Re: "New" 95 740i question - unsupportive seating on cornering!

[Jim Cash <j.cash@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Steve Robinson writes about sliding around in the drivers seat of his
big 740 - we should all be so lucky.



Steve

The comfort seat is not the answer.  It provides a bit more adjustment,
etc., but you still slide sideways ( I have them in my E39).

A better seat would be the "sport seat" option - but pricy to do now
however there are some aftermarkets seats avaialbel if you hunt around -
i do not have any source info on that.


Otherwise I would try to work with what you have.

First - remember to set the seat correctly - Following is an out-take
from my personal "users manual" which I  did for my own reference. It is
for the comfort seats with memory, so some items may not apply.

Second - make sure you use the dead pedal - keeping your left foot
firmly planted on the flat section of the floor, next to the kick panel.
This helps you keep body stability, while your right foot does the
"pedal dance".

Finally - you might try one of those sheep skin seat covers. (they come
in various colours and are available from BMW, or aftermarket.


- ----
Following are the sequential steps for setting all driver seat
positions:

1. Seat height.  ( First lower entire seat to bottom position - front
and back - no tilt )
Keeping it level,  raise till your head is about 2-3" from the roof.=20
The height will aid visibility and provide maximum use of the sun visor.
You may moderate this to accommodate elbows on armrests.

2. Seat fore / aft position - distance to pedals & height of seat belt
strap.
Adjust the  "fore / aft" position of the seat bottom,  making sure "your
bottom" is at the rear of the seat.
Move seat forward until your right toes can just touch the floor BEHIND
the brake pedal - this allows full movement of the bake pedal.
Your  LEFT foot should rest firmly on the "dead pedal", and your thigh
should have risen off the seat. This is a safety position & you should
always have your left foot positioned there. During an emergency
manoeuvre it is helpful if you remain behind the wheel, and it is easier
to do this by bracing yourself with your left leg, while your right foot
still operates the pedals.=20
Now tilt up the front of the seat until it just begins to provide
support on the back of your thighs, and your left ankle is comfortable.
The front of the seat must NOT fully support the legs since the pressure
on your thighs reduces blood flow, and your feet may go to sleep. You
may not notice this until you go to move them - TOO LATE!=20
- -  Play with all this till comfortable.

3. Backrest & Head Restraint.  - remaining adjustments should be done
with seatbelt fastened.=20
Adjust the "upper" backrest angle "all the way back".  Then tilt  the
whole backrest, until it feels "too far back".  Gradually bring forward
till you no longer feel "uncomfortable".  Now angle the upper backrest=20
forward until the head-restraint just touches the back of your head.=20
Raise the head-restraint until the top is almost level with the top of
your head. Now fine tune the angle of the seatback to achieve the
following :
- - your back and shoulders are partially supported by the seat back
- - you can just reach the light switches & other dash controls, without
having to move your back off the backrest.
- - your elbows can rest comfortably on the armrests.=20

4. Steering Wheel position
Vertical  - Align the upper rim of the wheel with the top of the
instrument cluster. All the instruments should be visible through the
wheel.
Fore / aft -   With your hands positioned on the wheel at  12 o=92clock,
adjust the distance of the wheel so that your elbows are almost
straight. Normal driving position is with hands positioned at  3 & 9
o=92clock & arms outstretched, flexed at the elbows &  free of the
armrests. The armrests should be available for a relaxed hold of the
wheel at 5 & 7 o=92clock,  but must not impede arm movement for rapid
turning.=20
After adjusting the distance you should recheck the correct height.
- -  KEEP AS FAR FROM THE  WHEEL AS PRACTICAL  FOR  AIRBAG SAFETY

5. Now mentally review the entire process, making sure later adjustments
have not affected the original ones.

6. Mirrors.
Interior Mirror - position so that the rear window is centred.  Tilt
down to see more road than sky.  ( position is not held in memory )
Door Mirrors - (  positions are held in memory )=20
- - Up/Down -  Adjust to see straight back, then tilt slightly down to see
more road than sky.
- - In/Out - tilt outward, until you have only a small vision overlap with
the interior mirror.  Passenger side should be set in slightly to avoid
headlights in passenger's eyes.


7. Memory
Now record all settings in memory by pressing the red "M" button on the
door, followed by the number (1,2,3) of your choice.=20
 -  Use numbers  1 for her,  3 for him ;  &  use 2 for a relaxed /
reclined position, or a "variation" during long drives.

8. Lumbar support   ( not retained in memory )
First make it as hard as possible (uncomfortable), and then use the
up/down button to position it at the right height - in the "small of
your back".  Now deflate completely, then slowly increase until you can
"just feel support".  Increase further only if you experience backache.
It is better to start with too little support than too much.  Once you
have this set you may wish to "fine tune" the angle of the seat back, so
that it provides "even support", along the entire length of your back.

Fine Tune  - as you  make further adjustments that improve your driving
position - PUT IN MEMORY.

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