Door Dings

CRiZO

I was just curious, our doors and hood are aluminum right? Do they tend to ding easily? Or maybe they flex more and resist?

NISMO IX

Yes they are aluminum. Aluminum has the benefit of being lighter but can be a bit softer as aluminum has a lower melting point. I wouldn't park anywhere you think you have the potential for door dings, as a good percentage of people nowadays just do not care about other peoples nice things.
Something to remember, when parking next to other cars, take a quick look at the edge of the other cars doors, this will give you a good indication as to the kind of person you are parking next too.

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2017 Ford Focus RS Nitrous Blue "KB43VER"
2014 370z Mag Blk 6M "KOKURYU" (Black Dragon)

PaulNYz

Very good tip! I do this all of the time. So easy to pick out the careless folks.

redondoaveb

I was parked at the store the other day in a spot that I thought was safe. When I came out there was a car parked next to me and the lady driving it flung the drivers door open, got out and flung the passenger door open. Both times without even caring that a car was parked next to her. Fortunately, I was parked far enough away from her car where her door missed my car. If her doors would have hit my car it would have put dents in it, not just a dings.

She walked behind my car right before I started backing out. When she did she got a 7500 rpm, supercharged, Fast Intentions exhaust blast right in her ear.

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750whp/700ft.lbs

confucius

More dingable. Be defensive. Always.

Was following an SUV today with a sticker that brazenly/honestly stated:

"I HAVE KIDS
park too close
and I'll ding your ****!"

Most likely would happen the other way. They will park too closely next to me.

So far, on a long run of luck. Tons of miles in and I still don't have a door dink. I understand though, that it could be just a quick stop and run in for a coffee away.

Full disclosure > At the front end of 100k miles that's a whole nother issue...ALL of those chips, dents and welts are perfectly acceptable in my mind because they came from more than zero miles per hour.

Go defense!

Benibiker

People suck.... My 2013 Z was dinged by a fool. I had a paintless ding guy come out and fix it and he mentioned the metal on the door was harder than normal steel. I mentioned it was aluminum and he was pretty shocked. Did I mention people suck?

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2017 Pure Red 6MT 370Z Touring

Nixin

I am flabbergasted at how many people are so freaking careless.

rainman1ne

Actually if you get a steel hood next to an aluminum hood and try to put a dent into it, the steel will dent easier vs the aluminum. People think of a coke can when they hear aluminum and expect it to be very soft. The steel is easier to repair and can take more damage vs aluminum. Being in the PDR business we upcharge on aluminum panels because of how much harder it is to push the dents out. It takes a lot more force rather than steel panels.

SennaZ

I always park away from other cars. Even when I had my E36 BMW that was worth pennies compared to the Z, I would do the same. Sorry to anyone this happens to.

My reaction and anger to perpetrator and their car would be akin to this:

Jayhovah

Good PDR guys are like sorcerers.

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CRiZO

Yay an answer, thanks amigo.

NISMO IX

I believe the OP was referring to "door dings", NOT "door dents". A "door ding" is usually classified a small marking were the metal has been manipulated to represent a "pit" in the metal. A "door dent" on the other hand is usually representing an indentation were the metal has flexed inward.

__________________
2017 Ford Focus RS Nitrous Blue "KB43VER"
2014 370z Mag Blk 6M "KOKURYU" (Black Dragon)

rainman1ne

Lol im in Lewisville not far from you so if you need any work let me know

markesc

For what it's worth:

I've just learned to not shop at certain places at certain times. If I cannot find a spot that's away from the morons, then I just go a different day. Sometimes this means paying a bit more and going to a less busy establishment.

If ya don't have a choice, I just try to find a spot where only one side can be hit, and usually I look for a few signs:

Is the car next to me clean/upscale brand?
Is it backed in? (good sign they are conscientious personality type)

Cars I avoid parking by:

Any / All American trucks/jeeps/bigger vehicles with bigger doors

Typical single mom mobile where there's a million hand prints stickers perma dirt perma brake dust on the front wheels. Another tell is if the front plate is jacked up/taco'd, means they run it through the car wash, means they're lazy and don't actually care.

4+ years of Z ownership, Zero door dents/dings/scuffs. Only 4-5 rock chips because of a clear bra on the front bumper and the entire hood. I also keep it super clean, ocd style, and that tends to attract other car lovers to park next to mine. Being there are only 300 MB from 2013-14, I enjoy taking care of mine.

StormWhite

I can often park in an unused part of a car park and return to find some uncared for car parked so close I have trouble getting into my car. I swear they do it on purpose.