Rubber floor mats

[The2011335i]

I spent $100 and ordered BMW's original rubber floor mats for my car from the dealer. I got them the other day and tried them just now, guess what, whoever designed them at BMW didn't think half the world still drives manual - every time I use the clutch my shoe gets stuck in between one of those shapes they have (pretty horrible looking btw) on the rubber mat. It's so bad that when I was downshifting from 5th to 4th my shoe actually came off my feet, got stuck under the break pedal and caused a great deal of panic to me, this all happened in highway at 65-70 mph. I had to actually downshift slowly, pull over, and at 20-30 mph, used my other foot to kick the shoe out. I was calm but if it was my wife driving the car and this happened, the outcome would have been much worse.

I am "hoping" that there is a version of these floor mats for manual E9Xs and this whole thing happened because the guy taking my order at the dealer assumed I was driving automatic or else I don't know what to do. Why can't these people get one simple thing right, how hard is it to test this thing in the car that you are designing for before selling it? Look what happened to Toyota? Just because most people in this country don't drive manuals they (BMW) can get away with something like this, but I guarantee you if they didn't and if a middle class mom had an accident with her kids in the car and this was all over the news, I wonder what BMW would do.

We are expecting our first child in about a month, so the rubber mat was in preparation for that (since kids throw up all the time:)) and for the winter since we all know what snow does to that beautiful carpet:( Anyways, any suggestions? Thanks.

[love2xlr8]

I feel your pain. I have a 335i manual and the same thing happens to me all the time. I have to keep pulling the mat back so the clutch doesn't grab the front part of the mat and anchor it against the clutch when I release it. My only suggestion to BMW would be to have some kind of anchoring device that would keep it in place and not shift around. On the other hand with light gray fabric mats it does keep them looking good in wet weather. I am not aware of any other mats that could remedy this.

[mryakan]

You guys are missing the velcro attachments that hold the mat in place. I have the rubber OEM mats and a manual and no issues here whatsoever.
Also not sure how engaging disengaging the clutch causes the mat to slip, you are not supposed to have your left foot hinged on the floor while doing it, it should move up/down (or in/out?) with the clutch pedal.

[The2011335i]

You guys are misunderstanding me. My mat is perfectly fine in terms of attachment. Its in the right place and does not move. Its in perfect alignment with respect to gas pedal and the anchor points on the floor. It's not the clutch that gets stuck, it's the end of my shoe that gets stuck on the mat because the mat has these big shapes on it by design which are about an inch tall(maybe little less). Whoever designed it should have though twice or at least implement the shapes such that they are vertical instead of horizontal so that they don't catch your shoe.

[mryakan]

You guys are misunderstanding me. My mat is perfectly fine in terms of attachment. Its in the right place and does not move. Its in perfect alignment with respect to gas pedal and the anchor points on the floor. It's not the clutch that gets stuck, it's the end of my shoe that gets stuck on the mat because the mat has these big shapes on it by design which are about an inch tall(maybe little less). Whoever designed it should have though twice or at least implement the shapes such that they are vertical instead of horizontal so that they don't catch your shoe.

Does it look like the one in this pic? If so, then the way you use the clutch pedal is all wrong. I've had these mats on this car and my previous e90, so almost 4 years in total and have no issues whatsoever with any kind of shoes including big honking winter boots.


http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/724/img03780.jpg

[The2011335i]

Yes they are identical except color. My shoe gets stuck in between the carpet area in the drivers side (you know what I'm talking about probably) and the rubber shape right above it.

How can I be using the clutch wrong? I wear 10.5/11, I keep say %30 of the front of my left foot on the clutch and that results in my heel always making contact with the rubber. You are telling me I need to press the clutch without having my heel touch anywhere? Who is going to pay my hospital and physical therapy bills when I have knee problems for holding my leg in the air when I have to drive in manhattan traffic?:)

I have been driving manuals for about 12 years now, never have I had a problem like this with any car - this is my first BMW manual though, not sure if BMW's mats are specially made.

I wear slip-on shoes and they are not extremely tight and this is what happens. I don't know what else to do.

[love2xlr8]

My mats did not come with velcro attachments but that's what's needed in my case at least...after releasing the clutch my left foot moves to the raised foot rest to the left of the clutch but the mat slides forward, catches and rides up on the clutch...that's my issue....it has nothing to do with where I put my foot/feet. It's never been a safety concern, it's just an inconvenience to reach down and pull it back. Can I still get velcro attachments from the dealer? Or I guess I could buy some generic and customize them.

[mryakan]

Yes they are identical except color. My shoe gets stuck in between the carpet area in the drivers side (you know what I'm talking about probably) and the rubber shape right above it.

How can I be using the clutch wrong? I wear 10.5/11, I keep say %30 of the front of my left foot on the clutch and that results in my heel always making contact with the rubber. You are telling me I need to press the clutch without having my heel touch anywhere? Who is going to pay my hospital and physical therapy bills when I have knee problems for holding my leg in the air when I have to drive in manhattan traffic?:)

I have been driving manuals for about 12 years now, never have I had a problem like this with any car - this is my first BMW manual though, not sure if BMW's mats are specially made.

I wear slip-on shoes and they are not extremely tight and this is what happens. I don't know what else to do.

I've been driving manuals almost exclusively for 22+ years (a lot of it in worse traffic than NYC's) and never had to rest my heal on anything while clutching and mind you I've had numerous knee surgeries and muscle injuries from my now long gone soccer days.

Change mats or change driving habits, sorry nothing wrong with the mat design.

[mryakan]

My mats did not come with velcro attachments but that's what's needed in my case at least...after releasing the clutch my left foot moves to the raised foot rest to the left of the clutch but the mat slides forward, catches and rides up on the clutch...that's my issue....it has nothing to do with where I put my foot/feet. It's never been a safety concern, it's just an inconvenience to reach down and pull it back. Can I still get velcro attachments from the dealer? Or I guess I could buy some generic and customize them.
Had that problem on my previous e90 because the mats did not have the velcro attachment on the bottom. Mildly annoying every once in a while, but now a thing of the past with the new car/mats.

[love2xlr8]

I'm attaching what my mat look like flat and straight and when it rides up and
catches on the clutch.

[The2011335i]

I'm attaching what my mat look like flat and straight and when it rides up and
catches on the clutch.

See this is the exact type of mat I need, the plastic shapes are vertical, they won't interfere in anyway.

I will take a picture of mine when I go to my car and you guys can compare.

[mryakan]

See this is the exact type of mat I need, the plastic shapes are vertical, they won't interfere in anyway.

I will take a picture of mine when I go to my car and you guys can compare.
As I mentioned, nothing really you can do other than change your mats (assuming you want to keep shifting the way you do). BMW is not going to change their mat design. Might want to check out the weathertech mats, see if they suit you any better. Or just get the cloth mats.

[The2011335i]

As I mentioned, nothing really you can do other than change your mats (assuming you want to keep shifting the way you do). BMW is not going to change their mat design. Might want to check out the weathertech mats, see if they suit you any better. Or just get the cloth mats.

Maybe I can find love2xlr8's mats, those are also BMW's mats.

I seriously don't know how else I can shift. Are you basically saying your heel isn't on the mat as you release the clutch? Isn't that a bit difficult and tiring, it's like walking on your toes no?

[mryakan]

Are you basically saying your heel isn't on the mat as you release the clutch? Isn't that a bit difficult and tiring, it's like walking on your toes no?
Precisely. And no it is not difficult or tiring, at least not to me. These cars have a really easy and light clutch pedal. You should seen the one on my Honda Prelude, it was better than a gym workout. You rest your foot when you are done (dis)engaging the clutch, the dead pedal is perfect for that.

[Philz BMW]

I am 100% in agreement with you, even though I drive a slush box (automatic). I had my rubber mat fastened underneath, it was still horrible. My heel would get caught etc etc. It would move around (before I attached it), just a general pain in the a$$.

My solution, buy a generic mat for about $15, cut to fit. Perfect fit, never moves, and so it doesn't say BMW on it but who cares. I left the BMW mats on the passenger side and in the back though.

Function over form for this application. Pic attached for reference

[mryakan]

Here is what my mat looks like. If you are doing it right, your heel will rest on the cloth section right after you release the clutch but will not touch the mat before.


http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/8782/img0298d0.jpg

[love2xlr8]

Hmmm....I'm probably pushing in the clutch all the way to the floor where it catches on the mat and pulls it back...I'm going to try bringing it down short of the floor and see if it still engages....thanks!

[mryakan]

Hmmm....I'm probably pushing in the clutch all the way to the floor where it catches on the mat and pulls it back...I'm going to try bringing it down short of the floor and see if it still engages....thanks!
The engagement point is about 3/4 way through I think (really I do it subconsciously, I don't pay attention), so yeah you do not have to push it all the way. But again your mat seems a bit sorter than mine, so I could see how it could get caught.

[Philz BMW]

yea seriously, manual or not, you should not have to adjust your driving style (eg place your foot in a certain manner) based on how your $25 floor mat aligns. Hell no!

[mryakan]

yea seriously, manual or not, you should not have to adjust your driving style (eg place your foot in a certain manner) based on how your $25 floor mat aligns. Hell no!
You got it the wrong way. Mat or not, you should not be clutching with your heal on the floor. There is the right way and the wrong way, the Germans only know and design for the right way like it or not. That's why they never design good cupholders, to them it is wrong to drink anything and drive.

[esunarto]

you guys ever use the mats from weathertech? i've seen their ads in every issue of car and driver. wonder how good they are.

[mryakan]

you guys ever use the mats from weathertech? i've seen their ads in every issue of car and driver. wonder how good they are.
Some people like them. There was a post recently when someone put up some photos. Look it up.

[Philz BMW]

You got it the wrong way. Mat or not, you should not be clutching with your heal on the floor. There is the right way and the wrong way, the Germans only know and design for the right way like it or not. That's why they never design good cupholders, to them it is wrong to drink anything and drive.


My point is, the floor mat, no matter what type or brand...should be a NON factor. It is there to collect crap from your shoes, it should never....ever...get in your way and you should never have to think twice about where you put your feet when you drive for fear of upsetting the position of your floor mat. How you decide to drive, is up to you. There is more than one way to drive, heel on the floor, ankle on the floor, ear on the floor...your floor mat should not get in the way. This is not a race car, it is a daily driver made for the general public.

And, in my opinion...the cupholders in this car are some of the best I've ever seen (with regards to holding a cup sturdy, and not getting in your way)

[mryakan]

My point is, the floor mat, no matter what type or brand...should be a NON factor. It is there to collect crap from your shoes, it should never....ever...get in your way and you should never have to think twice about where you put your feet when you drive for fear of upsetting the position of your floor mat. How you decide to drive, is up to you. There is more than one way to drive, heel on the floor, ankle on the floor, ear on the floor...your floor mat should not get in the way. This is not a race car, it is a daily driver made for the general public.

And, in my opinion...the cupholders in this car are some of the best I've ever seen (with regards to holding a cup sturdy, and not getting in your way)
Quit arguing theoretical stuff. Do you have those particular mats? If you do, you will see there is no issue with them whatsoever. It is user error. The same issue would happened with no mats and bigger shoes with the way I understand this gentleman is clutching. The mats are just magnifying the issues and bringing it to the forefront.
Ok so I understand that some people don't like to change how they do things, no problem with that, it just means those mats are not for them. They can a different set. Not everything works for everyone, it is just a fact of life, change it and move on. Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle, cursing the darkness will not make it become any brighter.

[Jhunter]

I have the oem rubber mats, probably the exact same ones the OP is talking about. Also, the same size shoe. I have never had a problem with my shoe coming off, or even close, so his clutching style must be different.

BTW, when I clutch my heel ends up on the mat as the clutch is going in. I find it very awkward for my heel not to touch at all. Not really enough room in the footwell for this. I don't think this is wrong, just preference.

[scorp508]

How can I be using the clutch wrong? I wear 10.5/11, I keep say %30 of the front of my left foot on the clutch and that results in my heel always making contact with the rubber.


Maybe I'm misinterpreting this, but do you drive around with your foot always on the clutch pedal? If so, this is bad. There is a dead pedal in the car for a reason, use it. :)

I can't say what it'll do to these cars as my experience is not great enough, but in the past that's been a prescription for burnt up throwout bearings and prematurely worn clutches.

[Jhunter]

I don't think that is what he is saying. In any case it can be there as long as you are not applying any real pressure to it. I often do this if I am quickly running through gears while accelerating.

[scorp508]

I often do this if I am quickly running through gears while accelerating.

Obviously that's ok, but doing it while just crusing down the road is what I was more concerned about. :)

[Philz BMW]

Quit arguing theoretical stuff. Do you have those particular mats? If you do, you will see there is no issue with them whatsoever. It is user error. The same issue would happened with no mats and bigger shoes with the way I understand this gentleman is clutching. The mats are just magnifying the issues and bringing it to the forefront.
Ok so I understand that some people don't like to change how they do things, no problem with that, it just means those mats are not for them. They can a different set. Not everything works for everyone, it is just a fact of life, change it and move on. Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle, cursing the darkness will not make it become any brighter.

If you read my initial post, I DO have those mats. I changed mine out because they were garbage. Not user error. My candle lighting experience was buying a new mat from Autozone and cutting it to fit perfectly.

The way you write, you'd think that BMW designed these mats for the perfect driver, and if you aren't driving perfectly well...obviously it's your problem (user error) and you should just get some new mats because you obviously are not able to meet BMW's standard of what driving perfection should be.

LMFAO

Again, unless you are chasing laptimes and winning championships in your daily driver (which you are most certainly NOT), quit assuming user error and try to absorb the possibility that the mats might have been designed POORLY. :rolleyes

[mryakan]

If you read my initial post, I DO have those mats. I changed mine out because they were garbage. Not user error. My candle lighting experience was buying a new mat from Autozone and cutting it to fit perfectly.

The way you write, you'd think that BMW designed these mats for the perfect driver, and if you aren't driving perfectly well...obviously it's your problem (user error) and you should just get some new mats because you obviously are not able to meet BMW's standard of what driving perfection should be.

LMFAO

Again, unless you are chasing laptimes and winning championships in your daily driver (which you are most certainly NOT), quit assuming user error and try to absorb the possibility that the mats might have been designed POORLY. :rolleyes
Fine they are poorly designed and you are smart, you bought new mats, great. Can we move on. BMW is not going to redesign the mats because someone is complaining on here, so quit crying, buy new mats and move on.

P.S. You do not need to be racing to drive properly, sit properly, put your hands properly on the wheel, etc. Yes it is a choice, you can choose the right way, the wrong way, or the Homer Simpson way.

[The2011335i]

No I don't drive around engaging clutch all the time, but most of the time my foot is "on" the pedal although not applying any pressure to it, which is why my heel always sits on the mat right where it gets stuck. I don't like the dead pedal, it's too far away.

I am going to return them to the dealer and try to get a different model.

[mystreba]

BMW sells an automatic transmission that solves this problem.

[scorp508]

No I don't drive around engaging clutch all the time, but most of the time my foot is "on" the pedal although not applying any pressure to it

You may think you're not applying pressure, but it doesn't take much and over a long time you could potentially do harm. Use the dead pedal, it isn't there to look pretty. Learn to like it. :)