BMW 1 Series - only for small people

[funkyrobot]

Finally sat in one of these today. Found it to be terribly small. Steering wheel was rubbing the top of my thighs! Seat doesn't go back very far either.

Are these cars only designed for small people? My friend has a Micra k11 with much more legroom and space.

[funkyrobot]

I'm 6ft 4.

I thought I'd try one to see how much room they have. I had the steering wheel fully up, moved the seat fully back and down and got my thighs polished.

No way would I be able to own one as I wouldn't fit my daughter in the back. I did actually like the look of them.

[funkyrobot]

darren f said:

I can't see where the OP is coming from either- I'm 6'1" and had a 1-er as a rental company car for a few months- I fitted ok, admittedly there was not a vast amount of space (especially in the rear), but the comment about it being 'snug' is spot-on, it felt like you sat 'in it', rather than 'on it' which is the case with so many modern cars. If it only had some semblance of steering feel it would be a super little car (IMO of course).

You't won't. You are 6ft 1.

The model I sat in was a 125d Sport. I moved the seat to the best position possible and the steering wheel was still rubbing my thighs. The one in question was a manual too, which would have been even more difficult to drive than an auto.

Even though others are of similar size to me, the leg to body ratio may be different. If you have longer legs and a shorter body than someone of similar size, this may be the issue.

Anyway, it didn't work for me so I won't even be considering looking at any other similar models. If I do go BMW, I guess a 3 series would be the minimum model size for me. Saying that, I do tend to find modern German cars less roomy inside than other makes. Must just be the way they pack the interior.

[funkyrobot]

yonex said:

funkyrobot said:

Finally sat in one of these today. Found it to be terribly small. Steering wheel was rubbing the top of my thighs! Seat doesn't go back very far either.

Are these cars only designed for small people? My friend has a Micra k11 with much more legroom and space.

It's not a big car. Why the surprise?

It isn't that small.

From the outside, you would expect a K11 to have less room.

Sorry, did I criticise a German make? Definite PH no-no.

[funkyrobot]

northwest monkey said:

I'm 7'6" and weigh 38 stone and have 3 really tall children and a missus that is 6'11" and we all fit in ours no problem. And with enough storage space in the boot to fit the tent and enough food for a couple of weeks camping as we don't trust foreign stuff.

So basically OP, you're either telling lies, or you actually test drove the new 0.75 series without realising it.

I should have gone for a Mini.

[funkyrobot]

Leins said:

I'm never entirely sure what people mean when they say a car has very little room in the drivers seat. For me it means I cannot physically operate the car, due to a lack of headroom or an inability to depress the clutch or turn the steering wheel. Perhaps others prefer a driving position whereby they have their arms fully outstretched and the seat on its highest setting (so as to see more of the front of the car?), in which case then yes, a 1-series is probably the wrong option and perhaps an X5 is required

Other than that, I struggle a bit to understand how someone can find fault with the range of adjustment available in a 1-series driving seat, which is far superior to the likes of a Megane or Focus (6'8, 17.5 stone)

Keep struggling.

In my case, I sat in the car and made all of the adjustments I could to move the seat down and away from the steering wheel. I then tried to push the steering wheel as high as it would go.

Result was steering wheel still touching the top of my thighs. I tried to change gear and wouldn't want to do this when actually driving. It felt like I was sat in a car designed for people smaller than me.

I'm probably nearer 6ft 5 than 6ft 4. Fit in my Mazda and even my fiancée's Polo absolutely fine. Even found a Micra K11 to be ok. New 1 series though? Nope.

For everyone who says they are shorter than me and can't understand, aren't you actually missing the point? You aren't the same height as me so it won't be the same.

Anyhow, I thought I'd start this thread with what I found. Sorry so many people struggle with it.

[funkyrobot]

yonex said:

Do you have this problem with clothing, or just buy something that fits

Oooooh. Sorry for offending you, previous 1 series owner.

[funkyrobot]

yonex said:

funkyrobot said:

Oooooh. Sorry for offending you, previous 1 series owner.

I'm not offended in the slightest, just bemused by your thread.

Why the stupid clothes comment then?

Bemused because someone has said the inside of a modern BMW is small.

[funkyrobot]

ash73 said:

Buy something else then. Why should those of Colin Chapman proportions have to put up with wasted space for lanky/fat people?

Reason I looked at one was because I thought they would be a nice car for me. The M135i and coming M140i(?) seemed especially appealing as I now work a short walk from home. So, you know, having an interest, I thought I would take a look.

The car seems to be a similar size if not bigger than my Mazda3. It's definitely bigger than my OH's Polo. When I got in the car, I was surprised at how small it was. I thought that being a motoring forum, I'd mention this and see if anyone else noticed this.

As with PH though, it seems I've attracted the usual idiots with their brain-dead comments. Oh well. This is PH after all. I'll see what people think elsewhere.