Sump guard on or off?

[ducatiss 1]

Have removed my Sump Guard (std Sth African) while doing some maintenance - its such a heavy thing Im wondering whether I should just leave it off? The car sits on M-Tec Springs. Opinions please?

[nz320i 0]

depends how much you trust our crappy roads, i guess if something happens you'll wish you left it on!! better safe than sorry?

Edited October 20, 2007 by Chris C

[drifty325i 0]

Did mtech cars come out with them factory in nz? no, waste of time and weight imo unless your really low. Is yours an m20 or m40?

[drifty325i 0]

Just saw m20, dont worry bout it dude, waste of time

[QuickSilver 0]

my e30 isnt very low and its always the first thing to hit the ground, so if that wasnt there i'd have cracked my sump a billion times or more by now, mines off at the mo but i'll be sticking it back on, I think its handy, its clunky and heavy though

[hotwire 352]

As Chris said - depends on the roads you travel on.

M20 sumps in E30's are vulnerable as we know - particually in a lowered car, In the cars I have had or dismantled I have sold 2 sumps & seen some with repairs from a previous injury.

Bear in mind that (I think) only the S/A cars came out with them which means the vast majority on the roads here don't have them fitted.

They do weigh a shitload (20 something kgs from memory) so if terrain is not an issue & car is not ultra low then I would be inclined to leave it off. Then again....

[Gus 5]

off....i have never used one even on v low cars and never cracked a sump..you need to be a bit of a monkey to do so

and on mtech springs, you will be fine

go for it

[hybrid 1043]

harden up ... get stiffer shocks / springs

[ducatiss 1]

harden up ... get stiffer shocks / springs

lol M-tech springs with Bilstein sports seem to work well - I had B+G springs in I think the m-tech springs suit it (and me) better.

[bravo 35]

off....i have never used one even on v low cars and never cracked a sump..you need to be a bit of a monkey to do so

ooo ooo oooo aaahaaahaaah

Mine is on due to bitter experience.

Then again I live in a rural area - I hit the sump guard on rocks on mates driveways every week. In the city prob wouln'dt need it.

Edited October 20, 2007 by bravo

[ducatiss 1]

ooo ooo oooo aaahaaahaaah

Mine is on due to bitter experience.

Then again I live in a rural area - I hit the sump guard on rocks on mates driveways every week. In the city prob wouln'dt need it.

How low is your car bravo?

[bravo 35]

Same as Gus's funnily enough. About a 35mm drop. Used to be 50mm drop though which was a problem.

To be honest now I wonder if I wouldn't hit half of the rocks etc I do if the guard wasn't there as it is lower than the sump of course. Not game to try it though.

[ducatiss 1]

Yeah its a catch 22 - raise your ground clearance by removing your sump guard!!. What is really needed is for someone to make up a light alloy guard. I have seen one or two on web sites but havent found anyone actually producing and exporting them. Have attached a pic of one.

[325_driver 422]

ooo ooo oooo aaahaaahaaah

Mine is on due to bitter experience.

Then again I live in a rural area - I hit the sump guard on rocks on mates driveways every week. In the city prob wouln'dt need it.

if your up rural roads, e.g. me, i found my self stuck for atleast a week because of cracking my sump, we have a hideous driveway.

and the time it did crack the sump, you have to hit some thing pretty hard too

i think youll be right

[ducatiss 1]

Thank for that guys - decision made - back on it goes!! Too many "rural" type debris on the roads down here!!