Re: <E30>Help: something to move steering wheel for tall people

[SMILLER@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Hi Michiel, I think the answer to your ergonomic problems would be to sell
the car and buy a 1988 535is!  The sport seats in the 535is give about an
inch more headroom than the regular 535i, and the steering column
telescopes.

If you do find a way to move your E30 steering wheel, your reach for the
column-mounted stalks will be longer.  I learned what that might be like
when I replaced my E30 turn signal switch with one that was shorter
and bent farther forward (even though it was also supposed to be for
an E30).  The replacement stalk ended up about 2 inches (5 cm) farther
away, and it was downright difficult to reach.  (Of course, it also didn't
solve the problem I was trying to fix, so out it came.)

You don't just want to move the steering wheel, you want to move all the
column-mountes stalks/switches, too.  This would require some custom
column covers (or just cut up the ones you have) and some kind of
spacers for the switch mounts.  It's not worth it, if you ask me, when
what you really need is a car that fits you better!

Scott Miller
Golden Gate Chapter
BMW CCA #44977
1990 325i/is hybrid

>Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 22:13:15 -0500
>From: Michiel van Wessem <jmvw@domain.elided>
>Subject: <E30>Help: something to move steering wheel for tall people
>
<snip>
>I'd like something to bring the steering wheel a back a bit, towards the
>driver. Something to extend the steering column. 
>
>Here's why. I'm tall, 6'4". I have the back of my seat in my 87 325es
>pretty far back, so my head isn't against the roof. Kind of like in a
>Corvette. Because of this the steering wheel is always a bit too far
>away. 
>My seat adjustment is a compromise between having the roof against
>my head, 
>having my legs folded against the cruise control stalk and being able to
>reach the steering wheel. 
>
>For me, and I imagine for all tall people driving E30's, it would be
>terrific if the steering wheel would be positioned a little back. 
>
>Maybe someone could make something that is about 5 cm long and that
>bolts
>onto the steering shaft to extend it a bit and then the steering wheel nut
>would go onto that. Maybe this can be accomplished using existing
>hardware?
>
>Maybe the people making short shift kits and custom shift knobs could
>help
>out? You'd make the tall people happy.
>
>Michiel (hoping)

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