GT3 + steep driveway = question
05-16-2007 | 12:55 PM
#31
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Food for thought, thanks guys!
Chuck, your solution is perfect for solving the bottoming out problem.
CTO, your solution is elegant but may involve slightly more engineering than I'm capable of.
I think the best thing to do first is to:
1. Get a bunch of wood blocks and start experimenting with the BMW, measuring clearances, etc. Lat summer I inadvertently drove a Peugeot convertible partway down a very steep staircase in Spain (don't ask), and the old guy who came to help me out got the car with 4 x 1 foot long 2x4's and managed to get the car off the stairs with absolutely no damage or even scraping.
2. If that works, I can also try ordering a set of longish ramps from the link I posted above. I have two problems to solve, the initial approach angle problem, and the bottoming out problem.
It took me 10 years to find this house!
Chuck, your solution is perfect for solving the bottoming out problem.
CTO, your solution is elegant but may involve slightly more engineering than I'm capable of.
I think the best thing to do first is to:
1. Get a bunch of wood blocks and start experimenting with the BMW, measuring clearances, etc. Lat summer I inadvertently drove a Peugeot convertible partway down a very steep staircase in Spain (don't ask), and the old guy who came to help me out got the car with 4 x 1 foot long 2x4's and managed to get the car off the stairs with absolutely no damage or even scraping.
2. If that works, I can also try ordering a set of longish ramps from the link I posted above. I have two problems to solve, the initial approach angle problem, and the bottoming out problem.
Buy a GT3RS, it's even lower and then you'll have no option but to sell your house. It's worth it.
05-16-2007 | 04:51 PM
#32
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Brussels, Belgium, 1 hour West of Spa, 2 hours West of the Ring ;-)
Ruf sell a kit to raise the front of the car by simply pushing a button in the car. Cost about USD 15k I think. I know one Italian guy who has had 2 Rufs with this adjustable suspension. He uses it to get into public parkings etc and swears by it. Should be cheaper than redoing your driveway
05-16-2007 | 05:01 PM
#33
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From: Churchville, MD
Would it be feasible to convert your existing garage door into a bottom hinged ramp door like on many enclosed trailers? Fold out hinges could extend from both top and bottom to increase the length. Not the cheapest idea, but your home would be preserved from an appearance standpoint.
05-16-2007 | 05:04 PM
#34
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,450
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From: London, UK
Originally Posted by khaug
My Porsche "Service Information" publication, says to treat front spoiler lips as wear items. like brake pads! Given the damage observed on my 997 GT3, this is rational advice!
Just bite the bullet, go for a quantity price on the spoiler and change it as needed. Mine is horrendous at 2400 miles! And it's lower than the 996 GTR3 cars, so quityerbitchin!
Just bite the bullet, go for a quantity price on the spoiler and change it as needed. Mine is horrendous at 2400 miles! And it's lower than the 996 GTR3 cars, so quityerbitchin!
Some of these other ideas sound like they could work though. Have to measure it all carefully and check the ramp angles etc.
Also Ruf do lifting ring suspension which is very pricey but will raise the car an inch or two when you press a button. Not sure how well setup the suspenion is for track use etc though.
05-16-2007 | 09:00 PM
#36
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Posts: 1,679
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From: Virginia
If you can get up the driveway from the street and the only problem is the middle of the car bottoming out at the transition from driveway to garage try this -
1. Get a set of go-jaks
http://www.trackhaus.com/vehicle-dollies-c-108.html
http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?P...&Category=1267
2. Back the car up the drive and into the garage as far as it will go in without bottoming out in the middle.
3. Set parking brake and turn off car in gear.
4. Take said Go-jaks and raise the front of the car high enough to clear.
5. Have wife/friend/etc help guide the front of the car (so it doesn't roll sideways into the door frame) as you back the car in the remainder of the way in.
This would be the least expensive and simplest way to overcome this problem.
The ramps would work for getting into the driveway if you can't approach it on a sharp angle.
1. Get a set of go-jaks
http://www.trackhaus.com/vehicle-dollies-c-108.html
http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?P...&Category=1267
2. Back the car up the drive and into the garage as far as it will go in without bottoming out in the middle.
3. Set parking brake and turn off car in gear.
4. Take said Go-jaks and raise the front of the car high enough to clear.
5. Have wife/friend/etc help guide the front of the car (so it doesn't roll sideways into the door frame) as you back the car in the remainder of the way in.
This would be the least expensive and simplest way to overcome this problem.
The ramps would work for getting into the driveway if you can't approach it on a sharp angle.
05-17-2007 | 08:52 AM
#39
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Jim H.
Drive real fast up your driveway, say about 50mph, and I bet you don't scrape at all as you pass the threshold to your garage. How much more simple can it get? ;-)
05-17-2007 | 09:55 PM
#45
Race Car
Joined: Mar 2004
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Some good posts here, some way over the top. A weekend, some 2x12 oak lumber, a circular saw and a nailgun. Replace with steel after a few years if you keep the car.
Lowering the floor is insane as long as you have vertical height to play with inside the garage.
Remember that the 335 has a longer wheelbase and the GT3 is quite short. I don't think you'll need as much ramp as you think inside the garage. In fact, I was far more likely to get high sided (beached) in my lowered E36 M3 than in my GT3, but far more likely to scrape the front lip in my GT3 than the M3.
BMW hates convex transitions
Porsche hates concave transitions
Hire your local validictorian 10th grader to help. They rock at trig.
Lowering the floor is insane as long as you have vertical height to play with inside the garage.
Remember that the 335 has a longer wheelbase and the GT3 is quite short. I don't think you'll need as much ramp as you think inside the garage. In fact, I was far more likely to get high sided (beached) in my lowered E36 M3 than in my GT3, but far more likely to scrape the front lip in my GT3 than the M3.
BMW hates convex transitions
Porsche hates concave transitions
Hire your local validictorian 10th grader to help. They rock at trig.