It has been said that tall people have to shop for cars like other people shop for suits. It is not easy to find the fit and an inch can make a big difference. Below is the information and dimensions that all of the car reviewers have so far withheld:
It is all good news! The three is actually better than the S when it comes to fitting my 6’-4” 210 lb, 36” inseam frame in comfortably, and I am in heaven. Although the seat cushion is a little shorter than I would like the back cushion is tall enough and very well shaped.
Significantly, the sun visor slides completely to the door frame jamb to cover the dreaded afternoon glare spot when you have the seat back. This is not only a comfort but a safety issue and hopefully the S will follow suit.
Headroom is superior to any sedan that I have been in. This is because the structural rail between the skylight and the doors is very thin. 5 1/4” wide from door glass to skylight glass in the M3 as opposed to 9 1/2“ wide in the “S”. This means that there is clear space to the side of your head as well as directly overhead. With the seat down to the lowest spot I have 5” of clear space from the top of my head to the glass roof. (Note: get only the glass roof version). A 6’-6” friend had abundant head room. In the rear seat my head is close to the glass ( 3/4” clear) but does not touch.
The other critical dimension of course is the steering reach since that determines the real leg room.
The “S”, which is comfortable for me is “29 1/2“ from accelerator pedal the the center bottom of a fully expended steering wheel. The M3 is 29”. Slightly less than the S but more than most cars. No need for gorilla arms.
Lastly, if you have fairly decent posture, a head rest can poke your upper spine, even if it is fully extended. This happens to me in the S even though I removed padding off of the bottom edge of the headrest. Very irritating while driving. I worried that the fixed head rest in the M3 would be worse. In fact, it is significantly better (higher). The bottom of the head rest bump out clears the top of my spine by 3/4” or so.
The steering wheel is smaller but meaty and good for large hands.
Other impressions:
Exterior looks pretty much like photos. Unremarkable rear, beautiful lines (although not in the same class as the “S”) with an original and engaging front end.
The interior however is much richer and more intimate than the photos. In fact I think it is the most wonderful interior that I have seen in a car (and I have seen a lot of cars!) It feels solid and substantial but extraordinarily elegant and even seductive in a slightly feminine way. The cloth headliner is very up scale. The M3 shows how superficial the fidgety bling currently associated with automobile “luxury” really is. If you are into rolex watches, gucci bags and design as decoration you may hate it.
There are a couple of things that will take getting used to for me . The door handles, which feel wonderful to the touch, have to be approached a certain way. After many decades of looking down to see how fast you are going, looking right is going to take new muscle memory. The seats are beautiful, comfortable and environmentally responsible but I personally miss the sensual smell and feel of thick well stitched leather. Delicate piano black on the console was an unfortunate choice. Touch screen is a little better organized but still too many needlessly tiny buttons! Let's hope the HVAC system at least will soon have voice control.
Visibility is very good forward and to the sides, OK to the rear and not good at the rear three quarters.
After lowering the air pressure to the 45 lbs listed on the door I am fine with the suspension although it does not damp down road imperfections as well as the the air suspension of the “S”. It drives and handles as well as the reviews say.
All in all, this car sets a standard beyond anything on the road.
My humble recommendation: In the long term it would probably be cheaper for our government to hand these things out everyone for free rather than pay for all of the petroleum subsidies, military costs of protecting oil, environmental damage and astronomical health costs associated with petroleum transportation.
People would be happier too.
It is all good news! The three is actually better than the S when it comes to fitting my 6’-4” 210 lb, 36” inseam frame in comfortably, and I am in heaven. Although the seat cushion is a little shorter than I would like the back cushion is tall enough and very well shaped.
Significantly, the sun visor slides completely to the door frame jamb to cover the dreaded afternoon glare spot when you have the seat back. This is not only a comfort but a safety issue and hopefully the S will follow suit.
Headroom is superior to any sedan that I have been in. This is because the structural rail between the skylight and the doors is very thin. 5 1/4” wide from door glass to skylight glass in the M3 as opposed to 9 1/2“ wide in the “S”. This means that there is clear space to the side of your head as well as directly overhead. With the seat down to the lowest spot I have 5” of clear space from the top of my head to the glass roof. (Note: get only the glass roof version). A 6’-6” friend had abundant head room. In the rear seat my head is close to the glass ( 3/4” clear) but does not touch.
The other critical dimension of course is the steering reach since that determines the real leg room.
The “S”, which is comfortable for me is “29 1/2“ from accelerator pedal the the center bottom of a fully expended steering wheel. The M3 is 29”. Slightly less than the S but more than most cars. No need for gorilla arms.
Lastly, if you have fairly decent posture, a head rest can poke your upper spine, even if it is fully extended. This happens to me in the S even though I removed padding off of the bottom edge of the headrest. Very irritating while driving. I worried that the fixed head rest in the M3 would be worse. In fact, it is significantly better (higher). The bottom of the head rest bump out clears the top of my spine by 3/4” or so.
The steering wheel is smaller but meaty and good for large hands.
Other impressions:
Exterior looks pretty much like photos. Unremarkable rear, beautiful lines (although not in the same class as the “S”) with an original and engaging front end.
The interior however is much richer and more intimate than the photos. In fact I think it is the most wonderful interior that I have seen in a car (and I have seen a lot of cars!) It feels solid and substantial but extraordinarily elegant and even seductive in a slightly feminine way. The cloth headliner is very up scale. The M3 shows how superficial the fidgety bling currently associated with automobile “luxury” really is. If you are into rolex watches, gucci bags and design as decoration you may hate it.
There are a couple of things that will take getting used to for me . The door handles, which feel wonderful to the touch, have to be approached a certain way. After many decades of looking down to see how fast you are going, looking right is going to take new muscle memory. The seats are beautiful, comfortable and environmentally responsible but I personally miss the sensual smell and feel of thick well stitched leather. Delicate piano black on the console was an unfortunate choice. Touch screen is a little better organized but still too many needlessly tiny buttons! Let's hope the HVAC system at least will soon have voice control.
Visibility is very good forward and to the sides, OK to the rear and not good at the rear three quarters.
After lowering the air pressure to the 45 lbs listed on the door I am fine with the suspension although it does not damp down road imperfections as well as the the air suspension of the “S”. It drives and handles as well as the reviews say.
All in all, this car sets a standard beyond anything on the road.
My humble recommendation: In the long term it would probably be cheaper for our government to hand these things out everyone for free rather than pay for all of the petroleum subsidies, military costs of protecting oil, environmental damage and astronomical health costs associated with petroleum transportation.
People would be happier too.
