It just looks to me like that black valence piece is really too shallow and set too far back to protect the underside of the body-colored bumper in front. I can attest to this by the various scrapes I have on the bumper.


Doug

 

The measurement you need to know is called "approach angle" in off-roading terms. It's the angle between the point where the front tire touches the ground and the lowest point of the bodywork on the front end of the car. The height of the valence is only one factor in whether or not you'll rub. Here's an illustration:



So, the actual height of the valance is only part of the equation. You also need to know how far the valance is in front of the point where the tire meets the road.

 

Yes - this is my big concern, especially on the '05. The photos below were taken of an otherwise very clean 05 my buddy checked out for me a few months ago.





Seeing this kind of damage, and knowing what I have to deal with on the (only) route to my home has made me very cautious - don't want to end up with a mess like this.

I did go out and take a look at a very nice 05 Xk8 today, and measured it - I really do think it will be a problem, but the sales guy lives near me, and offered to bring it buy to see how bad the problem is. Hope it doesn't get damaged....

Thanks to everyone who grabbed measurements for me.... and the great diagram above showing everyone what I'm taking about (now I even know what it's called...and I think it's 10.5 degrees for the 05 Xk8).


-Steve

PS Sorry for the huge size of the photos. I was hoping that thumbnails would appear in the post, with the big versions only appearing when they were clicked...

 

Pretty typical for the underside of the bumper to look like that unless it is a garage queen. The photos also illustrate the virtual uselessness of the valence in protecting the bumper.

Doug

 

From parking blocks and curbs...yes. From steep driveways and traffic humps...valence protection really just depends how steep they are.

Doug...Look closely at your valence. Is it free from scratches? Does the rubber strip show no wear? I'll wager not. All the wear on your valence is evidence of protection from even worse damage to your bumper.

 

You're not going to be able to avoid this type of scraping 100%. That being said, the front bumper material is very durable and it gives quite easily.

Even with this issue, I wouldn't trade my 05 for any earlier year. I love the body kit it has. It still retains a lot of the classy look of the earlier body style and gives it a more modern and sporty look. I just love it.

 

In the end I bought a 2003 (which I love!) - but until a couple of weeks ago I still had to be very careful coming into our road - the oil cooler would hit the asphalt unless I pull off the highway at a crawl.

The good news is that the state recently 're-profiled' the road, and it's no longer an issue.

I took the photo below at the Lime Rock Classic Fall Special (sponsored by Jaguar) last week (great day out - anyone else there?). Photo shows just how low the XKR/8 is....

-Steve