Not enough headroom w/helmet...help?

tizzyd · 12-19-2012, 09:28 PM

Hey guys, I do a couple trackdays a year, and something that has annoyed me for a while is that I can't fit in my car with the helmet on without tilting my head slightly to the right, or just wedging my head in. I have the seat as low as it can go, but to no avail. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions how to fit? I'm not even an especially tall guy, only around 6ft.

bbbuzzy · 12-19-2012, 10:00 PM

Put the back of the seat at a shallower incline and pull the steering wheel toward you to compensate for your backwards movement. Not necessarily the ideal position for the track, but neither is wedging your head against the headliner. Good luck.

tigermack · 12-19-2012, 10:02 PM

How straight are you sitting? Might help if you move the steering wheel further back and incline more as mentioned above.

Dc88 · 12-19-2012, 10:50 PM

Unfortunately I have the same issue with headroom. Sit lower, angle your head forward.

That is why my favorite stock car to use on the track is a M5 or E63. I can actually sit in comfort all day on the track.

E90_boostjunky · 12-19-2012, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigermack

How straight are you sitting? Might help if you move the steering wheel further back and incline more as mentioned above.

+1

MrRetep · 12-19-2012, 11:06 PM

I'm 6'2 and have no problem fitting in my car with a helmet, yeah the top will touch but im not wedged in. Are you sure your seat as all the way down? you might also be sitting too close to the steering wheel (too straight/tall) ideal driving position is bottom of your wrist touching the top of your steering wheel with your arms stretched out.

tizzyd · 12-19-2012, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRetep

I'm 6'2 and have no problem fitting in my car with a helmet, yeah the top will touch but im not wedged in. Are you sure your seat as all the way down? you might also be sitting too close to the steering wheel (too straight/tall) ideal driving position is bottom of your wrist touching the top of your steering wheel with your arms stretched out.

I'm positive it's all the way down... I learned that rule when I did the BMW driving school 5 years back, so I'm pretty sure my driving position is fine, I just wish my seat would go a little lower, I like sitting as as low as possible and the 6 Gran Coupe I drove last week allowed me to put the seat much lower than my car.

eppisgood · 12-20-2012, 03:55 AM

Even at the same height, people's torso's & leg's aren't the same length.

Bob Shiftright · 12-20-2012, 05:36 AM

The factory "sunroof delete" option is the favored solution over on the Porsche boards.

The basic M3 coupe (do they still build it?) has a carbon fiber roof with no sunroof. Maybe a racing seat could get you some more headroom, but I'd try a car that has one before buying.

calvinwu · 12-20-2012, 05:52 AM

get a racing seat and lower the racing seat frame^^

taranonline · 12-20-2012, 07:06 AM

Im 6'4" no problems wid helmet. No sunroof.

VMRWheels · 12-20-2012, 01:52 PM

Bucket seat.

rorkor · 12-23-2012, 02:00 AM

It is a common problem with the e92 w/ sunroof. It does not have a very good seating position for track use. My father in law tracks his e92 and bumps sometimes, he's 6'2". I fit in my e90 w/ sunroof and I am 6'3" tall and I have a bigger helmet then he does.

You need to get a track addict to help you set your seating position. I have done many BMW CCA days and they never really focus on the individual drivers positioning as much as some other folks do. And definitely don't put a harness in the e92, it would do more harm than good.

Tim M · 12-23-2012, 02:30 AM

No, but seriously, Sparcos's are pretty affordable. Just buy one for when you track the damn thing.

Thumperx · 12-25-2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvinwu

get a racing seat and lower the racing seat frame^^

This is your only option for you tall guys. Then see if the seat manufacture makes thinner seat cushions, This may drop your H-point (hip point of torso) lower vertically; thus, giving you more head room. Or remove sunroof cartridge and roof panel for the M3 roof panel designed for the carbon fiber roof. This should increase head room with out changing seats.

ihc95 · 12-25-2012, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRetep

I'm 6'2 and have no problem fitting in my car with a helmet, yeah the top will touch but im not wedged in. Are you sure your seat as all the way down? you might also be sitting too close to the steering wheel (too straight/tall) ideal driving position is bottom of your wrist touching the top of your steering wheel with your arms stretched out.

E90's have more headroom than E92's

jacobsed · 12-25-2012, 11:44 AM

Your melon is too huge

12-19-2012, 09:28 PM	#1
tizzyd Captain 238 Rep 610 Posts Drives: 2011 335i 6MT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003.5 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 335i Coupe [8.50]	Not enough headroom w/helmet...help? Hey guys, I do a couple trackdays a year, and something that has annoyed me for a while is that I can't fit in my car with the helmet on without tilting my head slightly to the right, or just wedging my head in. I have the seat as low as it can go, but to no avail. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions how to fit? I'm not even an especially tall guy, only around 6ft. __________________ 2007 E60 M5 6MT (Interlagos/Silverstone Full) \| 2013 F10 M5 6MT (Imola Red/Black Full) \| 2022 BMW M5 CS (Brands Hatch Grey) \| 2006 E46 M3 Comp 6MT (Silver Grey/Black, CSL clone) \| 2011.5 E92 M3 (Fire Orange/Black Recaros, 4.6L Stroker, GTS Clone) \| 2011 1M (Valencia Orange/Black)
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12-19-2012, 10:00 PM	#2
bbbuzzy Lieutenant 18 Rep 481 Posts Drives: '13 335is convertible (manual) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: north of Boston iTrader: (0)	Put the back of the seat at a shallower incline and pull the steering wheel toward you to compensate for your backwards movement. Not necessarily the ideal position for the track, but neither is wedging your head against the headliner. Good luck. __________________ '13 335is convertible (manual) '11 X3 xdrive35i '15 Sienna Limited AWD (road tripper) '06 330i MT, sport,premium (retired)
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12-19-2012, 10:02 PM	#3
tigermack OPN DIFF 474 Rep 1,908 Posts Drives: 10' E90 M3 6MT LB Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pacific Ocean iTrader: (12) Garage List 2010 M3 [0.00] 1995 BMW e36 325i [7.91] 2006 BMW e90 330i [8.34]	How straight are you sitting? Might help if you move the steering wheel further back and incline more as mentioned above. __________________ '10 LB E90 slicktop/speed cloth/6MT ex. '06 330i 6MT & '10 n54 6MT Msport Autocross vids https://www.youtube.com/user/tigermack https://www.instagram.com/tigermack
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12-19-2012, 10:50 PM	#4
Dc88 New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 328i Cab Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Unfortunately I have the same issue with headroom. Sit lower, angle your head forward. That is why my favorite stock car to use on the track is a M5 or E63. I can actually sit in comfort all day on the track.
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12-19-2012, 11:06 PM	#6
MrRetep First Lieutenant 107 Rep 361 Posts Drives: 435i M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Irvine CA iTrader: (3)	I'm 6'2 and have no problem fitting in my car with a helmet, yeah the top will touch but im not wedged in. Are you sure your seat as all the way down? you might also be sitting too close to the steering wheel (too straight/tall) ideal driving position is bottom of your wrist touching the top of your steering wheel with your arms stretched out.
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12-20-2012, 03:55 AM	#8
eppisgood Private First Class 14 Rep 162 Posts Drives: 2008 e90 335i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Even at the same height, people's torso's & leg's aren't the same length. __________________ 2018 440i GC
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12-20-2012, 05:36 AM	#9
Bob Shiftright Save The Manuals! 64 Rep 491 Posts Drives: E91 Schleppwagen Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: PRNJ iTrader: (0)	The factory "sunroof delete" option is the favored solution over on the Porsche boards. The basic M3 coupe (do they still build it?) has a carbon fiber roof with no sunroof. Maybe a racing seat could get you some more headroom, but I'd try a car that has one before buying. __________________ 2008 E91 36K, 6-speed, RWD, Alpine, Terra, Xenons, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, PDC, CA, alarm, M shifter and M brake handle, Euro rear fog light switch, Euro aspheric mirrors, rear power outlets, Euro split armrest, Lidatek, remote V-1, Cocomats, beach sand, $10 clutch stop mod. 1998 Volvo V70T5 226K, 5-speed, original clutch (third clutch pedal!), aspheric driver's mirror, E-code headlights, IPD sway bar, strut tower brace & skidplate.
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12-20-2012, 05:52 AM	#10
calvinwu Private 3 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Los Angelas iTrader: (0) Garage List 1991 Nissan [9.00] 2006 BMW E90 330i [8.00]	get a racing seat and lower the racing seat frame^^ __________________ 2006 Lamborghini Gallado / 1997 E36 328 coupe / 1991 Z32 300zxTT Stage XII 1996 Mustang Cobra Sold 1994 E31 850csi Sold
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12-20-2012, 07:06 AM	#11
taranonline Banned 28 Rep 494 Posts Drives: Man Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Usa iTrader: (0)	Im 6'4" no problems wid helmet. No sunroof.
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12-20-2012, 01:52 PM	#12
VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 2038 Rep 25,989 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 BMW F30 [0.00] 2014 BMW F22 [0.00] 2013 BMW F06 [0.00]	Bucket seat. __________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
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12-23-2012, 02:00 AM	#13
rorkor Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 277 Posts Drives: '11 E90 N52 6MT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: here iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E70 X5 35d [10.00] 2011 E90 328i [10.00]	It is a common problem with the e92 w/ sunroof. It does not have a very good seating position for track use. My father in law tracks his e92 and bumps sometimes, he's 6'2". I fit in my e90 w/ sunroof and I am 6'3" tall and I have a bigger helmet then he does. You need to get a track addict to help you set your seating position. I have done many BMW CCA days and they never really focus on the individual drivers positioning as much as some other folks do. And definitely don't put a harness in the e92, it would do more harm than good. __________________
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12-23-2012, 02:30 AM	#14
Tim M Just a regular guy. 60 Rep 514 Posts Drives: Alpine White M3 Sedan Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	No, but seriously, Sparcos's are pretty affordable. Just buy one for when you track the damn thing.
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12-25-2012, 11:44 AM	#17
jacobsed Lieutenant 23 Rep 463 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (2)	Your melon is too huge
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