gone down the route of buying cars to fit in the garage (not helpful for you I admit). I have an Octavia estate and my wife has Golf, both fit in snuggly in our garage but allows reasonably easy access. 

I have a large foam pad fixed to the wall in front of my car that I nudge up to that indicates I am in far enough and the door will close behind. 

Grumpy_chap

I refer you to Engineer, Mr. Scott:
"Ye cannot change the laws of physics, laws of physics, laws of physics;
ye cannot change the laws of physics, laws of physics, Jim"

AdrianC

You have two main options...

1. Rebuild the garage wider.
2. Buy narrower cars.

Clive_Woody

AdrianC said:

You have two main options...

1. Rebuild the garage wider.
2. Buy narrower cars.

3. Have a sunroof fitted for an alternative exit route.

NewLeaf1986

AdrianC said:

You have two main options...

1. Rebuild the garage wider.
2. Buy narrower cars.

No timelord science around then?

That's fine.

Clive_Woody said:

AdrianC said:

You have two main options...

1. Rebuild the garage wider.
2. Buy narrower cars.

3. Have a sunroof fitted for an alternative exit route.

I'll stock up on foam padding for now. We are only renting at the moment so won't be investing in rebuilding someone else' garage but this has highlighted the importance of width-checking when we go to buy a house in a couple of years time.

oldagetraveller1

"I have a large foam pad fixed to the wall in front of my car that I nudge up to that indicates I am in far enough and the door will close behind. "

As an alternative, position the car where the door will close. Then hang and attach to garage roof something like a tennis ball, on a long enough string, which just touches the winscreen!

BOWFER

Double garage here, neither have ever contained a car.
That would mean the motorbikes and lawnmower going elsewhere.
Sod that, the cars can stay outside.

Mickey666

Fix some old carpet on the garage walls to protect the car doors when opening them.

HansOndabush

Plenty of WD40 sprayed on the sides of the car will help it slip in nice and snug.

Alanp

I have pedestrian detection on my car, but as yet, I can’t persuade my wife to stand in front so I don’t hit the wall