Valet vs Street-Parking?

BeamingE39 · 01-28-2012, 12:01 PM

As some of you guys in metropolitan areas may know, if you happen to go to a restaurant, event, etc, oftentimes it's valet only.

Now I've always had a fear of valets, with good reason too. One of my friends had one of his electronics stolen, one got his car backed into another car on the lot, and thats just the things I know for certain happened.

Now the other option is to self-park on the street. But than you run the risk of bumper-dings and vandalism.

If you had to pick, which would you rather do? Provided the area is neither sketchy nor really nice, but somewhere in between.

KIS · 01-28-2012, 12:04 PM

Absolutely valet, with extra money spent to keep it up front.

immiketoo · 01-28-2012, 12:06 PM

I usually valet and when I pull out a 20, I list them see the badge. That way they know two things. I'm willing to pay extra for good service and that I will hunt them down and that if they don't provide ti, things will be ugly. No problems!

Radiation Joe · 01-28-2012, 12:08 PM

Where's the I don't give a shit option?

Mr. ///M3 RD · 01-28-2012, 12:09 PM

I rather self park and if I do go way to the top of the building and park at the very end or near the exit along the wall.

Valet parking gives me the creeps last time I did it was on the west coast in San Francisco (on vacation with my daughter in our then Z4). She said this great Chinese restaurant was recommended to me ... so we went.

They only had valet parking ... I insisted of parking my car myself. It sure felt funny giving them the key to my new car with all my belongings inside. All I got was a pieces of paper (the parking ticket) ....

Needless to say I did not enjoy my lunch

Valet Parking .... never ever again

Merked M3 · 01-28-2012, 12:10 PM

Valet 100% because you get to see your hot M3 pulled up while you wait!

That being said, I was a valet for a few years as a college kid and yes I did drive nice cars fast and have a few accidents!!!

Bimmer Freeeek! · 01-28-2012, 12:19 PM

Valet just because it's usually more convenient. I would think that you would run a bigger risk of getting bumped/dinged while doing self-parking. As for things getting stolen, I generally don't leave valuables in the car. If there is something that is important to me that I don't want to take with me, I keep it in the trunk under the sweatshirt that I always keep in my car.

GOLFFRR · 01-28-2012, 12:42 PM

There are always parking structures near by. I would rather try my luck in a paid self park area.

CBS · 01-28-2012, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immiketoo

I usually valet and when I pull out a 20, I list them see the badge. That way they know two things. I'm willing to pay extra for good service and that I will hunt them down and that if they don't provide ti, things will be ugly. No problems!

Good strategy - so where do I get one of those badges???

Edjay · 01-28-2012, 01:34 PM

Vallet. More than half the time they keep it up front anyways.

MUFCbmwbear · 01-28-2012, 01:43 PM

I valet'd private parties in the Chicagoland area as a summer job in college. Do not let them drive your car, trust me. Best thing to do is hand the valet 5-10bucks and tell him you are parking the car yourself up front and for him to keep an eye on it.
1. No one drives your car
2. You get to park it up close to venue.
3. No one drives your car
A valet's wet dream is an M car

CBS · 01-28-2012, 02:25 PM

^ LMFAO - You're a Freakin Nut But I Love it!!!!

immiketoo · 01-28-2012, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBS

Good strategy - so where do I get one of those badges???

Quote:

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

+1

Mike, can you just fedex us two of your badges and you just say you lost them? Obviously we would need guns as well....

OP> I alway find a parking spot that is safe... even if it is in a different time-zone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

There you go... I just made us some badges (just print and cut it out)... they are better than Mike's real one anyway:

OMFG!!! Thats AWESOME! Tell you what? I was gonna trade you my badge and gun for your supercharger. You tell Amy you LOST it, and buy a new one and I'll deal with the hassles on my end!

Then you draw the picture. Fuck. Can you draw me a ESS SC 650 HP please? I'll handle the install!

Thanks buddy

EDIT: I am STILL laughing my ass off over here. Federal Awesome Police of Danger!!!

CBS · 01-28-2012, 02:34 PM

^^^ Actually, I was going to ask does Philip's Badge "Expire" when he achieves 3 more Kills???

JOHN ///M · 01-28-2012, 02:45 PM

If its only valet parking area. I just give them $20 and tell them I'll park it myself. Never had a problem. Most of the location is in Los Angeles area. If they don't let me self park than I go straight to the Resturant manager and have a word with them, than they let me self park.

sensi09 · 01-28-2012, 02:58 PM

I never valet. Front plate tickets are a consideration if street parking in certain parts of LA though.

spdy330 · 01-28-2012, 03:06 PM

Self park here. I work in Hotels often and see how they park peoples cars underground. The squeeling of tires, reeving, etc. No thank you Mr. Valet.

M3Duo · 01-28-2012, 03:37 PM

This is one of the things I do myself..never use valets, among many concerns is the fear of them burning the clutch

odiesback · 01-28-2012, 03:45 PM

I knew and used to hang out with a lot of guys who were vallets for the
most exclusive and expensive (maybe redundant?) restaurants and hotels
in the Beverly Hills / Bel Air area, and let me tell you, their actions bordered
or crossed into the criminal to what they did to the exotics they parked.

I never witnessed anything but the scene was out of control.

Not saying everywhere is like that but I heard enough not to trust anyone.

So the answer is take wife's car

Bimmer Freeeek! · 01-28-2012, 03:45 PM

SehrSchnell = Monet

Awesome artistic skills my friend. I had to look at your badge a couple times before I saw what it actually says. Where did you pull "Federal Awesome Police of Danger" from ?!?!?!?

Ten points for the first person who prints that nonsense out and posts a photo of themselves posing with it!

BeamingE39 · 01-28-2012, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odiesback

I knew and used to hang out with a lot of guys who were vallets for the
most exclusive and expensive (maybe redundant?) restaurants and hotels
in the Beverly Hills / Bel Air area, and let me tell you, their actions bordered
or crossed into the criminal to what they did to the exotics they parked.

I never witnessed anything but the scene was out of control.

Not saying everywhere is like that but I heard enough not to trust anyone.

So the answer is take wife's car

Care to elaborate?

Gkap · 01-28-2012, 04:05 PM

I would never valet my car.

View Poll Results: Valet or Street-Parking?
Valet, rather be protected from vandalism and bumper dings	12	21.82%
Street-Park, rather be protected from valet-guys	29	52.73%
I'm so anal if it's valet only I cancel/don't go/go elsewhere	14	25.45%
Voters: 55. You may not vote on this poll

01-28-2012, 12:01 PM	#1
BeamingE39 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 212 Posts Drives: slower than I'd like Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	Valet vs Street-Parking? As some of you guys in metropolitan areas may know, if you happen to go to a restaurant, event, etc, oftentimes it's valet only. Now I've always had a fear of valets, with good reason too. One of my friends had one of his electronics stolen, one got his car backed into another car on the lot, and thats just the things I know for certain happened. Now the other option is to self-park on the street. But than you run the risk of bumper-dings and vandalism. If you had to pick, which would you rather do? Provided the area is neither sketchy nor really nice, but somewhere in between.
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01-28-2012, 12:04 PM	#2
KIS Lieutenant 39 Rep 543 Posts Drives: 2015 Jaguar F Type R Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (0)	Absolutely valet, with extra money spent to keep it up front.
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01-28-2012, 12:08 PM	#4
Radiation Joe Veni Vidi Vici 89 Rep 2,750 Posts Drives: '11 JB/BBe-6sp-e90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Macungie PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 e90 M3-Sold [8.50] 2003 RS6 - Sold [0.00] 2009 e90 M3 - Gone [0.00] 2003 M3 SOLD [0.00] old 2002 [10.00]	Where's the I don't give a shit option? __________________ Dinan compliment of stuff plus PF rotors and RG63s. Enough for now. Why, yes. I am an abrasive bastard.
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01-28-2012, 12:09 PM	#5
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 614 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	I rather self park and if I do go way to the top of the building and park at the very end or near the exit along the wall. Valet parking gives me the creeps last time I did it was on the west coast in San Francisco (on vacation with my daughter in our then Z4). She said this great Chinese restaurant was recommended to me ... so we went. They only had valet parking ... I insisted of parking my car myself. It sure felt funny giving them the key to my new car with all my belongings inside. All I got was a pieces of paper (the parking ticket) .... Needless to say I did not enjoy my lunch Valet Parking .... never ever again __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found
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01-28-2012, 12:10 PM	#6
Merked M3 First Lieutenant 30 Rep 361 Posts Drives: E90 M3 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (0)	Valet 100% because you get to see your hot M3 pulled up while you wait! That being said, I was a valet for a few years as a college kid and yes I did drive nice cars fast and have a few accidents!!! __________________ 2008 E90 M3 6-MT - Sold but not forgotten - amazing car The next car, my Porsche Cayman S
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01-28-2012, 12:19 PM	#7
Bimmer Freeeek! Live Fast. Die Young. 39 Rep 189 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 ///M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sunshine State iTrader: (0)	Valet just because it's usually more convenient. I would think that you would run a bigger risk of getting bumped/dinged while doing self-parking. As for things getting stolen, I generally don't leave valuables in the car. If there is something that is important to me that I don't want to take with me, I keep it in the trunk under the sweatshirt that I always keep in my car. __________________ ♥ ♥ ♥ 2012 M3 E92 SS-II ♥ ♥ ♥
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01-28-2012, 12:42 PM	#8
GOLFFRR 10855 Rep 27,629 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	There are always parking structures near by. I would rather try my luck in a paid self park area. __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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01-28-2012, 01:34 PM	#10
Edjay First Lieutenant 4 Rep 350 Posts Drives: 08 E90 AW, 76 2002 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sacoftomatoes Ca iTrader: (0)	Vallet. More than half the time they keep it up front anyways.
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01-28-2012, 01:43 PM	#11
MUFCbmwbear Major 716 Rep 1,205 Posts Drives: 24 M2 & 20 M340xi Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chicago/Milwaukee iTrader: (0)	I valet'd private parties in the Chicagoland area as a summer job in college. Do not let them drive your car, trust me. Best thing to do is hand the valet 5-10bucks and tell him you are parking the car yourself up front and for him to keep an eye on it. 1. No one drives your car 2. You get to park it up close to venue. 3. No one drives your car A valet's wet dream is an M car __________________ 20 M340xi White Mocha 17 340i/M235i/E92 M3/135i All 6spd Chicago-Lake County-Milwaukee-Shorewood
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01-28-2012, 02:25 PM	#12
CBS Major 87 Rep 1,253 Posts Drives: F10535, E90M3, E30M3, E28M5 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Alpina B6 GC [0.00] 2014 535xi M Sport [0.00] 2014 X3 3.5 M Sport [0.00] 2011 M3 E90 [9.74] 2007 Z4 M Coupe [7.00] 1990 M3 [9.50] 1988 M5 [10.00]	^ LMFAO - You're a Freakin Nut But I Love it!!!! __________________ ESS VT-1 550 \| M24 Oil Cooler \| Fall Line Half Cage \| RaceTech 4009W \| 6 pt Harness \| Lifeline Zero 360 Fire Suppression \| Rear Seat Delete \| Motion Control DA Dampers w/remote reservoirs \| 900/650 Hyperco Springs \| RD Sport Sway Bars \| Brembo 380 BBK \| GC Camber Plates \| Hoosier R7 \| Eisenmann Sport \| Stack Gauges \| Painted Challenge Front Lip \| Painted ZCP Rear Spoiler \| Xpel Ultimate Film \| LuxAngelEyes
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01-28-2012, 02:34 PM	#14
CBS Major 87 Rep 1,253 Posts Drives: F10535, E90M3, E30M3, E28M5 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Alpina B6 GC [0.00] 2014 535xi M Sport [0.00] 2014 X3 3.5 M Sport [0.00] 2011 M3 E90 [9.74] 2007 Z4 M Coupe [7.00] 1990 M3 [9.50] 1988 M5 [10.00]	^^^ Actually, I was going to ask does Philip's Badge "Expire" when he achieves 3 more Kills??? __________________ ESS VT-1 550 \| M24 Oil Cooler \| Fall Line Half Cage \| RaceTech 4009W \| 6 pt Harness \| Lifeline Zero 360 Fire Suppression \| Rear Seat Delete \| Motion Control DA Dampers w/remote reservoirs \| 900/650 Hyperco Springs \| RD Sport Sway Bars \| Brembo 380 BBK \| GC Camber Plates \| Hoosier R7 \| Eisenmann Sport \| Stack Gauges \| Painted Challenge Front Lip \| Painted ZCP Rear Spoiler \| Xpel Ultimate Film \| LuxAngelEyes
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01-28-2012, 02:45 PM	#15
JOHN ///M First Lieutenant 34 Rep 340 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Porter Ranch, CA iTrader: (1)	If its only valet parking area. I just give them $20 and tell them I'll park it myself. Never had a problem. Most of the location is in Los Angeles area. If they don't let me self park than I go straight to the Resturant manager and have a word with them, than they let me self park. __________________ '12 MW E92 M3 I Piano Black Trim I Vorsteiner Aero Front Lip I Varis Rear Diffuser I Varis Rear Skirt I Platte Forme Side Skirt I Ohlin's Road and Track Coilover I Akrapovic GT4 X-pipe I Akrapovic Slip I ESS Tuning I Brembos Brakes I Euro Front Bumper I BBS Limited Black Edition Lugs/Locks I Macht Schnell Studs I BMW Performance Carbon Fiber Spoiler I BMW Performance Grills/Gills I BMW Performance Seats I Rogue Short Shifter I BBS FI
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01-28-2012, 02:58 PM	#16
sensi09 Lieutenant Colonel 30 Rep 1,789 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (1)	I never valet. Front plate tickets are a consideration if street parking in certain parts of LA though.
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01-28-2012, 03:06 PM	#17
spdy330 Major General 530 Rep 6,149 Posts Drives: 05 Tundra, 15 FIT, 17 CRV Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA iTrader: (163)	Self park here. I work in Hotels often and see how they park peoples cars underground. The squeeling of tires, reeving, etc. No thank you Mr. Valet. __________________ If you will be purchasing ANY AT&T services online or in store could you mention that you were referred by me? My Employee Referral ID is eo4489. This would be a great help and it costs you nothing, thank you!
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01-28-2012, 03:37 PM	#18
M3Duo Private 7 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 09 911 tt Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	This is one of the things I do myself..never use valets, among many concerns is the fear of them burning the clutch __________________ Drives: 997 Porsche turbo Stable: Porsche Panamera '09 e93M(sold), '09 e90(sold)
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01-28-2012, 03:45 PM	#19
odiesback 2021 330ix 218 Rep 539 Posts Drives: 2021 330ix Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 330i xDrive [0.00]	I knew and used to hang out with a lot of guys who were vallets for the most exclusive and expensive (maybe redundant?) restaurants and hotels in the Beverly Hills / Bel Air area, and let me tell you, their actions bordered or crossed into the criminal to what they did to the exotics they parked. I never witnessed anything but the scene was out of control. Not saying everywhere is like that but I heard enough not to trust anyone. So the answer is take wife's car
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01-28-2012, 04:05 PM	#22
Gkap BMF Movement 51 Rep 3,024 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: GTA iTrader: (1)	I would never valet my car.
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