How much front clearance?

ceesar · 11-13-2011, 01:16 PM

So as I ready my garage for the arrival of my M3, I realized there's a dip in front of my house, where the road transitions to the driveway.

Does anyone know the height of the gap from the ground to the underside of the front air dam on a E93 M3? I'd hate to scrape the front air dam driving on/off my driveway.

I currently drive a VW GTi and haven't had a problem, but am wondering how much lower the M3 is vs the GTi.

gblansten · 11-13-2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceesar

So as I ready my garage for the arrival of my M3, I realized there's a dip in front of my house, where the road transitions to the driveway.

Does anyone know the height of the gap from the ground to the underside of the front air dam on a E93 M3? I'd hate to scrape the front air dam driving on/off my driveway.

I currently drive a VW GTi and haven't had a problem, but am wondering how much lower the M3 is vs the GTi.

4.5 inches measured from the felt type guard to the ground. The actual painted bumper is a bit higher. The felt is what will hit. I have a have a very steep driveway and I do NOT scrape at all. I do come at the driveway at an angle though and then turn up once I'm mostly on the driveway and off the street.

JRZBLK · 11-13-2011, 01:26 PM

Yes, 4 inches sound exactly right. You can't do any type of work unless you have the car raised. I had to order a new felt shield cause I scraped it once. The plastic tore off and hung at one end, then eventually it fell of and there was nothing to support the rest of the felt so it acted as a sail when the air hit it and continually scraped the ground.

smmmurf · 11-13-2011, 01:27 PM

Most of the time driveways are OK at stock height if you turn in at an angle. The more severe the driveway, the more angle you need...

Mr. ///M3 RD · 11-13-2011, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceesar

So as I ready my garage for the arrival of my M3, I realized there's a dip in front of my house, where the road transitions to the driveway.

Does anyone know the height of the gap from the ground to the underside of the front air dam on a E93 M3? I'd hate to scrape the front air dam driving on/off my driveway.

I currently drive a VW GTi and haven't had a problem, but am wondering how much lower the M3 is vs the GTi.

I had that issue in my old house. I solved it by purchasing a special ramp to place into the street to access my driveway. Then had the city change it the then laid a proper concrete curb for easy access to my drive way. The cost was added onto my taxes (one had a choice to pay it out in cash or a slight increase on ones tax bill).

Here is an example of the temp fix. ===>CLICK to View ... There are many more

I think you may be okay by never entering straight bud in an angle when you access or leave your drive way.

Good luck

ceesar · 11-13-2011, 01:34 PM

Thanks folks!! Much appreciated!! Sounds like it should be ok - coming in at an angle is what I currently do w/ my GTi.

"Just in case", I see that Griots Garage sells a rubber driveway ramp - kinda pricey, but I'm more concerned about my HOA objecting to it.

Btw, love this forum - post a request for info, and within 10mins have 4 helpful responses! Thanks!

JRZBLK · 11-13-2011, 01:40 PM

I see another Jerez Black E93

ceesar · 11-13-2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRZBLK

I see another Jerez Black E93

Yup ... there *will* be photos when she arrives!

tjsabec · 11-13-2011, 05:38 PM

I have an 08 GTI and when I got the M3, I was scraping everywhere... I have to be much more careful in the M3 than in the VW.

1sikbmr · 11-13-2011, 05:52 PM

Just hit it at an angle and you should be fine

ceesar · 11-13-2011, 06:40 PM

I just measured by '08 GTi - it measures about 8". Seems like I'm going to have to be careful. Bumping up on to the driveway after the first drive home is going to be a "clench" moment (without getting too crude

).

gblansten · 11-13-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceesar

I just measured by '08 GTi - it measures about 8". Seems like I'm going to have to be careful. Bumping up on to the driveway after the first drive home is going to be a "clench" moment (without getting too crude

).

I just got my M3 about three months ago. That first trip up my driveway found me sweating blood. Fortunately no problems.

PhillyNate · 11-13-2011, 07:14 PM

If you scrape(and I believe you will) start backing into the driveway. It's a pain in the ass but worth it. I scrape everytime but I have ZCP.

HeartMD · 11-13-2011, 07:16 PM

Its inevitable my friend. You WILL likely scratch that felt at some point or another. Sadly the first few times you will cringe as it will almost bring a tear to your eyes, but like all things eventually you will care less and less. Just be careful and take steep drive ways with an angle and slowly with caution. I read in some post that putting the EDC to the hardest setting will stiffen up the shocks so they have less give when going up the slope.
Congrats on the new ride, you will love it. You made a fine automotive choice.
Joe

ceesar · 11-13-2011, 08:02 PM

I like the idea of reversing up - a bit of a PITA, but might be worth it. I can't bear the thought of damaging the car in any way.

I've been looking at these - http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ortby=ourPicks - anyone have any experience with them? Shipping is pricey, but Griots are in Tacoma, just down a short drive from Seattle, so I could collect them.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 11-13-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

If you scrape(and I believe you will) start backing into the driveway. It's a pain in the ass but worth it. I scrape everytime but I have ZCP.

That is how I park my car (backing in) my wife drives in nose first ... this way there is no chance the doors get dinged

like getting in and out off bed she on her side I on mine

serranot · 11-14-2011, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeartMD

Its inevitable my friend. You WILL likely scratch that felt at some point or another. Sadly the first few times you will cringe as it will almost bring a tear to your eyes, but like all things eventually you will care less and less. Just be careful and take steep drive ways with an angle and slowly with caution. I read in some post that putting the EDC to the hardest setting will stiffen up the shocks so they have less give when going up the slope.
Congrats on the new ride, you will love it. You made a fine automotive choice.
Joe

This was my first significant emotional event. And not the felt. For me, it was the whole lip. I tried to tell myself it's just a car, but I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes as I backed off the textured sidewalk with the lip I did not see. God, it was awful.

I got over it. Now I'm okay. The damage to the front is just some scratches. However, it definitely is not perfect and is noticeable.

sarddenso · 11-14-2011, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

If you scrape(and I believe you will) start backing into the driveway. It's a pain in the ass but worth it. I scrape everytime but I have ZCP.

Just curious, if you reverse into your driveway to avoid scraping, when you leave, do you go forward and do you manage to get out without scraping?

PhillyNate · 11-14-2011, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarddenso

Just curious, if you reverse into your driveway to avoid scraping, when you leave, do you go forward and do you manage to get out without scraping?

Yes. I have NEVER scraped forward out of the driveway.

BeamingE39 · 11-15-2011, 02:19 PM

You must have a really steep driveway, I live in SoCal and I DD my ZCP everywhere and I've never scraped once. But than again I drive driveways so slow I piss the hell out of people behind me

PhillyNate · 11-15-2011, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NAForever

You must have a really steep driveway, I live in SoCal and I DD my ZCP everywhere and I've never scraped once. But than again I drive driveways so slow I piss the hell out of people behind me

I could've flown up/out my driveway like the Dukes of Hazzard frontwards or backwards in my 328i. Not this car. Absolutely doesn't matter how slow I go up my driveway, It still scrapes.

11-13-2011, 01:16 PM	#1
ceesar Private First Class 9 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 Convertible Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 E93 Con ... [0.00]	How much front clearance? So as I ready my garage for the arrival of my M3, I realized there's a dip in front of my house, where the road transitions to the driveway. Does anyone know the height of the gap from the ground to the underside of the front air dam on a E93 M3? I'd hate to scrape the front air dam driving on/off my driveway. I currently drive a VW GTi and haven't had a problem, but am wondering how much lower the M3 is vs the GTi. __________________ 2012 M3 Convertible, Jerez Black, Fox Red \|\| 27/Aug : placed orded \|\| 2/Nov : Entered production \|\| 15/Nov : Finished production \|\| 16/Nov : At the port waiting loading \|\| 22/Nov : on a boat en-route to the West Coast \|\| 29/Dec : arrives at dealer \|\| 31/Dec : collected it, and loving every second of it since!
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11-13-2011, 01:26 PM	#3
JRZBLK Private 14 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 2008 Jerez Black M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Woodbridge, NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 Convertible [0.00]	Yes, 4 inches sound exactly right. You can't do any type of work unless you have the car raised. I had to order a new felt shield cause I scraped it once. The plastic tore off and hung at one end, then eventually it fell of and there was nothing to support the rest of the felt so it acted as a sail when the air hit it and continually scraped the ground.
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11-13-2011, 01:27 PM	#4
smmmurf Colonel 310 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT 353k+ miles Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA iTrader: (7)	Most of the time driveways are OK at stock height if you turn in at an angle. The more severe the driveway, the more angle you need...
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11-13-2011, 01:34 PM	#6
ceesar Private First Class 9 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 Convertible Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 E93 Con ... [0.00]	Thanks folks!! Much appreciated!! Sounds like it should be ok - coming in at an angle is what I currently do w/ my GTi. "Just in case", I see that Griots Garage sells a rubber driveway ramp - kinda pricey, but I'm more concerned about my HOA objecting to it. Btw, love this forum - post a request for info, and within 10mins have 4 helpful responses! Thanks! __________________ 2012 M3 Convertible, Jerez Black, Fox Red \|\| 27/Aug : placed orded \|\| 2/Nov : Entered production \|\| 15/Nov : Finished production \|\| 16/Nov : At the port waiting loading \|\| 22/Nov : on a boat en-route to the West Coast \|\| 29/Dec : arrives at dealer \|\| 31/Dec : collected it, and loving every second of it since!
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11-13-2011, 01:40 PM	#7
JRZBLK Private 14 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 2008 Jerez Black M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Woodbridge, NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 Convertible [0.00]	I see another Jerez Black E93
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11-13-2011, 05:38 PM	#9
tjsabec Captain 53 Rep 620 Posts Drives: 2008, e90, alpine white, 6mt Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Morgantown, wv iTrader: (2)	I have an 08 GTI and when I got the M3, I was scraping everywhere... I have to be much more careful in the M3 than in the VW.
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11-13-2011, 05:52 PM	#10
1sikbmr Brigadier General 145 Rep 3,329 Posts Drives: F80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (16)	Just hit it at an angle and you should be fine __________________ F80 ///M3 6MT Avus Blue ZCP
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11-13-2011, 06:40 PM	#11
ceesar Private First Class 9 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 Convertible Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 E93 Con ... [0.00]	I just measured by '08 GTi - it measures about 8". Seems like I'm going to have to be careful. Bumping up on to the driveway after the first drive home is going to be a "clench" moment (without getting too crude ). __________________ 2012 M3 Convertible, Jerez Black, Fox Red \|\| 27/Aug : placed orded \|\| 2/Nov : Entered production \|\| 15/Nov : Finished production \|\| 16/Nov : At the port waiting loading \|\| 22/Nov : on a boat en-route to the West Coast \|\| 29/Dec : arrives at dealer \|\| 31/Dec : collected it, and loving every second of it since!
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11-13-2011, 07:14 PM	#13
PhillyNate ENTHUSIAST 135 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: 2010 Porsche Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Porsche Cayman [0.00]	If you scrape(and I believe you will) start backing into the driveway. It's a pain in the ass but worth it. I scrape everytime but I have ZCP. __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2010 Carrara White Porsche Cayman 6mt 2014 Whiteout Toyota GT-86 6mt(Sold 05/23/15) 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe(forced retirement 06/06/14) 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe(retired 06/21/11)
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11-13-2011, 07:16 PM	#14
HeartMD Captain 47 Rep 656 Posts Drives: 2011.75 MW,ZCP E92 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Its inevitable my friend. You WILL likely scratch that felt at some point or another. Sadly the first few times you will cringe as it will almost bring a tear to your eyes, but like all things eventually you will care less and less. Just be careful and take steep drive ways with an angle and slowly with caution. I read in some post that putting the EDC to the hardest setting will stiffen up the shocks so they have less give when going up the slope. Congrats on the new ride, you will love it. You made a fine automotive choice. Joe __________________ 2011.75 E92 MW/BB extended,ZCP,ZP2,ZCV, IPOD,BMW APPS, Heatedseats,6MT, Edition Black Chrome Grills & Side Gills, CF splitters, CF performance spoiler, CF mirror caps, Turner black anodized pedals, Akropovic Evolution exhaust w/CF tips, Still Undecided on tune, AFE Pro5r, AFE intake scoops, LUX H8 2009 E92 JB/Black 335 xdrive (retired)
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11-13-2011, 08:02 PM	#15
ceesar Private First Class 9 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 Convertible Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 E93 Con ... [0.00]	I like the idea of reversing up - a bit of a PITA, but might be worth it. I can't bear the thought of damaging the car in any way. I've been looking at these - http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ortby=ourPicks - anyone have any experience with them? Shipping is pricey, but Griots are in Tacoma, just down a short drive from Seattle, so I could collect them. __________________ 2012 M3 Convertible, Jerez Black, Fox Red \|\| 27/Aug : placed orded \|\| 2/Nov : Entered production \|\| 15/Nov : Finished production \|\| 16/Nov : At the port waiting loading \|\| 22/Nov : on a boat en-route to the West Coast \|\| 29/Dec : arrives at dealer \|\| 31/Dec : collected it, and loving every second of it since!
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11-15-2011, 02:19 PM	#20
BeamingE39 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 212 Posts Drives: slower than I'd like Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	You must have a really steep driveway, I live in SoCal and I DD my ZCP everywhere and I've never scraped once. But than again I drive driveways so slow I piss the hell out of people behind me
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