Seat Height

JerezBlue! · 10-05-2007, 04:02 PM

Of all the small criticisms aimed at the M3 V8, the ONLY one I can't get out of my mind is the seat height thing. So, I need some help with this from those that now own or have driven the car. Please.

I had another M3 V8 test drive recently - at another dealer - and I just couldn't be sure whether the seat height was indeed irritatingly high as discussed in Autocar or whether it was actually ok; a couple of things came out of this:

1. In the article there was something to the effect that BMW were insisting there is extra squab (right word?) that will settle down and reduce the seat height over the first few weeks of ownership. What does this mean? Has anyone had this experience?

2. If the seat height is indeed a little high; i.e that you can't adjust it low enough then is this something BMW will fix in the early stages of production? If I get an early car then will it be something I can have BMW fix later? How would they fix it in any case?

I can normally get the seat height too low in most cars and then adjust upwards. In my test drive I could not do that. Your help would be most appreciated. I genuinely feel that there has not been enough clarification about this seat height issue (if there is one) - many thanks.

(EDIT: Can Admin Please Move This Thread to General?)

Sedan_Clan · 10-05-2007, 05:07 PM

I dunno man, this is entirely subjective. I don't recall any negative feedback from recent owner's reviews.

dgm3 · 10-06-2007, 03:18 AM

Agreed, this is quite subjective. I personnally think seat position is too high ...and I am not particularly tall. When I sat first in the demo car I though the seat position was somewhere in the middle while in fact it was at its lowest. And I doubt that they will change this in the future.
On the other hand I found the supposedly too thick steering wheel just perfect

03SG///M3 · 10-09-2007, 07:44 AM

I really hope they correct the seating position too if indeed it is too high. I found my stock seats in my E46 M3 to sit too high... I am much more comfortable sitting in a lower position like what my Recaro's offer. A E90 loaner car i recently drove did have a nice fairly low seating position... I have not sat in an E92 since spring so i can't compare.

mkoesel · 10-09-2007, 08:11 AM

Has it even been determined that the seat in the M3 is noticeably higher than the seat in the 335i or other 3 series?

I do doubt very much that it is. If it is, I would really like to know why. If it is not, then it's an absolute non-issue. Among thousands of current E9X owners, seat height complaints are all but non-existant.

Mike UK · 10-09-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgm3

Agreed, this is quite subjective. I personnally think seat position is too high ...and I am not particularly tall. When I sat first in the demo car I though the seat position was somewhere in the middle while in fact it was at its lowest. And I doubt that they will change this in the future.
On the other hand I found the supposedly too thick steering wheel just perfect

I agree with the others.

YOU sat in the car! Didn't you adjust the seat to suit you? Did YOU think it was too high or not/ comfortable or not?

A short person may find it too low, a tall person may find it too high.

apw2607 · 10-09-2007, 10:10 AM

I drove the the new M3 at the recent BMW event at the Nuremburgring. I currently own the E46 M3, and didn't notice any difference in seat height. Also, other complaints from the car reviewers were the steering wheel being too thick, and the notchy gear-shift. Both of which I found no problem whatsoever with.

mkoesel · 10-09-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apw2607

I drove the the new M3 at the recent BMW event at the Nuremburgring. I currently own the E46 M3, and didn't notice any difference in seat height. Also, other complaints from the car reviewers were the steering wheel being too thick, and the notchy gear-shift. Both of which I found no problem whatsoever with.

I personally like notchy gear boxes. I can understand some folks don't though.

But the steering wheel is another one - is it actually any thicker than the Sport (or MSport) wheel on a normal 3 series? Again, I doubt that it is. And again, complaints about this among owners are almost zero.

I will note that the wheel on my wife's car is thicker than that on my M3, and it is noticeable. But it's not too thick at all, and frankly I like her wheel better. And yes, I am aware that the E46 M3 wheel was thicker than the normal E46 3 series sport wheel. But I don't think that is the case this time around - they appear to be very close in thickness.

Filthy Monkey · 10-09-2007, 10:51 AM

I find the seat height to be fine. Can't really see what people are complaining about... As for the steering wheel, I think the thickness is fine, but the texture is a bit shit. It is waaaay too smooth and could really do with a more tactile feel. Something a little softer. I mentioned in my initial review that the gear box was a little notchy, but that seems to be improving with age, so no complaints from me!

ChrisW · 10-09-2007, 11:02 AM

Seat height fine for me (6') and I also don't know why this has been flagged up as a problem. The height of my seat could go lower so there's still a bit scope for those of you over 6'.

dgm3 · 10-09-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03SG///M3

I really hope they correct the seating position too if indeed it is too high. I found my stock seats in my E46 M3 to sit too high... I am much more comfortable sitting in a lower position like what my Recaro's offer. A E90 loaner car i recently drove did have a nice fairly low seating position... I have not sat in an E92 since spring so i can't compare.

I found the seating position of the E92 M3 similar or may be slightly higher than in my E46 M3. Since I consider, like you, the E46 seating position a little bit too high I was obviously not satisfied with the seating position of the E92.
That being said it is all about your expectations (in a M3 I personnally expect a sportier, lower seating position than in a regular 3 serie) and/or your reference (is your other car a X5 ...or a GT3 with buckets seats ?)

03SG///M3 · 10-09-2007, 01:59 PM

I have Recaro's in my E46 M3 which sit perfectly. I prefer a lower seating position. My other car is an X3 which i don't compare to my M3 although I wish that position was lower too.

The CSL · 10-09-2007, 05:10 PM

Could be the motors in the standard electric seats?

ilron · 10-11-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filthy Monkey

I find the seat height to be fine. Can't really see what people are complaining about... As for the steering wheel, I think the thickness is fine, but the texture is a bit shit. It is waaaay too smooth and could really do with a more tactile feel. Something a little softer. I mentioned in my initial review that the gear box was a little notchy, but that seems to be improving with age, so no complaints from me!

I concur. Now that I've taken delivery I can confirm that there is no problem with the seat height.

Steeringwheel thicknes is fine. Those who find it too thick must really have small hands or something.

The gearbox in the M3 on Nürburgring was notchy, but is smooth as silk on my own. I guess it may have something to do with what the test car had been put through on the ring.

EBuyuk · 10-11-2007, 10:18 AM

Below is what I wrote in the nurburgring experience thread. I think that this is where the problem is for some people. They sit too close.

"A lot of people have been asking the seat height. The conclusion I have come to from what I have seen is that when you sit in your comfortable driving position, the seat height is normal. When you sit in your "I wanna go fast" position (i.e. closer to the steering wheel) you seem to sit higher. In Alex's case as he liked to sit pretty close to the steering wheel in his racing position he almost touched the ceiling with his head. We were both about 6 feet/180cm tall."

malter2.0 · 01-24-2011, 05:19 PM

bringing this back up from dead

I also have noticed seat problem

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=480189

Matei · 01-24-2011, 05:44 PM

I thought that I was the only one feeling the seat position a little bit to high.
When I bought my car it was the first time I was sitting in a BMW 3 series. As I left the dealership I expected that the seat would go lower. Then I compared the sitting position with a friend taking picutures from the side of the car with one of us inside and indeed the seat postion is a little bit high. We compared them with a E46 M3 and Mercedes W204 C Class and the Merc had the lowest position. Of course it is not very concludent because of the door and depends where bottom line of the window but It also felt high compared with the floor in the car and also the head room. I wish a lower position in a car like the M3. I did not try to take of the seat to see if something can be done but I doubt is possible to modify without a seat change.

malter2.0 · 01-24-2011, 05:46 PM

Well, for me this will be an absolute deal breaker. It has been two weeks and I can't stand sitting this high. I feel that I would be vulnerable in case of whiplash (my forehead is one inch away from the sunvisor). It is absolutely ridiculous design of seats...

When my arms are fully extended, my palms clear(go over the top of the steering wheel) the steering wheel, which is the correct seating position as instructed in driving schools.

rituald · 01-24-2011, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malter2.0

Well, for me this will be an absolute deal breaker. It has been two weeks and I can't stand sitting this high. I feel that I would be vulnerable in case of whiplash (my forehead is one inch away from the sunvisor). It is absolutely ridiculous design of seats...

When my arms are fully extended, my palms clear(go over the top of the steering wheel) the steering wheel, which is the correct seating position as instructed in driving schools.

You must be all torso! I'm 6'6" and fit OK (at my height very few cars will be perfect) in my friend's E92 335, good in my current E90 and hopefully about the same in my E92 M3. My hair brushes slightly in the E92 335 because of the sunroof, but this will be solved hopefully with a CF roof in the M.

It is ridiculous that BMW didn't make the seats go a bit lower though, Porsche does this beautifully.

jonasaurus · 01-24-2011, 06:09 PM

I noticed the seat height too and I've got it set at minimum (and im only 5'8") that being said my previous car was a 997S so there are significant differences.

Despite all that its not a deal breaker for me and think i've become accustomed to it now. Wonder if the BMW Performance reclining buckets are significantly lower and/or able to adjust height?

Sedan_Clan · 01-24-2011, 06:44 PM

My manual/power M3 seats seem to go a tad bit lower than the full power seats.

LateBraking · 01-24-2011, 06:55 PM

I recall a similar thread and a similar discussion on this forum in the past, there was one person who DIY'd a "knotch" into their seat lowering gear which gave them additional headroom....said person never provided any details or photographs or information beyond the fact that it could be done. But yes, the height is a problem, and I would be interested in possible solutions.

Hell, maybe we could all band together and request that a parts manufacturer made lowering rails for the OEM seats or something....wouldn't that be nice....

10-05-2007, 04:02 PM	#1
JerezBlue! Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 289 Posts Drives: BMW M3 V8 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Seat Height - Is It A Problem? Of all the small criticisms aimed at the M3 V8, the ONLY one I can't get out of my mind is the seat height thing. So, I need some help with this from those that now own or have driven the car. Please. I had another M3 V8 test drive recently - at another dealer - and I just couldn't be sure whether the seat height was indeed irritatingly high as discussed in Autocar or whether it was actually ok; a couple of things came out of this: 1. In the article there was something to the effect that BMW were insisting there is extra squab (right word?) that will settle down and reduce the seat height over the first few weeks of ownership. What does this mean? Has anyone had this experience? 2. If the seat height is indeed a little high; i.e that you can't adjust it low enough then is this something BMW will fix in the early stages of production? If I get an early car then will it be something I can have BMW fix later? How would they fix it in any case? I can normally get the seat height too low in most cars and then adjust upwards. In my test drive I could not do that. Your help would be most appreciated. I genuinely feel that there has not been enough clarification about this seat height issue (if there is one) - many thanks. (EDIT: Can Admin Please Move This Thread to General?)
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10-05-2007, 05:07 PM	#2
Sedan_Clan Law Enforcer 30152 Rep 23,409 Posts Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ..in your rearview!!! iTrader: (26)	I dunno man, this is entirely subjective. I don't recall any negative feedback from recent owner's reviews.
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10-06-2007, 03:18 AM	#3
dgm3 Second Lieutenant 406 Rep 281 Posts Drives: M3 E36/E46 M2C Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Agreed, this is quite subjective. I personnally think seat position is too high ...and I am not particularly tall. When I sat first in the demo car I though the seat position was somewhere in the middle while in fact it was at its lowest. And I doubt that they will change this in the future. On the other hand I found the supposedly too thick steering wheel just perfect
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10-09-2007, 07:44 AM	#4
03SG///M3 Lieutenant 85 Rep 579 Posts Drives: 328 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I really hope they correct the seating position too if indeed it is too high. I found my stock seats in my E46 M3 to sit too high... I am much more comfortable sitting in a lower position like what my Recaro's offer. A E90 loaner car i recently drove did have a nice fairly low seating position... I have not sat in an E92 since spring so i can't compare.
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10-09-2007, 08:11 AM	#5
mkoesel Moderator 7498 Rep 19,366 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	Has it even been determined that the seat in the M3 is noticeably higher than the seat in the 335i or other 3 series? I do doubt very much that it is. If it is, I would really like to know why. If it is not, then it's an absolute non-issue. Among thousands of current E9X owners, seat height complaints are all but non-existant.
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10-09-2007, 10:10 AM	#7
apw2607 Colonel 766 Rep 2,308 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 50e M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Coast, USA iTrader: (0)	I drove the the new M3 at the recent BMW event at the Nuremburgring. I currently own the E46 M3, and didn't notice any difference in seat height. Also, other complaints from the car reviewers were the steering wheel being too thick, and the notchy gear-shift. Both of which I found no problem whatsoever with.
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10-09-2007, 10:51 AM	#9
Filthy Monkey Private First Class 30 Rep 193 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I find the seat height to be fine. Can't really see what people are complaining about... As for the steering wheel, I think the thickness is fine, but the texture is a bit shit. It is waaaay too smooth and could really do with a more tactile feel. Something a little softer. I mentioned in my initial review that the gear box was a little notchy, but that seems to be improving with age, so no complaints from me!
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10-09-2007, 11:02 AM	#10
ChrisW Enlisted Member 12 Rep 35 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North East England iTrader: (0)	Seat height fine for me (6') and I also don't know why this has been flagged up as a problem. The height of my seat could go lower so there's still a bit scope for those of you over 6'.
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10-09-2007, 01:59 PM	#12
03SG///M3 Lieutenant 85 Rep 579 Posts Drives: 328 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I have Recaro's in my E46 M3 which sit perfectly. I prefer a lower seating position. My other car is an X3 which i don't compare to my M3 although I wish that position was lower too.
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10-09-2007, 05:10 PM	#13
The CSL For the love of ///M3 20 Rep 660 Posts Drives: Peugeot 306 XSI 16v Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Plymouth, UK iTrader: (0)	Could be the motors in the standard electric seats? __________________ www.themotorforum.co.uk
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10-11-2007, 10:18 AM	#15
EBuyuk Private 14 Rep 95 Posts Drives: E60 M5 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Istanbul iTrader: (0)	Below is what I wrote in the nurburgring experience thread. I think that this is where the problem is for some people. They sit too close. "A lot of people have been asking the seat height. The conclusion I have come to from what I have seen is that when you sit in your comfortable driving position, the seat height is normal. When you sit in your "I wanna go fast" position (i.e. closer to the steering wheel) you seem to sit higher. In Alex's case as he liked to sit pretty close to the steering wheel in his racing position he almost touched the ceiling with his head. We were both about 6 feet/180cm tall."
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01-24-2011, 05:19 PM	#16
malter2.0 Banned 74 Rep 908 Posts Drives: em-funf Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2000 E39 M5 - current [0.00] 2007 E92 335i - SOLD [0.00] 1996 E36 M3-SOLD [0.00] 2000 E39 M5-SOLD [0.00] 2001 E46 M3-SOLD [0.00] 1995 E36 M3-SOLD [0.00]	bringing this back up from dead I also have noticed seat problem http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=480189
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01-24-2011, 05:44 PM	#17
Matei Private First Class 16 Rep 146 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bucharest iTrader: (0)	I thought that I was the only one feeling the seat position a little bit to high. When I bought my car it was the first time I was sitting in a BMW 3 series. As I left the dealership I expected that the seat would go lower. Then I compared the sitting position with a friend taking picutures from the side of the car with one of us inside and indeed the seat postion is a little bit high. We compared them with a E46 M3 and Mercedes W204 C Class and the Merc had the lowest position. Of course it is not very concludent because of the door and depends where bottom line of the window but It also felt high compared with the floor in the car and also the head room. I wish a lower position in a car like the M3. I did not try to take of the seat to see if something can be done but I doubt is possible to modify without a seat change.
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01-24-2011, 05:46 PM	#18
malter2.0 Banned 74 Rep 908 Posts Drives: em-funf Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2000 E39 M5 - current [0.00] 2007 E92 335i - SOLD [0.00] 1996 E36 M3-SOLD [0.00] 2000 E39 M5-SOLD [0.00] 2001 E46 M3-SOLD [0.00] 1995 E36 M3-SOLD [0.00]	Well, for me this will be an absolute deal breaker. It has been two weeks and I can't stand sitting this high. I feel that I would be vulnerable in case of whiplash (my forehead is one inch away from the sunvisor). It is absolutely ridiculous design of seats... When my arms are fully extended, my palms clear(go over the top of the steering wheel) the steering wheel, which is the correct seating position as instructed in driving schools.
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01-24-2011, 06:09 PM	#20
jonasaurus Brigadier General 79 Rep 3,178 Posts Drives: E90 M3 [Sold] Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	I noticed the seat height too and I've got it set at minimum (and im only 5'8") that being said my previous car was a 997S so there are significant differences. Despite all that its not a deal breaker for me and think i've become accustomed to it now. Wonder if the BMW Performance reclining buckets are significantly lower and/or able to adjust height? __________________ ///M3 \| E90 LCI \| Space Grey \| Fox Red with CF Structure \| 6MT \| 260M \| My build
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01-24-2011, 06:44 PM	#21
Sedan_Clan Law Enforcer 30152 Rep 23,409 Posts Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ..in your rearview!!! iTrader: (26)	My manual/power M3 seats seem to go a tad bit lower than the full power seats.
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01-24-2011, 06:55 PM	#22
LateBraking Brigadier General 357 Rep 3,880 Posts Drives: Relatively Quick. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.S.A. iTrader: (27)	I recall a similar thread and a similar discussion on this forum in the past, there was one person who DIY'd a "knotch" into their seat lowering gear which gave them additional headroom....said person never provided any details or photographs or information beyond the fact that it could be done. But yes, the height is a problem, and I would be interested in possible solutions. Hell, maybe we could all band together and request that a parts manufacturer made lowering rails for the OEM seats or something....wouldn't that be nice....
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