Front Ground Clearance

xBox

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• Sep 7, 2015

• #1

Hi,

I have pretty steep incline on my drive, which has proved a little problematic for some cars...

Coming from a number of BMWs, before a swing towards Audi:
- 1-Series Coupe - PASS
- 2-Series Coupe M-sport - FAIL (to my surprise and to the dealers disappointment)
- 4-Series Gran Coupe - PASS
- S3 - PASS (phew)

So, was on the fence 3-months ago between ordering an S3 or RS3 and after seeing a video that clearly showed the RS3 was lower, I plumped for a very nicely spec'ed S3.

Will have the opportunity to test an RS3 in a few months, but wanted to canvas feedback from owners who have had both

 

josedebardi

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• Sep 7, 2015

• #2

I can't give you exact numbers, but an early delivered 8V had it's lower front bumper scratched by the owner when they bumped into a normal 4 inch curb with it! So it seems pretty low at the front (which is a shame as the arch gap is massive!)

 

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• Sep 7, 2015

• #3

Mmmh, so less than 4" at the front.

Anyone care to put a ruler to it and I'll do the same for a regular S3

 

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MarcinJ

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• Sep 7, 2015

• #4

Will do it if I don't forget today in the evening. But I suppose another dimension which is important is the length from the beginning of bumper to centre of wheel (or correct me if my understanding is incorrect).

 

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• Sep 7, 2015

• #5

MarcinJ said:

Will do it if I don't forget today in the evening. But I suppose another dimension which is important is the length from the beginning of bumper to centre of wheel (or correct me if my understanding is incorrect).

Click to expand...

Thank you

You are absolutely correct, but fortunately Audi provide that in their technical spec - 891mm for RS3, compared to 871mm for the S3.

So, we unfortunately have 20mm more length already making that critical hypotenuse longer, which will further become exaggerated by less ground clearance.

If you could measure from the lowest part, probably the rubber protection fins, then I'll do the same on S3.

Thanks again

 

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HJS

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• Sep 7, 2015

• #6

I have quite a steep drive which I reverse onto and the RS3 is ok. I've got about 5 inches of ground clearance but can't be exact as the surface is bumpy and I'm on a slope.

 

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• Sep 24, 2015

• #7

Would anyone be kind enough to get on their knees for me



Would love to see how much less than 200mm you have under then centre of the chin

215mm at the front edge, but it drops to 200mm where the painted chin meets the under tray.

 

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• Sep 24, 2015

• #8

Damn, sorry mate I forgot! Today after I do some shopping, I promise!

 

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MarcinJ

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• Sep 24, 2015

• #9

Hi sorry it took me so long... 20cm to the edge of this black part of the bumper in the very front of it under "quattro" word, but there is only 15-16cm from the ground to the lowest part of painted bumper in front (if you look under the car you would see it that it actually gets lower towards the engine bay).

 

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• Sep 24, 2015

• #10

xBox said:

Would anyone be kind enough to get on their knees for me

Click to expand...

Oh lordy!

 

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• Sep 25, 2015

• #11

MarcinJ said:

Hi sorry it took me so long... 20cm to the edge of this black part of the bumper in the very front of it under "quattro" word, but there is only 15-16cm from the ground to the lowest part of painted bumper in front (if you look under the car you would see it that it actually gets lower towards the engine bay).

Click to expand...

Thank you!!

But wow, 4-5cm lower, plus the additional overhang, may cause me a problem

 

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• Sep 25, 2015

• #12

I hope I explained it properly, it is just the fact that bumper thickness is greater towards the engine bay, so if you look under the engine you would see that even though at the edge it is 20cm, just 10cm further it is as low as 15-16cm to the ground. So for example, you may park it over a kerb just a little bit with no scratch, but if you drive too far over the kerb, you will scratch it.

 

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• Sep 25, 2015

• #13

MarcinJ said:

I hope I explained it properly, it is just the fact that bumper thickness is greater towards the engine bay, so if you look under the engine you would see that even though at the edge it is 20cm, just 10cm further it is as low as 15-16cm to the ground. So for example, you may park it over a kerb just a little bit with no scratch, but if you drive too far over the kerb, you will scratch it.

Click to expand...

Perfectly understood - thank you for taking the time