ride height / ground clearance
Discussion
Taking into account: all wedges seem to be different, no such thing as a standard wedge etc. What would be a typical ride height for a S2 350 measured from ground to say the edge of the wheel arch directly above the centre of the wheel, front and rear?
My 350i will not clear the ramp into my (underground) car park, as it bellies out, so I have to rely on there being a visitors space free.
The car does not look unduly low so I am a bit loathed to raise it and risk upsetting handling and looks. I picked wheel arch height as it is easy to measure, i.e. no grovelling underneath to measure ground clearance. Of course this measurement is susceptible to variations in body to chassis mountings etc.
So if anyone is bored and has a tape measure to hand I would be interested to know.
My 350i will not clear the ramp into my (underground) car park, as it bellies out, so I have to rely on there being a visitors space free.
The car does not look unduly low so I am a bit loathed to raise it and risk upsetting handling and looks. I picked wheel arch height as it is easy to measure, i.e. no grovelling underneath to measure ground clearance. Of course this measurement is susceptible to variations in body to chassis mountings etc.
So if anyone is bored and has a tape measure to hand I would be interested to know.
I measured mine last week because it looked to be low on the offside even after changing rear springs and shocks. 23.5 inches on the o/s 24.5 on the n/s.
After swapping the front springs side to side it is now nice and level at 24. Adjusting the rear camber as well it now sits square and drives far better. Time to get new front springs now as one obviously soft.
Dave
After swapping the front springs side to side it is now nice and level at 24. Adjusting the rear camber as well it now sits square and drives far better. Time to get new front springs now as one obviously soft.
Dave
Hey, The Owners Handbook from chassis number DH5447RI published October 1984 reckons the ground clearance is 152mm/6in. Sadly no wheel arch height though.
Having said that, I struggle to get a trolley jack under my Series 1 (Tasmin) and have to jack it up on a scissor jack first, but thats is lowered on adjustable platforms.
Hope this helps.
Iain
>> Edited by iainjones on Monday 24th May 19:13
Having said that, I struggle to get a trolley jack under my Series 1 (Tasmin) and have to jack it up on a scissor jack first, but thats is lowered on adjustable platforms.
Hope this helps.
Iain
>> Edited by iainjones on Monday 24th May 19:13
Thank you everyone for the info. Mine is 620 mm at the front, could not do the rear last night as the car had been jacked up and needed moving to settle the suspension will have a look tonight. It would appear that mine may be a bit low. If I could find another 25 mm ground clearance (which would take it up to 645 arch height) I would probably be able to get into the car park. I think the car might look a little high with 150 mm ground clearance ( I have 100 mm at present) but it is interesting that that is what the manual says. I could do with a system that would allow me to increase ride height by 30 - 40 mm at the flick of a switch to enable me to get into and out of the car park but return to normal on the open road. Of course the system must not interfere with the standard setup on the road. Thoughts anyone?
terence said:
Good point, sorry I left that info out. I am on 205 60 15 tyres, 26 psi all round.
Sounds like your springs's compressed length is 25mm too short. This is likely to be because
a) They are worn out or
b) You have lowered and stiffer springs a la 390
either way I think that new springs are in order; your ht to both wheel arch and chassis is very low.
I have sales information infront of me and i can give you the hight of the roof to floor is 1205mm.
The hight on mine looks higher than cars i have had in the past. But the first week i bought my car i ripped the exhaust bracket off and split the weld on a speed bump doing 0 ish mph.
Which T**T thought of speed bumps. The local council think its a good way of spending my council tax. Do they have a clue?
The hight on mine looks higher than cars i have had in the past. But the first week i bought my car i ripped the exhaust bracket off and split the weld on a speed bump doing 0 ish mph.
Which T**T thought of speed bumps. The local council think its a good way of spending my council tax. Do they have a clue?
terence said:
. I think the car might look a little high with 150 mm ground clearance ( I have 100 mm at present) but it is interesting that that is what the manual says.
Also interesting is that the handbook says the 280 and 200 have a lower ride hight thab the 350. Dont have the handbook to hand (poor ironic pun, sorry) as im in work so cant quote figures, just remember thinking "Hmmm" the other night.
I can dig the figures out tonight if you want.
Thanks everybody for all your advise and info. on this problem. I think looking at the figures people have provided, for ride height, I may be riding about 25mm or so below normal.
The exhaust (or rather one of the joint flanges) is certainly the lowest point, near the rear of the gearbox, but only just, however, I do not have problems with speed bumps. I have had a look to see if the exhaust could be raised atall but there does not seem anywhere for it to go. The dificulty is the ramp is so narrow that when I am on it, grounded out, I can not get out of the car, although on thinking about it I could climb out over the boot. But would only be able to look under from front and back not sides. I am keeping the car at work at present, next time I have it back in Stratford I will have to have a more thorough look, possibly this weekend.
The exhaust (or rather one of the joint flanges) is certainly the lowest point, near the rear of the gearbox, but only just, however, I do not have problems with speed bumps. I have had a look to see if the exhaust could be raised atall but there does not seem anywhere for it to go. The dificulty is the ramp is so narrow that when I am on it, grounded out, I can not get out of the car, although on thinking about it I could climb out over the boot. But would only be able to look under from front and back not sides. I am keeping the car at work at present, next time I have it back in Stratford I will have to have a more thorough look, possibly this weekend.
terence said:
... I could do with a system that would allow me to increase ride height by 30 - 40 mm at the flick of a switch to enable me to get into and out of the car park but return to normal on the open road.
Try this:
"The adjustable jacks installed in place of the shock absorbers also have a hydro pneumatic suspension (nitrogen balls)."
Mind you, it's for one of these with a 90' boom :
>> Edited by streaky on Sunday 30th May 22:22
Streaky I like the Idea, funny part is that we have a Spra Coup here at work, and I had never thought of it.
Phoned RT last week and they can do a set of Std springs for £100, however, the chap I spoke to said that the standard height is about four fingers between the wheel and arch. Now I know fingers can be a bit variable on the diameter side, but four seems a little high. I jacked the car up to see what it would look like, not nice. Maybe I have just got used to seeing it running low.
Anyway what I think I will do is take a tape measure along to BBWF and see if a few people would not mind me taking a few measurements.
Phoned RT last week and they can do a set of Std springs for £100, however, the chap I spoke to said that the standard height is about four fingers between the wheel and arch. Now I know fingers can be a bit variable on the diameter side, but four seems a little high. I jacked the car up to see what it would look like, not nice. Maybe I have just got used to seeing it running low.
Anyway what I think I will do is take a tape measure along to BBWF and see if a few people would not mind me taking a few measurements.
terence said:
Anyway what I think I will do is take a tape measure along to BBWF and see if a few people would not mind me taking a few measurements.
Good idea. For each car that you measure check all four wheels and the chassis to floor distances behind the front wheels and infront of the rear wheels.
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff