Having trouble fitting into a...

[CoryMiller]

damn BMW. I am a big guy(6'3" 290lbs) but I've driven civics, preludes, and paseos(all coupes) most of my life. It wasn't until 2 years ago when I got my Lexus es300 that I got a "big" car..but I digress, I found a 1995 BMW 540i(the sport one with the 6 speed transmission, guy explained that it was basically like an m5) and I immediately called about it. So today after work I go take a look at it. Thing is in really good shape to be 16 years old. A few cosmetic things were wrong with it and there were some rips on the driver seat but nothing major. So I go to sit in the car...I have to shove my legs under the steering wheel as it does not tilt but it is a telescopic(go figure)...my head touches the moon roof AND my shoulders are right up against the top of the door. Needless to say, I don't fit. Can anyone recommend a car that I might fit in? I have always noticed that coupes are bigger in the front seats than sedans are..not sure if that holds true here. I really want to find an e36 3 series but all the ones I've seen have over 200k miles and I'm not so sure about buying a bmw with that many miles....sorry for the rambling in my post

[WTFGERMAN]

e36s are about the same for legroom etc, but as for the mileage im at 230xxx and i just compression tested the motor which is still like new so if its a mechanically well maintained bmw the motors will last a very long time

[CoryMiller]

e36s are about the same for legroom etc, but as for the mileage im at 230xxx and i just compression tested the motor which is still like new so if its a mechanically well maintained bmw the motors will last a very long time

See I am new to the BMW game. I mean how does one tell if it's been properly maintained? Also, are the coupes bigger in the front seat than sedans like I mentioned? I am dying to get back into a manual transmission car. I love my lexus but it's my everyday driver and gets kind of boring

[Joshh]

E36's have good leg room but you'll find it's the shoulder room that's not great. I'm 230lbs with wide shoulders and the shoulder area is just wide enough for me. Because of the B pillar you may have a problem. But the best way is to sit in one...obviously. Good luck.

[paniolo]

I'm your size ... maybe (hopefully!)a few lbs less. I have a sedan. I don't have my seat all the way back and I actually raise it up a bit, till my head is just below the roof to give the best visibility. I have a bad knee that doesn't bend over 95*, but I don't have issues getting in. I don't feel the support under my thighs is too great. After 300 miles my legs are sore. Thing I notice the most is getting out. With my hips below my knees when my feet are outside the car it is like doing a one leg press to stand up (bad knee doesn't bend far enough). But overall I am comfortable. Snug fit, but I don't feel cramped.

[slocar]

If a e34 is too small, don't even bother looking at an e36 ... go straight for a e38.

[r33p04s]

6'3 200 here an e36 works for me but I like to feel the car around me and I actually have more length to go back on my seat... I can get into the seat behind me as well

[rllynch1]

OP....this may be a dumb question, but did you try and adjust the seat?

[keeslinger31]

you should buy a crown vic if you need room

[flyfishvt]

I agree with the seat adjustment. The e34 is much bigger than the e36. It has better seats too. MParalell is about your size and he drives a vert (basically a coupe). I'm 5-10 and the only issue Ive had in my coupe or vert is getting out. I can put the seat back further than i will ever need to and the electric seats are infinately adjustable. sometimes they are toooo adjustable and I end up play with it constantly on a long drive.

[Pierre3400]

How on earth did you fit in civics and such and not a bimmer??

Im 187cm (6'3 is 190cm) So pretty much as tall as you, and i fit just fine in my e36 Coupe, infact better then most cars. Its about setting your seat right, and ofcourse, i don know your ages, but i myself am beyond the age of ganger lean, and into the age of good driving position. Its all about the setup. When other people have driven mine, i find it takes me a while to comfy again. But i have friends at 210cm drive my bimmer, and have no problems at all, and thats a good half a head taller then you.

[RedManE36]

Only 6'3"??? My buddy is 6'5" and he loves the way he fits his E36 sedan. Yes he has his seat all the way back and down but he still has clearance above his head. Do you have an arm rest? If so then maybe you should think about doing a delete, that frees up a little side to side room, especially for long arms.

[CoryMiller]

OP....this may be a dumb question, but did you try and adjust the seat?

Yeah I did. I had it as far back and down as possible. I fit fine in my es300 and have more than enough room. I know it'll be a tight fit but damn I looked like I was in a clown car last night

[paniolo]

I thought of you when I was readjusting my seat tonight. I usually adjust to my arms. If I can comfortably dangle my wrist over the top of the wheel without reaching, my arms are just about right in normal driving. I like having the wheel a tad closer than I used to. This leaves an inch or two back travel. Then I adjust upwards as far as I can without my head hitting the top. This gives me max field of vision. It goes up quite a bit. When positioned like this my knees are pretty high on each side of the wheel. The wheel is positioned somewhat between my legs. I do not get good back of leg support like this and on extended road trips my legs can get pretty achy. My shoulders are not touching the side. It is a snug fit, I guess I am just used to it. Nothing like my old e23 for sure.

[Titan98m3]

im 6'3" and 260 lbs and i have my seat all the way back and slightly leaned back and my only complaint is that my size 13 foot will sometimes get caught when i am letting out with the clutch. Im working on fixing that. I drive an e36 m3 sedan.

[joey79]

Everybody is huge and can't fit in to something. I have two large friends. One 6'3"/350, one 6'5"/260. Both fit in my e36 without issue. Stop puffing out your chest and wearing concrete deodorant.

[keeslinger31]

iv'e had some big passengers (2) both over 6'3 and 250-300lbs, The car notices... but they don't complain I'm only 5'10 155

[Pik Masta]

I knew this dude that was really large and he drove a civic del sol as a dd, man he struggled getting out of the car lol. A E36 would of been a giant step up from that pos lol. Haven't seen him in a while, wonder if he still drives that del sol....