G35 has very low clearance, but I solved my parking problem
#1
G35 has very low clearance, but I solved my parking problem
Anybody who drives a G35 knows that its clearance is much lower than just about any other production car out there (just compare to any BMW series including the M). I guess this is the price one pays for in terms of having 0 lift such that we are not wasting horsepower using down-force to hold the car down to the ground as we drive fast. That said, having 0 lift almost equates to 0 clearance sometimes. We've all become experts at how to stop short of curbs and tire stops in parking lots.
My problem is I live in the Pacific Northwest and my house is down a hill. Because the street rain runoff needs to stay out of my driveway and away from my house the driveway entrance raises up from the street, crests at the sidewalk, and then the driveway goes down hill to my garage. This creates a nice hump that my car just cannot get over--it high centers right over the sidewalk...
So I figured out if I could just get 1.5" more elevation in the leading edge of my driveway, I could clear the sidewalk. I tried laying 2"x8"s in my driveway near the sidewalk, but they proved to be too slippery & dangerous. I then went with the same solution that is used by folks who want to run electrical and sound cables across parking lots.
I laid out two strips in my driveway, being careful to measure the width to match up with my tire tracks. I also made sure that the length of each section was as long as my wheelbase--too short and the front tires are not raised high enough as the back tires come off the crest of the sidewalk.
I did drill some holes and counter sinked them in the plastic/rubber cable guards such that I could use cement bolts to anchor the system to the driveway. Now, as you can see I have just enough clearance to get my car in to the driveway and down in to my garage. Happy days!
-Mark
My problem is I live in the Pacific Northwest and my house is down a hill. Because the street rain runoff needs to stay out of my driveway and away from my house the driveway entrance raises up from the street, crests at the sidewalk, and then the driveway goes down hill to my garage. This creates a nice hump that my car just cannot get over--it high centers right over the sidewalk...
So I figured out if I could just get 1.5" more elevation in the leading edge of my driveway, I could clear the sidewalk. I tried laying 2"x8"s in my driveway near the sidewalk, but they proved to be too slippery & dangerous. I then went with the same solution that is used by folks who want to run electrical and sound cables across parking lots.
I laid out two strips in my driveway, being careful to measure the width to match up with my tire tracks. I also made sure that the length of each section was as long as my wheelbase--too short and the front tires are not raised high enough as the back tires come off the crest of the sidewalk.
I did drill some holes and counter sinked them in the plastic/rubber cable guards such that I could use cement bolts to anchor the system to the driveway. Now, as you can see I have just enough clearance to get my car in to the driveway and down in to my garage. Happy days!
-Mark
Last edited by mark.lawler; 12-20-2010 at 04:51 PM. Reason: Added important info on length
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I see what he is saying, raising the car means more air going under and less downforce..
although I doubt you see a difference at the speeds you are going.
the forged 19's probably weigh the same as the cast 17's so no performance hit there.
only thing that sucks is tire cost for the 19's
but really you won't be raising it if you keep the wheel with tire diameters similar. I think the 17's use a 45/50 profile tire where the 19's will be around 35
although I doubt you see a difference at the speeds you are going.
the forged 19's probably weigh the same as the cast 17's so no performance hit there.
only thing that sucks is tire cost for the 19's
but really you won't be raising it if you keep the wheel with tire diameters similar. I think the 17's use a 45/50 profile tire where the 19's will be around 35
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I drove ttrank's car solo
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G35 sedan w/ too much money in mods