reefbrake

After 3 months of research and several test drives (A6, M45, GS430, 545), I have decided that the 545 is the car for me. It took two drives in the 545 to make up my mind, but that is another topic and a post all to itself.

My next to last consideration/problem is ground clearance. The short driveway into my apartment building's carport area has a steep incline, and several visitors who are unware of it have grazed the bottom of their cars going in and out. Even with my old Maxima, though there is plenty of clearance, I am careful to drive over the high point at an angle.

I was able to bring home a 530 non-sport last night to test out the clearance issue. After going in and out of the driveway several times, I did figure out the right angle, approach, etc. to not touch the bottom of the car. It looks kind of freaky, though, since at the high point of the driveway, the 530 has only 1 inch of clearance.

My concern is that I know the 545i sport will sit even lower (18 mm?). But, the 530 had 17" tires, so I wonder if the 18" tires will compensate a little for the slightly lower vehicle?

Appreciate any opinions you may have... other than "move somewhere else". i live right on the ocean, and it would be tough to move.

Thanks.

stream

I think the only way you'll know for sure is to test drive a 545i w/ sport package. Even though the 545i sport has 18" wheels, the tires are low profile, so it's hard to say how much (or if) the outside diameter is different.

stream

I found a site that calculates tire dimensions:
http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi

The 530i has 225/50R17 with an outside diameter of 25.9"
The 545i sport front is 245/40R18, OD = 25.7", rear is 275/35R18, OD is 25.6"

ULtraPLanet

That's a nice tool