Grounding my C Class

[verytalldave]

Coming out of a friends rather bumpy drive a day or so back, something under my 2004 W203 C200K with sportpack - came into very momentary contact with some tarmac. I am sure it sounded worse than it actually was (hopefully). What is the lowest piece of equipment? I am presuming its some part of the exhaust system. It doesnt sound any different and there are no new knocks or noises to indicate any damage.
Am I worrying for no reason or do you think I should get it checked?
Has anyone else had this happen to them? The last car I owned that anything grounded was a 1970 Lotus Elan. But that was a long time ago.

 

[recycled]

you cat could have taken a hit. if you hear it rattling on acceleration then beware.

 

[crockers]

i have parked the bottom of the chin spoiler of mine on a pavement or two...

 

[verytalldave]

you cat could have taken a hit. if you hear it rattling on acceleration then beware.

No. I have been keeping a very cocked ear for any new noises and there are none. Under acceleration or overun. Nothing. I am really keeping my fingers and toes crossed. Thanks........

 

[R2D2]

I've grounded mine a few times. (gently)

 

[recycled]

better grounded than taking off

 

[whitenemesis]

It could be the exhaust heat shielding, done it a couple of times myself :-(

 

[recycled]

it wil hit the exhaust before the shield.
Is that not between the cat and the floor of the car?

 

[whitenemesis]

Not right up front. Mine has two "wings" shielding the exhaust pipe before it enters the cat.

 

[grober]

A large part of the exhaust system is mounted on flexible hangers so there is a degree of movement possible. Chances are that if part of the rear 2/3 of the exhaust was involved it will have remained unscathed apart from a scratch or two. Sounds as if you have escaped lightly. You don't have mudflaps do you,since sometimes they can hit kerbs. If you are really worried get it up on a ramp and inspect the underside yourself. Do it soon while any potential damage is fresh and the point/s of contact is/are easily seen.

 

[recycled]

i have mudflaps. very annoying when the little gravels are slamming into them

 

[Rory]

i have mudflaps. veru annoying when the little gravels are slamming into them

Better than hitting the bodywork though. I had mudflaps fitted F+R on all our little cars, but they tend to spend a lot of time charging through Cheshire's lanes. I'll only take my MB on main roads.

My C270 Estate Avantgarde seems to sit very low - people often complain having to haul themselves out of it. It doesn't have Sport suspension and is only on 16" wheels, but it'll grounds frequently if 4 up, and in a couple of places I go the drill is to park half on the kerb - if I go too far across it'll ground then.

 

[bouncer]

Grounded my w202 recently, bent the heatshiled so that it touched the cat and would rattle like a bell when i turned left at 30mph. Couldnt find the rattle till i had a look under. So its worth a look under just to ease your mind.

sTeVe

 

[01goodwina]

not quite the same but a few days ago while walking back from collage i saw a kid in his little saxo with a massive exhaust! either it wasnt fitted properly or just american sized becuase it was grinding on the floor! small sparks going everwere!

kids in their saxos and corsas will never learn!

 

[Alps]

mine gets grounded all the time! nothing to worry about, the amount of speed humps i hit! mine is due to the H&R lowered springs and the #1 spring pads.

makes the missus cringe!

may have to raise it a little by changing the spring pads though, should help a little.

 

[television]

Cars with the V6 where the Cats are always going are prone to being knocked

 

[jeremytaylor]

My C270 used to ground on one particularly fierce speed bump at a place in France where we used to go regularly, after I had stocked up on wine. Standard Avantgarde suspension. My 320 (same suspension) does just the same, but only at this particular place.

Most of the underside has plastic shields, so I guess it is just these scraping.

Self-levelling rear suspension was an option on the W203, but very very few have it fitted. If I am ever in the position to order a new W204 estate (unlikely) I would make sure I ticked that option. Had self-levelling on the W211 (standard) and it is a great help.

 

[merc man]

lol i thought i was the only one! how wrong, i have grounded my dads E55 many a times, but by far the worst is my c-class i went over a road with a small hill, like a t-junction of 2 roads, at VERY high speed, i left the road and the front went down first taking out the bottom of the front bumper as well as the under tray and bent the front rads, the esp worked wonders and kept the car in line, the damage was sorted, as the guy behind wanted to keep up and rear ended me, guess the puntos brakes cant compete with merc brakes.