Curb Rash

[hingus2000]

I know there’s various threads on this but I thought I’d get a UK perspective. What is it with the M3s rims that make them so susceptible to curb scrapes!?

First two days of ownership and I’ve done both sides. Very minor, but where I’d normally expect to be able to ‘feel’ the curb gently with the tyre when parking, the M3’s rims seem to take the full brunt. Absolutely no margin for error. First contact is the alloy rim.

(Still absolutely loving the car mind, just hurts to see it get in anyway spoiled!)

 

[rincewind]

Depends which model you have I suppose. My M3P has 20" rims and the tyres have no shoulder to them and believe me I'm paranoid about kerbing them. 6 months in only one tiny mark which was touched up pretty much invisibly.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

One could always... not drive their car into a curb..?

Just Sayin'

 

[hingus2000]

One could always... not drive their car into a curb..?

Just Sayin'

Quite. In all honesty though I like to think I’m a good enough driver and plenty used to parking on the street. Just these wheels are punishing! As rincewind says, absolutely no tyre shoulder at all.

I’ve bought some touch up paint and once there’s a critical mass of damage I’ll cover it. Sod’s law I don’t hit them again for 12 months.

 

[Durzel]

I feel for you, but.... you must be nuts to try and "find the kerb" with tyres like the ones on the Model 3, even on the SR+.

Only way you could safely do it is really purposefully drive up on to the kerb, and then drop down, but even then I'd be scared that the drop would catch it. My sister shreds alloys because she inches towards the kerb when making room on the school run, rather than purposefully driving up onto it.

 

[Ant M3]

To be fair, I did my near side wheels (lightly) within the first two months of ownership
I’ve now had Alloygators fitted to protect them

 

[speedyranger74]

To be fair, I did my near side wheels (lightly) within the first two months of ownership
I’ve now had Alloygators fitted to protect them

I thinking to do the same... but undecided wich color. The car is blue.
Red ?

 

[stonecoldrmw]

Quite. In all honesty though I like to think I’m a good enough driver and plenty used to parking on the street. Just these wheels are punishing! As rincewind says, absolutely no tyre shoulder at all.

I’ve bought some touch up paint and once there’s a critical mass of damage I’ll cover it. Sod’s law I don’t hit them again for 12 months.

I had a puncture changed on Saturday and then only 4 hours later, I kerbed the same wheel. Absolutely gutted.

Curious to know what touch up paint you got?

 

[MrBadger]

I’ve now had Alloygators fitted to protect them

imho Do double check them if you kerb it. I've seen what they look like after being kerbed and it wouldn't be surprised if they have been known to make contact with the bodywork at speed

 

[AndyS3]

Our car has two kisses on both left wheels. Its the tyres that dont have a rim bead lip to protect against slight kerb bumps.

 

[JAR897]

Anyone have alloygators for their rims? I’m considering it!

 

[hingus2000]

I had a puncture changed on Saturday and then only 4 hours later, I kerbed the same wheel. Absolutely gutted.

Curious to know what touch up paint you got?

I got this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B014L9B3WE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I found a thread on here saying how it was a near perfect match. It arrived within 24 hours.

 

[Bigknd]

I've got a Model 3 Performance and caught my rear near side wheel on a protruding curb whilst coming out of a car park only 4 days after picking the car up!
I had some touch up paint for the wheels of my other car which is a near perfect colour match for the grey performance wheel which I used until I had it professionally repaired at Alloy Wheel Refurbishment & Alloy Wheel Repair | The Wheel Specialist Bristol who I can recommend

 

[Sparkeur]

I know there’s various threads on this but I thought I’d get a UK perspective.

It isn't just the UK..it's the same here in France. I try so hard but then, maybe every six months or so comes that sickening noise as you move over on a small road to help someone pass because of course, no good deed goes unpunished....it's like a kick in the stomach. My solution: a bit of glass paper, some grey paint and a little fund of about 200€ to put it all right when the car is going to move on.

 

[Bigknd]

Anyone have alloygators for their rims? I’m considering it!

I used them on another car were fine until one day one of the front ones became unstuck and marked the wing before I could stop. That was after around 5k mileage, wouldn't use them again tbh.

 

[Ant M3]

Anyone have alloygators for their rims? I’m considering it!

Yeah I’ve got them
I used PP Protect which is Derby way

 

[zayn]

is it a lease? chances are it will happen again during the lease. Best to leave it until you give the vehicle back and chances are will be cheaper to give back without extra penalties compared to cost of repairing the wheels

I know there’s various threads on this but I thought I’d get a UK perspective. What is it with the M3s rims that make them so susceptible to curb scrapes!?

First two days of ownership and I’ve done both sides. Very minor, but where I’d normally expect to be able to ‘feel’ the curb gently with the tyre when parking, the M3’s rims seem to take the full brunt. Absolutely no margin for error. First contact is the alloy rim.

(Still absolutely loving the car mind, just hurts to see it get in anyway spoiled!)

 

[BushtrimmmerJr]

Not exactly related but has anyone opted for alloy wheel insurance?

Sounds like it might be useful for this.

 

[Godsense]

Not exactly related but has anyone opted for alloy wheel insurance?

Sounds like it might be useful for this.

Also be interested to hear people's thoughts on that.

Feels inevitable and I've also heard of issues with gators

 

[U_S_D]

When it comes to replacing your tyres, using a wider tyre may help.

I replaced my original 235 width tyres with 245, and the Goodyear Eagles have a slight lip to protect the wheel.