Z4 Head restraints

Jon D · 03-22-2010, 06:53 AM

My partner and I took the new Z4 out for a test drive at the weekend and were extremely impressed with the performance and that glorious engine sound.
However, we just couldn't get comfortable owing to the intrusive position of the head restraints. I tried every seat position possible, but all the time it felt as if my chin was being pressed into my chest and it wasn't very long before I was aching to stretch my neck. My partner was able to recline her seat right back and eventually find relative comfort but, wishing to remain in contact with the steering wheel, I didn't have that option.
So it was with sadness that we had to rule it out of the equation; however, it solves the issue of worrying about storage space.
At 5' 8" and 160lbs, I'm of pretty average build so it's not as if I'm expecting anything out of the ordinary.
I'd be curious to know whether anyone else shares my view.
Jon D.

T89 · 03-22-2010, 08:19 AM

I know what you mean. It is very hard to find a relaxed seating position because of the poor recline. I found a great seating position for aggressive driving meaning up straight and close to steering wheel. When taking it easy, the best I found was to move the seat forward a bit more than usual and use the pivot function like on a rocking chair to raise the front of the seat so that you will seat slightly higher if you know what I mean. It isn't the best solution but it is better than sitting up straight all the time. Try this out before ruling out the z4. It is really a shame, this is such a great car.

T

Oh Captain My Captain · 03-22-2010, 08:33 AM

You did not mention if you were trying the sport seats or the regular seats. I am 6'1" and am very comfortable in the Z4. I do have the sport seats.

aintnofun · 03-22-2010, 08:46 AM

i'm 6'7 here and tried it with sport seats without problems. i probably don't have the same references as you since i've always been used to being more or less cramped in cars but z4 was ok to me! i've tried the porsche Cayman and didn't find it as roomy.
BTW, dealer told me there was no difference as far as headroom or legroom are concerned between standard or sport seats so i ordered standard seats on mine, anyone got some feedback on that?
mine will be delivered in april!
cheers

Roadstergal · 03-22-2010, 09:31 AM

No issues here. I have the sport seats and find them comfortable. Chin into chest?????

alan64 · 03-22-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadstergal

No issues here. I have the sport seats and find them comfortable. Chin into chest?????

the sports seats are the answer for me. I tried the other ones,, not as good for adjustments

Memphis1 · 03-22-2010, 04:44 PM

can you guys squat down to seat level and take a pic of the driver's seat. i fit fine, head doesn't touch the headrest.

Z4-Archon · 03-22-2010, 05:43 PM

I felt the same way about the regular seats, and I am 5'10. The sport seats were much better.

riccis · 03-22-2010, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphis2012

can you guys squat down to seat level and take a pic of the driver's seat. i fit fine, head doesn't touch the headrest.

+1.

I have sports seats and am 6ft tall. Find cabin roomy with lot's of head room. Especially with the roof down.

riccis · 03-22-2010, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphis2012

can you guys squat down to seat level and take a pic of the driver's seat. i fit fine, head doesn't touch the headrest.

+1.

I have sports seats and am 6ft tall. Find cabin roomy with lot's of head room. Especially with the roof down.

lux good · 03-24-2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon D

My partner and I took the new Z4 out for a test drive at the weekend and were extremely impressed with the performance and that glorious engine sound.
However, we just couldn't get comfortable owing to the intrusive position of the head restraints. I tried every seat position possible, but all the time it felt as if my chin was being pressed into my chest and it wasn't very long before I was aching to stretch my neck. My partner was able to recline her seat right back and eventually find relative comfort but, wishing to remain in contact with the steering wheel, I didn't have that option.
So it was with sadness that we had to rule it out of the equation; however, it solves the issue of worrying about storage space.
At 5' 8" and 160lbs, I'm of pretty average build so it's not as if I'm expecting anything out of the ordinary.
I'd be curious to know whether anyone else shares my view.
Jon D.

If you are unable to adjust a seat so you are comfortable then i don't think you should be allowed to drive on a public highway anyway!!!......there's got to be something wrong with you.

richard in NC · 03-24-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lux good

If you are unable to adjust a seat so you are comfortable then i don't think you should be allowed to dive on a public highway anyway!!!......there's got to be something wrong with you.

Dive on a highway?

There are ways that the Z4 seat adjusts to make it feel like not enough room for a 6 footer but when adjusted correctly, my 6'3" 250 pound friend can sit comfortably although he does struggle a bit to get in the car.

It does force a more upright position than some folks may be accustomed too but if lowered, moved forward slightly, and the seat bottom tilted back a bit gives plenty of leg room and just enough recline.

BTW, I noticed in normal driving, my head is about 1/2 inch in front of the head rest. Its not designed to be able to tip your head way back.

I have driven 400 mile trips and 1600 miles in one week very comfortably in the car and am not sore or tired at all after a long day of driving.

juhap · 03-24-2010, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon D

I tried every seat position possible, but all the time it felt as if my chin was being pressed into my chest and it wasn't very long before I was aching to stretch my neck.

I test drove two different Z4s, both with sports seats. In the first one I did notice that the back of my head was much closer to the headrest than in my E85, maybe even too close. However in the second one I didn't have any issues with it, so something must have been different. Lumbar support was adjustable in the second one, so maybe my lower back wasn't so deep into the seat, which also helped the headrest situation.

lux good · 03-25-2010, 05:39 AM

[QUOTE=richard in NC;6984690]Dive on a highway?

Haha changed it now.....i'm crap at typing!!!

Memphis1 · 03-25-2010, 11:00 PM

Jeremy is 6'5" and he fits fine.

bobbydog · 03-26-2010, 02:00 AM

Didn't Jeremy Clarkson buy a Z4 35i?

BarrowJon · 03-26-2010, 03:12 PM

I'm 6'1" at 235 lbs and quite comfortable. My son at 6'7" can't fully extend his legs, sits with knees up, but has adequate head room. Neither of us have any issues with the head rests being against back of our heads. Believe you must first adjust seat back angle to suit, then move entire seat backward or forward to your liking, finally adjusting seat bottom tilt to seek most comforable position for your legs.

03-22-2010, 06:53 AM	#1
Jon D Brigadier General 224 Rep 3,016 Posts Drives: 2022 840d Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Z4 Head restraints My partner and I took the new Z4 out for a test drive at the weekend and were extremely impressed with the performance and that glorious engine sound. However, we just couldn't get comfortable owing to the intrusive position of the head restraints. I tried every seat position possible, but all the time it felt as if my chin was being pressed into my chest and it wasn't very long before I was aching to stretch my neck. My partner was able to recline her seat right back and eventually find relative comfort but, wishing to remain in contact with the steering wheel, I didn't have that option. So it was with sadness that we had to rule it out of the equation; however, it solves the issue of worrying about storage space. At 5' 8" and 160lbs, I'm of pretty average build so it's not as if I'm expecting anything out of the ordinary. I'd be curious to know whether anyone else shares my view. Jon D.
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03-22-2010, 08:19 AM	#2
T89 Lieutenant Colonel 39 Rep 1,531 Posts Drives: Z4 35i & Mini Cooper S Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Geneva & Joburg iTrader: (0)	I know what you mean. It is very hard to find a relaxed seating position because of the poor recline. I found a great seating position for aggressive driving meaning up straight and close to steering wheel. When taking it easy, the best I found was to move the seat forward a bit more than usual and use the pivot function like on a rocking chair to raise the front of the seat so that you will seat slightly higher if you know what I mean. It isn't the best solution but it is better than sitting up straight all the time. Try this out before ruling out the z4. It is really a shame, this is such a great car. T
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03-22-2010, 08:33 AM	#3
Oh Captain My Captain With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility 32 Rep 291 Posts Drives: 2012 Porsche Cayenne S Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	You did not mention if you were trying the sport seats or the regular seats. I am 6'1" and am very comfortable in the Z4. I do have the sport seats. __________________ Previously Drove --> 2010 Z4 35i --> Cayenne S ---> Maserati GranTurismo --> Ram 1500 -->Tesla Model 3 -->Currently Drives: 2021 X6 M50i
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03-22-2010, 08:46 AM	#4
aintnofun New Member 1 Rep 6 Posts Drives: x3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Lille, France iTrader: (0)	i'm 6'7 here and tried it with sport seats without problems. i probably don't have the same references as you since i've always been used to being more or less cramped in cars but z4 was ok to me! i've tried the porsche Cayman and didn't find it as roomy. BTW, dealer told me there was no difference as far as headroom or legroom are concerned between standard or sport seats so i ordered standard seats on mine, anyone got some feedback on that? mine will be delivered in april! cheers
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03-22-2010, 09:31 AM	#5
Roadstergal First Lieutenant 27 Rep 360 Posts Drives: 2010 Z4 35i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA - East Coast iTrader: (0)	No issues here. I have the sport seats and find them comfortable. Chin into chest????? __________________ E89 - 2010 Z4 35i (Orion Silver, Ivory White extended, anthracite trim) E85 - 2006 Z4 3.0i (Monaco Blue, beige leather, Dark Poplar wood trim) E85 - 2003 Z4 2.5 (Sterling Gray, black leather, Sycamore wood trim) E36 - 1998 Z3 2.8 (Red, black leather, wood trim)
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03-22-2010, 04:44 PM	#7
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel 89 Rep 1,838 Posts Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	can you guys squat down to seat level and take a pic of the driver's seat. i fit fine, head doesn't touch the headrest. Last edited by Memphis1; 03-22-2010 at 05:54 PM..
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03-22-2010, 05:43 PM	#8
Z4-Archon Private 12 Rep 84 Posts Drives: Alpine White Z4 35i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I felt the same way about the regular seats, and I am 5'10. The sport seats were much better.
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03-25-2010, 05:39 AM	#14
lux good Banned 24 Rep 291 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 23i & Q5 2.0 TSFI Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: England iTrader: (0)	[QUOTE=richard in NC;6984690]Dive on a highway? Haha changed it now.....i'm crap at typing!!!
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03-25-2010, 11:00 PM	#15
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel 89 Rep 1,838 Posts Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Jeremy is 6'5" and he fits fine. __________________
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03-26-2010, 02:00 AM	#16
bobbydog Private First Class 10 Rep 105 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Didn't Jeremy Clarkson buy a Z4 35i?
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03-26-2010, 03:12 PM	#17
BarrowJon Private First Class 69 Rep 157 Posts Drives: Z4 M40i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Seneca, SC iTrader: (0)	I'm 6'1" at 235 lbs and quite comfortable. My son at 6'7" can't fully extend his legs, sits with knees up, but has adequate head room. Neither of us have any issues with the head rests being against back of our heads. Believe you must first adjust seat back angle to suit, then move entire seat backward or forward to your liking, finally adjusting seat bottom tilt to seek most comforable position for your legs.
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