Front fender gap on 2011 M3 ZCP seems excessive

LarThaL · 07-08-2011, 07:48 PM

So I've had my 2011 M3 with ZCP for just over a week now. Love it. I am surprised at how much front fender gap I have stock, however. Front fender height is 27.5" and rear is 27". Is this normal? If not, what could be causing this? Does the front settle over time?

nick3753 · 07-08-2011, 07:51 PM

I don't own a m3, but have seen several threads where shipping blocks were not removed upon delivery. Check, otherwise I suppose it's normal.

spdy330 · 07-08-2011, 07:52 PM

I had to re-adjust mine when I got it 2 weeks ago. Send pics so I can see if you have the same issue that I had. Then I can try and help you if it was the same.

motortrend · 07-08-2011, 07:55 PM

The one here is higher at the front, it's pretty normal for the car to be higher at the front

Race_Doc11 · 07-08-2011, 07:57 PM

That's right check this thread:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=473709

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick3753

I don't own a m3, but have seen several threads where shipping blocks were not removed upon delivery. Check, otherwise I suppose it's normal.

LarThaL · 07-08-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdy330

I had to re-adjust mine when I got it 2 weeks ago. Send pics so I can see if you have the same issue that I had. Then I can try and help you if it was the same.

What issue did you have?

Here are pics:

[IMG]

[/IMG]

As you can see....no shipping blocks. This is the first thing I checked.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

I can fit three of my smallish fingers in between the front tire and fender. In the rear I can't even get two fingers in. Is this normal for the front?

LarThaL · 07-08-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick3753

I don't own a m3, but have seen several threads where shipping blocks were not removed upon delivery. Check, otherwise I suppose it's normal.

No shipping blocks....unless I am really blind or just not looking in the right place. Springs are free and clear. I was wondering more if the shocks were somehow "closed up" or something given that I have EDC, or do EDC cars sit higher by a small amount?

BimmerM · 07-09-2011, 06:14 AM

Sorry I can't help but that looks like a fairly big gap. Mine is no where that high. From the pics it doesn't appear to have the shipping blocks either.

BimmerM · 07-09-2011, 06:23 AM

I just checked mine and it's about 3/4 inch less then yours.

A suggestion is to check your tire pressure. I remember when I came home with my car it had over 50psi of pressure!!! The dealer forgot to lower the pressure!!!

I believe from the factory they usually pump it up to give the car more ground clearance during shipping.

Check yours, probably same situation.

gthal · 07-09-2011, 06:31 AM

The gap does look larger than it should on a ZCP car. My gap is 1.25" from the top of the tire to the fender. I can just get two fingers in there. The rear gap is even smaller (although I also have 275/35 tires on the rear so that would make the gap a little less than with 265/35 tires).

Your gap looks to be much larger than 1.25". That gap looks as big or bigger than a non-ZCP car.

The gap on my 2011 ZCP didn't seem to change much since delivery either... that is, it didn't appreciably settle any lower or, if it did, it wasn't enough to notice.

I would take the car to the dealer and compare it with another ZCP on the lot. If there is a meaningful difference, have them investigate. I expect it will be difficult to get them to do much as they will give you the "it's normal" answer.

gthal · 07-09-2011, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerM

I just checked mine and it's about 3/4 inch less then yours.

A suggestion is to check your tire pressure. I remember when I came home with my car it had over 50psi of pressure!!! The dealer forgot to lower the pressure!!!

I believe from the factory they usually pump it up to give the car more ground clearance during shipping.

Check yours, probably same situation.

How would tire pressure increase the fender gap? I can see it impacting ride height maybe but not the spacing between the tire and fender. Either way, the gap looks much bigger than other ZCP cars I have seen.

gthal · 07-09-2011, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVG

What issue did you have?

I think he misread your post as if you had a gap between body panels that was too large and needed adjusting.

Technic · 07-09-2011, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVG

Is this normal for the front?

That gap is excessive for a ZCP. A friend just got his brand new E90 M3 with ZCP this week after ED and I can say that his car front gap is about 75% less than yours.

Try driving it for a few weeks to see if the springs settle a little bit. But I doubt that it will be the inch or so that is required to be "normal".

gthal · 07-09-2011, 07:02 AM

Yours...

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVG

Mine... front...

Mine... rear...

To me, there is a HUGE difference in fender gap on your front compared to mine. Notice how little of the suspension you can actually see on mine. I would definitely take this to the dealer and, at the very least, show them these pictures (unless they have a ZCP on the lot).

FVM3 · 07-09-2011, 07:06 AM

i only heard of m3 lowered, this is the first time to see a raised one. Go to the dealer to check up

arter · 07-09-2011, 08:39 AM

Maybe you have the rare M3Xi which is raised for snow clearance.

I also looked at mine and yours is higher.

MonteCarloM3 · 07-09-2011, 09:13 AM

Thats a pretty big gap. At least you have excellent ground clearance.

ferrari6891 · 07-09-2011, 09:18 AM

That is definitely a bit excessive....almost the same size as my normal M3

Titanium Silver · 07-09-2011, 12:16 PM

Definitely looks high. Might help to bring it in and compare with another ZCP side by side.

Or just show them this thread.

gthal · 07-09-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferrari6891

That is definitely a bit excessive....almost the same size as my normal M3

I would say it is higher than a non-ZCP M3 too... the non-ZCP is only 10mm higher but the OPs car is much higher than 10mm.

FruitCake · 07-09-2011, 12:25 PM

that gap is excessive even for the civic non-zcp M3

F82_SID · 07-09-2011, 01:34 PM

Are you sure you dont still have the shipping blocks in your suspension? I have seem some posters on here that brought their car home with the shipping blocks still in it because the dealer forgot to remove them. Thats what it looks like to me.

07-08-2011, 07:48 PM	#1
LarThaL Colonel 336 Rep 2,940 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: West Springfield, MA iTrader: (0)	Front fender gap on 2011 M3 ZCP seems excessive So I've had my 2011 M3 with ZCP for just over a week now. Love it. I am surprised at how much front fender gap I have stock, however. Front fender height is 27.5" and rear is 27". Is this normal? If not, what could be causing this? Does the front settle over time? __________________ **Audi S6 Audi S3 * Porsche Cayman GTS* --Former BMW M3 owner** Last edited by LarThaL; 07-08-2011 at 08:08 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-08-2011, 07:51 PM	#2
nick3753 Major 1020 Rep 1,486 Posts Drives: 2012 e92 M3 DCT ZCP Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Audi S6 [0.00] 1997 BMW 328i Touring [0.00] 2012 BMW M3 [0.00]	I don't own a m3, but have seen several threads where shipping blocks were not removed upon delivery. Check, otherwise I suppose it's normal.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-08-2011, 07:52 PM	#3
spdy330 Major General 530 Rep 6,149 Posts Drives: 05 Tundra, 15 FIT, 17 CRV Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA iTrader: (163)	I had to re-adjust mine when I got it 2 weeks ago. Send pics so I can see if you have the same issue that I had. Then I can try and help you if it was the same. __________________ If you will be purchasing ANY AT&T services online or in store could you mention that you were referred by me? My Employee Referral ID is eo4489. This would be a great help and it costs you nothing, thank you!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-08-2011, 07:55 PM	#4
motortrend Goldmember 23 Rep 315 Posts Drives: EM Siree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Puerto Rico iTrader: (2)	The one here is higher at the front, it's pretty normal for the car to be higher at the front
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2011, 06:14 AM	#8
BimmerM Lieutenant 98 Rep 525 Posts Drives: '21 F95 X5 M C, '11.5 E92 M3 C Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW X5 M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Sorry I can't help but that looks like a fairly big gap. Mine is no where that high. From the pics it doesn't appear to have the shipping blocks either. __________________ Drives: '11.5 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 Comp, '21 F95 X5 M Comp DIYs: Enable Rear Fog \| Easy Side Gill Replacement \| Front Grill Replacement
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2011, 06:23 AM	#9
BimmerM Lieutenant 98 Rep 525 Posts Drives: '21 F95 X5 M C, '11.5 E92 M3 C Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW X5 M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	I just checked mine and it's about 3/4 inch less then yours. A suggestion is to check your tire pressure. I remember when I came home with my car it had over 50psi of pressure!!! The dealer forgot to lower the pressure!!! I believe from the factory they usually pump it up to give the car more ground clearance during shipping. Check yours, probably same situation. __________________ Drives: '11.5 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 Comp, '21 F95 X5 M Comp DIYs: Enable Rear Fog \| Easy Side Gill Replacement \| Front Grill Replacement
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2011, 06:31 AM	#10
gthal Major General 1903 Rep 5,678 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	The gap does look larger than it should on a ZCP car. My gap is 1.25" from the top of the tire to the fender. I can just get two fingers in there. The rear gap is even smaller (although I also have 275/35 tires on the rear so that would make the gap a little less than with 265/35 tires). Your gap looks to be much larger than 1.25". That gap looks as big or bigger than a non-ZCP car. The gap on my 2011 ZCP didn't seem to change much since delivery either... that is, it didn't appreciably settle any lower or, if it did, it wasn't enough to notice. I would take the car to the dealer and compare it with another ZCP on the lot. If there is a meaningful difference, have them investigate. I expect it will be difficult to get them to do much as they will give you the "it's normal" answer. __________________ 2020 X3 M40i \| Black \| Current DD 2020 C8 Corvette \| Z51 \| Torch Red ... built and waiting for delivery 2016 M2 \| Long Beach Blue \| 6MT 2015 M4 \| Austin Yellow \| DCT 2012 MB C63AMG \| 2011 E92 M3 \| 2010 E92 M3 Last edited by gthal; 07-09-2011 at 06:42 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2011, 07:06 AM	#15
FVM3 Major General 273 Rep 5,751 Posts Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	i only heard of m3 lowered, this is the first time to see a raised one. Go to the dealer to check up
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2011, 08:39 AM	#16
arter collecting toys 41 Rep 810 Posts Drives: M3 MCB Join Date: May 2008 Location: rochester, ny iTrader: (1)	Maybe you have the rare M3Xi which is raised for snow clearance. I also looked at mine and yours is higher. __________________ 2011 e92 M3 Monte Carlo Blue ESS 535 - gone but not forgotten 2015 cayman GTS - new toy 2006 SLK 55 AMG sold
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2011, 09:13 AM	#17
MonteCarloM3 Banned 52 Rep 576 Posts Drives: a shitty M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Uranus iTrader: (0)	Thats a pretty big gap. At least you have excellent ground clearance.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2011, 09:18 AM	#18
ferrari6891 the original brown guy 116 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: '22 MBB/SO X5M Comp Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NJ/NYC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011.75 E90 M3 [7.66]	That is definitely a bit excessive....almost the same size as my normal M3 __________________ PREVIOUS 2019 G05 X5 M50 AG/BLK 2017 F15 X5 5.0 M Sport AW/BLK 2011 E90 ///M3 AW/FR 2008 E92 ///M3 IB/BLK
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2011, 12:16 PM	#19
Titanium Silver Four Star General 13 Rep 597 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Definitely looks high. Might help to bring it in and compare with another ZCP side by side. Or just show them this thread.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2011, 12:25 PM	#21
FruitCake Banned 88 Rep 1,680 Posts Drives: '10 E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (19)	that gap is excessive even for the civic non-zcp M3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2011, 01:34 PM	#22
F82_SID Brigadier General 208 Rep 3,153 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C 6mt HK Silver Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, CO. USA iTrader: (2)	Are you sure you dont still have the shipping blocks in your suspension? I have seem some posters on here that brought their car home with the shipping blocks still in it because the dealer forgot to remove them. Thats what it looks like to me. __________________ 2011/E92/M3/MR/BB/ZCV/ZP2/EDC/2MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote