Discussion
Anybody else have problems getting in and out of their S3? I'd like to think that I'm about average size, shape, leg length etc. but have to resort to sliding the seat back on its runners to enter/exit with any degree of comfort. The steering wheel appears to be the problem, it sits quite tight to my legs. Anybody else have the same problem?
Yep, getting older is not good! Mind you, I am 5'6" and I have the seat most of the way back anyway. I did consider a smaller wheel but I calculated the difference in steering effort required and decided against it. I presume you have the original size wheel? I suppose you should consider yourself lucky! Try with the shorter S1 doors!
With the hood down it is pretty easy, but with the hood up even someone my size struggles (OK,OK, going to get all the comments about people who never drive with hood up....wait until you are 66 laddies!!! )
With the hood down it is pretty easy, but with the hood up even someone my size struggles (OK,OK, going to get all the comments about people who never drive with hood up....wait until you are 66 laddies!!! )
Well, I'm a very old git, 6 feet tall ( but starting to shrink a bit now ! ) with "big bones", 14 stone & growing exponentially, but I can leap into & out of my short door S1 like a gazelle. 
( A very old wounded gazelle, admittedly. )
The solution is to saw your legs off & fit hand controls.
HTH.
PS. Don't try this at home, your other half will complain about the mess on the carpet.
( A very old wounded gazelle, admittedly. )
The solution is to saw your legs off & fit hand controls.
HTH.
PS. Don't try this at home, your other half will complain about the mess on the carpet.
I often wonder at the taller members of the S owners club, and how they cope with the driving position let alone getting into and out of without splitting next weeks washing. I am only a spring chicken ( 50 something,) and just 5ft 8 but I have the seat almost right back and the back rest reclined against the diff tunnel, so any taller and where do you put your extra inches ??
S2Mike said:
I often wonder at the taller members of the S owners club, and how they cope with the driving position let alone getting into and out of without splitting next weeks washing. I am only a spring chicken ( 50 something,) and just 5ft 8 but I have the seat almost right back and the back rest reclined against the diff tunnel, so any taller and where do you put your extra inches ??
It's depressing watching Mat Smith squeeze himself into the S as he must be around 6ft 5? I remeber the days when I could bend!Perhaps if we used something like this- http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?sa=X&biw=1536&a... obviously only works with the hood down!
I’m just under 6’ and even with the larger Cerb’ seats I have plenty of room. Do you boys have a Lewis Hamilton
driving position or something?
driving position or something?
My legs are quite long at 32" inside leg - Get away from me Mr. Humphries! , but I find the S1 one of the most comfortable cars I have ever driven; equal to my old 7 Series BMW, or even my long departed Renault 16 which was like driving a sofa. ( It handled like a sofa as well ! )
In my S, I have to have the ( standard ) seat forward a couple of notches so I can fully depress the clutch pedal, and all the other controls fall comfortably into place for even long trips like Calais to Baden-Baden in a day. No twinges or back pain, it's a great car once you're in it
It's probably Austin that keeps me young!
Today has been the nicest sunny day, first for ages, so we've been playing topless in the Pennines
ETA: Plenty of clearance for my thighs with the standard TVR steering wheel, although I did get my shoulders wedged when I was upside down changing the throttle cable. That's when I wished I had a wider door opening. I had to pull myself free by hooking my toes on the fence post!
I wonder if TVR set up the pedals during the build in a choice of positions depending on the customer's height? I know they did on later models after the S.
In my S, I have to have the ( standard ) seat forward a couple of notches so I can fully depress the clutch pedal, and all the other controls fall comfortably into place for even long trips like Calais to Baden-Baden in a day. No twinges or back pain, it's a great car once you're in it
It's probably Austin that keeps me young!
Today has been the nicest sunny day, first for ages, so we've been playing topless in the Pennines
ETA: Plenty of clearance for my thighs with the standard TVR steering wheel, although I did get my shoulders wedged when I was upside down changing the throttle cable. That's when I wished I had a wider door opening. I had to pull myself free by hooking my toes on the fence post!
I wonder if TVR set up the pedals during the build in a choice of positions depending on the customer's height? I know they did on later models after the S.
Edited by glenrobbo on Sunday 16th February 19:10
greymrj said:
Yep, getting older is not good! Mind you, I am 5'6" and I have the seat most of the way back anyway. I did consider a smaller wheel but I calculated the difference in steering effort required and decided against it. I presume you have the original size wheel? I suppose you should consider yourself lucky! Try with the shorter S1 doors!
With the hood down it is pretty easy, but with the hood up even someone my size struggles (OK,OK, going to get all the comments about people who never drive with hood up....wait until you are 66 laddies!!! )
Oh Richard, With the hood down it is pretty easy, but with the hood up even someone my size struggles (OK,OK, going to get all the comments about people who never drive with hood up....wait until you are 66 laddies!!! )
I do so wish I had to wait........
You young 'uns........
If you look halfway down the steering column there are 2 bolts holding a metal flange carrying the steering column. When I loosened them there was quite a bit of up and down play. Hold steering wheel in desired position and tighten. It helps here if you have 4 arms.
I found at the extremes steering feel was lost presumably due to friction but it did offer some adjustment.
I found at the extremes steering feel was lost presumably due to friction but it did offer some adjustment.
Alan Whitaker said:
Interesting - especially as an anti-theft deterrent - is that compatible with the standard Personal steering wheel ??Thanks to everyone for their suggestions, even though some were a bit drastic; an Allegro steering wheel !!!!
After reading Barkychocs comments I decided to look through Steve Heaths book to see what he has to say; on page 156 he says "it is possible ,using washers, to adjust the steering column height by a small amount". This appears to tie in with Barkychocs comments, so only one thing for it looks like my heads going into the footwell this weekend.
Once again thanks to everyone for their help.
After reading Barkychocs comments I decided to look through Steve Heaths book to see what he has to say; on page 156 he says "it is possible ,using washers, to adjust the steering column height by a small amount". This appears to tie in with Barkychocs comments, so only one thing for it looks like my heads going into the footwell this weekend.
Once again thanks to everyone for their help.
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