Seating position

[!Xoible]

im 5'10" or 5'11" (depends how erect i am... j/k) i have every pushed the furthest back as long as my knee is slightly bent when i depress the clutch all the way in. i have everything set to lowest position, the back of the seat is kind of low, i have the steering wheel pulled back as much as i can, and as low as it can..

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by kbk_75

+1 on this.

I'm also 5'9" and I have my seat set quite far forward, with the result that I also hit the bolsters on the way in. Honestly though, I couldn't be bothered with setting and resetting the seat position EVERY time I got in and out of the car.

You can at least use the key fobs to make the seats move all the way back when you remote unlock the car.
Set up for this is in the idrive/settings/door locks/unlock button/last position seat auto.
IIUC memorise your usual seat position first on say button 2 then memorise your seat position all the way back on button 1....now when you unlock the car the seat will move back, you get in and press seat button 2 briefly and it should move to your driving position.
probably still too much trouble but there you go.

[MMMorish]

I'm 5'7", 180lbs and I sit almost upright, slightly reclined. For me, it's the distance I can never figure out. If I'm too far, I jerk the car out of first. Too close, I ride the clutch for a second. Worse thing is that the difference in distance in less than an inch.

I'm always adjusting it!

[V1.47fan]

I finally got my seat right after a year of messing with it. Also gone is the occasional first to second gear grind.

[Nawaaz]

Originally Posted by !Xoible

im 5'10" or 5'11" (depends how erect i am... j/k) i have every pushed the furthest back as long as my knee is slightly bent when i depress the clutch all the way in. i have everything set to lowest position, the back of the seat is kind of low, i have the steering wheel pulled back as much as i can, and as low as it can..

Originally Posted by MMMorish

I'm 5'7", 180lbs and I sit almost upright, slightly reclined. For me, it's the distance I can never figure out. If I'm too far, I jerk the car out of first. Too close, I ride the clutch for a second. Worse thing is that the difference in distance in less than an inch.

I'm always adjusting it!

I'm 6'10'' and 310 lbs. jk

[MJC///M3]

6'1".....220 lbs....

and boy....let me tell you...I sit gangsta.......idk...mabye its the bronx in me. hehe

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by MJC///M3

6'1".....220 lbs....

and boy....let me tell you...I sit gangsta.......idk...mabye its the bronx in me. hehe

I've always wanted to ask, doesn't sitting in a reclined position kill your visibility out of the car even at 6'1"?

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by skierman64

I've always wanted to ask, doesn't sitting in a reclined position kill your visibility out of the car even at 6'1"?

No. Your head is still way higher than the average driver. I tilt back a lot to get my head off the roof liner. So, even though I'm leaning way back, my head it still pretty high in the car.

Dave

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by dcstep

No. Your head is still way higher than the average driver. I tilt back a lot to get my head off the roof liner. So, even though I'm leaning way back, my head it still pretty high in the car.

Dave

I've seen guys that literally look like they're taking a nap and the seat is so reclined I'm not sure how they see over the steering wheel. It really looks unsafe to me.

[MrHarris]

Originally Posted by V1.47fan

I finally got my seat right after a year of messing with it. Also gone is the occasional first to second gear grind.

Your grinding just randomly went away?



Anyone else keep their seat "flat?" I'm not sure if the extra thigh support is needed because of the leg extender.

[MJC///M3]

Originally Posted by skierman64

I've always wanted to ask, doesn't sitting in a reclined position kill your visibility out of the car even at 6'1"?

well..its kind of funny....even though I am sitting all the way back...I still have my head and shoulders somewhat upright ya know...like my head isn't resting on the head rest. (not sure if I depicted a good visualization for ya there)

Thus I still have perfect visibility ....Idk why I do it...its just the way I have always drove...seat all the way back...and seat back way down.

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by MJC///M3

well..its kind of funny....even though I am sitting all the way back...I still have my head and shoulders somewhat upright ya know...like my head isn't resting on the head rest. (not sure if I depicted a good visualization for ya there)

Thus I still have perfect visibility ....Idk why I do it...its just the way I have always drove...seat all the way back...and seat back way down.

And I'm not trying to be critical, it just never looked comfortable or in the case of when I can only see the top of someones head above the window sill, unsafe.

[Blotman]

Most of this has been mentioned, but here it is. Straight from the horse's mouth during my session at the BMW Performance Center.

[AnthE93...09]

Bought my M3 (e93) 3 weeks ago,,,, every day ive changed the seating position at least a couple of times. Im very pleased to say, given your advice re small finger from ceiling and 45% I've finally found the right balance of total comfort and control (REALLY ....

For those interested, i added putting my hands an inch over the top of wheel with shoulders back, headrest within an inch level of the top of my head; 15-20 degree back tilt in chair, high raise on up angle of base at the knee end... final piece was to over inflate lumbar and release when comfortable, then do it again and stop 1 secs earlier as it takes time for the air to dispel.

Cant say how much more enjoyable it is to be totally comfortable in a new car.

[modkrazy]

You're lucky you're not taller. The seating position is a never-ending battle where I find a position that's kind of comfortable for a few months before I have to adjust stuff again. It's a combination of a shallow foot-well/short steering rack and a seat that has no support above the middle of my back. Or being 6'3" in a car built for apparently weedy little Germans. :P

Just keeping the seat close and upright is comfortable (and logical) for track use, but I think even on this forum no one is white enough to do that when just cruising.

Originally Posted by elp_jc

That's also why I have the seat cushion as far rearward as comfortable. And even levering myself in and out, I sometimes rub.

What brings me to my second post is this car should have the feature that slides the power seat all the way back when opening the door; that'd prevent rubbing on the bolsters wherever seat adjustment we have. BMW, are you listening? Good day folks.

The seat automatically adjusts to the first setting of whichever key you use to unlock it. I've programmed this first setting to have the seat all the way back, and the second setting is my actual driving position. So when I unlock the car with my key and open the door, the seat goes back. Benz had this feature (as you describe it) since the 90s. Get with it, BMW, sheesh.

[gspannu]

Originally Posted by Hellride

Both are fairly close though and have the undesired affect of rubbing on the outside bolster leather seam when getting in or out. I now get in the car like I'm 82 just to make sure I don't make the scuffing worse. Too lazy to move the seat back and forth, I guess.

Originally Posted by elp_jc

What brings me to my second post is this car should have the feature that slides the power seat all the way back when opening the door; that'd prevent rubbing on the bolsters wherever seat adjustment we have. BMW, are you listening? Good day folks.

Most modern BMW's with electric seats/ memory positions already have this feature !
It just needs to be coded in. Ask a coding expert to assist you and the seat will slide back on every exit. Get out easy, Lock the car, the seat stays in extended position. Unlock car, seat stays as is. As soon as you hit the ignition, seat starts to move forward and it will revert to your seating position. Voila !
This can be enabled on both driver & front passenger seat.

e.g. codes for F10 are

Enable the feature
SM > 3000 > EINAUSSTIEGSHILFE > Modus_FA_SLV

How much should the seat move back...
SM > 3012 EAH_VERFAHRWEG_SLV_PHYS 
default: 00, 3C ( 60mm)

How much gap from rear seat... (prevents rear passenger leg crushing !)
SM > 3012 EAH_SHUTZFREIRAUM_HINTEN_SLV_PHYS 
default: 00, 64 (10cm)

Similar codes are there for F8x/F3x...

So, BMW have actually thought about it - why this is not enabled by default is anyone's guess !

I guess, its because we have become a litigation society and this feature could be claimed by someone to have caused damage.

[saeedg48]

Recaro CS

[Flea7]

6-0 195lbs.

I find that on the lowest setting my seats are still too high.

[M3Dimi]

Originally Posted by MrHarris

How do you guys have your seating positioned?

I've had the car for almost 6 months, and sometimes I still feel my seat isn't positioned perfectly. I'm 5'9, 150lbs.

I feel the steering wheel is always a tad too far away from me but it's extended all the way out. I like to have the clutch in reach when my ankle is extended which creates this problem. Anyone have a solution to this? Do I just have to get closer and get used to something different?

Also, hows everyones seating height? Can you guys see the full length of the hood or just the bulge? My seat is currently at the lowest height setting, anyone else around my height do the same?

Anyone still trying to fine tune their perfect seating position? Please share your experiences or hints to a better seating/steering position!

Haha yes!!!!

It took me a while to figure mine out considering it was my first manual car lol!

I was sitting kind of mid height at first but recently I went as low as possible it all depends on if you got the perimeters of the car down on how low you can sit without worrying about what you can and can't see around you! At least that's what I think....

I'm 6'2 btw and as for how far away I sit well my steering wheel is extended as far out and I think one click down from the highest position and I kind of adjusted for that because that feels good for steering.

[M3Dimi]

Originally Posted by Flea7

6-0 195lbs.

I find that on the lowest setting my seats are still too high.

Yup lol I want Recaro cs seats but yea I want some other more useful things first before I go start dropping thousands on seats lol

[M43S7RO]

Only way to roll is way back like cadillac seats. Also hold my gun sideways like O-Dog.