I'm too tall for an e30.

[Ahheck01]

So here's my thing. I was going to spend $5k on a 1993 Audi S4, which puts well over 200hp down to all four wheels.

Then I drove my little brother's e30 again and I'm asking myself, "why would I spend more money on a car that makes me smile less than this POS?"

So I confess, I want an e30. The problem is that, when I have the seat upright enough for me to be in the correct driving position (shoulders against the seat, wrists can rest on top of the steering wheel), my head hits the roof of the car quite a bit. I'm 6' 7"

That said, it has the non-sport seats, and it seems that there are about 4" to gain with the right kind of seat.

Are there any tall guys like me out there that have solved this issue? I'd really like an e30, but I wouldn't be happy if I had to tilt my head for daily driving, and seriously slouch over with a helmet for autox.

-Evan

[sethla]

Install some racing seats. I gained about 2-3" in head room.

edit: im only 6'4"

[adept]

I'm 6'4" in the farthest down position and have 1" of headroom... :( for you

[Chuck Baader]

Ditto on install a race seat. Mike Akard races a 318is...his approximate size is 7' 350# +_ ...without issues. ( I can't even touch his wheel or pedals...I'm 6'
/270) Chuck

[bmwlover0725]

go with racing seats, screw audi

[AlarmedBread]

My 'fuh raze' seats for autox. Notice driver head room modification ;)

6'5 with a helmet on and I've got room to spare. Only thing You may need to do is get a hub extender for the steering wheel and put more shims in to bring it back to you. Maybe a good idea to move the shifter carrier back some too.

Yes the front end is screwed up, the car was hit. Believe it or not, it's better than it was....It will be fixed soon!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/AlarmedBread/doppelganger/DSC00012.jpg

[Ahheck01]

My 'fuh raze' seats for autox. Notice driver head room modification ;)

6'5 with a helmet on and I've got room to spare. Only thing You may need to do is get a hub extender for the steering wheel and put more shims in to bring it back to you. Maybe a good idea to move the shifter carrier back some too.

Yes the front end is screwed up, the car was hit. Believe it or not, it's better than it was....It will be fixed soon!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/AlarmedBread/doppelganger/DSC00012.jpg

What seat, and what did you do for the extra room?

-Evan

[AlarmedBread]

They are some kind of a fleabay knockoff of this seat. They came in a car I bought. Very much prefer the sports seats for daily driving, but swap out these bad boys when I need a helmet.
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/faq/E30_M3_Sportevo_seats.jpg

they also have a good place to put safety measures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/AlarmedBread/325is/ext.jpg

All I had to do was modify the bracket a little, I just used a flat bar on the rear instead. It would be possible to have it dip down and sit lower in the floor pan if required. You may have some interference from the rear heat ducts under the seat. Note that there are very serious considerations to take when it comes to safety and seatbelt placement when you begin modifying seating positions.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/AlarmedBread/325is/seatbraket.jpg

[thejlevie]

With custom brackets and side mount aftermarket fixed back seats you can wind up with the seat pan 3-4" lower than sport seats in the lowest position. I'm 5'8" and had about a finger's width of room between my helmet and the sunroof housing when the sport seats were in the car. After major surgery on a pair of Sparco side mounts and sliders and a custom bracket I now have about 5" of room between my helmet and the sunroof housing (which comes out this weekend in prep for cage installation). I'm using a Sparco Evo for the driver's side.

[ABNGTO8796]

Get a convert.

[Ruffian]

Get a convert.

Personally, I hate driving my wife's vert compared to my coupe. Not sure what it is, possibly the extra interior panels, but I feel really cramped in the driver's seat. I do like the extra head room though. *edit* i'm 6'4" 260#

Don't quote me on this, but I am under the impression that e30's with no sunroof had extra head room. Even with a sunroof, in my experience, sports seats sit lower than standards.

[MattyK]

Im 6'6". I sit leaned back quite a bit, and my knees come up at a relatively sharper angle then most, so I just have the stock sport seats, but a smaller steering wheel. (and no, I don't have my seat leaned back a lot to get a good gangster lean - I have long arms)

[KevRC4130]

My 6'6 brother in law fit in my car without a problem. Granted, builds/proportions vary.

[X2theZ3]

take out the front seat and sit in the back seat.

[draccent]

the seats should be height adjustable. It takes some getting used to. Im 5' 8" and thought I was too short to seat comfortably. At least for me I think e30's just plain seat funny.

[Nbx33]

I am 6 ft 9 inches tall easily one of the tallest on the forum. I can fit in the 2 door coupe i have with no problems and no major gangsta lean in the seat 4 drs are lil harder as the seats dont slide back as far about 2 inches less the a coupe seat. My shoulder lines up with the B pillar tho because the seats is as low as possible and far back too. Belive it or not the e30 is one of the more comfortable cars i have ever diven in. Kness dont touch anything.

[sheepdog43]

Don't quote me on this, but I am under the impression that e30's with no sunroof had extra head room. Even with a sunroof, in my experience, sports seats sit lower than standards.

Supposed to gain about 3inches by not having a sunroof.

I am only 6'1", but with the sport seat low, I have TONS of room with no sunroof. 6'7" should be able to fit.

Find an IS (sport seat) non-sunroof car, lower the seat down as much as you can and give it a try.

[bmsamson]

i'm 'only' 6'5/200, and yet i feel your pain. i can drive my (6'2) brother's triumph spitfire, but not our dad's buick. i'd been wanting an e30 forever, and bought the first one that i could afford in decent enough shape. its a 4dr with stock cloth seats, and i fit ok, not great. probably your extra couple of inches, if half going up, would make it tight indeed. thoughts:

1. yes, no sunroof as a rule means more headroom. i haven't 'tried on' an e30 without, but likely that would make a difference

2. cloth seats i was always told make a difference too. they stuff less for the cheapos who don't go for the leather option, was what i was told. don't know if bmw did that in our day, but i can see it possible, so you should check into it in your search.

the smile on the face is worth everything. even a little less than optimal headroom, at least in my book, though i'm short enough (wow, feels strange to say that at my size) that i guess i'm in a different boat. good luck.

[TXBDan]

I'm 6'4 and headroom was tight. even w/ race seats on custom brackets my helmet would rub on the headliner.

but i just finished the sunroof delete and i'm in headroom nirvana! Its downright cavernous in there now.

[Grant01]

ya dont forget to adjust the seat height, that could make a huge differance. to adjust the height just push the back adjuster lever down