Heal and toe in a BMW??? Pedals in wrong place?
Discussion
Hi guys
Just got myself a new 3 series coupe 3.0i m sport, (check other topic for the problems I've had). Is it just me or is it really hard to heal and toe when the gas pedal is where it is and hinged differently to the brake pedal. I find that when my toe is on the brake then going for the down change... go to blip the throttle with my heal and the gas pedal is far away. I've had some cars where it has been a bit awkward but this is crazy.
Cheers
Jonny
Just got myself a new 3 series coupe 3.0i m sport, (check other topic for the problems I've had). Is it just me or is it really hard to heal and toe when the gas pedal is where it is and hinged differently to the brake pedal. I find that when my toe is on the brake then going for the down change... go to blip the throttle with my heal and the gas pedal is far away. I've had some cars where it has been a bit awkward but this is crazy.
Cheers
Jonny
The pedal hinging has never been a problem in either My E36 or My previous E30, it just takes a bit of getting used to, practice makes perfect as the old saying goes.
The same goes for the positioning of the pedals. I'm not sure if the newer cars have their pedals further apart, but it's never been a major issue for Me in either of My cars.
What I don't understand however, is that you seem to be under the impression that the pedals have been designed incorrectly as they are not ideally laid out for heel and toeing.
I suspect that the number of drivers that utilize this style of driving is incredibly small and that the design layout of the pedals has been aimed at what the majority of drivers require, decent spacing between the pedals so that they don't accidentally catch the accelerator at the same time as they are applying the brakes.
Just because the pedals don't suit your style of driving doesn't mean that they're designed wrong.
The same goes for the positioning of the pedals. I'm not sure if the newer cars have their pedals further apart, but it's never been a major issue for Me in either of My cars.
What I don't understand however, is that you seem to be under the impression that the pedals have been designed incorrectly as they are not ideally laid out for heel and toeing.
I suspect that the number of drivers that utilize this style of driving is incredibly small and that the design layout of the pedals has been aimed at what the majority of drivers require, decent spacing between the pedals so that they don't accidentally catch the accelerator at the same time as they are applying the brakes.
Just because the pedals don't suit your style of driving doesn't mean that they're designed wrong.
Yeah your totally right, the title misleading. I should have said the pedals aren't the ideal place for heal and toe, not that the not in the right place full stop. They probably are designed well for all round use.
The thing is it's not that there too far apart horizontally but vertically. I.e the gas pedal is really low so you don't only have to reach across but then try to hinge your foot down, I can do it just not comfortable. Like you say it'll be for a reason, maybe easier access to to the brake pedal.
I knew there would be comprises like this when buying the car as I wanted a Lotus Elise but need to kart mountain bikes about so instead of getting a cheap work horse estate and a lotus I went for a 3 series coupe with electrically folding away tow bar (awesome extra) for bike racks. Very happy with the car in general but think I'll have to go for something more focused in the future and get a knackered van or estate or something.
The thing is it's not that there too far apart horizontally but vertically. I.e the gas pedal is really low so you don't only have to reach across but then try to hinge your foot down, I can do it just not comfortable. Like you say it'll be for a reason, maybe easier access to to the brake pedal.
I knew there would be comprises like this when buying the car as I wanted a Lotus Elise but need to kart mountain bikes about so instead of getting a cheap work horse estate and a lotus I went for a 3 series coupe with electrically folding away tow bar (awesome extra) for bike racks. Very happy with the car in general but think I'll have to go for something more focused in the future and get a knackered van or estate or something.
The solution I found was to angle My ankle so My heel is @ halfway up the throttle pedal (which I will confess was a little bit uncomfortable when I first started doing it but I stuck at it and now it feels more comfortable as the ankle is used to stretching that way now).
although the pedal layout isn't naturally suited to heel and toeing, as you have said, give it a bit more practice and you will find it becomes much more comfortable.
although the pedal layout isn't naturally suited to heel and toeing, as you have said, give it a bit more practice and you will find it becomes much more comfortable.
Interestingly I find my 1er's incredibly easy to heel-and-toe in. It's much easier than my VX220, and when I started dating my ex, I remember her 1 series being easier to heel-and-toe than the Impreza I was driving at the time. I position my heel centrally between the two pedals, and use the left side of my foot (i.e. big toe + one next to it) to brake, and a slight angle change lets me blip the throttle with my littlemost toes.
On an unrelated note - I've just realised I don't know of any names for toes except big and little.
On an unrelated note - I've just realised I don't know of any names for toes except big and little.
RacerMDR said:
I haven't had my M3 long e92 - but I can't get heel and toe right with it at all.
I feel that I'd have to really be pushing on and it doesn't seem the right thing to
do
The throttle pedals on all the BMW's I've owned have all felt fairly stiff and "heavy", and do require quite a bit of force with your heel when you're heel and toeing. I feel that I'd have to really be pushing on and it doesn't seem the right thing to
do
At first it can be really hard to judge how much pressure to push with and you end up with either too many revs or not enough. It just takes a bit of practice to get used to the feel of the pedal.
This can lead to another problem when you drive a car with a "light" throttle pedal, in that when you then try to heel and toe, you shove so hard on the throttle pedal that you end up revving the nuts off the engine by accident.
As I say, practice makes perfect!.
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