M3 ground clearance

I've searched this forum and the internet in general....

Anyone know what the ground clearance/wheel base is on a 2012 M3 with the competition package.

I'm picking mine up soon, and I'm a little concerned about my driveway.

You will be going up all driveways at an angle the rest of the time you own the car.

Unless your driveway is abnormally steep, you should be okay if you always remember to go slow and at a angle.

I guess I 'll find out when I bring her home.

I have a 2011 ZCP and I have to back into my driveway and pull out slowly. No scraping this way. I scrape both ways pulling in and backing out. Your probably gonna have to do the same as me. Good luck.

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

I have a 2011 ZCP and I have to back into my driveway and pull out slowly. No scraping this way. I scrape both ways pulling in and backing out. Your probably gonna have to do the same as me. Good luck.

+1. As much as I try not to scrape, it has occured and my passenger front felt box has been damaged. Not sure how much this is going to cost but will deal with that later.

Front lip scrapes every parking lot concrete slot barrier if not careful.

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

I have a 2011 ZCP and I have to back into my driveway and pull out slowly. No scraping this way. I scrape both ways pulling in and backing out. Your probably gonna have to do the same as me. Good luck.

+1

The trick is to back it in. No way I can go in forward on my driveway which is really not at all steep. There is just so little ground clearance in front.

If you have the adjustable suspension, ALWAYS put it in one of the stiffer modes before going up. That way, there's less bounce to the suspension. It even recommends this in the manual.

Originally Posted by yinlee

+1. As much as I try not to scrape, it has occured and my passenger front felt box has been damaged. Not sure how much this is going to cost but will deal with that later.

It may actually have only cost $120, but whatever, it was cheap. I hit mine on a curb when pulling into a parking space while trying to leave room for the car next to me, as they say, no good deed goes unpunished. The box is built rather cheaply, almost looks like some sort of waterproof cardboard, so I guess BMW figured we would be replacing them regularly.

To OP,

How did it go? Did it scrape? I'm waiting on my ED re-delivery and have been concerned about the same thing with mine. Can you post a pic of your driveway? Just curious for comparison purposes...

Here's the link to my post with pics for comparison...

http://www.forum.bimmerfest.com/show....php?p=6569442

Thanks!

i have a lowered f10 550i and im pretty sure the zcp M3 is lower. my car BARELY makes it out of my garage downstairs. i may be in some serious trouble.. ugh

Originally Posted by taxguru

To OP,

How did it go? Did it scrape? I'm waiting on my ED re-delivery and have been concerned about the same thing with mine. Can you post a pic of your driveway? Just curious for comparison purposes...

Here's the link to my post with pics for comparison...

http://www.forum.bimmerfest.com/show....php?p=6569442

Thanks!

NO scraping!!!!

But VERY close. My undercarriage cleared by maybe half an inch...but that's all I need!!!

I'm out of town. I'll post pics when I get home.

will try later to post a pic

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^ You're lucky my friend. I'm more concerned with the middle of your car than the front. Good luck.

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

^ You're lucky my friend. I'm more concerned with the middle of your car than the front. Good luck.

That was what I was worried about also, but it appears that I can safely negotiate my drive in the comfort mode AND with my son as a passenger....

Now I have to see if I can do this with 2 full grown adults.

Apparently not a lot of clearence, the VDC managed to scrape the underside of my ED car in a parking lot

Originally Posted by circlek

Apparently not a lot of clearence, the VDC managed to scrape the underside of my ED car in a parking lot

I assume that they will pay for the repairs?

Initially VDC blamed the transport company and told the dealer to file a claim with them, when the dealer said fine, VDC came back and asked that they didn't want them to file a claim and would pay for the damages....

The VDC also said they had to keep the car an additional week to do the 1200 mile service and when it arrived at the dealer, the 1200 mile service hadn't been done. They called VDC to ask WTF and they said, oh we didn't have transmission fluid so we couldn't do it. Then why keep the car an additional week and not tell the dealer you didn't do the service until you were asked?

VDC is a FAIL in every respect.

But I digress, yes ground clearance on ZCP is pretty low, have to be careful and aware of your surroundings.