[BimmerGuyFL]

After looking at and sitting in the back seat of the new F10 5-series I felt as if something felt wrong or something was off. I have noticed a new trend with the newer BMW's (F10 5-series and F25 X3) the rear seat bench sits lower than the previous models (E60 5-series and first Gen X3) with this new trend the rear seat comfort doesn't have the same support due to your knee's riding up higher and not having the same thigh support under your knee's. Guess since with the new lower sloping rooflines they had to set the bench lower in order to preserve rear headroom. Even sitting in the back seat of my E90 sedan feels more comfortable than that of the new 5-series and X3.

[indus]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

After looking at and sitting in the back seat of the new F10 5-series I felt as if something felt wrong or something was off. I have noticed a new trend with the newer BMW's (F10 5-series and F25 X3) the rear seat bench sits lower than the previous models (E60 5-series and first Gen X3) with this new trend the rear seat comfort doesn't have the same support due to your knee's riding up higher and not having the same thigh support under your knee's. Guess since with the new lower sloping rooflines they had to set the bench lower in order to preserve rear headroom. Even sitting in the back seat of my E90 sedan feels more comfortable than that of the new 5-series and X3.

I find that a little difficult to understand. I find all 3 series uncomfortable to sit in at the back and tested the F10 and it was as comfortable as my E60

[BimmerGuyFL]

Originally Posted by indus

I find that a little difficult to understand. I find all 3 series uncomfortable to sit in at the back and tested the F10 and it was as comfortable as my E60

Check it out for yourself again. Go sit for a while in the back seat of your E60 and pay attention to the height of the rear seat bench and how the underside of your knees and thighs seem to have more support and then try out a new F10 5-series and also pay attention to see if you sit lower and seems as if the underside of your knees and don't seem to have the same support of your E60 M5.

[Touring]

Just be happy and enjoy your nice car :-) The backseats are good enough for kids and mothers-in-law. Its not a Mercedes s-class after all. This is a drivers car, not a taxi.

[stickypaws]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

Check it out for yourself again. Go sit for a while in the back seat of your E60 and pay attention to the height of the rear seat bench and how the underside of your knees and thighs seem to have more support and then try out a new F10 5-series and also pay attention to see if you sit lower and seems as if the underside of your knees and don't seem to have the same support of your E60 M5.

I agree with what you're saying. I noticed it too when I did extensive test drives, etc., at the dealer (I have yet to buy a new F10.)

But I don't think it's an issue. It's just different. But I also don't think the E60 or the E90 models are comfortable for rear passengers in general. Nor is the Mercedes E-Class. All the midsized cars seem to have this issue of no actual rear comfort (and especially an E90.)

For real passenger comfort you need a 7 series or S Class. Have you had any passengers complain? If you're concerned, then grab a couple of "test" passengers and take them on an hour drive and post back here with their comments....

[hinckley]

I noticed the same thing the first time that I sat in the F10's back seat. It's an old trick that GM and other American auto manufacturers used for years - lower the back seat to increase headroom. The problem - as you correctly point out - is that your knees end up in your face making for an uncomfortable seating position.

[BimmerGuyFL]

Originally Posted by hinckley

I noticed the same thing the first time that I sat in the F10's back seat. It's an old trick that GM and other American auto manufacturers used for years - lower the back seat to increase headroom. The problem - as you correctly point out - is that your knees end up in your face making for an uncomfortable seating position.

I am glad I am NOT the only one who notices this LOL. As far as the 5-series being a "Drivers" car, I am pretty sure that it has made a BIG step away from that direction with the new F10 5-series. Considering the length of the wheelbase the rear seat should have lots more leg room.

[pharding]

Our 30 year old son is 6' 6", so when we take a trip together he rides in the front passenger seat and my wife rides in the rear seat. She says that the rear seat on the F10 is quite comfortable.

[BimmerGuyFL]

Originally Posted by pharding

Our 30 year old son is 6' 6", so when we take a trip together he rides in the front passenger seat and my wife rides in the rear seat. She says that the rear seat on the F10 is quite comfortable.

LOL of course it is quite comfortable if she is not relatively tall. LOL

[indus]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

I am glad I am NOT the only one who notices this LOL. As far as the 5-series being a "Drivers" car, I am pretty sure that it has made a BIG step away from that direction with the new F10 5-series. Considering the length of the wheelbase the rear seat should have lots more leg room.

What do you consider as a drivers car then? Your 3 series or x5? LOL. I'm trading in my M5 for the f10 and consider the latter as the best drivers car in the segment. A large family saloon is never going to handle like a sportscar, the question is whether compared to other similar cars it is more fun to drive. It is

[Ewymac]

I have no plans to sit in the back!!!

[indus]

Originally Posted by Ewymac

I have no plans to sit in the back!!!

+1

Only my small kids will be in the back, I'm not a taxi driver! Lol