[GSingh]

Am I the only one that feels that the dead pedal is far too forward? I have to scoot forward slightly for my left foot to even touch it while my right leg is comfortably slightly bent to reach the accelerator/Brake.

[bimmerfile]

Feels perfect for me, but I'm 6'5".

[Sportstick]

All good here at 6'2".

[AndDown]

Not a problem for a 5’7” with short legs (inseam 28”). On long freeway drives, I’ll often have my left leg bent like sitting on a chair and my left forearm resting on top of it with my left hand still on the steering wheel. Maybe not recommended but it’s sure comfortable for longer journeys, a plus for short legs I guess.

[bmtespar]

The driver seat is slightly set further inward so the pedals are ever so slightly off. It's been a point of discussion in reviews before. I believe it was Chris Harris who mentioned it when driving the M2. As he explains and I agree, the seat had to be moved further away from the door because of the air bags. It's something I notice but it's nothing I can't get past. I'll try to find the video and share.

Edit: Jason Cammisa from Motor Trend
See 10:45 for seat comments

[Dylan86]

All good, 5'10 here. My seat is pretty far forward and upright for most drives. The seat itself all the way down to the floor as low as it'll go, and fairly level, imo. If I had an Auto and wanted to G'lean I could probably still reach no problem..

D

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by AndDown

Not a problem for a 5’7” with short legs (inseam 28”). On long freeway drives, I’ll often have my left leg bent like sitting on a chair and my left forearm resting on top of it with my left hand still on the steering wheel. Maybe not recommended but it’s sure comfortable for longer journeys, a plus for short legs I guess.

I'm 5'7" also and no problem. My F30 and F31 the dead pedal seems a tiny bit closer but not by much.

Most people sit too far back, which can be quite dangerous.

[GSingh]

Hmm, I guess my frame of reference is my previous daily, MKV Jetta, where it was about 3 inches closer.

I'll just have to get used to it haha. Thanks for the responses fellas.

[cwilsong]

5’10” here and it hits me just right, and I totally agree way to many people try and drive way to far back. Something they mentioned multiple time and the performance delivery center when I was picking up the car.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by cwilsong

5’10” here and it hits me just right, and I totally agree way to many people try and drive way to far back. Something they mentioned multiple time and the performance delivery center when I was picking up the car.

Driving ergonomics aside, at the very least it's important to make sure you can fully bottom out the brake pedal while maintaining a bend in your knee. If that's OK you've reduced your risk of major injury significantly, the rest is bonus at that point.

[overcoil]

I kinda wish all three pedals were closer together

[Kevinduma]

Dead pedal is fine. It’s the seat that’s kind of crooked that’s odd if anything

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I'm 5'7" also and no problem.

You write taller...

[Mason Hatcher]

For those who say most people drive from too far back. So, how far back is appropriate?

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

For those who say most people drive from too far back. So, how far back is appropriate?

The usual recommendation is to stretch your arms straight forward. Adjust the seat fore/aft so the steering wheel rim is about where your watch band is on your wrist. Bend your arms slightly to retract your hands and grab the wheel. That should be the optimal distance.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

The usual recommendation is to stretch your arms straight forward. Adjust the seat fore/aft so the steering wheel rim is about where your watch band is on your wrist. Bend your arms slightly to retract your hands and grab the wheel. That should be the optimal distance.

Another method is you should be able to break your wrist over 12 on the wheel without your shoulder coming off your seat. When you move to 9/3 driving position you'll have the correct bend in the elbows. Should also be able to fully bottom out brake with a bend in knee, not locking it out. Finally top of head should be about a fist from the roof.

This will typically feel WAY too close until you get used to it.

[morphomeman]

Ditto. Many people think that this correct position is too close and sit farther back, but it gives you much better control when you need it. And yes, you really need enough leverage on your left foot to smash the brake pedal, which you can only get that when your leg is properly bent to begin with.
The seat back should also be almost vertical and the seat angled a little bit up in front.
Another factor to remember is that the steering wheel adjusts in two dimensions, as does the seat, giving you four major variables to play with.

[BEM-S4]

Also if you smash the brake and hit something, if your leg is still bent it will bend and you'll be fine. If your knee is locked you're in big trouble.

[Winemaker2]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

Ditto. Many people think that this correct position is too close and sit farther back, but it gives you much better control when you need it. And yes, you really need enough leverage on your left foot to smash the brake pedal, which you can only get that when your leg is properly bent to begin with.
The seat back should also be almost vertical and the seat angled a little bit up in front.
Another factor to remember is that the steering wheel adjusts in two dimensions, as does the seat, giving you four major variables to play with.

Absolutely correct. At 5'10" with a long torso and shorter arms and legs, I first position my legs, extend the steering wheel towards the seat, then move the seat-back forward until the hands are properly positioned. With a sunroof you may also need to drop the seat down to provide head clearance. Learned this years ago at Bob Bondurant School of High Speed Driving (I am not quite as old as dirt but we were driving VW Scirroco's). Take a look someday on how close the steering wheel is to the driver of a race car...all about control and saving the arms from fatigue.

[cwilsong]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Also if you smash the brake and hit something, if your leg is still bent it will bend and you'll be fine. If your knee is locked you're in big trouble.

I have spent 37 years working at a level one trauma center still see this injury way to often, there is no air bag down their to protect your legs and even pelvis if you go lock knees into the firewall it’s usually an ugly fracture.

[harma24]

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

For those who say most people drive from too far back. So, how far back is appropriate?

Watch and learn:

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by harma24

Watch and learn:

I was with him until he discussed steering technique. Since the advent of air bags, it is not advisable to cross arms over the hub. In the brief moments before an impact, steering manuevers are often the last thing a driver does. If the air bag deploys while a forearm is crossed over the hub, this can lead to ulna/radius fracture, and as the forearm becomes a projectile back toward the face, orbital fracture and possible eye injury. The technique called "shuffle" steering is far more prudent to develop as one's instinctual behavior.