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      07-20-2018, 02:34 PM   #1
Bassman79
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Tall guys and helmets

I have an E39 M5 and am considering a switch to an M235i. Headroom in the M5 is a problem for me with a helmet. I'm 6'2" and with a helmet i have to recline the seat back more than I'd like and then slide up closer to the wheel. Based on my research and reading other forums here (which were very helpful), it sounds like the 2 series will have more front seat headroom than the E39, and will generally be able to easily fit tall guys well over 6'2". Can any tall guys comment on headroom when wearing a helmet? Both for cars with and without sunroof? I'm in the US, so this would be for US-spec cars with electric seats, which i understand are set higher than manual seats.

Thanks for any input.
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      07-20-2018, 04:22 PM   #2
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going to be very tight. I dont want to say you will fit, or you wont. Bring a helmet to the dealer and see.

you are 100% going to need a headrest out of a 3 series that allows you to adjust it back or it will feel very akward.
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      07-20-2018, 06:17 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bryan_f22 View Post
going to be very tight. I dont want to say you will fit, or you wont. Bring a helmet to the dealer and see.

you are 100% going to need a headrest out of a 3 series that allows you to adjust it back or it will feel very akward.
A sunroof delete car will also help if you can find one. When I bought my M235i they were pretty scarce at the dealers around me so I had to order one built with the sunroof delete option (and the LSD which was port int installed).
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      07-20-2018, 07:55 PM   #4
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I'm 6'2" and I have the sunroof. It is very tight. I need to tilt the seat bottom all the way back, bring the seat forward, and then recline the seat back more than I usually would to get enough clearance to fit. And even then on a bumpy track my head will hit the roof. With the seat reclined that much I don't notice an issue with the headrest.

On the upside, with the seat bottom tilted back, you get a real 'bucket' effect that keeps you firmly in the seat. I've found I like it enough that I've changed my regular street position a bit more that way.
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      07-20-2018, 09:20 PM   #5
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Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like I ought to seek out a sunroof delete car. That's fine by me as I don't really use sunroofs anyway due to using a roof rack (open sunroof + roof rack = awful wind noise) but it will make my search for a used car that much harder. Oh well - I'm tired of hitting my head in the E39.
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      07-20-2018, 09:27 PM   #6
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I am 6'3" and I had to delete moonroof.
I tried to sit in a car with moonroof and my head touched the roof.

So I contacted BMW and they told me moonroof delete will give 1.9" more headroom.
Even with moonroof delete, helmet touches roof in very upright 'race' seat position. Still it is OK to run short Auto X courses.
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      07-21-2018, 12:07 AM   #7
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6'3" Seat fully dropped, upright seating position, no sun roof.

I am comfortable
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      07-21-2018, 04:08 PM   #8
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6'2.5 in tall. Moon roof with helmet its tight!!!!!
Would love to lower the seat 2". Any ideas????
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      07-26-2018, 08:21 AM   #9
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I sat in a forum member’s car this week and brought my helmet. I will need a non-sunroof car. I have a longish torso though so that may contribute to the problem. The car is awesome though and I’m looking forward to picking one of these up. Form factor feels the same as an E46.
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      07-28-2018, 06:53 PM   #10
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I am 6' 2" and have an m240i coupe with sunroof and I rub the roof with my helmet on. Also dependent on helmet. My full face was better than my open face.
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      07-31-2018, 02:29 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oiram14 View Post
I am 6' 2" and have an m240i coupe with sunroof and I rub the roof with my helmet on. Also dependent on helmet. My full face was better than my open face.
In 5’10” and my M240i has the sunroof. My helmet hits the sunroof! I ordered the car with the sunroof delete option, but the factory screwed up. Dealer gave me some stuff-coffee cup, hat, etc.- and $509. Sales manager gave BMW NA a nasty shout!!! I’ve never opened the sunroof.
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      08-02-2018, 09:24 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oiram14 View Post
I am 6' 2" and have an m240i coupe with sunroof and I rub the roof with my helmet on. Also dependent on helmet. My full face was better than my open face.
That's interesting. What brand was your full face?

Has anyone else noticed that certain helmets are more low-profile at the top?
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      08-03-2018, 11:43 AM   #13
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I've heard this from several sources as well. I have a Bell EV that fits better than the loaner open-face (I think it was a Racequip). FWIW, I worked w/ Northstar and they sent multiple helmets so I could try them on (Nobody local carried different brands, and fit is highly variable). I notice it more for the side airbag area than right above me, but I have no sunroof (6'0").

correction - it was Northstar Motorsports I worked w/.

Last edited by Maynard; 08-05-2018 at 10:40 AM.. Reason: correction
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      11-13-2018, 01:32 PM   #14
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So I am 5'10" and no sunroof. I fit with no helmet interference but it seems pretty close. The front headrest doesn't bug me with my seat position.
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      11-14-2018, 08:27 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by buster-riley View Post
So I am 5'10" and no sunroof.
Same here.

Below is a photo of the Stilo helmet that I use. It is 11" in total height, including the ~1" additional height of the air supply port on top of the helmet. I don't know how close to the roof the air supply port is, but I haven't felt it touch the roof.

I did recline the back of my chair more than I would normally choose to do. That was so the headrest didn't force my head to be tilted forward. However, the air supply port wasn't contacting the roof before I reclined the back of the chair.

When I first got the car, I was able to lower the chair more than I expected, and I think that's helped with this issue.

Stilo ST4W w/Air Supply Port on Top
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Last edited by dradernh; 11-14-2018 at 08:35 PM..
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