Driveway Concern (with pictures)

Hi all,

I'm new here and and just about to order my first m3 for euro-delivery, but my driveway is giving me cold feet. I've read through all the forums i could find and would like if a few people would take a look at my driveway and tell me what you think about scrapping upon entry/exit...

I was planning on getting the competition package and, from what I've been able to gather, it seems that despite the 10mm lowered suspension, because of the 19 inch wheels the clearance is relatively the same as the non-ZCP... is this correct? There are no in-stock m3's in Atl for me to go and look at and measure - they're sold before they ever arrive.

The only comfort i have is my neighbor has a 2009 stock convertible and he does not scrape on my driveway...

Opinions? I know about entering/exiting at angeles, etc., but just looking for a little comfort before i get thing home and start destroying the undercarriage... especially after a trip to europe.

Thanks!

p.s. something like a "bridge" isn't possible due to crazy HOA regulations...

Hard to say from the pics but I have a similar ridge at the base of my driveway and have no scrapping issue in my '11 sedan w/ Comp Pkg. I would suggest putting it the EDC into normal or sport before pulling in as Comfort mode may allow the car too much leewaty...

Probably will have to enter/exit slowly. I go over something that looks similar at a gas station and as long as I do it slow, I don't scrape.

Go slowly and you'll be fine. I enter/exit a steeper incline and have no problem as long as I do it slowly.

Of course enter in the driveway and exit slowly, but take it at a diagonal when you hit the steep bit so that you don't hurt the front bumper of course, there's a trick to it. If you enter in the driveway head on, you might scrape the front bumper a bit, but if you enter at a cocked angle you should be absolutely fine, my driveway is a bit steeper, and my front bumper is lower than your M3 will be, so you should be absolutely fine.

Good luck! Just remember to go slow + at an angle instead of straight on.

I would enter with the tires turned all the way facing the drive way during approach and go slow. that way the tire lifts the car first an the rest of the tires follow while keeping the car under carriage safe. I've had steeper drives with a corvette and never scraped while doing that approach.

For the exit do the complete reverse.

doesn't look like a problem at all. make sure to contact adrian at bmw of south atlanta for your ED, i haven't dealt with him myself but he's a site sponsor and i've heard a lot of people with very good things to say... he'll give you a good deal. also check out the European delivery forum (in case you haven't already). there's a TON of extremely useful info in there. i did a 2012 M3 ED in October and found the ED forum to be invaluable. good luck!

My driveway is way steeper & radically different than the adjoining county road & I've didn't have a problem getting in or out in a M3 e92 with ZCP & 19s.

g/l

That's one of the least steep driveway entrances I've ever seen in my life. It'll be fine. I bet you could take it straight on if you went slowly.

Take it slow and at a 45-degree angle and you will be fine. This works for me and my road to drivway transition is worse.

You'll be fine - my driveway is worse than yours and I have no issues (E90 w/ Competition) - very occasionaly, I will mildly scrape the underside backing out (if I forget and go too quickly!) - underside is felt and out of sight so no big concern... But as others have mentioned, go slow (and if you have EDC - engage the sport setting to stiffen the suspension). May be more of an issue if you have a carbon front splitter - but probably not.