New Z4 Ride Height - Too Low?

J

jklondon

Member
keen to hear from owners of the new Z4 how they find the ride height? will be test driving one soon but sat in one today and the ride height seemed too low esp. given that the nose is long and pointing upwards...

I forgot to ask if you can raise the seats upwards - does anyone know if this is possible?

Thanks
JK
 
Do you mean the height of the car, or the seat itself?

The seat adjusts for height, whether or not it can be raised depends on if it was on the lowest setting when you sat in it (it probably was though). Placing the nose is a bit of a problem but you'd get used to it, I can see why someone would spec the PDC.
 
Hi Mike,

Yea the actual seat - I think your right need another sit inside it - was thinking of hiring the car for the weekend from my dealer to get a real feel for it before forking out a serious wad of cash!

Think its around £300 for the weekend which isnt too bad I think.

Cheers
JK
 
Hi jk

I've been driving mine for a couple of weeks now. I've got the 'standard' seats rather than the sports models, they are adjustable in height by quite some degree. I would say at fullest height you would have no worries - if you wish to drive it like that.

My preferred position has ended up pretty low, and the bonnet DOES loom large for sure. I would say it takes some time to get used to it, but am happy now. As Mr Clarkson said in the Top Gear review, the car feels like it steers from the hip, once you have a feel for the distance involved there is no further issue.

Having said that, I did get the parking 'helper' installed on my other half's insistence. She is passing her test soon... I have to admit I found it pretty damn useful in the first instance with parking in multi-stories etc. Judging the bonnet finely will take a little time.

There is 'seat position memory' for those who purchase it as an option (I didn't). I imagine you could use this for 2 different seating positions, one for city, safe and high up, and another for cross-country driving, if you wished.

One last point, I'm not used to sports cars so this may be generic, I do find poking my elbow out of the window a little less comfortable than in a standard car! Seat is so low my arm has to come up unnaturally high!

Tamman69
 
Tamman - useful feedback thanks - hows does the ride position compare to a boxster? Yes I know I need to sit in one ...as you can prob tell new to roadsters!
 
Sorry jk, I'm perhaps even greener than you are! No idea on the boxster comparison...

All I can add is that I've managed about 2000 miles this last fortnight, haven't scratched anywhere despite the bonnet, and parking all over Europe on the 'wrong' side of the road - yet..
 
Mine does seem low, but I'm 6'5", and my last car was a Ford Expedition. I currently have a Z4 35i, and a Jeep Wrangler. Very different rides!
 
When I first got in the Z4 Coupe for a test drive I bashed my head on the roof when I got in lol, it does feel very low but I do like to drive low and far back so suits me fine.
 
I guess it depends on which seats you have, and I guess you're talking about the E89 Z4? As far as the E85 Z4 is concerned, if you have the M Sport seats, then there is more adjustment as far as height and general position are concerned, it's therefore pretty easy to get a good driving position - If you have the standard seats, then opitions are a little more limited, but this shouldn't put you off buying the car, as the other guys have said, it's a case of getting used to it. Once you have got used to it, it's an absolute blast!
 
Hi i am thinking about getting a z4

However when i sat in one in the showroom the head height did not seem very good.
Now I have to say that I have short legs and a big body.

After doing some research i was bit confused

I drive a Nissan GTR which has 38.1inch headroom (about 0.3 inch to spare)
I also drive a golf GTI 39.3inch headroom (About 1.5inch headroom to spare)

The figures suggest that the Z4 has 39.1 inch headroom?

Again after reading this I was wondering if the seat i was sitting in was a normal seat and not a sport seat? or visa versa

I have decided I will go back and have another look!

Any oinions welcomed.

This head height thing is not an exact science though.. I need about 38inches based on the above data from my current to cars however

I cannot get into:
1. Range Rover sport (38.5")
2. Nissan Z370 (38.7")

Yet I can get into an SLK (37.9")

I am only about 6ft (182cm) but I have small legs and a big body) Freak! :D
 
I'm 6ft4" and to be honest I've never really thought about the seating/ ride being low on any of the 3 Zed's I've had.

After all I bought it because its was a long slung sports car!
 
Hi there. Im new to the site and a new Z4 Owner.

Although your questions and discussions are regarding adjusting the height of the seats, i wondered if anyone knew if it was possible or at all legal to put road tyres on run flat rims??

The ride is extremely bumpy on the run flats and i have been told that it is possible to put road tyres on thus improving the ride. Is this correct?
Having made a few enquiries with certain tyre franchises, they informed me that such a thing is not legal and should i have an accident it will go against me on my insurance?

Could anyone please advise or has anyone encounterd the same issues?

I look forward to receiving your replies with interest.

Thanking you on advance.
 
jklondon said:
keen to hear from owners of the new Z4 how they find the ride height? will be test driving one soon but sat in one today and the ride height seemed too low esp. given that the nose is long and pointing upwards...

I forgot to ask if you can raise the seats upwards - does anyone know if this is possible?

Thanks
JK
Click to expand...


Hi test drove mine sunday, collecting tomorrow :D I am 5'7" partner 5'2" no problem the drivers seat has 5 different setting knobs and seemed great, never had so many seat options..Mmmm you got me thinking now, I only drove the car with roof down :roll: I may be driving with my head through the roof or just getting wet in the rain...who cares i'm getting a zed :driving: :driving:
 
Every year it seems I spend a fair chunk of change at the autobody shop to take care of front spoiler damage on my wife's 2003. An SUV it is not! You just have to accept that it will happen... OR stick to a known route :(
 
Before deciding to buy a used 2008 3.0si, I gave the new ones (2009+) a go and I have to say that I really thought I was struggling to see over the hood. I'm 6'1" and long torso'd as well .. so being that way in a car was really foreign to me.

That fact and that the HT-conv left absolutely no trunk space, I opt'd for a 2008. I find the hood/sight line on the 2008 just at the edge of what I think feels right.

Angelo
 
Why do you feel you need to see the end of the 'hood'? It's a sports car, you sit low, close to the rear wheels, as low as you feel comfortable and just drive.....you'll seen get a feel for the cars length
 
I am 5 ft 6 and have the seat almost at the bottom level, you really do get used to the bonnet. If you have poor spacial awareness buy PDC or reverse park and don't use multi-storey car parks. In fact a zed and multi stories are mutually exclusive unless you like kerbed alloys.
 
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