[aeronca65tl]

I managed to bottom out my Cayman today. With a large, noisy, scary "thunk".

And not exactly on "the mean streets of New Jersey". Really, more a nice, suburban cul-de-sac with smooth roads. But unfortunately, the turn-around part at the end of the cul-de-sac had a smooth dip. Not really a deep pothole. And I wasn't exactly tearing around at high speed. But I guess it was just enough combined with 15 mph speed to reduce clearance to zero.

This was on the right, front side of the car....actually the bottom right/front of the "frunk" (the outside part).

I stopped to look and I am still surprised.....the dip wasn't anything terrible.

Will have to be extra careful with this thing.

My car is a stock, base Cayman with 18" wheels and standard ride height.

I brought it home, jacked it up and after taking this photo, cleaned things up and dabbed on some oil-based white paint with a foam brush.

The sheet metal isn't bent.....more like a scrape that took off the undercoating in that area. These things are galvanized so I'm probably OK even if I did nothing.

 

[Porsche2018]

Wow....and you don't have even the 10mm PASM spec. Glad to hear it's nothing major but I would have been equally upset......man o man!

 

[OC718]

Wow I pick my base Boxster up next week. Good to know. When you get a chance can you post a pic of your wheels. I also went with 18s but have only seen them on the configurator.

 

[aeronca65tl]

..........When you get a chance can you post a pic of your wheels. I also went with 18s but have only seen them on the configurator.

Here you go. Standard 18" wheels with unpainted center caps and Goodyear F1s.

 

[OC718]

Here you go. Standard 18" wheels with unpainted center caps and Goodyear F1s.

Thanks - i went with the Cayman wheels on my Boxster!!

 

[dexta888]

I did the same thing not too long ago. Couldn’t really see any physical damage when looking under the car but I’m pretty certain it looks like that as well underneath.

 

[Ian718]

Ouch indeed.... I can feel your pain...

I guess looking on the bright side, it is unlikely to have structural damage, and the cosmetic damage is in a place only you and your service guy will see.

Also it is a blessing you had the standard ride height and not -10mm or -20mm, otherwise the damage could have been a lot worse ?

 

[sevencyclist]

I’m surprised that you bottomed out despite highest Caymen suspension setup! Stay safe and enjoy.

 

[TEST DRyVer]

Sorry buddy... I feel for you. Glad it wasn't bad though, but it would bother me as well...

 

[Nickmo718]

PASM only lowers the base 718 by 10mm, 20mm for the S.

 

[wriggly]

Right after I got my GTS, I stopped into my local liquor store to pick up a bottle of Blanton's and the drive entrance is steep. Went in at an angle with no problem. Going out on the other hand something underneath rubbed and I pulled over and got down on the ground and didn't see any marks on anything. There's a couple of rubber doohickeys at the front a little back from the splitter and it must've been one of those. No marks or damage to be seen. Next time I need a bottle, I'll take my daily driver or the wife's car.

 

[Cinnamon]

Well, me too. Twice! My CS was new last August, and we took a trip in it in September... found ourselves on the main drag in Provo Utah, turned left into a commercial driveway that slanted up from a sizable rain gutter, and it hit pretty hard even at slow speed. 20" wheels, standard ride height. It went in to the dealer for its first service upon our return, plus I had it detailed... they said they had not noted any damage at front.

Then we're on another trip now, and just a few days ago we were cruising the back streets in Ely Nevada... encountered a sort of ditch in the road, paved, semi-circular wide enough that both front wheels went fully in, going slow, and again it hit hard. I have to think this is a very solid front end but there must be some signs when raised, though I can't see any from ground level. That nose does stick out quite a ways from the wheels... I will have to be even more careful.

Also, at the place we're staying in Flagstaff Arizona there is a rounded curb between street and parking spot that is just high enough to lightly contact that front area when pulling straight in or out. So I'm going over it at an angle, avoiding contact that way.