[SchillerM]

I have an E39 M5 right now and am in the market for a new vehicle. I would love to get an F10 but I don't find it comfortable for anything over 10 minutes.
The issue is the center console area. When I get myself in a comfortable position, similar to how I sit in my E39, my knee is right on the corner of dash and center console. The problem is that my knee can't angle towards the center of car, the trim keeps it in too much of an upright position and after a little bit my knee starts hurting. I have the same issue as a passanger in front, I have to slide the seat way back to be able to be comfortable.
On the E39 they had a US and an EU lower dash, is there something like this for the F10? Is there any way to get more width in the seating areas?
Having to look at the E70 X5 or F01 as alternatives to the F10.

Thoughts?
See attached picture for the area I am talking about in case my rambling wasn't clear.
Matt

[The Beast]

How far forward do you sit! My knees are nowhere near that area in any of my cars...

[EL Jeffe 5]

I drove my F10 over 1400miles on a trip no problem
you should consider KIA if you don't think F10 is comfortable

[Quicksilv3r]

Originally Posted by EL Jeffe 5

I drove my F10 over 1400miles on a trip no problem
you should consider KIA if you don't think F10 is comfortable

Because a Kia is more comfortable?


The side of my knee hits that same area, it did so in my old E90 M3 as well. The only fix is to sit further back or find a different car. I didn't feel it's necessarily a deal breaker, though.

[Teddylongtooth]

Originally Posted by SchillerM

I have an E39 M5 right now and am in the market for a new vehicle. I would love to get an F10 but I don't find it comfortable for anything over 10 minutes.
The issue is the center console area. When I get myself in a comfortable position, similar to how I sit in my E39, my knee is right on the corner of dash and center console. The problem is that my knee can't angle towards the center of car, the trim keeps it in too much of an upright position and after a little bit my knee starts hurting. I have the same issue as a passanger in front, I have to slide the seat way back to be able to be comfortable.
On the E39 they had a US and an EU lower dash, is there something like this for the F10? Is there any way to get more width in the seating areas?
Having to look at the E70 X5 or F01 as alternatives to the F10.

Thoughts?
See attached picture for the area I am talking about in case my rambling wasn't clear.
Matt

How tall are you? I'm 5'11" and some of my buddies that are over 6' I noticed there knee was touching in the same place. Maybe if your a taller gent you might want to look at the 7 series m sport in the Li version, it may have more leg room. If your not tall than maybe this just isn't a car you can be comfortable in.

[wrickem]

I'm one of those tall lanky guys who is "all legs" and my legs don't come anywhere even close to that area.

Do you drive with the seat close to the dash and your knees bent like you're sitting on a couch, the way would in a pick up truck or SUV (my truck driving friends always try to sit in my cars that way and look really uncomfortable). Are your legs pretty straight and supported by the entire seat? If they are not, that could be your problem.

[cipher5]

Something is wrong with your legs mate.

[dadysev]

I'm 6 foot. I know exactly what you are talking about, as I had that issue when i first bought the car, but just lower the seat and bring it back more, and extend the steering wheel. when i sit in my friend e39 540i, it reminded me of my e46, but these F10's do feel bigger than the e39.
Its really hard to compare the comfort. It took me awhile but I found that comfort spot. Did 2 trips to New York from Toronto and thats almost 8 hours driving no problem!
Spend some more time in the car with the 20+ way adjustable seats, and you will find your comfort zone.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by SchillerM

.....similar to how I sit in my E39, my knee is right on the corner of dash and center console. The problem is that my knee can't angle towards the center of car, the trim keeps it in too much of an upright position and after a little bit my knee starts hurting.

I'm fairly tall, and no issues at all and also just couldn't figure out how you got in this position. So I did a bit experimenting. The only way I was able to get there is to move the seat way to close and too high at the same time.

Of course there's always a possibility this car is just a wrong fit for you, but I think playing with adjustment and bringing the seat lower will help. I also checked that area you're pointing to, and it's has very nice, smooth/contoured shape to it, so I'm surprised you're hurting, I feel you'd have to be pressing against it very hard.

Good luck figuring it out, hope it works out for you in the end.

[The Beast]

I found moving from my E70 to my F10 I had to totally adjust my driving position. I have fairy long legs and find that having the seat set low, angling the seat as far back as it goes and pulling out the sport seat thigh supports really helps. You need to set up each new car from scratch and not just try and recreate what you previously had in your last car... Just bought my wife a F48 and I have a totally different set up in that.

I generally start by putting the seat as low as it goes and as far back as it goes, I bring the steering out as far as it will come and set the height of the wheel to where I like. I then adjust the seat to where my feet can get to the pedals and angle it to where I like it so my thighs are supported. I adjust the height (if needed) and then readjust the position in relation to the pedals (if needed), finally I adjust the seat back to where comfortable.

[SchillerM]

Sorry for the delay'd return, after the first few I figured it wasn't worth returning (good reminder of why I don't do car forums much anymore).

To those that understand: Our 335i is in for some warranty work for a few days next week, going to ask for a 5 series if available. I will spend some time and see if I can get it more comfortable. My normal method is to setup the seat as a bucket. Low in the back and high up front. I grew up in Corvettes and that was what stuck. I also have to worry about car seats behind driver seat, so can't sit TOO far back. Wifes 335i (2011 E90) has me too far forward already, but it seems wider at the dash area.

As far as the pain, I have an issue with my knee. Its not pain caused by the car itself, its pain caused by the angle/pressure of hitting the area. And I am 6'1" BTW

Anyways, thanks to some for not being forum douches.
Matt

[lsturbointeg]

no problem for us short guys lol!

[SchillerM]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

no problem for us short guys lol!

My wife (5'3") in the front of a 5 series has a backseat like a 750Li with me driving.
Since she fits with the car seats in the 335i she has no desire for anything bigger, her replacement in a few years will probably be another 3 sedan. I just don't fit with those babies (8mo twins) in the back

[M5Beast_NYC]

I had a 2012 535 Msport with the multi-contour seats and now the F10 M5 and I dont find this to be in the way. I drove my M5 about 1000 miles (14 straight hours) from where I picked it up and I didnt feel anything discomfort from that area.

[M83]

The 5 has a meaty center console, the most you could do is velcro a pad to the area where your knee touches. Something like a gel wristpad for computer mice? It sounds like you keep yourself very close to the wheel.

I'm 6'5" and I'm fine, but the seat is very far back and down.

[HFW003]

I'm 6ft 1 and have had two knee replacements and I have absolutely no problems with comfort, back or knees, in mine.

I do have the comfort seats though

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by SchillerM

Anyways, thanks to some for not being forum douches.

Of course not, this isn't 3 series forum, your expectations are all wrong

Just kidding, just kidding.

[wrickem]

I was in my car today and thought back to this thread. I'm still wondering how in the world that part of the console would get in the way. This is my normal driving position. I hope you worked it out

[silo24]

Originally Posted by wrickem

I was in my car today and thought back to this thread. I'm still wondering how in the world that part of the console would get in the way. This is my normal driving position. I hope you worked it out

You call those legs? I've got bigger forearms! j/k

I find that my natural seating position includes a fair amount of 'man-spread' so my knee touches the console pretty much as per the OP.

Don't find it to be a problem however.

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by silo24

You call those legs? I've got bigger forearms! j/k

I find that my natural seating position includes a fair amount of 'man-spread' so my knee touches the console pretty much as per the OP.

Don't find it to be a problem however.

I already said I was lanky.

I can see hitting the console with man-spread or just a long drive, but unless your legs were as big around as a torso, I don't see how they can come close to the part that is circled in the picture.

[silo24]

To be fair, I'm about 6ft tall, 2ft wide and about 260 pounds of (mainly...I like to kid myself!) muscle ......so I can assure you that spare space gets filled once the boys are given space to breathe!

I'd say my thighs are probably about 2x yours....this is why I have an F10 not an F30. I quite literally struggled.