For the past 14 months, I have dealt with the bottom of our MINI scraping the street each time we go down the drive way, and I am tired of it.

I've been on the phone with the city all day trying to get them to come out and fix my curb. They came out, took a look, and said nuh uh.

Well, right now, I have a some pieces of particle board on the curb to help with the slope. That helps, but looks like crap, and only lasts about 2 days.

I know that its OK if that 2'' flap scrapes the ground, but that's not what I am worried about. Sometimes, the front of the bumper even gets scraped! You can even see from the front of the car. Well, we just upgraded to the aero bumper, and its brand spanking new. I don't want this to happen all over again.

I am sending a petition to city hall, hoping to get the issue resolved. I told them it was unacceptable. All I can do it cough up $15k for a whole new driveway. Huh? I don't think so.

here are a few pictures that I took. The last one is the car on the boards that are sloped on the curb. I even have a video of the car going over it and scraping for those who want it.

*Added at 1:52 PM*
It has been lowered 1'', which of course made it worse.

The city doesn't need to know that though. Not because I dont want to give them an excuse, but beause there is a severe dip in the curb. My neighbors curb is perfect, and there is a huge difference.

I hope that made sence.

 

That MINI has been lowered right?

 

All city hall will tell you is to raise the ride height of your car. Guess they all drive SUV's.

 

It has been lowered 1'', which of course made it worse.

The city doesn't need to know that though. Not because I dont want to give them an excuse, but beause there is a severe dip in the curb. My neighbors curb is perfect, and there is a huge difference.

I hope that made sence.

(i'll add it to the main thread.)

 

Take a comparison shot of the neighbor's curb, and your own. Let's see what we're talking about here.

 

Take the ramp at 45 degree angle...not straight in/out...

 

Hell, I scrape all over and my car's NOT lowered... Honestly, I figured it was par for the course with such a low-centered, sporty car. Good luck, though - your car is lovely so I can see why you want to keep it looking that way.

 

Huh? I can barely get my race jack under mine and I've never scraped on any driveway or speed bumps...

 

Now, I do know that helps. The problem is, which is not shown in the pics, is that when exiting the driveway, it is almost immpossible to exit at an angle. This is because of 2 things.

Narrow driveway
Not angled on the left side like the right

 

Cut across the grass

 

Exactly. Basically, I have to butcher my grass, and/or the neighbors to save the bottom of the car.

 

Oh come on...butcher the grass with those fat wide tires? Haven't ever parked your Mini on the lawn? It doesn't do a thing...

 

Lets see ... your lowered a low car to begin with and now are complaining to the city

Buy a H2 and all your problems will go away

Seriously, lots of luck in getting it fixed but I wouldnt hold my breath while they laugh at you. Can't you just by some cement and fix it yourself?

 

I have a nice steep angle on my drive way and I am about one inch from scaping my underside. So I don't really have a problem. My wifes freind came by in her old mustang and could not get out of my driveway. She was able to angle her car and get out.


Art

 

I wish.....Its city property. I cant touch it.

 

I that would be like the "death tax"...

 

I wish you the best but I think you need to realistically look at this thing from the city engineers POV. I would bet they have some kind of standard and thats the way the code is written. If its within specs, you lose. The fact your car is too low is your problem.

On the other hand, the honey is better than vineger approach may work. Rather than a petition ... talk to the city engineers and volunteer to PAY for the fix. That might work. Getting a petition signed is only going to **** em off. (IMHO).

Sweet talking them is always a better approach

 

As a matter of fact, I have.

 

I suppose you have a point. I know that the code has changed since the curb was poured. I'll try to offer some "honey" but if they arent hungrey, I'll force it down their throats. Well, I hand over the petition. I probably should show up in person, so they can have a face with the name.

 

Ok...how about building a "wedge" ramp to ease the transition? Take a template of the existing driveway/street, cut 4-5 ribs out of 2x4 and overlay with 1/4" sheet plywood drilled to the ribs. The city shouldn't be able to complain as it is not permanent?

 

Cars scrape. Lower cars scrape more.
For a more permanent solution, get appropriate sized culvert and a bit of cement and create your own ramp. Your choice of car (and certainly, the width of your driveway) is not the city's issue. The curb does not look unlike numerous others in any place that it rains.

 

Thats a very good idea. I was talking to mdsbrain earlier and he said one of his neighbors made a ramp out of plywood and 2x4's. The hardest part is matching the curve my driveway isnt straight, so its just another obsticale.

I didnt think of makeing the whole curb "ramped" though. Good idea.

*Grabs keys and heads to lowe's!*

I'll work on a ramp this week. The po po are always around my neighborhood so if they dont like it, they'll let me know.

Now while you were comming up with that serious idea, I was messing around.

 

Thats just it. I cant make a permanant solution. I would just use tay patch and built up the surface a little, but I can get seriously fined for that. There is also a storm drain about 50 ft to the left. When it rains, it pours.

 

That's why you use a culvert instead of just building it up - it still needs to be a gutter.
I don't understand - how will a new driveway solve your problem? (post #1)
Easy enough to make a semi-permanent solution. A couple of 2x8, a bit of culvert, and cement for stability. Make a form, pour it 'close enough' and voila! All, of course, if the city doesn't grant your request.

 

How about some sand discreetly laid down with a bit of water and some cement mix in the middle of the night