Driving Position

CaptSlow27 · 12-20-2019, 05:23 PM

I am still trying to find the right driving position. I have never owned an SUV before. In cars, I generally put the seat as far down as it will go (I’m 6 foot with a long torso). Then I will extend the wheel pretty far toward me, so I have some bend on my elbows and set it so it’s about a few inches above my legs. In the X3M, I am having trouble finding a position that I feel comfortable in, so I thought I would ping the group.

On an unrelated note, I find it hilarious that this car lifts a wheel when going into some driveways!

Best,
James

psuibmw · 12-20-2019, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptSlow27

I am still trying to find the right driving position. I have never owned an SUV before. In cars, I generally put the seat as far down as it will go (I’m 6 foot with a long torso). Then I will extend the wheel pretty far toward me, so I have some bend on my elbows and set it so it’s about a few inches above my legs. In the X3M, I am having trouble finding a position that I feel comfortable in, so I thought I would ping the group.

On an unrelated note, I find it hilarious that this car lifts a wheel when going into some driveways!

Best,
James

What does lift a wheel mean

CaptSlow27 · 12-20-2019, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psuibmw

What does lift a wheel mean

Like this, only different

Waterbelly · 12-20-2019, 09:48 PM

Not sure which seats you have, but I have an X3MC and find it helpful to have the seat back more upright than I have in other cars. I think the upper part of the seat and headrest lays too far away from the base on mine.

Also, if you slam the seat in to its lowest position you are effectively bolting it to the floor and losing most of the "suspension" that is built in to the seat base. Which makes the ride significantly more stiff. I think this is the problem with many of the reviews - they jump in the SUV, think it is a sports car so try to get as low as possible, slam the seat down, and then complain about the ride comfort.

My 2 cents.

r33_RGSport · 12-20-2019, 10:03 PM

I was having the same issue the first couple days.

I always put my seat all the way down on all my car. I am also 6ft with somewhat longer torso.

With this X3MC, I have to raise it about 1-2" from the lowest setting. Or until your eye level is a tad lower from center of the windshield vertically.
Back rest is almost straight up where it takes about 2-3" lean back to have my head touching the headrest.
Then steering wheel is about 1-2" pulled so my elbow about 100° bend.
Seat forward until my foot on the brake pedal about 100° bend.

It is pretty much semi aggressive semi alert seating position.
I have another setting which is more aggressive for track.

At first the height bothered me, because I never drove a BMW where I can see the top of the dash.
Not even in my F15 X5.

But, I am used to it now, because with this, I can see all over with a minimum blind spot and can turn and brake at split second.

sayemthree · 12-20-2019, 10:30 PM

Have you ever done a bmw or cca school ? They teach u how to find the right driving position.

AlexFL · 12-20-2019, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterbelly

Not sure which seats you have, but I have an X3MC and find it helpful to have the seat back more upright than I have in other cars. I think the upper part of the seat and headrest lays too far away from the base on mine.

Also, if you slam the seat in to its lowest position you are effectively bolting it to the floor and losing most of the "suspension" that is built in to the seat base. Which makes the ride significantly more stiff. I think this is the problem with many of the reviews - they jump in the SUV, think it is a sports car so try to get as low as possible, slam the seat down, and then complain about the ride comfort.

My 2 cents.

What is this mysterious “seat suspension” you mentioned? Does it really exist in X3M? I only know it from mountain bikes and motorcycles...

kzg1969 · 12-21-2019, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

I was having the same issue the first couple days.

i went through this in the F31 as well - could never get it right. I think in the end it was me that adjusted!!! X3M is similar.

At least when it does happen, the seat memory will ensure i never loose it

moff · 12-21-2019, 03:56 PM

My seat is as low as it can go and my steering wheel as close as it can be. Legs not straight but in a decent position. Wrists can pretty much rest on the steering wheel. I have the recline quite upright.

ScottyRyan2019 · 12-21-2019, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterbelly

Not sure which seats you have, but I have an X3MC and find it helpful to have the seat back more upright than I have in other cars. I think the upper part of the seat and headrest lays too far away from the base on mine.

Also, if you slam the seat in to its lowest position you are effectively bolting it to the floor and losing most of the "suspension" that is built in to the seat base. Which makes the ride significantly more stiff. I think this is the problem with many of the reviews - they jump in the SUV, think it is a sports car so try to get as low as possible, slam the seat down, and then complain about the ride comfort.

My 2 cents.

Huh?

AlexFL · 12-21-2019, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottyRyan2019

Huh?

Yeah, there is no such thing.

AlpineWhite_SJ · 12-22-2019, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptSlow27

On an unrelated note, I find it hilarious that this car lifts a wheel when going into some driveways!

Stiff suspension and good torsional rigidity will do that. Happens in my F80 as well...

Zero71 · 01-01-2020, 04:31 AM

I’m still playing with mine, but I aim to have my vision in the middle of the windscreen, I expect it to be a bit high as I’m in a SUV. I may try it lower.

I’ve not settled on back angle yet - on previous cars I adjusted it until I felt like I had good support across my back, especially lumbar. The non lumbar 430 seats were more comfy that the lumbar equipped 320 seats I had before. I’m not convinced in the lumbar in the X3MC seats either. I can see me ending up more upright.

Biggest issue I have is the headrest. On the past two BMWs over 6 years, we were able to tilt the top of the front headrests forwards, so in driving position your head was supported. Having now support, only restraint, is a real step back - as a passenger my wife hates that. It’s just too far back to lean back and relax without neck strain. It’s also too tall. I’m 6’ 1” and leave the headrest in lowest setting, which is great for me and looks good, but for my wife you is around 5pm 7” it’s less than ideal, her head rests on or just above the recessed M logo. It’s like they designed these for NBA players.

I also find the seats narrow. Seat base is acceptable, though oddly I’m less comfortable as a passenger. Seat back is odd, it’s like there’s a narrow cushion running down your spine, but your sides are over a void between the seat back and the side bolsters. Overall width is fine, the bolsters don’t get in the way, aside from I find the passenger one slightly off.

Does anyone pull the seat base extender forwards? I never have, cosmetically it looks odd, but these seat bases are quite short. Is there an advantage?

Like RGSport, I pulled my wheel out an inch or so and centered it to the instrument cluster. More comfortable reach and actually much better visibility of cluster edges that were partly obscured when all the way in.

12-20-2019, 05:23 PM	#1
CaptSlow27 Private 19 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 2020 X3M Comp Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Driving Position I am still trying to find the right driving position. I have never owned an SUV before. In cars, I generally put the seat as far down as it will go (I’m 6 foot with a long torso). Then I will extend the wheel pretty far toward me, so I have some bend on my elbows and set it so it’s about a few inches above my legs. In the X3M, I am having trouble finding a position that I feel comfortable in, so I thought I would ping the group. On an unrelated note, I find it hilarious that this car lifts a wheel when going into some driveways! Best, James Last edited by CaptSlow27; 12-20-2019 at 06:06 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-20-2019, 09:48 PM	#4
Waterbelly Second Lieutenant 177 Rep 202 Posts Drives: 2020 X3M Comp Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Not sure which seats you have, but I have an X3MC and find it helpful to have the seat back more upright than I have in other cars. I think the upper part of the seat and headrest lays too far away from the base on mine. Also, if you slam the seat in to its lowest position you are effectively bolting it to the floor and losing most of the "suspension" that is built in to the seat base. Which makes the ride significantly more stiff. I think this is the problem with many of the reviews - they jump in the SUV, think it is a sports car so try to get as low as possible, slam the seat down, and then complain about the ride comfort. My 2 cents.
	Appreciate 1 Craig 1527232.50 Quote

12-20-2019, 10:03 PM	#5
r33_RGSport General 12971 Rep 18,716 Posts Drives: G09 XM, G05 X5 40, 991.2 T Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (6)	I was having the same issue the first couple days. I always put my seat all the way down on all my car. I am also 6ft with somewhat longer torso. With this X3MC, I have to raise it about 1-2" from the lowest setting. Or until your eye level is a tad lower from center of the windshield vertically. Back rest is almost straight up where it takes about 2-3" lean back to have my head touching the headrest. Then steering wheel is about 1-2" pulled so my elbow about 100° bend. Seat forward until my foot on the brake pedal about 100° bend. It is pretty much semi aggressive semi alert seating position. I have another setting which is more aggressive for track. At first the height bothered me, because I never drove a BMW where I can see the top of the dash. Not even in my F15 X5. But, I am used to it now, because with this, I can see all over with a minimum blind spot and can turn and brake at split second. __________________ Email:sales@rgsport.com \| IG:RGSport_USA \| Web:RGSportShop.com PM for Everyday DEALS!! MSS • iSweep • RaceChip • Sterckenn • AutoTecknic • Akrapovic • Vossen Wheels • Eventuri Active Autowerke • KW • H&R • Ohlins • Remus • and more...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2019, 10:30 PM	#6
sayemthree Major General 597 Rep 5,448 Posts Drives: ‘20 X3mC ‘20 Raptor ‘04 X3 6mt Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa so cal , AZ iTrader: (0)	Have you ever done a bmw or cca school ? They teach u how to find the right driving position. __________________ Fore Sale Rare 6 speed manual X3 3.oi silver over grey. PM me
	Appreciate 1 r33_RGSport12971.00 Quote

12-21-2019, 03:56 PM	#9
moff Colonel 1363 Rep 2,495 Posts Drives: X4M Competition Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nottingham GB iTrader: (0)	My seat is as low as it can go and my steering wheel as close as it can be. Legs not straight but in a decent position. Wrists can pretty much rest on the steering wheel. I have the recline quite upright. __________________ Arrived! 2022 X4M Competition, SPY + Black Merino Gone: 2019 X3M Competition, Toronto Red, Adelaide Grey.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-01-2020, 04:31 AM	#13
Zero71 👽 207 Rep 668 Posts Drives: X3MC Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	I’m still playing with mine, but I aim to have my vision in the middle of the windscreen, I expect it to be a bit high as I’m in a SUV. I may try it lower. I’ve not settled on back angle yet - on previous cars I adjusted it until I felt like I had good support across my back, especially lumbar. The non lumbar 430 seats were more comfy that the lumbar equipped 320 seats I had before. I’m not convinced in the lumbar in the X3MC seats either. I can see me ending up more upright. Biggest issue I have is the headrest. On the past two BMWs over 6 years, we were able to tilt the top of the front headrests forwards, so in driving position your head was supported. Having now support, only restraint, is a real step back - as a passenger my wife hates that. It’s just too far back to lean back and relax without neck strain. It’s also too tall. I’m 6’ 1” and leave the headrest in lowest setting, which is great for me and looks good, but for my wife you is around 5pm 7” it’s less than ideal, her head rests on or just above the recessed M logo. It’s like they designed these for NBA players. I also find the seats narrow. Seat base is acceptable, though oddly I’m less comfortable as a passenger. Seat back is odd, it’s like there’s a narrow cushion running down your spine, but your sides are over a void between the seat back and the side bolsters. Overall width is fine, the bolsters don’t get in the way, aside from I find the passenger one slightly off. Does anyone pull the seat base extender forwards? I never have, cosmetically it looks odd, but these seat bases are quite short. Is there an advantage? Like RGSport, I pulled my wheel out an inch or so and centered it to the instrument cluster. More comfortable reach and actually much better visibility of cluster edges that were partly obscured when all the way in.
	Appreciate 0 Quote