M235i Front Ground Clearance?

simoneves · 08-24-2014, 09:05 PM

I currently drive a 2013 E93 328i M-Sport, and I have to say that the front ground clearance is the absolute WORST I have ever had on any car ever. It scrapes on EVERYTHING... bumpy driveways, parking lot bumpers, low kerbs... and the underneath of the front valance is already a mess.

I don't remember having this trouble in the 2010 128i (with Sport Suspension) that I had before, or honestly in any other car I've had in 30 years.

I want to get an M235i next, but if I have the same headaches I might have to reconsider.

I'm honestly not a careless driver, but sometimes it's refreshing to be driving my wife's Mazda CX-5 and not worry about the surfaces I'm driving over or what I might hit if I go too far into a parking spot. I see plenty of other cars, equally sporty, tucked right over parking spot bumpers that mine won't go anywhere near without a nasty noise or twanging the rubber lip when I back out again.

Gate7 · 08-24-2014, 09:30 PM

No offense, but if you're scraping on stock e93 bmw suspension, you should look into something else.

3.0L · 08-24-2014, 10:01 PM

Re: M235i ground clearance:

The front lower scoop at the center is 6.75" off the street. The little deflectors just ahead of the front tires are 4.5" off the street.

I have yet to scrape anything, but I do slow down for dips and such.

tcinoc · 08-24-2014, 10:05 PM

I am in a holding pattern waiting...235 ordered and should arrive late Sept. I ordered a few add-on's with the front splitter being one. I am thinking I should cancel it (port installed). Appreciate anybody's feedback. I am in So. CA and my current 11' 335i coupe likes to scrape to feel connected to the world.

DanG · 08-24-2014, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcinoc

I am in a holding pattern waiting...235 ordered and should arrive late Sept. I ordered a few add-on's with the front splitter being one. I am thinking I should cancel it (port installed). Appreciate anybody's feedback. I am in So. CA and my current 11' 335i coupe likes to scrape to feel connected to the world.

If you have speed bumps or sudden change in road slopes that you drive on I would definitely cancel the front lip. I sometimes scrape going into my driveway with stock suspension.

benes136 · 08-25-2014, 07:03 PM

I have scraped on several driveways so far. Luckily it is just the rubber/plastic piece that hangs down and not the bumper. Sounds scary but no damage yet. I have to say my Jeep SRT had less clearance than this m235i and I think it is the perfect height with just enough drop and livable clearance.

tcinoc · 08-25-2014, 08:01 PM

benes136, do you have the air splitter add on ?

08-24-2014, 09:05 PM	#1
simoneves First Lieutenant 88 Rep 300 Posts Drives: '16 228i DSB/THP/6MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Rafael, CA, USA iTrader: (1)	M235i Front Ground Clearance? I currently drive a 2013 E93 328i M-Sport, and I have to say that the front ground clearance is the absolute WORST I have ever had on any car ever. It scrapes on EVERYTHING... bumpy driveways, parking lot bumpers, low kerbs... and the underneath of the front valance is already a mess. I don't remember having this trouble in the 2010 128i (with Sport Suspension) that I had before, or honestly in any other car I've had in 30 years. I want to get an M235i next, but if I have the same headaches I might have to reconsider. I'm honestly not a careless driver, but sometimes it's refreshing to be driving my wife's Mazda CX-5 and not worry about the surfaces I'm driving over or what I might hit if I go too far into a parking spot. I see plenty of other cars, equally sporty, tucked right over parking spot bumpers that mine won't go anywhere near without a nasty noise or twanging the rubber lip when I back out again.
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08-24-2014, 09:30 PM	#2
Gate7 Oh rly? 46 Rep 339 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	No offense, but if you're scraping on stock e93 bmw suspension, you should look into something else.
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08-24-2014, 10:01 PM	#3
3.0L Colonel 8937 Rep 2,010 Posts Drives: M235i, 20k miles Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Re: M235i ground clearance: The front lower scoop at the center is 6.75" off the street. The little deflectors just ahead of the front tires are 4.5" off the street. I have yet to scrape anything, but I do slow down for dips and such. __________________ ///M235i \| Mineral Grey Metallic \| Premium Package \| Technology Package \| Driver Assistance Package \| Dakota Coral Red/Black Leather \| Harman/Kardon Premium 360 watt sound system \| 8-speed automatic When writing your life's plan, use a pencil with an eraser
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08-24-2014, 10:05 PM	#4
tcinoc Private 2 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2015 m235 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	I am in a holding pattern waiting...235 ordered and should arrive late Sept. I ordered a few add-on's with the front splitter being one. I am thinking I should cancel it (port installed). Appreciate anybody's feedback. I am in So. CA and my current 11' 335i coupe likes to scrape to feel connected to the world.
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08-25-2014, 07:03 PM	#6
benes136 Private 10 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 2014 M235i Estoril Blue Join Date: May 2014 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I have scraped on several driveways so far. Luckily it is just the rubber/plastic piece that hangs down and not the bumper. Sounds scary but no damage yet. I have to say my Jeep SRT had less clearance than this m235i and I think it is the perfect height with just enough drop and livable clearance.
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08-25-2014, 08:01 PM	#7
tcinoc Private 2 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2015 m235 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	benes136, do you have the air splitter add on ?
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