Torsten
Agree the GDI has insufficient ground clearance, much less than my previous 4/4s, but the factory aren't prepared to accept there is an issue.
Check the gearbox mount under the car and see if the two retaining bolts are hanging down, they will be obvious if they are. I had mine ground off back to the locking nut and that gave me about 2 cm of extra ground clearance in the centre of the car which was exactly where it used to ground on speed humps. You will still need to be careful but should be much improved. I have grounded the front chassis cross member occasionally but it was the gearbox mounts that caused the real problem.
Haven't had an issue with the exhaust but then, as we know, the hand built nature of the cars tends to manifest itself in ways that are unique to our own cars.
