I start a new job on 2nd feb and the car park there has really really high thin speed bumps, two of them. When I came out of the interview I came over the first ramp very very slow as I could see how high they were and on the second one went really slow again but the bottom of my 5 hit the ground at the front! this is really going to do some damage to my car even if I go slow over them.
Can I have my suspension put higher and will it cost?
Or should i have to do that anyway?
Unless you car has coilovers fitted you would need to change at least the springs to raise it, I guess with labour you would be looking at over £200 so it may be best to check the speed humps out again before doing anything major.
The hump into our Leisure Centre is high and used to be a problem, I found that one end is slightly lower so always wait until it’s clear and drive over that side.
1st off, congrats on the job
One thing you can possibly do is take them at an angle, which might be enough to clear them
Nutter’s guess is probably reasonable for cost, but as always, hunt around for the best price.
How much does it catch - if it is only just - and I mean only just, you might be as well accepting that you’re bumper will get scraped.
Have you got front mudflaps on the car?
Maybe its them catching as they would be the first thing as the suspension compresses and rebounds.
How slowly was really slowly?
I used to have this at my local retail park. I used to have to nip in the exit instead of the entrance which was fine as I could see if people were coming but wasnt ideal. My car wasnt even that low.
Yes, high road humps can damage front mudflaps. The next usual places to get it is the leading edge of the so-called chassis rails, which can get scraped, but no more; a look underneath will reveal obvious damage, thats easily repaired with a spot of underseal. Occasionally, some aftermarket exhaust brackets can catch as well.
If the car is lowered, a set of new standard spec springs will cost up to £200 plus fitting (last time I checked, Mazda were pricing pairs of springs at about £80). Fitting will be about 4 hours, so anywhere from £100 to £320-400.
Unless the car is extemely low, you can get over a speed bump just be going very slowly (barely moving, all on the clutch), to minimise bounce. Extremely low I supposed might be where the wheel centre to wheel arch gap is substantially less than 12". Most lowered MX5s are about 12".
Maybe highlight the problem to your manager - they might be willing to do something to help you…!