Clutch pedal

[nick3753]

So I'm looking to buy hopefully this year and have had my heart on a manual. I've driven a manual for the past 13 yrs of my 15 years of driving. I recently test drove an 08 e93 and 98 e90 with manuals (no DCT yet). I found that my tip of my shoe kept catching on something when I tried to lift off the clutch. I don't have overly large feet (size 12). I've always pivoted my foot on/off the clutch pedal until the very last moment than lifted it off the pedal completely. It really made me want to go with a DCT as I felt really uncomfortable driving the cars, almost unsafe. Anyone else had a similar problem, or am I just doing something wrong and overtime I would adjust and therefore should not let it deter me from getting it.
Thanks

[shamoo]

Well, I'd say that size 12 feet/shoes is somewhat larger than the norm, but it's probably just the way you're used to moving your feet during a shift. I wouldn't discount purchasing the car solely on that since your driving style will quickly adapt to a new car.

Both the DCT and the 6MT are great, so either one isn't a compromise. Do you know what exactly the tip of your shoe is catching on?

[gthal]

I also am a 12 and don't have this issue in my 2010 E92. Maybe you should drive another M3 just to see if it is still a problem for you.

[eluder]

I'm an 11, but I know what you're talking about. Sometimes I had my foot too high up on the clutch. I had to train myself to operate the pedal with the space under my toes (about 2 inches), instead of closer to the middle of my foot.

Once I did that, the issue disappeared. Since I'm far from a professional driver, I assumed I was doing it wrong.

[JCtx]

You should operate the clutch with the ball of your left foot, which would avoid your problem. Plus you shouldn't be able to fully depress the clutch pedal with the pedal hitting your arch, so your seat is too far forward, which probably means you're too darn close to the steering wheel airbag. Or have your seatback too reclined. Something weird in your driving position man; just adjust it and everything would be fine. Good luck.

[nick3753]

Thanks guys, I won't let it affect my decision then. It was also nice to see in the a previous thread about regretting tranny choice that the overwhelming majority were happy with what they went with. Makes me more confident that I'll be happy in the end with whatever decision, so I'll try not to sweat it too much.

[T.J.]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

You should operate the clutch with the ball of your left foot, which would avoid your problem. Plus you shouldn't be able to fully depress the clutch pedal with the pedal hitting your arch, so your seat is too far forward, which probably means you're too darn close to the steering wheel airbag. Or have your seatback too reclined. Something weird in your driving position man; just adjust it and everything would be fine. Good luck.

I'm a size 13 and have no problems at all.

[askjeeves]

I know what you're talking about. I've got a size 13, and with a certain pair of shoes of mine that have a small lip around the edge of the sole, I occassionally catch the front of the shoe on what seems like the bottom edge of the plastic cover panel. It doesn't happen with any other pair of dress shoes/sneakers/or sandals that I have though.

I have adjusted to it when wearing those shoes by just lowering my foot on the clutch pedal a bit. It is a non-issue now.

[OC3]

I don't have huge feet and haven't experienced the exact issue that OP is describing, but generally speaking, some shoes are better for clutch, as well as heel-and-toe'ing, than others. I've definitely noticed it when I had 08 6MT and found myself going with certain pairs of shoes when taking out M3 back then.

[JohnnyRoaster]

I have a size twelve and only have an issue when wearing certain shoes. We have had a stupid amount of snow this year and I have to clutch a bit more carefully with my boots on.

I would say go with the 6MT if you plan on keeping the car for a long time. DCT if you are stuck in traffic and going to trade before the warranty runs out. They are both great.

[PKL]

Also try some different shoes. Do you wear huge clunky basketball shoes? Try some tennis sneaks, or Vans or something more low profile

[Untouchable]

Size 13 and I recently experienced that when I drove my brothers 335, after previously owning a 2001 325i and more recently an M roadster, neither of which gave me that problem. Still didn't deter me from ordering a manual M3, and it's an easy adjustment since clutch is so smooth it didn't bother me to get used to a different style.

[nick3753]

It was only a test drive. I was wearing a pair of nike running shoes once and on the other occasion a pair of clark's casual type shoe. I just wanted to make sure this was something that I could most likely easily adjust to overtime or change seating position as mentione above, not be something that would make me regret getting a manual. BTW, it was the most fun 15 minutes or so I've had in a long time (probably not so much for the poor sales woman). I'm dying to finally get one and post my "I finally got an M" thread, but realistically it will still be another year unless I can convince the wife otherwise.

[Nine]

I like to heel the clutch.

[Locksmythe]

Try 14s. I actually have to change shoes to drive. I keep narrow driving shoes handy. I have maybe 5 pairs now, I keep trying to find better slip-ons.

[James T. Kirk]

Originally Posted by nick3753

I don't have overly large feet (size 12).

Yes, you do. Sorry.

[Chinuban]

Luckily for me, my mom didn't give me milk. My feet aren't too big for my M3.

[nuzey]

Originally Posted by Chinuban

Luckily for me, my mom didn't give me milk. My feet aren't too big for my M3.

Hahaha that's funny. Well I am a size 12 too and I know what you're talking about. My tip of my shoes often catch the plastic panel. It can be solved easily by using your toes and a bit of getting used to it. I still have problems if I use flip-flops though. They just "flip" and catch the plastic panel easy. I would say, buy a good pair of shoes!