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

[Michiel van Wessem <jmvw@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Scott, 

Thanks for your comments. You have a good point about the switches being to
far. The trouble is, I don't want a big car! At least I think I don't. How
can I pretend to care about fuel consumption in a 535is? Does a 535is
handle as nicely as a E30? 

I still think it's strange that if you have a big body, you need a big car.
It's not like I would really fill up all that room. I just need a little
more above my head.

Big cars don't neccessarily have better head room. I've never been in a
535, so I can't say anything about that, but we had Buick Century and it
wasn't right for me either. I rented a GMC pickup last week and I had to
duck to look out.

Dodge Intrepids and I think Neons are really good when you're tall. But...
It's not the same...

For the time being, I'll have to do with my 325es. In the future, maybe
I'll try out an E36. I think they're better too.

Michiel

At 11:02 AM 1/20/99 PST, SMILLER@domain.elided wrote:
>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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