Where do you park?

[eclaxton]

How far out of your way do you go to prevent parking lot door dings?

WTF it never fails I seem to still get them!

[bmw1racer]

I try to shop early, when stores just open... That way, I can get an end space and I'm in and out of the store as quick as possible.

If that option isn't available, I try to park next to nice, well-kept cars, even if I have to walk a little farther.

Unless I'm desperate, I try to avoid parking next to any people movers: SUVs, minivans, station wagons, and some four-door sedans.

[cheshirecat79]

Usually around 4-5 spots away depending on time and how long I'll be at the place.

I try to make it so that even if the place fills up, there will be a space or two between me and the people that arrive while I'm parked.

Can't stand door dings.

[PA135i]

Almost 5 years and no dings. Just some front end road rash. Nothing that touch up paint can't handle.

I park a few spots away from others. At work, it's no problem since we have a big lot that never reaches half full. My worst place to park is at home. I live in a town house devlopment and we have parking spots... so I try to get the end spot and park close to the curb. That way the next car has plenty of room for his spot and opening his door.

[Joeyb7]

Always the end spot as close to the curb as possible. I'll never park near large SUVs, grocery getters or anything that has doors with a wide swing radius. In the summer ill just park way out in a parking lot....I'd rather walk fifty more feet that come out and be furious about a door ding.

[e82m_van]

Find a nice car and park closer to the driver side of that car.
Its more likely for the driver to be careful not to damage his car so he'll be careful when he gets in. The passenger usually cares less and is more likely to damage your car as well as the car the person is getting in.
I also have my dash cam running when I'm parked outside.. but still got a door ding..

[631twentyeighteye]

Very far away and preferably by a curb, so one side of the car is protected, and as others have suggested park close to the curb so you can do as best as possible to protect the other side. At my college everybody fights for front spots and parks terribly, so i drive the extra 300 feet and get a tad more exercise.

[box_man]

As far from Other cars as possible, where no one has parked and yet Ill still get people with big ass trucks that like to park next to me

[Uptempo80]

This is my favorite thread ever. My worst fear is a door ding, lol!

[Rukuss]

Originally Posted by eclaxton

How far out of your way do you go to prevent parking lot door dings?

WTF it never fails I seem to still get them!

I park as far away as possible, but for some damn reason somone always parks next to me It almost like there messing with me

[eclaxton]

I swear its a conspiracy! I always park as close to curbs as possible, and way out in BFE. But some one always seems to still park by me. Thousands of empty spots and they choose the one right next to me. Why, I just want to be left alone! I think I need a bubble for my car...

Anyone ever catch someone in the act?

[e82m_van]

This thread reminds me of this video.
I'm sure it's a repost because I remember seeing it on the "off topic" thread but thought I'd share it again.

[Golden3ye]

I always park the furthest away and next to a curb, and right up on that curb.

I am ding free after about a year of owning my 1 series.

Once I came out of work and someone was parked within a couple inches of my car just to be a dick. I went back in asked around found the dick and went straight to him and had a big ass blow up. After quick escalation he saw the error of his ways and I followed him out and watched him move his car.

I dont really understand what makes some people do stuff like this, I have heard many stories about people getting their car vandalized while parked well in the back, but it does seem safer than rolling the dice with all the beaters up front

[litebulb]

Really a hit or miss. I always park far away or choose secluded spots. However I'm always worried. I've only had one incident in the last 2 years. It's unfortunately people aren't more considerate.