New Z4 Question!

[Gracie123]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if this is something you have to get use to when driving any sports car.. getting in and out of it!? It sits so low to the ground, is it something I'd get use to or hate forever!? My current car is a mini cooper, but it doesn't feel all that low to the ground, and getting in and out is easier for sure.

[Wiles]

Yes this car sits low. So this is how I ingress and egress.
I step in right foot first, and bend at the left knee with one hand on the steering wheel and its pretty smooth transition. Now getting out I tend to lift my left foot out and turn my bum. I try to place it as rearward as possible. Then I lean forward (outward) and stand up. I find if I place my left foot more rearward its allows me to get my center of gravity over my foot and stand without much touble. My wife tends place her foot more forward on egress and its more difficult for her.

We had a Mini and now a 135i for her, and it sits 5 inches taller than the Z4.

[ChuckB]

Originally Posted by wiles335i

Yes this car sits low. So this is how I ingress and egress.
I step in right foot first, and bend at the left knee with one hand on the steering wheel and its pretty smooth transition. Now getting out I tend to lift my left foot out and turn my bum. I try to place it as rearward as possible. Then I lean forward (outward) and stand up. I find if I place my left foot more rearward its allows me to get my center of gravity over my foot and stand without much touble. My wife tends place her foot more forward on egress and its more difficult for her.

We had a Mini and now a 135i for her, and it sits 5 inches taller than the Z4.

+1, however BMW in Europe does carry a set of cushioned knee pads (with a Roundel on them) for the more mature Z4 driver.

[Maverick78]

Ive moved from a MINI to a Z4 and i have it say it was odd to begin with but now I'm taken over by the waft of leather and i slink in quite easily.

[az34]

tinker if you dont mind my asking how big and tall are you?

[richard in NC]

I find getting in and out of the Z4 second nature now. My other car is an X5 and I don't even pay attention to the difference any more.

I put my right foot in, and then with my left hand on the armrest, sit down on the seat, and swing my legs in under the wheel.
To exit, I swing my left leg out pretty far, and use my left hand on the back of the door sill (with my elbow on the side bolster) to stand up out of the car, kind of dragging my right leg out. Although I have occasionally caught a pants cuff on the seat track. Ripped a brand new pair once.

[Gracie123]

Thanks for the replies, I'm thinking I just need to get use to my new car (just 3 days old!). Richard, I'm a female, 5'4" and normal weight (but would always like to lose 5 pounds!)

[cool4re]

The Z4 is very easy to get in and out of, and a very comfortable car. I have a Lotus Elise....that's a totally different story!


Jim/Glendale
2011 Z4 3.5 M-Sport
Ferrari 360 Modena
Lotus Elise Sport
2011 BMW X3

[HerrK]

Originally Posted by tinker1961

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if this is something you have to get use to when driving any sports car.. getting in and out of it!? It sits so low to the ground, is it something I'd get use to or hate forever!? My current car is a mini cooper, but it doesn't feel all that low to the ground, and getting in and out is easier for sure.

As my kids remind me Dad your so short - ok so I was 5'6 when I was younger and now I'm older and shrinking. So my seat is not all the way forward but not far from it, as I have one of those nasty 6sp MT that requires that I fully depress that third pedal.

Anyway I plant my arse in the seat first and then swivel in with my legs other wise I am knocking my right knee into the steering wheel if I try to step in and get all convoluted. Much easier on the back as well.

[Jayda]

Originally Posted by tinker1961

Thanks for the replies, I'm thinking I just need to get use to my new car (just 3 days old!). Richard, I'm a female, 5'4" and normal weight (but would always like to lose 5 pounds!)

Yeah, another female with a Z4. I have always had small cars so getting in and out hasn't been a problem (even after a hip replacement in early December). In terms of getting used to the car, it is a bit lower than any cars I had. Where I really notice it is driving behind or beside big SUVs and/or trucks. This is where I really notice how low the car is. Now with that said, it amazes me that even in such a small car, it doesn't feel small and cramped when driving it. It is a very comfortable car to drive. I am 5'7" and 125 lbs. Enjoy your Z4!

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by Jayda

I am 5'7" and 125 lbs. Enjoy your Z4!

I think I was 10 years old the last time I was 5'7" and 125 lbs.

At 6'2" and 260 lbs I seem to have stopped for a while.

[Jayda]

Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2

I think I was 10 years old the last time I was 5'7" and 125 lbs.

At 6'2" and 260 lbs I seem to have stopped for a while.

Dr. Stig- My husband is 6'2" with very long legs. He really isn't that comfortable in my car! How do you achieve a good fit? His head is just about on the roof when the roof is closed. No problem with width for him but height poses issues. There is also a problem with being very small, even with the sport seat bolsters as far in as possible, they do not touch my body!

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by Jayda

Dr. Stig- My husband is 6'2" with very long legs. He really isn't that comfortable in my car! How do you achieve a good fit? His head is just about on the roof when the roof is closed. No problem with width for him but height poses issues. There is also a problem with being very small, even with the sport seat bolsters as far in as possible, they do not touch my body!

I assume you've tried adjusting the seat in all aspects? You do realize that the seat can be lowered (for your husband) and tilted back (this should solve you're lack of contact with the sport seat extension). My son is 6'3" and he fits OK, even with the top down. Maybe your husband's torso is disproportionately long.

[skier]

Originally Posted by cool4re

The Z4 is very easy to get in and out of, and a very comfortable car. I have a Lotus Elise....that's a totally different story!


Jim/Glendale
2011 Z4 3.5 M-Sport
Ferrari 360 Modena
Lotus Elise Sport
2011 BMW X3

Exactly - everybody complaining about getting in/out of Z4 should try the Elise with the roof in place

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by Jayda

Dr. Stig- My husband is 6'2" with very long legs. He really isn't that comfortable in my car! How do you achieve a good fit? His head is just about on the roof when the roof is closed. No problem with width for him but height poses issues. There is also a problem with being very small, even with the sport seat bolsters as far in as possible, they do not touch my body!

Simple.
Seat lowered all the way.
Seat back angled reasonably upright. (this is the key)
Seat base taken back about 90% of the way (to stop the leather rubbing on the plastic trim behind the seats)

My legs are bent slightly, but not uncomfortably, with heaps of room for my knees.
My head has plenty of clearance with the roof closed, although I doubt I could wear a stetson in there.

[Z4@Phuket]

Low seat with open top is convenience or inconvenience?
read this example:
One of my patient who was very weak after a stromy heart surgery and stroke and needed kidney hemodialysis 3 times a week. His wife bought a SLK and bring the patient to the hospital. When she arrived, she opened the roof, took her disable husband out of the car easily, comparing to a sedan or SUV

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2

Simple.
Seat lowered all the way.
Seat back angled reasonably upright. (this is the key)
Seat base taken back about 90% of the way (to stop the leather rubbing on the plastic trim behind the seats)

My legs are bent slightly, but not uncomfortably, with heaps of room for my knees.
My head has plenty of clearance with the roof closed, although I doubt I could wear a stetson in there.

This ^^^ is what I did when I drove my former Z4 35i ... I am 6 foot and 240 Pounds (I know I need to loose some weight ).

I did one more thing re: ease of entering and exiting, I used the memory positions 1 & 2 for driving and exiting/entering the car. In doing this I found entering and exiting the car not that difficult at all. Position 1 was my driving position as so well outlined by Dr Stig and position 2 would be my exit position and then of course waiting for me to get back in the next time. It worked well for me.

[captgh]

Simple, I'm 6'4" at 260 lbs and I put my 2009 Z4 30i on like a pair of tight jeans. One leg at a time. I also try not to look like a dufus doing it because, invariably, people are always eyeballing the Z.

[impulsE89]

For some reason the Z4 is worse (lower)that some other cars I have had. I am 6'3. Not really overweight. When I first got it, I was chagrined to find that I had to flop in. Regardless of the technique there was a point where gravity took over and I was falling in.
My solution was to build up my dormant quadriceps. There are several nautilus machines, stair steppers and bikes etc at the gym for that. I can now do almost the full stack on the leg press! Now I have no trouble lowering myself that last bit and I can maintain dignity all the way down to the seat. Getting out is also just a matter of swing out the legs and standing up. Quads are the key to general mobility for a lot of other maneuvers in life as well.
The use of the memory seat settings as already mentioned by Jparnes is also helpful. The sport seats are extremely versatile.

[sgt3966]

CarCane

[Lurcher]

6-4, bumping 300 (ding)....

I chicken wing getting out. Spread those arms and a little push action.

[idspispopd]

Bum on the seat back up high and just slide it down....swivel a bit, then swing both legs in when on seat.

Getting out is a bit harder...but mostly the reverse: swing legs out...swivel butt somewhat, stand up.

Having said that, I'm not as big as some of you guys...being 5'10" and 160 lb.

Oh, and I keep the seat fairly high to improve sight lines.