Dream Garage to Compliment Your M3? Let's build it!

[eclipsisNA]

This is an open-ended question that everyone will have their own unique answer to. My wife and I are buying a house soon and one of the guiding factors in that purchase will be the size and quality of the garage. As a pro detailer, I need a garage with enough space to house my equipment and give me enough room to move about freely.

This fact got me thinking about what my dream components and layout would be in such a garage. An M3 seems like a logical start, but what about all the little things that could make a garage a car aficionado's functional paradise? I'd like to hear what other members would put in their dream garage (tools, lighting, lifts, blow up dolls) to get the most out of owning their M3.

We're only a few months away from buying the house, so these are the items I've already purchased or will purchase in the months ahead to make my dream garage. And for any of the resident wiseacres thinking "there are forums dedicated to dream garages!", of course there are, but I'm not a member of those forums: I'm a member of m3post. I'm interested in what other m3post members have to say on this topic. Also, the following is written from the perspective of a fanatically-OCD individual that wants nothing but the best for his car.

I'll add more to this thread as I pick up new items.

Metal halide ceiling fixtures: proper lighting of your car to see its exact condition is hard to come by. Most people make due with simple light bulbs and sunlight. Metal halide flood lights offer high light output and relatively little heat.



Pantograph (no, not a pentagram!): I purchased this sky rail system from B&H so I can attach the aforementioned metal halide flood lights to for illumination of paint surfaces. A major annoyance of lighting paint surfaces is dragging hot, cumbersome lights around the car. So I'm fixing this issue by attaching the lights to ceiling rails.



Detailing supplies: I know I'm unusual in my obsession with detailing products, but we all need basic cleaning supplies like soaps and waxes.



Tool chest: Recently picked up a Gladiator Tool Chest from Amazon to house ratchets and wrenches.



Bendpak Lift: Having a scissor lift will allow me to work on typically hard-to-access parts of the car without having to contort my body.

[signes]

This list can get long fast but for me:

1. Adequate space (including up) to comfortably work around the car
2. Lift (preferably 2-post with enough height for a 6+ footer to fit underneath
3. Lots of storage cabinets and one or two high quality tool chests
4. High quality floor sealer/paint
5. Good amount of work table space
6. Nicely outfitted bathroom
7. Fridge and sink
8. TV/Stereo
9. Power outlets *everywhere*
10. Secure/quiet garage opener & door
11. Heat/AC
12. Water tap & hose/reel

[MikeE92M3]

this is the garage M3 isnt in here (in this pic):

[dmk08]

I went with a two door garage with double depth on one side. Allows me plenty of space for my toolbox, compressor, storage and other gadgets. I can even pull a car in that isn't running and another behind it. I'll post a pick this weekend when I'm back in town.

[LarThaL]

Big thread on this a while back:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=613250

[Wilburnter]

I went with a two door garage with double depth on one side.

[Nang Vann]

Nice gear

[Darth One]

everything in the OP, a four car garage with a Gallardo and 458 Italia to go with my M3 and GT3, and i'm set.

oh, add an HDTV and a fridge well stocked with beer. done and done.

[m3an]

No one mentioned compressor and fully plumb the garage w/ air lines

[W///]

Unrealistically? A giant barn, with an apartment at the top. Bottom floor would be able to hold 8 cars

Realistically?
A 3 car garage. 2 bay on one side, and then at a 90 degree angle, the "work" bay with a lift. Air tools, plenty of storage for tools, 37" tv and a small fridge. That's what I'll be working towards in a few years hopefully, nothing too crazy.

Also wouldn't mind a regular 2 car garage in the house, then a detached 2 car garage in the backyard.

[Money2536]

I'm working on this as I type this.

Attached is Draft 2 of our home that we are going to build most likely early next year. The garage in this design is still a little smaller than I want. We need to add about 4 feet to the length. I haven't started on electrical, plumbing, etc. There are several other things in the rest of the house I'm changing for Draft 3. There is going to be usable attic space over the entire garage. I have to work on the 2nd floor design with the architect once we finalize the 1st. I'm going to do another 1,500 or so square feet unfinished on the 2nd level to create a Florida version of an unfinished basement for a dedicated home theater and a bunch of whatever we want later space.

If you are into detailing and you are going to build, I would highly recommend a Porte Cochere (covered pull through).

Here are a couple of things I'm into:

Slightly less costly, expensive cabinets:
http://www.modulinecabinets.com/

My first choice expensive cabinets:
http://www.listacabinets.com/

Here is what I want to do with a lift. I'm going to have the builder pour the floor to recess the lift.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=96418

[Alpha///M]

Everything above, plus her:

[Mbauer]

I second putting the lift in ground. I like a nice finished garage floor surface also, tile or epoxy. You menchioned water hose, but not compressed air? A fridge with cold beer is required. Also swamp cooler is also a plus if u got the room.

[TeRRoRiFiC35]

Obviously besides all tools and cleaning supplies for the car, a small lift would be nice. I would also add a TV/radio/CD player/MP3 player with full surround sound. Also would through in a minifridge. Might as well also throw in a couch so it can be your place to get away from the wife if you want to. Thinking about it, I almost described Doug Heffernan's garage from the King of Queens

[nbennettksu]

Originally Posted by Mbauer

I second putting the lift in ground. I like a nice finished garage floor surface also, tile or epoxy. You menchioned water hose, but not compressed air? A fridge with cold beer is required. Also swamp cooler is also a plus if u got the room.

jackpot

[TVMA Doc]

Originally Posted by W///

Unrealistically? A giant barn, with an apartment at the top. Bottom floor would be able to hold 8 cars

Realistically?
A 3 car garage. 2 bay on one side, and then at a 90 degree angle, the "work" bay with a lift. Air tools, plenty of storage for tools, 37" tv and a small fridge. That's what I'll be working towards in a few years hopefully, nothing too crazy.

Also wouldn't mind a regular 2 car garage in the house, then a detached 2 car garage in the backyard.

A friend of mine has the 8 car garage you mentioned, with the GT3 and a Diablo parked inside. You can also fit my entire house inside his livingroom-the ceiling is even high enough to clear the gables on my second floor.

[dreamspeed]

The most important dream item for me would be a lift so i can stand under the car and work under it. One of the biggest deterrents preventing me from working on my car as much as i would like is having to get the car up on jack stands and then working in an extremely cramped space at horrible angles

[Nati Beastcat]

Let me know when you need replacement lamps for your Metal halide fixtures. I'll hook you up!

[Wolf]

Originally Posted by MikeE92M3

this is the garage M3 isnt in here (in this pic):

nice!

[adc]

My dream garage:
F458 italia
Atom or Caterham
911 GT3 RS
1M Or M3 DD
A truck or SUV

Everything else, including enclosure and tools, is not important.

[1MOREMOD]

i just went thru this myself and ended up spending my dough on the lake house and not the garage. i still have a 3 car outfitted fairly well but you can always use more space and more tools.

[CCLSVTM3]

Originally Posted by Alpha///M

Everything above, plus her:

Winner!!!!