Can a small lady drive a BMW Series 1 M Sport?
Discussion
I have always had small cars. I currently drive a KA but upgrading to a bigger car due to a family. I’m only 5ft so I am petrified of transitioning to a bigger car from 1.3L to a 2L engine. Do the seats go up and down? My KA doesn’t, that’s why I’m worried if it doesn’t then I’m buggered. Tried sitting in a Mercedes C class and I couldn’t reach over the wheel or the pedals despite moving the seat forward as far as it would go 
iSore said:
They're fine for you size wise, but don't - under any circumstances - buy a petrol 4 cylinder (118i, 120i).
They are a reliability disaster. The 118d/120d are far better.
That's like saying that being hit with a hammer is preferable to being hit with a brickThey are a reliability disaster. The 118d/120d are far better.
Edited by PTF on Friday 11th January 17:57
PTF said:
iSore said:
They're fine for you size wise, but don't - under any circumstances - buy a petrol 4 cylinder (118i, 120i).
They are a reliability disaster. The 118d/120d are far better.
That's like saying that being hit with a hammer is preferable to being hit with a brickThey are a reliability disaster. The 118d/120d are far better.
Edited by PTF on Friday 11th January 17:57
Im 5ft 2 and struggle, i can't push the clutch down enough to get it to start without having to slide out the seat slightly. Sorry. But go to a dealer and have a look and see, when i took one in for a recall recently the short service assistant says she can't either.
It doesn't completely stop me being able to drive a manual BMW , but its not as comfortable or as easy as other manufacturers.
It doesn't completely stop me being able to drive a manual BMW , but its not as comfortable or as easy as other manufacturers.
I find VW group stuff really good for seating position as well as Jap stuff. As long as you can get the seat right you'll feel comfortable driving any size vehicle. The BMW i end up with my nose practically on the steering wheel which doesn't help the situation! SUV types might help you as well as you start from a higher visibility point.
Schmoopy said:
I find VW group stuff really good for seating position as well as Jap stuff. As long as you can get the seat right you'll feel comfortable driving any size vehicle. The BMW i end up with my nose practically on the steering wheel which doesn't help the situation! SUV types might help you as well as you start from a higher visibility point.
Not good to have your face that close to the airbag, either!iSore said:
They're fine for you size wise, but don't - under any circumstances - buy a petrol 4 cylinder (118i, 120i).
They are a reliability disaster. The 118d/120d are far better.
Apart from the DPF issues caused by short journeys/round town driving only, with no proper DPF re-gen carried out!They are a reliability disaster. The 118d/120d are far better.
Pothole said:
Not good to have your face that close to the airbag, either!
No, although now I’m realising why my partner keeps buying the b
d things, he’s trying to kill me. 
I can literally drive anything else, the land rovers mentioned (I used to have a defender Id off-road), great big pick ups, lwb vans, and it’s absolutely fine. But a bloody bmw, I just cant get it right. My slightly taller sister is the same in them.
Its when your manovering it becomes really apparent.
No trolls are generally shorter than 5 foot.... As mentioned above go and try some at a dealership.paula92 said:
I’m only 5ft so I am petrified of transitioning to a bigger car from 1.3L to a 2L engine
Funnily enough cars are not designed in such a way that small engines are for short people and big engines are fall tall people.
If anything the larger the car usually means more luxury like the ability to move the height/tilt of a seat as well as the height/depth/angle of the steering wheel which REALLY helps!!!
Do not drive like this, and you should be fine!
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