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      04-11-2011, 10:12 AM   #1
sonus
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Seatbelts and snow

Hey all, first post here. I test drove a 128i and 135i over the weekend. Awesome cars. It was my second time test driving actually, the first being in 2008, and at the time, it was well out of my price range so I went with a used WRX instead. I've been wanting that 1 series ever since, and I might actually be able to afford one now

Two downsides I noticed were the position of the seatbelt, and the length of the door relative to my seat position. I'm 5' 7" so I had the seat pretty far forward and my elbows bent. In this position, the seatbelt was way behind the seat and tough to reach. I also noticed that it was a little tricky to get out of the car without opening the door very wide, and with the long door I'd be constantly worried of hitting parked cars and such. Coming from a 4-door, I think it'll take some getting used to. Any other short people with these issues? What have you done about it?

I'm also a little hesitant about owning a RWD car in Massachusetts, and how it'll handle in the winter. Putting snow tires on my WRX turned that thing into a damn snowmobile, and I'm worried I might miss that a bit. How do folks find the 1 in snow (with snow tires)?

The only other big concern is convincing myself to spend the money...
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      04-11-2011, 10:15 AM   #2
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get a 335xi =X ur in mass dude massive snow nd crappy weather or else im kinda in the newengland area as well it becomes more of a spring summer fall car. Couple of people on here use billzacks or billacks tires i have seen videos of people just driving around in snow prettty cool just look it up on youtube.
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      04-11-2011, 10:15 AM   #3
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There are dozens of threads on the 1er in the snow (it's fine with snows).
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      04-11-2011, 10:30 AM   #4
sonus
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Originally Posted by 1on135_deal View Post
get a 335xi =X ur in mass dude massive snow nd crappy weather or else im kinda in the newengland area as well it becomes more of a spring summer fall car. Couple of people on here use billzacks or billacks tires i have seen videos of people just driving around in snow prettty cool just look it up on youtube.
I considered it but it's way bigger and more expensive. I like the nimble size of the 1 and the lower pricetag. Maybe as my 2nd BMW...

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Originally Posted by KingOfJericho View Post
There are dozens of threads on the 1er in the snow (it's fine with snows).
That's good to hear. Just wondering about seatbelts then I guess.
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      04-11-2011, 10:51 AM   #5
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I'm 5' 6", sure it's a pain to reach for the belt, but you'll get that in just about any coupe. No big problem for me.
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      04-11-2011, 10:56 AM   #6
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Unfortunately, re the seatbelts & doors, being a 2 door it is what it is. My 5'0" wife complained about both the door size and difficulty in reaching the seatbelt for the entire 10 years she owned her Saab convertible and she's not too happy as a passenger in my 128i 'vert.

Perhaps, since you say you have your elbows bent, you could try the traditional Italian (straight-arm) driving position and move the seat back a bit. I position my seat as far back as possible while still permitting me to operate the clutch without strain.

And I find that opening the door to the first detent (about half-way) generally avoids any mishaps and allows me to slide in or out - as long as I keep my weight down.

Also, you might check out the CPO 1ers available on BMWUSA.com if you prefer not to buy new.

Tom
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      04-11-2011, 11:14 AM   #7
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Get snow tires, drive well, and you'll do fine. I'm currently in a 6speed M3 and have had it for 3 winters w/o any issues.
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      04-11-2011, 11:18 AM   #8
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4 snow tires will turn just about any car into a competent winter vehicle. Throw some common sense into the equation and you will have no problems. I've driven FWD, RWD, AWD, and 4WD in a variety of New England weather and without a doubt snow tires will make the biggest difference.
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      04-11-2011, 11:23 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sonus View Post
Hey all, first post here. I test drove a 128i and 135i over the weekend. Awesome cars. It was my second time test driving actually, the first being in 2008, and at the time, it was well out of my price range so I went with a used WRX instead. I've been wanting that 1 series ever since, and I might actually be able to afford one now

Two downsides I noticed were the position of the seatbelt, and the length of the door relative to my seat position. I'm 5' 7" so I had the seat pretty far forward and my elbows bent. In this position, the seatbelt was way behind the seat and tough to reach. I also noticed that it was a little tricky to get out of the car without opening the door very wide, and with the long door I'd be constantly worried of hitting parked cars and such. Coming from a 4-door, I think it'll take some getting used to. Any other short people with these issues? What have you done about it?

I'm also a little hesitant about owning a RWD car in Massachusetts, and how it'll handle in the winter. Putting snow tires on my WRX turned that thing into a damn snowmobile, and I'm worried I might miss that a bit. How do folks find the 1 in snow (with snow tires)?

The only other big concern is convincing myself to spend the money...
I live in Boston and i drive my 135i in the winter. Throw on a good set of winter tires and you're all set. Never been stuck in the snow either.

Im thinking of parting with my 1 PM me if its any interest to you.
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      04-11-2011, 11:30 AM   #10
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We run the 128i and the 335i both year round in eastern Canada with good winter tires and no issues with either vehicle.
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      04-11-2011, 12:21 PM   #11
sonus
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fwmcb View Post
We run the 128i and the 335i both year round in eastern Canada with good winter tires and no issues with either vehicle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nicssk View Post
I live in Boston and i drive my 135i in the winter. Throw on a good set of winter tires and you're all set. Never been stuck in the snow either.
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Originally Posted by ghostwind View Post
I'm currently in a 6speed M3 and have had it for 3 winters w/o any issues.
All good news Especially with nicssk, since your car has more power than the 128i I'd probably get, and this winter was f#@$ing awful.

And hey, just one thread away was this: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=512869
Looks like it might be a good solution for that seatbelt, if I can't deal with it.

Last edited by sonus; 04-11-2011 at 12:30 PM.. Reason: Added link
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      04-11-2011, 02:56 PM   #12
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Have you tried reaching for the seat belt "underhand" instead of overhand. Reach back next to your hip underhand...much easier to get to it.
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      04-12-2011, 07:55 AM   #13
sonus
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TP 135i View Post
Have you tried reaching for the seat belt "underhand" instead of overhand. Reach back next to your hip underhand...much easier to get to it.
Hmm, that sounds helpful. Thanks for the tip. I think I'll try to take the car for one last test drive and spend some time sitting in it and working out these little issues before deciding.
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      04-12-2011, 09:14 AM   #14
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http://www.shopbmwusa.com/ProductDet...CClistInterior


That should help with your seat belt problems


As for the long door, I've only had 2 door cars, you get used to it. Usually I wrap my fingers around the edge of the door so I don't ding other people when I get in and out, I'll feel it touch my finger before any damage occurs.
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      04-12-2011, 09:44 AM   #15
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I had to change the way I reach for the seatbelt with this car, because I too found it difficult to reach (and I'm 5'11").

In most cars, I reach across my torso with my right hand and pull the clip back down to my right hip. With the 1er, I find it works much better to reach straight back with my left hand. It gives me about an extra hand's length of reach.
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