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      05-21-2019, 08:31 AM   #1
PrionFawkes
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Ground Clearance - US Spec M40i

I was wondering if anyone, who has taken delivery of an M40i on 19 inch wheels, would measure the distance between the lowest point of the front-end and the ground? There are two air splitters on either side of the lower valance, which appear to be the lowest point forward of the front wheels.

I have a fairly steep driveway, with a decent approach angle, but want to make sure the Z4 will not scrape as I ascend it.

I would appreciate it!
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      05-21-2019, 08:37 AM   #2
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I've been down this road plenty of times because of my previous house and my vertical driveway. While I don't have the measurements and hope someone supplies them, the front end and the front tire air splitters looks fairly unforgiving to my eyes.
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      05-21-2019, 08:59 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrionFawkes View Post
I was wondering if anyone, who has taken delivery of an M40i on 19 inch wheels, would measure the distance between the lowest point of the front-end and the ground? There are two air splitters on either side of the lower valance, which appear to be the lowest point forward of the front wheels.

I have a fairly steep driveway, with a decent approach angle, but want to make sure the Z4 will not scrape as I ascend it.

I would appreciate it!
I can go out and measure it today, but my general observation is that this thing has a lot more clearance than my old e89. Our driveway has a pretty steep entry and it doesnt appear to come close. In fact, I find myself wishing that the car could be lowered - it looks like it sits a good bit higher than i'd prefer (visually)

Last edited by SgtGigglebox; 05-21-2019 at 09:07 AM.. Reason: more added
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      05-21-2019, 09:08 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SgtGigglebox View Post
I can go out and measure it today, but my general observation is that this thing has a lot more clearance than my old e89. Our driveway has a pretty steep entry and it doesnt appear to come close. In fact, I find myself wishing that the car could be lowered - it looks like it sits a good bit higher than i'd prefer (visually)
That's good to hear just in general driving around town. I hate scraping.
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      05-21-2019, 09:49 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SgtGigglebox View Post
I can go out and measure it today, but my general observation is that this thing has a lot more clearance than my old e89. Our driveway has a pretty steep entry and it doesnt appear to come close. In fact, I find myself wishing that the car could be lowered - it looks like it sits a good bit higher than i'd prefer (visually)
Thank you for offering to measure; as well as abating my fears a bit, until the exact gap is confirmed.

I can successfully get my current gen Mustang GT and a third gen 1984 Camaro Z28 (which are notorious for poor ground clearance) up without scraping, if taken slowly. My hopes are it will be the same for the Z4.
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      05-21-2019, 12:27 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrionFawkes View Post
I was wondering if anyone, who has taken delivery of an M40i on 19 inch wheels, would measure the distance between the lowest point of the front-end and the ground? There are two air splitters on either side of the lower valance, which appear to be the lowest point forward of the front wheels.

I have a fairly steep driveway, with a decent approach angle, but want to make sure the Z4 will not scrape as I ascend it.

I would appreciate it!
The new Z4 seems to be higher than the E89 with M (10 mm deeper). I still scrape a bit when exiting my driveway but no longer when entering it. And it seems to be the rubber skirts below front fender since I cannot see any scratches on it yet.
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      05-21-2019, 12:58 PM   #7
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I'll measure when I get home. I have a relatively steep driveway and I always pull in and out at an angle to be safe. However, I do believe I can pull straight in slowly and still not scrape. Backing in straight I did have a slight brush, but that was the deflectors in front of the wheels, not the bumper itself.

I'll break out my level to get angles of the driveway and stuff to hopefully give better idea.
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      05-21-2019, 05:00 PM   #8
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Lowest point appears to be a little more than 3 5/8ths" from the ground, which is 26" in front of where the wheel touches pavement. So... someone bust out their maths
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      05-21-2019, 05:48 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SgtGigglebox View Post
Lowest point appears to be a little more than 3 5/8ths" from the ground, which is 26" in front of where the wheel touches pavement. So... someone bust out their maths
That would be a hilariously bad 8 degrees. You might want to double check those measurements - even a 911 has an 11 degree approach.
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      05-21-2019, 05:52 PM   #10
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For what it's worth, this site claims a ground clearance of 4.6"

https://www.autoevolution.com/cars/b...30l-8at-340-hp
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      05-21-2019, 05:54 PM   #11
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Sorry to spam the thread, but here's an interesting method for measuring. I'm curious as well since I don't have my m40i yet!

To calculate your approach or departure angle, put your vehicle on a flat and level surface. Next, measure the height (h) and length (l). To measure the height and length, take a straight rod or board, wedge it under the tire from directly in front of the tire for the approach angle or directly from behind the tire for the departure angle, and then rotate it up unit it touches the vehicle. The location where it touches is the impact point. The length (l) is the measure from the impact point to the ground where the rod touches the ground wedged under the tire. The height (h) is the vertical distance from the impact point to the ground.
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      05-21-2019, 06:07 PM   #12
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To be clear, i was measuring to the lowest part of the flimsy plastic piece that hangs down, not the actual lower lip of the car
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      05-21-2019, 08:06 PM   #13
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Alright, I forgot to do this when I got home so sorry for the delay. Used a 3 foot level with a rotating meter to get angles. My driveway is approx 8 degrees. Unfortunately, my sidewalk at the end is slightly shorter than the wheelbase of the car so I had to do 2 separate shots (with front wheels off driveway/on sidewalk, back wheels off sidewalk... also back wheels on sidewalk with front wheels on driveway).

It's good to note that the flaps in front of the wheels are rubber, not cheap plastic so it rubs away, not breaks, if it makes contact with the ground. This rubber piece is approx 4 11/16" from the ground as shown in the picture.

With the front wheels at the edge of the driveway before going up (back wheels off the sidewalk which gives the car a slightly better approach angle) there is slightly more clearance from the ground.

With the front wheels slightly on the driveway, back wheels on the sidewalk, there's a measly 3/8" clearance between the rubber flap and the ground. The bumper itself though still has 2.5" of clearance though. So theoretically you could do a 10-12 degree incline and not hit the bumper, but the rubber flap would definitely be bending out if the way.

As a comparison, my '17 m240i with mperformance front splitter and stock suspension would hit the driveway backing out straight, so I always had to back out at an angle and come in at an angle.
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      05-21-2019, 08:12 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nullspace View Post
That would be a hilariously bad 8 degrees. You might want to double check those measurements - even a 911 has an 11 degree approach.
Well depending on how the 911's approach angle was calculated (to the bumper or wind deflector), it may have a better approach angle than the Z4 it seems
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      05-21-2019, 08:18 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe240 View Post
Alright, I forgot to do this when I got home so sorry for the delay. Used a 3 foot level with a rotating meter to get angles. My driveway is approx 8 degrees. Unfortunately, my sidewalk at the end is slightly shorter than the wheelbase of the car so I had to do 2 separate shots (with front wheels off driveway/on sidewalk, back wheels off sidewalk... also back wheels on sidewalk with front wheels on driveway).

It's good to note that the flaps in front of the wheels are rubber, not cheap plastic so it rubs away, not breaks, if it makes contact with the ground. This rubber piece is approx 4 11/16" from the ground as shown in the picture.

With the front wheels at the edge of the driveway before going up (back wheels off the sidewalk which gives the car a slightly better approach angle) there is slightly more clearance from the ground.

With the front wheels slightly on the driveway, back wheels on the sidewalk, there's a measly 3/8" clearance between the rubber flap and the ground. The bumper itself though still has 2.5" of clearance though. So theoretically you could do a 10-12 degree incline and not hit the bumper, but the rubber flap would definitely be bending out if the way.
Man, I love that color
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      05-22-2019, 08:33 AM   #16
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My sincerest thanks to everyone who helped pitch in and shed light on this topic, especially Joe240

I'm glad I wasn't the only one with this concern, and hopefully other future owners can benefit from this information.
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      05-22-2019, 11:58 AM   #17
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Thanks for this - and nice car!
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      05-22-2019, 12:00 PM   #18
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This thread will also help people down the road as this question comes up again.
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      05-22-2019, 06:58 PM   #19
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Apparently my driveway isnt quite as flat as i thought - measured again and got 4 inches even this time. For planning purposes, i cannot be trusted
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      05-22-2019, 07:01 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SgtGigglebox View Post
Apparently my driveway isnt quite as flat as i thought - measured again and got 4 inches even this time. For planning purposes, i cannot be trusted
Lol that’s why I got a decent yard level
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      05-24-2019, 11:37 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe240 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SgtGigglebox View Post
Apparently my driveway isnt quite as flat as i thought - measured again and got 4 inches even this time. For planning purposes, i cannot be trusted
Lol that’s why I got a decent yard level
Am I the only one here who has a G29 M40 and an E89 and the 2020 model scrapes more than my E89? My new Z4 tends to scrape when I head straight in on my driveway or other raised pavements. However when I approach on a diagonal I don't scrape at all.
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      05-24-2019, 12:16 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SoCalKarl View Post
Am I the only one here who has a G29 M40 and an E89 and the 2020 model scrapes more than my E89? My new Z4 tends to scrape when I head straight in on my driveway or other raised pavements. However when I approach on a diagonal I don't scrape at all.
I don’t have an E89 nor have I ever driven one. But it could be a longer front overhang, or possibly just lower ground clearance in general. Going up at an angle allows the wheel to hit before the overhang of the bumper does. But I’m sure you knew that and I didn’t catch the sarcasm >.<
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