Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT M Fan's OKC 3-Car

[M Fan]

This is a 3-car, approximately 23’ x 28-½, attached garage. We are the original owners and we purchased this “spec build” home in 2010. The garage was completely drywalled and originally finished in a flat tan paint. Over the years, we made several, and will certainly make more, changes and enhancements. Following are some of these changes:

Installed an inground tornado shelter, an Oklahoma necessity

Fridgidaire Commercial freezer and glass-door refrigerator

Gladiator workbenches, two 6-foot and one 8-foot for 20 linear feet

Gladiator Premier cabinets, five Gearbox, two Geardrawer and one Tall Gearbox

Painted wall and ceiling in semi-gloss light gray paint, color matched to Gladiator Gearwall panels

Liftmaster 8550 garage door openers on each door

LG 77” OLED TV, Apple TV 4K, Sonos Arc soundbar, Sonos Sub and a pair of ERA300 surround speakers *Recently upgraded from 65"

Lithonia 2’ x 2’ LED light fixtures

Vacumaid garage vacuum

Juno LED tracklights above workbench

Vyper fan inverted and mounted to the ceiling

Three Vyper chairs

Gladiator 3’ Mobile Workstation modified with the mounting of a Kranzle 1322TS pressure washer and Cox Reels pressure washer hose

Griots Garage shelves holding various car cleaning liquids

Racedeck Free Flow flooring in black, cool blue, royal blue and red with some Snap Carpet between house door and freezer/fridge

 

[benwalsh91]

Love it, and i also like the detail where you have done the external lights in the M colours.

 

[GlennSullivan]

Extremely good use of space. What did you use on the floor, looks too thin to be Racedeck style snap down?

 

[DeeDubz]

Nice set up, I like that fridge.

 

[TX4runner]

I just noticed the exterior lights. Good catch Ben. Nicely utilized space! And nice CS.

 

[HogDude]

I like the way you roll. No mention of the evap cooler. Any thoughts of going to a mini split system in the future?
Following.......
Oh, and "you had me at M"

 

[M Fan]

Extremely good use of space. What did you use on the floor, looks too thin to be Racedeck style snap down?

Thanks! It is Racedeck Free-Flow in black, cool blue, royal blue and red with some of their Snap Carpet in front of the fridge, freezer and door to the house. I made that list and forgot to add the tiles.

 

[M Fan]

I like the way you roll. No mention of the evap cooler. Any thoughts of going to a mini split system in the future?
Following.......
Oh, and "you had me at M"

Yes!! Im thinking a mini split is in the future as the Port-a-cool just doesn’t work well in Oklahoma summers.

 

[jskicet]

Like the fridge, I have the same Founders sign in my shop

 

[M Fan]

I just noticed the exterior lights. Good catch Ben. Nicely utilized space! And nice CS.

Thanks! The lights are Philips Hue bulbs that I program to do various themes, depending on the season, from sunset to like 10pm and switch to bright white from 10 to sunrise for security purposes.

 

[M Fan]

Thanks everyone! As you can probably tell, I’m a big Michigan as well as BMW M cars fan. Well I’m a fan of many cars, but can’t afford a Ferrari.

 

[runit]

Very nice space!

 

[teereqs]

Great looking space! How do you like the flooring? Keep going back and forth between paint and tiles for my ~450 sqft garage

 

[M Fan]

Great looking space! How do you like the flooring? Keep going back and forth between paint and tiles for my ~450 sqft garage

Thanks. Well there are some things I love about the flooring and there are a couple things I'm not so thrilled with. First, I should explain a little on why I chose this option. I am nearing retirement and all of our family is either on the west coast or Florida panhandle, so I'm not sure i will stay here. With this flooring, I can simply include if we sell, sell the tiles to someone else. or take them with us...its not permanent.

Second, I thought about a coating, but its as expensive or more than other options. I could have done the DIY big box option but I'm just not a fan of the usual fleck epoxy. If I did the coating, I wanted a metallic finish. I inquired with a few local places and the ones I talked to only do the epoxy in solid colors with flecks. I thought about doing it myself, but since I have never done it before, it would be an expensive experiment.

The last option, and the one I think I would like the best if i stayed in the house, was a black natural stone tile i found at HD. But again, its permanent and I'm not sure potential home buyers would appreciate it like I would.

The other things I like are that the vented tiles allow moisture to fall to the floor and make the floor less slippery. I also like the carpeted tiles that I placed by the house door and appliances, because its comfortable when I go grab a beer.

Now my issues. Since the tiles are not permanent, when driving the car in and out, they can shift. My garage is a side entry style so I have to square up the car in the driveway and approach straight on. The first few times I parked my wife's AWD X3 and approached while turning, I got a buckle and had to pull the car back out to fix the tiles. Not a real big issue but can be annoying. If I take time to straighten the car beforehand, its not an issue. The only other issue is that since my garage is on the north, with doors to the east, the morning sun will heat the tiles in the summer causing them to teepee slightly until they are in the shade, around noon.

Sorry for the long explanation!

 

[TX4runner]

I had a cheaper version of RaceDeck in the solid tiles, and I also have teepee during the hot summers. This was from awhile ago, so sadly the E92 is only BMW still in the stable. But the other two have been replaced by equally fun cars.

 

[M Fan]

I had a cheaper version of RaceDeck in the solid tiles, and I also have teepee during the hot summers. This was from awhile ago, so sadly the E92 is only BMW still in the stable. But the other two have been replaced by equally fun cars.

I really miss, and regret everyday that I sold my 2011 E92. It was my first BMW and the first car I special ordered. You got rid of that M5! I would love to get an M5 like that or a mid 80's M6.

 

[TX4runner]

The E39 M5 is a special car, and I do regret selling it in hindsight. At the time, I had shifted to the E92, and my wife was driving it but wanted an SUV. She parking at her office with cats that jumped all over it and were scratching the paint work to hell. So we let her go to another home. My brother in law still has one that I have access to as well as a bunch of friends have some. None of the M5s after that one do anything for me, they are just too big.

We did Euro delivery with the E92, so it's special for us.

 

[GlennSullivan]

Thanks. Well there are some things I love about the flooring and there are a couple things I'm not so thrilled with. First, I should explain a little on why I chose this option. I am nearing retirement and all of our family is either on the west coast or Florida panhandle, so I'm not sure i will stay here. With this flooring, I can simply include if we sell, sell the tiles to someone else. or take them with us...its not permanent.

Second, I thought about a coating, but its as expensive or more than other options. I could have done the DIY big box option but I'm just not a fan of the usual fleck epoxy. If I did the coating, I wanted a metallic finish. I inquired with a few local places and the ones I talked to only do the epoxy in solid colors with flecks. I thought about doing it myself, but since I have never done it before, it would be an expensive experiment.

The last option, and the one I think I would like the best if i stayed in the house, was a black natural stone tile i found at HD. But again, its permanent and I'm not sure potential home buyers would appreciate it like I would.

The other things I like are that the vented tiles allow moisture to fall to the floor and make the floor less slippery. I also like the carpeted tiles that I placed by the house door and appliances, because its comfortable when I go grab a beer.

Now my issues. Since the tiles are not permanent, when driving the car in and out, they can shift. My garage is a side entry style so I have to square up the car in the driveway and approach straight on. The first few times I parked my wife's AWD X3 and approached while turning, I got a buckle and had to pull the car back out to fix the tiles. Not a real big issue but can be annoying. If I take time to straighten the car beforehand, its not an issue. The only other issue is that since my garage is on the north, with doors to the east, the morning sun will heat the tiles in the summer causing them to teepee slightly until they are in the shade, around noon.

Sorry for the long explanation!

I really appreciate your long and detailed information on the positives and negatives of the tiles….

 

[teereqs]

Thanks. Well there are some things I love about the flooring and there are a couple things I'm not so thrilled with. First, I should explain a little on why I chose this option. I am nearing retirement and all of our family is either on the west coast or Florida panhandle, so I'm not sure i will stay here. With this flooring, I can simply include if we sell, sell the tiles to someone else. or take them with us...its not permanent.

Second, I thought about a coating, but its as expensive or more than other options. I could have done the DIY big box option but I'm just not a fan of the usual fleck epoxy. If I did the coating, I wanted a metallic finish. I inquired with a few local places and the ones I talked to only do the epoxy in solid colors with flecks. I thought about doing it myself, but since I have never done it before, it would be an expensive experiment.

The last option, and the one I think I would like the best if i stayed in the house, was a black natural stone tile i found at HD. But again, its permanent and I'm not sure potential home buyers would appreciate it like I would.

The other things I like are that the vented tiles allow moisture to fall to the floor and make the floor less slippery. I also like the carpeted tiles that I placed by the house door and appliances, because its comfortable when I go grab a beer.

Now my issues. Since the tiles are not permanent, when driving the car in and out, they can shift. My garage is a side entry style so I have to square up the car in the driveway and approach straight on. The first few times I parked my wife's AWD X3 and approached while turning, I got a buckle and had to pull the car back out to fix the tiles. Not a real big issue but can be annoying. If I take time to straighten the car beforehand, its not an issue. The only other issue is that since my garage is on the north, with doors to the east, the morning sun will heat the tiles in the summer causing them to teepee slightly until they are in the shade, around noon.

Sorry for the long explanation!

Very thorough response, thank you! How well does it work with a floor jack and jack stands?

 

[M Fan]

Very thorough response, thank you! How well does it work with a floor jack and jack stands?

So far no issues but I only used the floor jacks once, I think. I usually do that stuff outside in my driveway. The tiles do seem very durable and I'm impressed with how clean they stay, even the light blue ones.

 

[HogDude]

So far no issues but I only used the floor jacks once, I think. I usually do that stuff outside in my driveway. The tiles do seem very durable and I'm impressed with how clean they stay, even the light blue ones.

I also have the Free Flow from RaceDeck. Love them! Very durable. I have a Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 and swap out "winter wheels/tire" twice a year plus oil changes. Floor jack and jack stands have never damaged a tile. I'm careful but I doubt that contributes much. I do have a small section of the solid tiles to park the Harley. Looks really sharp but I do not care for the "click clack" sound walking on them and have not used a. jack or anything on them. They do clean up fluids much better.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

Thanks. Well there are some things I love about the flooring and there are a couple things I'm not so thrilled with. First, I should explain a little on why I chose this option. I am nearing retirement and all of our family is either on the west coast or Florida panhandle, so I'm not sure i will stay here. With this flooring, I can simply include if we sell, sell the tiles to someone else. or take them with us...its not permanent.

Second, I thought about a coating, but its as expensive or more than other options. I could have done the DIY big box option but I'm just not a fan of the usual fleck epoxy. If I did the coating, I wanted a metallic finish. I inquired with a few local places and the ones I talked to only do the epoxy in solid colors with flecks. I thought about doing it myself, but since I have never done it before, it would be an expensive experiment.

The last option, and the one I think I would like the best if i stayed in the house, was a black natural stone tile i found at HD. But again, its permanent and I'm not sure potential home buyers would appreciate it like I would.

The other things I like are that the vented tiles allow moisture to fall to the floor and make the floor less slippery. I also like the carpeted tiles that I placed by the house door and appliances, because its comfortable when I go grab a beer.

Now my issues. Since the tiles are not permanent, when driving the car in and out, they can shift. My garage is a side entry style so I have to square up the car in the driveway and approach straight on. The first few times I parked my wife's AWD X3 and approached while turning, I got a buckle and had to pull the car back out to fix the tiles. Not a real big issue but can be annoying. If I take time to straighten the car beforehand, its not an issue. The only other issue is that since my garage is on the north, with doors to the east, the morning sun will heat the tiles in the summer causing them to teepee slightly until they are in the shade, around noon.

Sorry for the long explanation!

The garage looks fantastic. Nice work on everything.

Appreciate your in depth experience on the tiles as well. I am currently considering between Racedeck and Swisstrax myself. You mention the tiles buckling in the heat some. That is interesting as I thought that was only an issue of solid tiles and not the vented tiles. Does this happen a lot or just on the hotest of days?

 

[M Fan]

Only tiles along the garage door opening, in the direct sun with the garage door opened all day, will expand and teepee slightly…until they get in the shade. I really only notice this when I leave the doors open, which in the summer, is the way mine is always when I’m home.

 

[jbrentd]

Great looking space! I really like how you designed the racedeck layout. And the long workbench is awesome. I am also jealous of your fridge/freezer. What changes do you have planned for the future?

 

[M Fan]

Thanks. I don’t have many significant projects planned. I’m about to upgrade the 65” OLED TV to a new 77” OLED. Long term I really want to insulate the garage and add a mini-split. I am also thinking about replacing the cabinet with something a little nicer, perhaps Baldhead or Lists brand

 

[GlennSullivan]

When we built our garage in 2005, I looked at Baldhead and Lista and ended up going with Lista. If I had to make that same decision today, i would prolly choose Lista, although Baldhead is in Northwest and Lista is in Northeast so freight could be a factor. I believe Baldhead is a better product with more options.

 

[M Fan]

When we built our garage in 2005, I looked at Baldhead and Lista and ended up going with Lista. If I had to make that same decision today, i would prolly choose Lista, although Baldhead is in Northwest and Lista is in Northeast so freight could be a factor. I believe Baldhead is a better product with more options.

I did get a quote from Baldhead and I definitely will consider them some more. The thing I like about Lista is that they are very heavy duty but Baldhead I think may be a better value…decisions decisions!

 

[GlennSullivan]

I did get a quote from Baldhead and I definitely will consider them some more. The thing I like about Lista is that they are very heavy duty but Baldhead I think may be a better value…decisions decisions!

Back when I built the garage, Lista was actually less money than Baldhead, don't know where they stand today. The one thing I did not like about Lista at the time, was you could not get a tall double door cabinet. If you look at the picture of my cabinets, you will see the tall ones are actually 2 units stacked on top of each other. Every time I have to open a lower and then an upper door looking for something, it pisses me off yet again LOL.

I went with black Formica style countertop on my first order (above pic) and on a subsequent order I did a brushed stainless countertop. Even though the stainless was considerably more, it has held up much much better over the years.

 

[Nolift911]

Great setup!! Miss my e39 M5 -

 

[Greenlawnracing]

Just wanted to say hi to what appears to be a neighbor of sorts. Beautiful car, beautiful Garage, I’m also in Oklahoma City in the Deer Creek area.

 

[M Fan]

Just wanted to say hi to what appears to be a neighbor of sorts. Beautiful car, beautiful Garage, I’m also in Oklahoma City in the Deer Creek area.

Oh cool. I live in the southwest part of OKC, near Mustang.

 

[M Fan]

Updated description to reflect new 77" LG OLED TV, replacing my older 65" and added a couple more pics.

 

[CombatNinja]

Just did similar. Kicked my 65" OLED down to my Mom and got a 75" that was on super sale. Hard to believe you can buy a 75" TV for $500. Seems like they're the only thing that has not been subject to inflation. Mom kept telling me hers was 'fine' but every time I upgrade her size, she tells me how much better she can see it. She's getting up there in years, not sure how much bigger I can go in her tiny house.

Garage looks great. I used to be into BMWs years ago but I felt they just kind of lost the plot after the e90 platform. Once the M cars went turbo, I was out.

 

[M Fan]

Just did similar. Kicked my 65" OLED down to my Mom and got a 75" that was on super sale. Hard to believe you can buy a 75" TV for $500. Seems like they're the only thing that has not been subject to inflation. Mom kept telling me hers was 'fine' but every time I upgrade her size, she tells me how much better she can see it. She's getting up there in years, not sure how much bigger I can go in her tiny house.

Garage looks great. I used to be into BMWs years ago but I felt they just kind of lost the plot after the e90 platform. Once the M cars went turbo, I was out.

Yes, it's unfortunate that BMW has kind of lost their way...no longer the "Ultimate Driving Machine". I loved my E92 but sadly I had to sell it a few years ago for financial reasons. I owned a 2020 X3M Comp. for about a year and absolutely hated the 8-speed transmission mated to the S58 turbo. I opted to buy a 2019 CPO M4CS and have been pretty happy...except my insurance almost tripled over my E92.

 

[Purist]

How have I not seen this thread until now? What a lineup in that garage of yours....hot damn!!