E36 offset driving position

[Frimley111R]

I've owned my 1998 318iS (E36) for a month or so now and only noticed recently that the steering wheel sits a couple of inches to the left of the centre of the seat causing me to sit with one 'cheek' on the left hand squab bolster. This then means I sit at an angle, as if I am sitting on a (sideways) slope. This week I've been getting a lot of back pain on the right hand side of my back, lower down.

Although there is a slight possiblity that there may be some other cause I can't help thinking it's the fault of the car's basic design. If it is it is bye-bye BM!

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

[TheEnd]

Mine's stripped out, and you can see the steering wheel is offset to the left, and the pedals are offset to the right.

It's probably designed that way to compensate for bulging BMW driver's wallets canting them over

[dan101smith]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I never realised the saloon was different. Any idea why it is so?

[forsure]

dan101smith said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I never realised the saloon was different. Any idea why it is so?

Might be to do with the fact that the whole bodyshell is different, not just the roofline. They don't share any outer panels (except perhaps the bonnet & sills). The tops of the wings are lower on the coupe (so the bulkhead is presumably lower too) - as is the roof, obviously. And the driving position is lower. I know this doesn't necessarily explain the offset, but it must have something to do with it.

[forsure]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

It is surprising how different they are, and yet so similar.
I wonder how many people have gone to the scrappy for a replacement rear light unit for their coupe, and bought a saloon part assuming that they're the same.

I love the look of the coupe. Had a 325i auto with aircon, sunroof, cruise, factory upgraded hifi, Mtech suspension and factory cross-spokes. green with tan interior.
Of the 40+ cars I've owned it's the one I miss most.

[Frimley111R]

Thanks everyone. Given all the changes they made it still doesn't explain the offset wheel. Just think, all that effort and they missed such a fundamental flaw. I've driven loads of cars but this is the first I have had with an offset driving position.