[BigFoot]

Chaps, whilst on a spirited drive today, I bottomed out the car and I am a little worried I might have damaged something.

After the event, I drove the car for another 15 minutes or so back home, at reasonable speed, and didn't feel any change in performance/sound, nor had it throw any codes or lights.

Had a quick look at the bottom of the car and beside a whitish mark on the front bottom plate, I couldn't see anything out of place (even the license plate wasn't hit). I'll take the car out for a slow drive tonight to see if anything's going wrong.

Without resorting to having the car lifted, is there anything you'd recommend I take a look at/check?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Vincenzo]

BF - when you say you 'bottomed-out', did you go over a speed bump (which hit the bottom) or did the suspension actually bottom-out (like from a sharp dip in the asphalt)? If the former, you've probably just scraped your shield that protects the exhaust. This weekend I had the misfortune of running over a groundhog (someone else's roadkill) that made an awful sound as it went under my car. I was worried that I had ripped the front lower air dam up. After pulling over, I saw the front end was fine but, when getting my eyes down to ground level and looking under the car, I couldn't believe how low to the ground the shield is...since lowering the car about 1.5 inches, it looks like it's about three inches above the road now....anyway, I now have lots of fur stuck in my shield.

 

[BigFoot]

The latter Vincenzo. It was a dip in the road.

I had a look down and didn't notice any oil dripping or whatnot but I noticed the exhaust is uncovered and I am afraid I might have damaged it.

Will take it for a spin later to check again ...

 

[BigFoot]

Well did go for a drive this evening and all seemed in order, no strange noises/smell, codes or whathaveyou.

Still, I felt the car wasn't as smooth as it normally is, a little nervous. Or perhaps it was me who was nervous ...

 

[The Head]

Bigfoot,
The oiling system is very well protected on our cars you would have had to rip off your exhaust to get to it...probably just your nerves especially if you have not noticed a change in sound because the first thing that would be damaged on these cars is thier exhaust and that front airdam

 

[BigFoot]

Thanks

It must be me and my paranoia

Got a drive with other Maseratis organised for Monday (public holiday here), let's hope it's all right

 

[FormulaDynamics]

Yes, the car is fairly well protected. The one issue with a stock car can be the cats but since you've had them replaced... there isn't much to worry about. Look for oil spots under the car and if no other issues seem to be apparent, I would have a look under there the next time you have the car on a lift.

 

[BigFoot]

Thanks Jeff will do that (got my 30k km service coming up).