Ground clearances for Sagaris

[TallMark]

Hi All,

I was wondering if some of you could tell me if the sag has problems with ground clearance in multi storeys or over speed bumps?

If anyone runs one in London how do you find the typically crap london roads? I get bounced around a bit in my mk1 Tusc but with the lower clearances on the sag I'd be a bit more worried about scraping the front splitter all the time.

Many thanks,
Mark

[cdd]

I must confess when i first picked mine up it did worry me. Spent about 5 mins going over every speed bump for the first week and never scraped.

Now i still take them easy but because the front wheels are so close to the front i haven't yet scrapped.

The only other thing to watch is when pulling up towards kerbs in a car park because the front splitter will definatly not go over the kerb.

[the pits]

It's highly likely that your sagaris will 'deck out' occasionally. However it's a small price to pay for all the fun you get. Most bumps, ramps, ferries etc can be cleared but care is required to avoid contact altogether. But none of the marks are visible as all take place underneath and having seen underneath my car it's clear that the sounds are worse than the scratches themselves. But don't let a thing like that put you off, the cars are brilliant.

[TSS]

Generally it’s OK over most speed bumps, although some of the extra big ones in London have caught the underside. Contrary to what you would imagine the splitters tend to be OK and it’s the area below the front number plate which catches.

Mine regularly touches the floor at the front just driving down normal roads in Northampton (normal = no road maintenance since about 1960) within the speed limit.

I’ve had to filler mine and repaint the black once due to the fibreglass beginning to wear away, and it’s about due for another filler session this weekend.

As Pits says, don’t let it put you off, just be careful. It’s slightly annoying but not really a huge problem.

[rpa.janwell]

Main grounding has been under the rear of the car: I now view the plate which holds the fibreglass shell, and the bolts that secure it, as pretty much sacrificial.
Occassionally have a touch under the splitter, but road/speed bumps etc tend to be rear contacts rather than front. I do take a lot of care when around these obstructions, and you learn pretty quickly what heights you can aspire to!
The ride height on mine is low, and could be edged up, but what the hell!!

[TallMark]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I'm looking at sags at the moment, both from a possible purchase in the future, and in terms of getting one from a car club I might be joining. I've got multi storey underground parking at home and was worried about the ramps when driving in and out.

Cheers,
Mark

[witty]

Most speed bumps are ok, although mine does sometimes ground out at the back, more so when the father-in-law is in the passenger seat! I’m not saying he’s a fatty, but I think the weight of the occupants seems to make a difference. I’d be very wary of multi-storey car parks. Did you ever see the Top Gear episode where Clarkson and co got into all sorts of trouble in a multi-storey with a Ferrari, Zonda and Ford GT.

[TSS]

rpa.janwell said:

I now view the plate which holds the fibreglass shell, and the bolts that secure it, as pretty much sacrificial.

That's a whole new grounding topic in itself!

That plate is simply not big enough and the fibreglass either side of it on mine is beginning to suffer. Silverstone Performance are working on an better plate with more coverage and recessed bolts to offer as an aftermarket upgrade.

[rpa.janwell]

TSS said:

rpa.janwell said: I now view the plate which holds the fibreglass shell, and the bolts that secure it, as pretty much sacrificial. That's a whole new grounding topic in itself! That plate is simply not big enough and the fibreglass either side of it on mine is beginning to suffer. Silverstone Performance are working on an better plate with more coverage and recessed bolts to offer as an aftermarket upgrade.

Hmm, should see it after the Nurburgring Karussel!!
In some ways you are better off leaving the bolt heads proud - they take a lot of the stick, and are easily replaced.

>> Edited by rpa.janwell on Wednesday 17th May 17:34

[TSS]

rpa.janwell said:

Hmm, should see it after the Nurburgring Karussel!! In some ways you are better off leaving the bolt heads proud - they take a lot of the stick, and are easily replaced.

I think the idea will be that the new plate is significantly more resilient than the original so the bolts heads won’t have to take all the battering. I’m always worried that they will wear away completely without me noticing and the plate will get ripped off.

O/T: Did you manage to find a solution to the Nurburgring insurance for your trip?

[rpa.janwell]

TSS said:

rpa.janwell said: Hmm, should see it after the Nurburgring Karussel!! In some ways you are better off leaving the bolt heads proud - they take a lot of the stick, and are easily replaced. I think the idea will be that the new plate is significantly more resilient than the original so the bolts heads won’t have to take all the battering. I’m always worried that they will wear away completely without me noticing and the plate will get ripped off. O/T: Did you manage to find a solution to the Nurburgring insurance for your trip?

The plate faces backwards - unless you reverse over an obstruction that is unlikely: the previous bolt heads and washers had worn flat - simply took them out with pliers and replaced. Packet of bolts from B&Q = £1.50, modification of whole plate and glass shell = £ x hundred. I am not bothered about the cost if the solution is effective, but it's a given that it will always take damage of one form or another.

O/T: Hmmm. Let's leave that one for the minute. I am waiting for Norwich to come back to me.