Seat not directly behind steering wheel??

[Blue335]

Hi folks,

I'm a regular member of the 3 series forum but this is my first post here. I did a "search" but didn't find this on your forum -- though I'm surprised. So apologies in advance, and thanks for taking a question from a forum visitor.

Although I'm a happy 335 driver, I have to admit that I've been lusting after a 135 -- the idea of the same engine in a smaller and (slightly) lighter body sounds great to me. In many ways it seems like the smaller, lighter 1er is a bit closer to what I love about BMWs -- small, light, rocketship.

Anyway, yesterday I was in a dealer so I sat in a 135 for the first time. When I sat in the driver's seat, I had this strange sensation that I wasn't located in the correct position, right behind the steering wheel. My eyes seemed to be right across from the Tach -- rather than between the speedo and the tach. The steering wheel seemed to be off to the left; the roundel wasn't directly in front of my eyes either.

1) Was I just imagining this -- dazzled by the beauty of the 1?
2) If this is true, does it take a long time to adjust to this? (it seems weird to me.)

Thoughts would be appreciated -- :)

[Tom K.]

Hi folks,

I'm a regular member of the 3 series forum but this is my first post here. I did a "search" but didn't find this on your forum -- though I'm surprised. So apologies in advance, and thanks for taking a question from a forum visitor.

Although I'm a happy 335 driver, I have to admit that I've been lusting after a 135 -- the idea of the same engine in a smaller and (slightly) lighter body sounds great to me. In many ways it seems like the smaller, lighter 1er is a bit closer to what I love about BMWs -- small, light, rocketship.

Anyway, yesterday I was in a dealer so I sat in a 135 for the first time. When I sat in the driver's seat, I had this strange sensation that I wasn't located in the correct position, right behind the steering wheel. My eyes seemed to be right across from the Tach -- rather than between the speedo and the tach. The steering wheel seemed to be off to the left; the roundel wasn't directly in front of my eyes either.

1) Was I just imagining this -- dazzled by the beauty of the 1?
2) If this is true, does it take a long time to adjust to this? (it seems weird to me.)

Thoughts would be appreciated -- :)

Must not be an issue as I never noticed it in 3,000 miles on my 128i Cv. - until you brought the subject up! You are correct; there is a slight bias to the right which may be compounded by the center dash which angles toward the driver. It may also have to do with the car being a bit narrower than the 3.
At any rate, it has not diminished my enjoyment of the car at all.
Tom

[Blue335]

Must not be an issue as I never noticed it in 3,000 miles on my 128i Cv. - until you brought the subject up! You are correct; there is a slight bias to the right which may be compounded by the center dash which angles toward the driver. It may also have to do with the car being a bit narrower than the 3.
At any rate, it has not diminished my enjoyment of the car at all.
Tom

Hi Tom -- Thanks for the reply.

I'm not sure why this was so jarring to me when I sat down, but it was. It felt to me like the seat was off-center by at least 2-3 inches -- and that the steering wheel was therefore noticeably off to my left. It was a very strange sensation.

I wonder if anyone on this board who sells Bimmers or services them knows how far "offset" the driver's seat is relative to the steering wheel and instrument panel??

I sat in a Z4 and did NOT have that sensation. Is that a wider car than the 1? If not, I wonder why they had to do this in the 1??

Did any of you other 1er owners notice this (or are Tom and I imagining things?)? Does it bug you other 1er drivers???

[Tom K.]

According to the BMWNA website, the Z4 has 6" less overall width than the 1, although frankly, it really doesn't feel like it to me while driving (I traded a Z4 for my 128i conv.). Naturally, there is noticably more interior room in the 1er.

It does seem to me that the seat isn't really offset in it's placement, but that the driver seems to be angled a bit by the seat orientation. (Of course, this could be entirely subjective on my part.). Also, the position of the adjustable side supports may affect things as well.

Blue, I'm definitely not happy with you for bringing this up:p

Tom

[superstock]

BMW probably reused quite a few components in building the 1 series and therefore sacrifices had to be made.

I got quite the same sensation while sitting in the car; it is a bit off. It is probably only an inch or so, maybe less. But once you notice it it is impossible to ignore.

[Blue335]

BMW probably reused quite a few components in building the 1 series and therefore sacrifices had to be made.

I got quite the same sensation while sitting in the car; it is a bit off. It is probably only an inch or so, maybe less. But once you notice it it is impossible to ignore.

We need one of those "men in black" memory zappers to cleanse the memories of anyone who read my unfortunate posts on this!! :)

Here's a falsehood that might help: Oh, I sat in the car again, and it turns out there is no offset -- I was just leaning to the right. Nevermind! (will that help undo the damage??)

[kjboyd]

the first time i sat in an X3 i felt the same way, like the seat was angled so that I was actually looking to the left pillar rather than straight out the window, and the steering wheel wasn't centered on the seat either.

[Kzang]

I noticed this on my 5'er... and I thought I was losing it until I read this thread. :)

[Tom K.]

Of course, it could be that our cars are perfectly symmetrical and we are the ones who are lopsided!
Tom

[ProRail]

We need one of those "men in black" memory zappers to cleanse the memories of anyone who read my unfortunate posts on this!! :)

Here's a falsehood that might help: Oh, I sat in the car again, and it turns out there is no offset -- I was just leaning to the right. Nevermind! (will that help undo the damage??)

Nope. It will appear again and again forever on this forum and every other car forum. It's looking shooting a gun. You can never get that bullet back.

[blueguydotcom]

I have this sensation in the e46 and e90 too - owned both. The steering wheel feels like it's slightly pointed to the right. Shrug. Only get this feeling in BMW cars.

[BlackJetE90]

Jeremy Clarkson on the 135i coupe.

Quote: "The seats are bang-on, as is the driving position."

[blueguydotcom]

Jeremy Clarkson on the 135i coupe.

Quote: "The seats are bang-on, as is the driving position."

I think Clarkson's a great entertainer. That's all he is. Here's a bit from his review of the GTI -

"You can just go into any corner at any speed and the chassis just copes. It's brilliant...It's a riot. "

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/829397/jeremy_clarkson_review_the_golf_gti/

[mitchd]

I've had my 135 for about 3 weeks now (first bimmer) and in about 1800 miles I still haven't worked out how to sit in the thing.

The seat seems to be angled toward the center. I noticed one day last week while driving home from work that my back was *on* the right bolster and the left bolster was against my side. But, in this position I feel like I'm parallel with the front axle. If I sit between the bolsters, I feel like my left side is slightly more forward. Oddly enough, in this orientation my clutch leg also has slightly more reach than my gas/brake leg. Maybe that's the point?

Either way, a 6 speed bimmer with sport seats does not reward people with lazy postures. :cry: I expected that, but I don't think I realized just how lazy I am!

[SJAPoc]

Clarkson is a riot :D Nice review of the GTI.

[natantheone]

Well i got in my 1er after reading this post and got this strange sensation that yall need to stop smoking that mary jane!

[jsc]

The E46, E90 and E85 (Z4M) all have slightly offset steering wheels (I've owned/own all 3). Up to about 3cm. Pretty well the norm for all cars these days due to combination of effects due to things such as front wheel well width, crash requirements, seat and console packaging, etc. Even if the centre of the wheel lines up with the centre of the seat, the plane of the wheel and cant of the seat may cause them to be misaligned.

[henry_desmond]

I've owned my e46 since march and still can't find a good seating position.... it seems to be off...