On my way to work each day there is an underpass for the A303. Since the rains came 3/4 weeks ago, this underpass has been flooded. That said at its worst it has only been no more than 15" deep.

Two weeks ago I found a newish BMW 3 series not quite out of the other side and today a Peugeot 406 drove in and then just stopped in the middle, having offered help to both and being declined I drove on.

Why can these cars not cope? Air intakes at below engine level? .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

probably driving to slow and not getting a bow wave...

Because they are driven by idiots 2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo Hybrid (V FAST)
2017 Range Rover Autobiography 5.0 V8
2018 JCW Mini Cooper
2018 Skoda VRS

Because they're not sporting a wee green oval on the front!!

a few years back I was caught in some floods in a Volvo V70 T5. it did well but succumbed when two show offs zoomed by swamping me with their bow waves. I used the starter motor to get me clear of the flood water and waited 20 minutes and then the old girl started up again with no problems then or later.

Air intakes being too low is a good assumption.

There was a case, many years ago, of Renault advising owners of the Espace not to drive them through puddles as the air intakes were very low and could easily cause engine failure as they sucked in water. Stupid design.

Driver error would be another common factor. Idiots who don't read the road or drive far too fast or who are just utterly clueless and inconsiderate.

I doubt many car drivers even know why they'd need to create a bow wave or that it's a good idea to generate one. Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

The Peugeot driver was in front of me and didn't go charging in, but possibly went in a bit slowly, but it is not really deep enough for "bow waving", only up to the sills on most cars.

I always go through it quite slowly 10/15 mph and avoid puddles on the road if I can, 'cos it all ends up splattered all over the engine bay if you don't! .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

I got stuck in a puddle when in my VX220, but I found a way out.

cue hawaii five o music....

'Book 'em Stanno!'

And then there were these two muppets in London in Oct 2012 floods!!

^ That's Sport drivers for you  2007 Zermatt Silver TDV8 Vogue SE - now sold but was a great car!

^^  If it dont work.......burn it!

If the IId tool cant fix it.......burn the FF.

If the FF cant be fixed......buy a Land Cruiser!

If the LC cant be fixed..............................................BUY a horse !!

Joe90 wrote:

Two weeks ago I found a newish BMW 3 series not quite out of the other side a

Why can these cars not cope? Air intakes at below engine level?

Apparently the BMW recent 3 series has the air intake just behind the radiator and very low. A college of my in Bristol got the same problem and took some water into the engine. End of story for the engine, unfortunate there was no water into the passenger cabin if so he would have got a new car. Now he get a new engine.

His new Italian shoes were on his behalf.  2017 Range Rover Vogue TDV8 silicon silver
2011 Defender 90 2.4 TDCI Nara Exclusive
2008 Porsche 911 997 4S Black/black
1970 Porsche 911T 2.2 in restauration
1980 Toyota Land Cruiser BJ40 concours winner