Speed bumps and multi-storey carparks
Discussion
I'm seriously considering buying an S to use as my daily transport but need advice on some of the practicalities of ownership.
This may sound stupid but one concern I have is that at work I have to park in a multistorey carpark which has three sets of speed bumps on the access road. I know the problems S's have with speed bumps but does anyone have any experience with S's in multistorey carparks, particularly with dealing with the ramps between floors. As much as I love the idea of owning an S I don't fancy having to buy a new exhaust system every couple of months.
This may sound stupid but one concern I have is that at work I have to park in a multistorey carpark which has three sets of speed bumps on the access road. I know the problems S's have with speed bumps but does anyone have any experience with S's in multistorey carparks, particularly with dealing with the ramps between floors. As much as I love the idea of owning an S I don't fancy having to buy a new exhaust system every couple of months.
Personally I try and avoid both...!
Speed bumps aren't too bad.. and there is a knack to it... depending on the type of bump!
As for multi-storey car parks.. never had the bottle to try it...
Best bet, might be to ask RichardR or Shnozz; Richard runs his everyday and Shnozz did before moving to a Chim..
Speed bumps aren't too bad.. and there is a knack to it... depending on the type of bump!
As for multi-storey car parks.. never had the bottle to try it...
Best bet, might be to ask RichardR or Shnozz; Richard runs his everyday and Shnozz did before moving to a Chim..
I find most speed bumps (taken slowly to avoid 'bounce') are OK, but the bigger ones catch me out if I'm two up. Assuming you would be using the multi-storey for work, therefore prob. only one up - you should be OK as long as suspension isn't sagging.
As far as ramps go - an S can get on the top deck of the Chunnel train, so multi-storey ramps shouldn't be too bad. Overhangs on the S aren't bad so the bottom of the ramps will be OK.
As far as ramps go - an S can get on the top deck of the Chunnel train, so multi-storey ramps shouldn't be too bad. Overhangs on the S aren't bad so the bottom of the ramps will be OK.
Use mine every day. My road has the biggest speed bumps in the world, really, but no problems. The only time I have problems is with the little speed bumps that are triangular and pointy. The rubber ones that are bolted to the ground and the tarmac equivilent. Ramps, went up a ridiculously steep set of ramps in Bury the other day, again no problems.
Some speed bumps can be a nightmare you just have to approach them carefully, remember on a public road they can legally be up to 100 mm high but on private land (Clubs Pubs and carparks etc.) any thing they like.
Ramps not a great problem if approached carefully again.
Biggest problem (inconvenience) in a multi storey car park is the Tiv's turning circle (especially the Canal car park in Exeter) !!
Ramps not a great problem if approached carefully again.
Biggest problem (inconvenience) in a multi storey car park is the Tiv's turning circle (especially the Canal car park in Exeter) !!
S3 Kieran said:
I find most speed bumps (taken slowly to avoid 'bounce') are OK, but the bigger ones catch me out if I'm two up. Assuming you would be using the multi-storey for work, therefore prob. only one up - you should be OK as long as suspension isn't sagging.
As far as ramps go - an S can get on the top deck of the Chunnel train, so multi-storey ramps shouldn't be too bad. Overhangs on the S aren't bad so the bottom of the ramps will be OK.
The later cars with the spot lamps are a bit lower at the front though...
Podie said:
I find most speed bumps (taken slowly to avoid 'bounce') are OK, but the bigger ones catch me out if I'm two up. Assuming you would be using the multi-storey for work, therefore prob. only one up - you should be OK as long as suspension isn't sagging.
As far as ramps go - an S can get on the top deck of the Chunnel train, so multi-storey ramps shouldn't be too bad. Overhangs on the S aren't bad so the bottom of the ramps will be OK.
The later cars with the spot lamps are a bit lower at the front though...
I have one of these - but I've never had problems in a multi storey with it or on the HoverSpeed. Hate the traffic humps tho' they suck. The trick is to put the wheels over the little ones rather than down the middle as you would on a higher car.
Turning circle is shocking - but makes me laugh to. And yeah the Canal car park in Exeter is a b
ger ! WG
I drive into Birmingham daily and park in an NCP mulit storey without anything but the obvious problems of turning.
Agree with other comments on speed bumps - split ones either drive through centre or one wheel across middle of the bump - either way misses exhaust and can be negotiated relatively easily.
Nasties are the sharp i.e not very wide rubber / concrete ones which stretch across road and where end up at some point with wheels on either side, then depending on height and speed, can catch exhaust.
For what its worth, I have more trouble with bottoming exhaust on uneven surfaced roads taken at speed
Agree with other comments on speed bumps - split ones either drive through centre or one wheel across middle of the bump - either way misses exhaust and can be negotiated relatively easily.
Nasties are the sharp i.e not very wide rubber / concrete ones which stretch across road and where end up at some point with wheels on either side, then depending on height and speed, can catch exhaust.
For what its worth, I have more trouble with bottoming exhaust on uneven surfaced roads taken at speed
Thanks for the advice. My concerns over the multistorey appear to have been abit premature. As for the S's poor turning circle I'm use to maneuvering my wife's volvo V70 estate. The steering might be heavier on the S but its turning circle can't be any worst than the V70's.
Another question while i'm on line. Can anyone reccommend a garage in the Greater Manchester area?
Cheers
Another question while i'm on line. Can anyone reccommend a garage in the Greater Manchester area?
Cheers
WildfireS3 said:
TThe steering might be heavier on the S but its turning circle can't be any worst than the V70's.
Cheers
Don't bet on it! The turning circle is pretty horrendous!
Compared with 'normal' cars, but S's are pretty good for turning as far as other TVRs go I have always thought.
Roy.
PJP said:
I'm seriously considering buying an S to use as my daily transport but need advice on some of the practicalities of ownership.
This may sound stupid but one concern I have is that at work I have to park in a multistorey carpark which has three sets of speed bumps on the access road. I know the problems S's have with speed bumps but does anyone have any experience with S's in multistorey carparks, particularly with dealing with the ramps between floors. As much as I love the idea of owning an S I don't fancy having to buy a new exhaust system every couple of months.
i owned an S as my everyday car but think the simple answer here is to see if the S will get over those particular speed humps. See if you can speak to a nearby owner and offer them some beers in exchange for them to try the car park out. The S goes over some bumps, not others.
Ride height can be improved by sticking with original profile on the tyres, ensuring shocks and springs are in good condition and going on a diet. But certain humps will simply prove too much. if you have those to contend with everyday then its probably a no go. Or buy a second hand sh*t heap for £200 - £300 to use daily and get limited miles classic insurance on the S as a result
As Podie says, the S is my everyday transport as well as being my 'company car', so I end up having to park in some places that I wouldn't otherwise choose.
As most other people have said, some humps will be ok, while others will ground you out whatever you do. The one thing they all have in common is the required approach speed of 2mph!
(you learn to ignore the queue of cars behind you 
).
There are two main issues that you'll encounter when dealing with the bastard things:
1) The lowest part(s) of the car are the exhaust downpipes, just behind the front wheels. This means that when the wheels leave the bump and you get that slight dip in the suspension, it's just at the point where the downpipes are over the hump. This is why you're seeing the references to maintaining healthy springs as these help to limit the amount of suspension dip/bounce that you get. A very slow exit speed also helps here.
2) The main silencer is a rectangular box which sits in a special indentation in the chassis, pretty much in the centre of the car. If you're traversing a higher bump, you may find that the leading edge of this catches on the bump. However, IMHO it's desgined to be able to cope with this, as long as it's at a slow speed. Chances are if you get to look under an S you'll see a good selection of scrapes on the box.
As others have said, if you can get someone else with an S to try the bumps for you that'd work quite well, although this may well not equate to the way another S would handle the same bump. Generally, if the trailing edge of the bump is relatively gentle and/or the bump isn't too high you'll probably be ok (but still only at 2mph!).
As most other people have said, some humps will be ok, while others will ground you out whatever you do. The one thing they all have in common is the required approach speed of 2mph!
(you learn to ignore the queue of cars behind you ). There are two main issues that you'll encounter when dealing with the bastard things:
1) The lowest part(s) of the car are the exhaust downpipes, just behind the front wheels. This means that when the wheels leave the bump and you get that slight dip in the suspension, it's just at the point where the downpipes are over the hump. This is why you're seeing the references to maintaining healthy springs as these help to limit the amount of suspension dip/bounce that you get. A very slow exit speed also helps here.
2) The main silencer is a rectangular box which sits in a special indentation in the chassis, pretty much in the centre of the car. If you're traversing a higher bump, you may find that the leading edge of this catches on the bump. However, IMHO it's desgined to be able to cope with this, as long as it's at a slow speed. Chances are if you get to look under an S you'll see a good selection of scrapes on the box.
As others have said, if you can get someone else with an S to try the bumps for you that'd work quite well, although this may well not equate to the way another S would handle the same bump. Generally, if the trailing edge of the bump is relatively gentle and/or the bump isn't too high you'll probably be ok (but still only at 2mph!).
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff