Best Protection Against Curb Rash?

macknificent · 07-18-2006, 12:50 PM

I have E46 M3 rims and I scraped them over the weekend parking on a high curb in San Francisco. I've got estimates from $175-$250 to fix each rim since they're black chrome.

Other than parking further away from the curb (which I actually got a ticket for once) what is the best way to avoid curb rash? It doesn't help that my Pilot Sport tires have no rim protection since the rims sticks out further than the sidewall. When I had my 3000GT, I had Fusion ZRi rims with great rim guard protection. Any suggestions? Any 18" tires with good rim protection?

XxLancaxX · 07-18-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macknificent

Any suggestions? Any 18" tires with good rim protection?

Look into Nitto Gen tires. I had 18' Nittos on my mercedes with chrome rims. The tires had great rim protection. Great sporty tires too!

txusa03 · 07-18-2006, 12:55 PM

It does not matter how much trouble I put myself into trying to avoiding this, it still happens to me. The first one is always the toughest one to swallow. After that, you kinda learn from it or no longer care.

HRC · 07-18-2006, 12:58 PM

Marcus,

The Eagle F1's that I had before had a nice fat rim protector on them. Really though, the best bet is to use the rear-view and take your time. I'm always about 4 inches from the curb which gives me enough space and not a ticket! SF curbs and the ones at Lakeshore are HUGE!! I'm even carful when opening doors becuase all my lowered cars barely clear those walls (dont know about the e90 yet)!

Danny

Hunter399 · 07-18-2006, 01:00 PM

my eagles have 0 protection

I will cry if I scratch my LM

siriusinvestor · 07-18-2006, 01:01 PM

Try it if you dare.....

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/ext43.shtml

canucklion · 07-18-2006, 01:03 PM

I find the tilt-down rearview mirror very helpful in avoiding curb rashes.!

Hunter399 · 07-18-2006, 01:03 PM

Too scared

macknificent · 07-18-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucklion

I find the tilt-down rearview mirror very helpful in avoiding curb rashes.!

That's a good idea! Never thought of that.

Asiann · 07-18-2006, 01:36 PM

My wife put 2 scrapes on the same rim going to Burger King drive-thru. I'm going to fix it myself here shortly. Anybody knows where I can get the paint for the rims? Dealer?

HRC · 07-18-2006, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macknificent

That's a good idea! Never thought of that.

Marcus, you never use your passenger side rear-view mirror to park? I always use that no matter what car I'm driving. In the e90, it's so easy, the tiltdown is automatic! I remember for a while after I got the e90, I had to keep reminding myself that I dont have to move the mirror myself anymore!

Danny

CnoteMD · 07-18-2006, 01:47 PM

I must admit, the tilt down feature of the side mirror helps tremendously in parallel parking. However, the best technique I have for avoiding scraped rims is to lightly touch the curb while backing into the car at an angle to gauge the location of the curb.

1. Back SLOWLY into the spot at a 45 degree angle. This way, as you back into the spot, when you "tap" the curb, it is the flat part of the tire that makes contact wtih the curb (the tilt down feature makes this part even easier).
2. Now you drive forward a couple of inches away from the curb and finish straightening out the car. Just be sure not to come any closer to the curb while maneuvering.

I have used this technique parallel parking in many major cities and I have NEVER scraped a wheel. Hope that helps.

txusa03 · 07-18-2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asiann

My wife put 2 scrapes on the same rim going to Burger King drive-thru. I'm going to fix it myself here shortly. Anybody knows where I can get the paint for the rims? Dealer?

a permanent fix to you trouble would be to not give her the key to the bmw

It will happen again so why fix it

HRC · 07-18-2006, 01:57 PM

Cnote, your technique scares me too much! I once nudged my right rear tire against a bump next to the curb, and I thought I had curbed my rim. Anykind of contact makes me cringed!

Danny

Quote:

Originally Posted by CnoteMD

I must admit, the tilt down feature of the side mirror helps tremendously in parallel parking. However, the best technique I have for avoiding scraped rims is to lightly touch the curb while backing into the car at an angle to gauge the location of the curb.

1. Back SLOWLY into the spot at a 45 degree angle. This way, as you back into the spot, when you "tap" the curb, it is the flat part of the tire that makes contact wtih the curb (the tilt down feature makes this part even easier).
2. Now you drive forward a couple of inches away from the curb and finish straightening out the car. Just be sure not to come any closer to the curb while maneuvering.

I have used this technique parallel parking in many major cities and I have NEVER scraped a wheel. Hope that helps.

CnoteMD · 07-18-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRC

Cnote, your technique scares me too much! I once nudged my right rear tire against a bump next to the curb, and I thought I had curbed my rim. Anykind of contact makes me cringed!

Danny

Hahahaha, sorry about that. I have tested it over the years with side wall profiles ranging 185-70-14 (parent's Volvo 740 in high school) to my current rear wheels (255-35-18) and haven't had a problem yet. Granted it was a lot more reassuring when I was doing it with the higher profiles. The key is to make the slightest contact possible.

I should also mention that my car is not lowered, so be careful if your car is slammed and the parking spot has unusually high curbs to prevent bodywork contact.

bavarian19 · 07-18-2006, 02:22 PM

Honestly, the only thing I would worry about is parallel parking, and that just requires some skill.

I have never curbed a rim parking before, and I drive into DC all the time for nightlife... I have had much practice with it, and can usually get between 3-5 inches away from the curb...

MIKEYMIKE · 07-18-2006, 02:33 PM

Practice, practice, practice.

If you don't parallel park well, don't be afraid to admit it. Grab some cones and hit up an empty parking lot and practice.

HRC · 07-18-2006, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIKEYMIKE

Practice, practice, practice.

If you don't parallel park well, don't be afraid to admit it. Grab some cones and hit up an empty parking lot and practice.

lol, Marcus has had his car and his rims for a while now. I think he just had a bad day! Use the friggin passenger rear view!

Danny

chongki · 07-18-2006, 03:01 PM

Here this oughtta work out for ya!

poldim · 07-18-2006, 03:32 PM

:rocks:

get the skulls!

btc · 07-18-2006, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poldim

:rocks:

get the skulls!

forget the skulls, go for the eyeballs,

close-up on the curb

poldim · 07-18-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btc

forget the skulls, go for the eyeballs,

close-up on the curb

Good idea, then you can park like this:

07-18-2006, 12:50 PM	#1
macknificent New Member 5 Rep 15 Posts Drives: Sparkling Graphite Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oakland, California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Best Protection Against Curb Rash? I have E46 M3 rims and I scraped them over the weekend parking on a high curb in San Francisco. I've got estimates from $175-$250 to fix each rim since they're black chrome. Other than parking further away from the curb (which I actually got a ticket for once) what is the best way to avoid curb rash? It doesn't help that my Pilot Sport tires have no rim protection since the rims sticks out further than the sidewall. When I had my 3000GT, I had Fusion ZRi rims with great rim guard protection. Any suggestions? Any 18" tires with good rim protection? Attached Images
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07-18-2006, 12:55 PM	#3
txusa03 Major General 548 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	It does not matter how much trouble I put myself into trying to avoiding this, it still happens to me. The first one is always the toughest one to swallow. After that, you kinda learn from it or no longer care.
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07-18-2006, 12:58 PM	#4
HRC MAUI BUILT 485 Rep 7,781 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2002 E46 325i [0.00] 2012 E70 35i [0.00]	Marcus, The Eagle F1's that I had before had a nice fat rim protector on them. Really though, the best bet is to use the rear-view and take your time. I'm always about 4 inches from the curb which gives me enough space and not a ticket! SF curbs and the ones at Lakeshore are HUGE!! I'm even carful when opening doors becuase all my lowered cars barely clear those walls (dont know about the e90 yet)! Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
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07-18-2006, 01:00 PM	#5
Hunter399 Major General 323 Rep 8,091 Posts Drives: F90M5 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (33)	my eagles have 0 protection I will cry if I scratch my LM
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07-18-2006, 01:01 PM	#6
siriusinvestor Captain 67 Rep 873 Posts Drives: 1989 Ugo Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: US iTrader: (2)	Try it if you dare..... http://www.audiworld.com/tech/ext43.shtml
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07-18-2006, 01:03 PM	#7
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	I find the tilt-down rearview mirror very helpful in avoiding curb rashes.! __________________
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07-18-2006, 01:36 PM	#10
Asiann Got Seoul? 116 Rep 2,862 Posts Drives: 2012 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Honolulu iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 535i [0.00] 2008 750Li [0.00] 2006 BMW [0.00]	My wife put 2 scrapes on the same rim going to Burger King drive-thru. I'm going to fix it myself here shortly. Anybody knows where I can get the paint for the rims? Dealer? __________________ Can you say Alooooha? [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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07-18-2006, 01:47 PM	#12
CnoteMD Commander in Chief 37 Rep 1,034 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 535i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M5 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	I must admit, the tilt down feature of the side mirror helps tremendously in parallel parking. However, the best technique I have for avoiding scraped rims is to lightly touch the curb while backing into the car at an angle to gauge the location of the curb. 1. Back SLOWLY into the spot at a 45 degree angle. This way, as you back into the spot, when you "tap" the curb, it is the flat part of the tire that makes contact wtih the curb (the tilt down feature makes this part even easier). 2. Now you drive forward a couple of inches away from the curb and finish straightening out the car. Just be sure not to come any closer to the curb while maneuvering. I have used this technique parallel parking in many major cities and I have NEVER scraped a wheel. Hope that helps. __________________ 2008 BMW 535i Space Gray, Black Leather, Dark Bamboo Trim\| Sport Automatic with Paddles \| Sport Package 2008 BMW M5 (gone, but not forgotten) Space Gray, Silverstone Merino Leather, Madeira Walnut Wood Trim \| 7speed SMG \| All options Mods: Corsa Exhaust \| RPI Ram Air Intake \| H&R Sport Springs \| Rogue Engineering 12mm spacers
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07-18-2006, 02:22 PM	#16
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	Honestly, the only thing I would worry about is parallel parking, and that just requires some skill. I have never curbed a rim parking before, and I drive into DC all the time for nightlife... I have had much practice with it, and can usually get between 3-5 inches away from the curb...
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07-18-2006, 02:33 PM	#17
MIKEYMIKE Lieutenant Colonel 63 Rep 1,516 Posts Drives: 330i 6mt Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SoCal iTrader: (3)	Practice, practice, practice. If you don't parallel park well, don't be afraid to admit it. Grab some cones and hit up an empty parking lot and practice.
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07-18-2006, 03:01 PM	#19
chongki Anyaketdin! 24 Rep 517 Posts Drives: AW E90 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	Here this oughtta work out for ya! Attached Images __________________ "The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering"
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07-18-2006, 03:32 PM	#20
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 300 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	:rocks: get the skulls! __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
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