Ground Clearence

[Mike_Elders]

I am going to buy either a 2 or 3 but have a problem with ground clearence.

Where i live i ahve to get over a cattle grid which might cause problems.

So my questions is 'are the S2 and S3 the same in this area or where things changed ?'

Mike Elders

[Roy C]

quote:I am going to buy either a 2 or 3 but have a problem with ground clearence.

Where i live i ahve to get over a cattle grid which might cause problems.

So my questions is 'are the S2 and S3 the same in this area or where things changed ?'

Mike Elders

S2 & S3 are slightly different, but you will find that it's down to individual cars and the condition of their springs.

I've never had a problem with cattle grids, just sleeping policemen.

Roy

[Mike_Elders]

This is not a normal cattle grid. It's raised up about 1ft from the road with a steep ramp either side of it.
if i go over it over 10mph in a normal car i ground out on the way down...so i am very worried about it.

No point in buying a car that i can't get home..??

Mike Elders

[keithyboy]

Never mind grounding out (exhaust etc.) if the ramp up to the grid is that steep you will not be able to get the front of the car over it without fouling the front end. Getting an S up onto regular car ramps is sometimes a feat in itself!

[Mike_Elders]

OH..it doesn't sound good...any ideas on what i should do..??
I don't want to drive a toyota any more and i want a TVR..!!!!!

Mike Elders

[PetrolTed]

Who owns the cattle grid?

[kevinday]

Any possibility of getting out there with some concrete and reducing the ramp angles?

[Mike_Elders]

It is owned by my landlord and i live on a farm.
Is there any info on max angles the S can handle and i will go and measure. it would be a real shame not to buy one just because of a little ramp..!!!

Mike Elders

[Sparks]

Not much help, but I have the same problem with my basement garage. The Saab went in no problem. A Focus however grounds its belly!

When I get my S (soon I hope) I think it may be staying outside

I did consider some long planks to try and reduce the slope. Would be a pain to keep jumping in and out but it could work. a couple of scaffold planks cut up should do the trick, and keep them by the cattle grid.

Sparks

[tvrmark]

Mike where do you live in Hampshire is there any kind S owners near you who will pay you a visit.

[Mike_Elders]

I live just south of Salisbury near the Hampshire/Wiltshire border..anybody out there who drives up the A36 on a regular basis..i live right on that road.

Mike Elders

[PeterC]

Mike - if you want to own an S you will have to move

However, I do manage to get over some ramps by approaching at angle as this reduces to incline and takes one wheel up at a time.

[S2 Giles]

I too fear that you wont make it with an S......but dont be defeated, find a way of increasing the length of the step so its a gradual incline, the farmer may do it for you for a few quids....well maybe 100.

Giles

[Phil L]

quote:
I live just south of Salisbury near the Hampshire/Wiltshire border..anybody out there who drives up the A36 on a regular basis..i live right on that road.

Mike Elders

As mentioned in the 'S2 or S3 for 6k' topic I live in Amesbury and would be glad to assist if required. (p.s. I hope I didn't give the wrong impression in that topic, I'm not trying to sell mine. No way !)

[richb]

One of the first things I did when I bought my S3C was to "aquire" a scafolding plank. I then cut it in half and in half again at an angle if about 45deg. I screwed the bits together to make a pair of low ramps. You get about 2.5" extra clearence when you run the car up on these. I used them when I washed the car etc. so I could get the bonnet right open properly to get to the oily bit! afterwards they just lived underneath the car in the garage. Interestingly when I put the car in the garage it "just" skimmed the planks so I can tell you with some authority that the ground clearence of my S was exactly 2.5" ! Rich...