Uncomfortable armrest in drivers door
08-26-2006 | 02:07 AM
#11
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From: sweden
Originally Posted by Clement Demsey' post='326762' date='Aug 25 2006, 04:08 PM
I have a 2003 530d SE with a leather interior and I love it. It is by far the best car I have owned: Great performance, good looks, comfort, style, decent fuel economy, lots of high tech toys to play with,...need I go on?
As a rule I don't like to whine, but I do have one minor grumble:
The armrest in the drivers door becomes very uncomfortable so much so that after 2 or 3 hour journeys my elbow gets sore.
My normal driving position is with both hands on the wheel in the '10 to 2' position, and when I am cruising on the motorway, then I also have both elbows on the armrests.
(For this reason I dislike cars without a central armrest).
This is the third BMW I have owned - the other two were the previous two generations of the 3 series. I had no such problems with these cars.
I just think that the amount of padding used is insufficient. It doesn't take much force to push down on the armrest and feel the hard surface below.
Again, I want to stress that this is not a big issue - it is just something minor which is a repeat annoyance.
Does anyone else suffer in a similar way?
Any advice?
As a rule I don't like to whine, but I do have one minor grumble:
The armrest in the drivers door becomes very uncomfortable so much so that after 2 or 3 hour journeys my elbow gets sore.
My normal driving position is with both hands on the wheel in the '10 to 2' position, and when I am cruising on the motorway, then I also have both elbows on the armrests.
(For this reason I dislike cars without a central armrest).
This is the third BMW I have owned - the other two were the previous two generations of the 3 series. I had no such problems with these cars.
I just think that the amount of padding used is insufficient. It doesn't take much force to push down on the armrest and feel the hard surface below.
Again, I want to stress that this is not a big issue - it is just something minor which is a repeat annoyance.
Does anyone else suffer in a similar way?
Any advice?
08-26-2006 | 03:32 AM
#12
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From: Deinze, Belgium
My Ride: 520d
I also agree.
The upper arm rest (if you can even call it that) is way too high and for sure too hard.
The lower arm rest is positioned perfectly, but is after a while also too hard.
When you are cruising the highway for a while I can not hang on to my steeringwheel the whole time... It's like painting the ceiling
The upper arm rest (if you can even call it that) is way too high and for sure too hard.
The lower arm rest is positioned perfectly, but is after a while also too hard.
When you are cruising the highway for a while I can not hang on to my steeringwheel the whole time... It's like painting the ceiling
08-26-2006 | 03:53 AM
#13
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From: FL
My Ride: F02 LCI Individual
Model Year: 2013
Originally Posted by JRS' post='327103' date='Aug 26 2006, 11:07 AM
Hi, i agree, everything in BMW is to hard, seats, armrests, steringwheel, it is like cement, i realy miss the comfort i had in my AUDIs,,,
08-26-2006 | 05:26 AM
#14
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From: Albany, NY
My Ride: '04 545iS 6 spd, bought new via eBay, 11/05; Blk/Gry, Cold, L7, PDC, BMW Rear seatcover for pets.
First "Bumwa" was a new 1971 2002. High performance 5s since 1987. Beamer motorcycles too, currently on an 07 BMW K1200 GT; also a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP III.
Clement, just for argument's sake, how tall are you and what's your sleeve length?
I have these problems being 6'3" with 35" sleeves and 34" inseem, and a left knee that has been totally replaced, making the sides of it very tender when bounced off of that wooden door grab rail.
Those of us who drive with the seat extended nearly all the way back also have much more severe view limitations with the B-pillar right beside our heads. And we also get wind buffeting from the side windows and sunroof that more average size people never notice.
Cheers,
Ray Hull
I have these problems being 6'3" with 35" sleeves and 34" inseem, and a left knee that has been totally replaced, making the sides of it very tender when bounced off of that wooden door grab rail.
Those of us who drive with the seat extended nearly all the way back also have much more severe view limitations with the B-pillar right beside our heads. And we also get wind buffeting from the side windows and sunroof that more average size people never notice.
Cheers,
Ray Hull
08-26-2006 | 06:26 AM
#16
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From: London, England (UK)
My Ride: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C200 Kompressor AMG Sport (Automatic)
It's an arm rest, not an elbow rest
Just put your arm along it instead of digging your elbow into it, steer with other arm while cruising
Just put your arm along it instead of digging your elbow into it, steer with other arm while cruising
08-26-2006 | 09:15 AM
#17
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I have a similar problem, on previous 3 series & my wifes SAAB I'm really comfortable. I always drive with my elbow resting on top of door ( rightly or wrongly ), by window, but it's too high on the 5 series.
Only a minor grumble, but one I will take into consideration when the times comes to replace car.
Only a minor grumble, but one I will take into consideration when the times comes to replace car.
08-26-2006 | 10:29 AM
#18
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From: Chicago
My Ride: #1: 2004 545i; 6-speed manual; Sport Package; Mystic Blue with a gray leather interior and Anthracite wood; CWP; Logic 7.
#2: 2010 535xi Touring; Automatic.
I agree. I'm only 5'9", but I have long arms (35" shirt sleeve). My pointy elbow hits on the armrest. It needs more padding.
I sympathize with those whose legs hit the door handle/pull, but I would note that I love the way the handle is rock solid. You can tell that the wooden, vertical/diagonal pull is structurally very solid.
I sympathize with those whose legs hit the door handle/pull, but I would note that I love the way the handle is rock solid. You can tell that the wooden, vertical/diagonal pull is structurally very solid.
08-26-2006 | 11:34 AM
#19
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From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Originally Posted by Clement Demsey' post='326762' date='Aug 25 2006, 05:08 PM
The armrest in the drivers door becomes very uncomfortable so much so that after 2 or 3 hour journeys my elbow gets sore.
My normal driving position is with both hands on the wheel in the '10 to 2' position, and when I am cruising on the motorway, then I also have both elbows on the armrests.
Does anyone else suffer in a similar way?
Any advice?
My normal driving position is with both hands on the wheel in the '10 to 2' position, and when I am cruising on the motorway, then I also have both elbows on the armrests.
Does anyone else suffer in a similar way?
Any advice?
Must have to do something with your size or...
Try adjusting the seat and steering wheel and enjoy driving the car hard after that!
09-20-2006 | 06:50 AM
#20
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I am just under six foot two.
I think the problem is that my pointy elbow digs in to the arm rest.
Maybe I can adjust the steering wheel to change the angle of my elbow, to see if that helps.
Even then, I still say the armrest could do with more / better padding - it is too easy to go straight through the thin layer of soft stuff and onto the hard base below.
I think the problem is that my pointy elbow digs in to the arm rest.
Maybe I can adjust the steering wheel to change the angle of my elbow, to see if that helps.
Even then, I still say the armrest could do with more / better padding - it is too easy to go straight through the thin layer of soft stuff and onto the hard base below.