F3x Seating Position and Controls

erroberts1 · 11-09-2015, 04:04 PM

Does anyone else have a hard time finding a good seating position that still allows you to comfortably access the window controls and iDrive?

I'm about 5'11", 32" sleeve, 32" inseam, pretty regular proportions I guess, but I find myself having to "chicken wing" in order to properly use the controls in the car based on where I normally sit. This is especially bad with the window controls, and I have to curl my wrist in order to reach them. I like to keep my knees bent slightly and have the steering wheel pushed all the way forward.

Last night I moved the seat back and telescoped the steering wheel outward a little bit and while I have better access to some controls, I find myself reaching a little too much for the radio/HVAC area and just feel too far away from everything. I'm wondering if I'll just get used to it, but for now it's super weird.

Is there a balance? Are the controls awkwardly positioned for anyone else?

BavarianFanatic · 11-09-2015, 04:25 PM

Try raising the seat a bit.

auf Deutsch · 11-09-2015, 04:57 PM

The optimal driving position is:

Have your seat pulled close enough to the wheel whereby a 90° angle is formed at your elbows as your hands are at 9 and 3. You should be able to rest your wrists on the top of the steering wheel with your arms extended. I have the wheel completely telescoped toward me so that my legs have room.

This gets some getting used to but, you'll have a lot more control over the car's handling and hopefully it's interior controls as well.

tturedraider · 11-09-2015, 05:38 PM

awyongcarl · 11-10-2015, 12:31 AM

Yep, I had a lot of trial and errors with the seating position cause I can never seems to get a proper seating positions, while maintaining a clear view of the instrument cluster.

Took me like 2 or 3 weeks to get used to it. I'm 170cm and I had to use the lowest seating position so that I can see the instrument cluster in full view without the M Steering wheel blocking it. It was pretty frustrating honestly.

Never had such problem with my E46.

Dang3r · 11-10-2015, 03:33 AM

I meanwhile have a position for short rides and one for long distances.
On short the seat is more high, backrest more up and closer to the wheel, on long more down, farer away and backrest more tilted. Setted onto the memory buttons, so its a quick shifting.

DJ Rocc · 11-10-2015, 02:14 PM

Yeah I have my seat in the highest position, gives much more control and visibility. Before, I was sitting wayyyy too low, and wondering, "why am I so short in this vehicle" LOL

11-09-2015, 04:04 PM	#1
erroberts1 Private First Class 34 Rep 143 Posts Drives: Imperial Blue F36 428i Join Date: May 2014 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	F3x Seating Position and Controls Does anyone else have a hard time finding a good seating position that still allows you to comfortably access the window controls and iDrive? I'm about 5'11", 32" sleeve, 32" inseam, pretty regular proportions I guess, but I find myself having to "chicken wing" in order to properly use the controls in the car based on where I normally sit. This is especially bad with the window controls, and I have to curl my wrist in order to reach them. I like to keep my knees bent slightly and have the steering wheel pushed all the way forward. Last night I moved the seat back and telescoped the steering wheel outward a little bit and while I have better access to some controls, I find myself reaching a little too much for the radio/HVAC area and just feel too far away from everything. I'm wondering if I'll just get used to it, but for now it's super weird. Is there a balance? Are the controls awkwardly positioned for anyone else?
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11-09-2015, 04:25 PM	#2
BavarianFanatic Too much is never enough 655 Rep 3,079 Posts Drives: Too Many Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	Try raising the seat a bit.
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11-09-2015, 04:57 PM	#3
auf Deutsch Colonel 1913 Rep 2,210 Posts Drives: '17 jackrabbit on crystal meth Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Philly burbs iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M2 [0.00]	The optimal driving position is: Have your seat pulled close enough to the wheel whereby a 90° angle is formed at your elbows as your hands are at 9 and 3. You should be able to rest your wrists on the top of the steering wheel with your arms extended. I have the wheel completely telescoped toward me so that my legs have room. This gets some getting used to but, you'll have a lot more control over the car's handling and hopefully it's interior controls as well. __________________ 2017 BSM M2\|6MT\|Exec\|black kidneys and gills\|full alcantara wheel\|CF spoiler\|Dinan Stage 4\|Dinan COI\|Dinan free flow exhaust with resonator delete\|Fabspeed sport cat DP\|BMS clutch stop\|465 bhp\|4.75/5 stars retired: 2014 435xi\|MPPK\|335 bhp\|3/5 stars
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11-09-2015, 05:38 PM	#4
tturedraider Major General 4975 Rep 6,241 Posts Drives: 2018 340i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago, Edgewater (via Texas & Tennessee) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [9.38] 2020 BMW M340i xDrive [10.00] 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.00] 2006 BMW 330i Sport [4.50] 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [7.25] 2000 BMW 328i [6.00]	__________________ www.bmwcca.org member #388003 - Use me as a referral & you could win a one day ///M Driving School!! ___________________________________________
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11-10-2015, 12:31 AM	#5
awyongcarl Private 16 Rep 72 Posts Drives: F30 320d M Sport Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Yep, I had a lot of trial and errors with the seating position cause I can never seems to get a proper seating positions, while maintaining a clear view of the instrument cluster. Took me like 2 or 3 weeks to get used to it. I'm 170cm and I had to use the lowest seating position so that I can see the instrument cluster in full view without the M Steering wheel blocking it. It was pretty frustrating honestly. Never had such problem with my E46.
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11-10-2015, 03:33 AM	#6
Dang3r Schmollbraten 12512 Rep 1,985 Posts Drives: M4CPC // HP4 Comp. Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Liandri Central Core iTrader: (0)	I meanwhile have a position for short rides and one for long distances. On short the seat is more high, backrest more up and closer to the wheel, on long more down, farer away and backrest more tilted. Setted onto the memory buttons, so its a quick shifting. __________________ Citizen of ///M - Town, where too much is just right Some say, that my scrotum has its own small gravity field and when Im slowing down that brake lights come on at my buttox
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11-10-2015, 02:14 PM	#7
DJ Rocc Major 199 Rep 1,114 Posts Drives: BMW 428i Gran Coupe (2015) Join Date: May 2014 Location: Kingston, Jamaica iTrader: (0)	Yeah I have my seat in the highest position, gives much more control and visibility. Before, I was sitting wayyyy too low, and wondering, "why am I so short in this vehicle" LOL __________________ My Ride! : 2015 428i GC (F36) - MSport, Alpine, Black Leather, MBrakes, Adaptive, Sport Seats, Hex. Alum w/Piano, HK Sound, 400m's, Comfort Acc. When I’m not Driving: https://youtube.com/shorts/ViKD_Hj5htE?feature=share
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