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Bottomed out

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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Silverzedtom
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Bottomed out

Post by Silverzedtom » Sat Jul 22, 2017 10:31 pm

Drove out to Sevenoaks this evening for food, thought I'd lucked out and drove into M&S car park as it's under cover. Going in was no problem but on the way out there was an almighty scrape, metal on tarmac.

After I had taken my head out of my hands and finished swearing I had a look... as luck would have it the skirt was about 3 mm above the tarmac and it was only the metal tray under the clutch delay valve (or where it would be) touching, and it isn't bent or damaged. I got away lightly and thought I'd be shelling out on damaged paint work.

Being lowered I get bumper scrape here and there, nothing that's ever damaged the bumper but never had it on the skirt / under the car.

Anyone else almost beached their zed?
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Bottomed out

Post by mmm-five » Sat Jul 22, 2017 10:52 pm

Not beached, but I did launch over a crest in the Lakes, and landed nose down slightly and thought I'd ripped off the front bumper.

Luckily I'd just dislodged the undertray.
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Paulr
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Post by Paulr » Sat Jul 22, 2017 11:44 pm

Bottom of the front bumper touches the tarmac coming out of certain car parks where the angle is slightly too steep. Makes me cringe every time!
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Post by Beedub » Sat Jul 22, 2017 11:54 pm

mine seems to get over even the largest of humps and obstacles. I kept the ride height very conservative for this reason and also general compliance.
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Silverzedtom
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Post by Silverzedtom » Sun Jul 23, 2017 7:57 am

Paulr wrote: Sat Jul 22, 2017 11:44 pm Bottom of the front bumper touches the tarmac coming out of certain car parks where the angle is slightly too steep. Makes me cringe every time!
I get this if I drive straight out of my driveway, if I'm coming out at a bit of an angle it seems to be ok. Again only a little touch on the undertray but it never sounds nice :cry:
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Post by nick_l » Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:03 am

The gym I go to has a very steep ramp to their underground car park and if I don't or can't enter and exit on full lock (because of a car coming the other way) all manor of scraping noises ring out. I love the look of my car lowered but I'm really considering raising it back to standard as it's a real pain with the amount of speed bumps and high kerbs around where I live.

Maybe an air ride kit of some sort is my answer...

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Post by Silverzedtom » Sun Jul 23, 2017 1:12 pm

nick_l wrote: Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:03 am The gym I go to has a very steep ramp to their underground car park and if I don't or can't enter and exit on full lock (because of a car coming the other way) all manor of scraping noises ring out. I love the look of my car lowered but I'm really considering raising it back to standard as it's a real pain with the amount of speed bumps and high kerbs around where I live.

Maybe an air ride kit of some sort is my answer...
I was considering air ride. For me it's just too much initial cost and a repair is never going to be a quick job. Coupled up with a loss of luggage space makes it a no go for me.

I'm going to go for coilovers when my dampers are shot. I'd probably stick to my current height but at least it gives options on height and can also be raised if struggling to accommodate a large alloy. Sounds like it might work for you?
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Post by nick_l » Sun Jul 23, 2017 2:14 pm

Silverzedtom wrote: Sun Jul 23, 2017 1:12 pm
nick_l wrote: Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:03 am The gym I go to has a very steep ramp to their underground car park and if I don't or can't enter and exit on full lock (because of a car coming the other way) all manor of scraping noises ring out. I love the look of my car lowered but I'm really considering raising it back to standard as it's a real pain with the amount of speed bumps and high kerbs around where I live.

Maybe an air ride kit of some sort is my answer...
I was considering air ride. For me it's just too much initial cost and a repair is never going to be a quick job. Coupled up with a loss of luggage space makes it a no go for me.

I'm going to go for coilovers when my dampers are shot. I'd probably stick to my current height but at least it gives options on height and can also be raised if struggling to accommodate a large alloy. Sounds like it might work for you?

My thoughts exactly with the air ride. My Zed is my daily and I couldn't cope with the boot taken away. Mine has just lowering springs, so coilovers are on m radar. I'm sure I saw a set that have a nose lift function too which would come in very handy!

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Post by D4dawg » Sun Jul 23, 2017 2:31 pm

Don't ask rally rob about this !

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Post by ben g » Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:13 pm

Beached my Zed on some of these badboys at work, which have been recently installed for some ridiculous reason.

Had to keep going. The sound of it hitting the underside was dreadful.

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Silverzedtom
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Post by Silverzedtom » Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:20 pm

:cry:
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Post by BMWZ4MC » Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:43 pm

ben g wrote: Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:13 pm Beached my Zed on some of these badboys at work, which have been recently installed for some ridiculous reason.

Had to keep going. The sound of it hitting the underside was dreadful.

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Me too. I briefly considered reversing back off it then decided I prefer all four tyres inflated. Absolutely horrible experience...
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