Bottoming out woes
02-22-2009, 02:42 PM
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Bottoming out woes
Hey gang. I was wondering if anyone can do a measurement from the lowest point under the front end of your S8('02 if it matters)to the ground on a level surface. Inches or centimeters is fine. I have been bottoming out a lot lately pulling into and out of driveways/entrances and am worried my shocks are gone, a spring is bad or something. I think the A8's sit up a little higher, so I am not sure that will be an accurate mesurement. Thanks!
Chris
Chris
02-22-2009, 06:49 PM
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Re: Bottoming out woes
The A8 does indeed sit higher. My S8 catches certain speed bumps that my previous A8 would have cleared. I've gotten used to slowing for anything that looks like it might scrape, and taking driveways at an angle. Those things said, I've rarely scraped anything.
02-22-2009, 06:56 PM
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Re: Bottoming out woes
Can you give me a distance from under the front end at the lowest point to the ground if you have time? Im worried I am too low. I seem to scrape way too many things, and even taking driveways at a very slow angle doesnt work. Just a longer sliding grind. =(
Chris
Chris
02-23-2009, 03:58 AM
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My S8 bottoms out, or really scrapes the front or belly pan more than that American car...
Of course part of it is the fact that I'm running B5 S4 wheels with (their) properly sized snows... so my rolling diameter is less... oh, and I like your UID-- see my Rabbit plate from back in the day ;-)
02-23-2009, 05:19 AM
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No measurement but mine's one of the lowest of the dozens I've parked it next to or driven and
I rarely bottom out. Mine for some reason is quite notably lower than any other's I've seen - I've got theories on how.
Try more aggressive angle of approach / departure? It's def. an art. My fave is lifting an inner rear wheel with the chassis articulated on odd ground. Shows how remarkably stiff these are and an 'enthusiastic' rear suspension.
Maybe the question is what part of the car is bottoming out? If it's bumpers it's normal if it's subframe or cats then maybe you're lowish.
Heh: "longer sliding grind"
Try more aggressive angle of approach / departure? It's def. an art. My fave is lifting an inner rear wheel with the chassis articulated on odd ground. Shows how remarkably stiff these are and an 'enthusiastic' rear suspension.
Maybe the question is what part of the car is bottoming out? If it's bumpers it's normal if it's subframe or cats then maybe you're lowish.
Heh: "longer sliding grind"
02-23-2009, 07:16 AM
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Re: Bottoming out woes
Will try to remember to measure this evening, if it's not too cold out. It would be interesting to have those numbers. Magazines usually provide approach and departure angles (the figure you're asking for) for SUVs, but it seems that only ground clearance is provided for cars.
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02-23-2009, 09:50 AM
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"like... OMG totally". Now... holding out? Moi??? My //S8's in har somewherez:
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_DFcJSLBUQjk/SaLvoy2GjEI/AAAAAAAAB_I/d2U9yGMFsW4/s512/GT3%20rear.jpg">
02-24-2009, 03:05 PM
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Re: Bottoming out woes
Mine also has that low menacing look and I have similar problems with driveways. I learned very quickly to angle driveways and go very slowly over speed bumps. I don't get anywhere near the raised concrete blocks in parking lots. I'm picking mine up tomorrow (having the 80k service done) and will measure the clearance then.