Offset Pedals and Bad Back

[Deako]

Has anyone else ever had he misfortune of a bad back caused by offset pedal positions in a manual BMW before?

Well, unfortunately, over the last 6 weeks since getting the 123d, I've been in agony. 

It has meant that I've managed to now part ex the car back in and only lost a tiny amount. Unfortunately, it's at a time that I didn't really need it, but we've ended up purchasing the A3 Black Edition instead.

Just curious if anyone else has had issues with BMW/Mercedes before??

[Andy]

Not on a bmw but on a crappy  peug 106 i borrowed of a mate

[camfollower]

One of the reasons I didn't get the 130i, the smaller the beamer the more the offset, the 5 series is fine.

[MC71]

I had the same problem 10 odd years ago with a E46 BMW I had, the very reason I sold it. I wonder if the left hand drive ones have a similar problem. I'm not sure of the technical reason but I did read something about the transmission tunnel forces your bum to one side. It's not just BMW's though. I even find myself shifting around in my Golf a wee bit.  

From Honest John on this very topic.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=9220

[Deako]

Left hand drive are fine apparently. That's what they are designed for.

It's made me appreciate ergonomics on a whole different scale for cars now, and i could never just assume a car would be fine. Funnily enough, all my modern VAGs have been DSG.

If I ever ended up with another BMW it would have to be an auto.

I'm just so glad I put off the detail and wheel refurb for a couple of months. On the bright side, I am looking forward to getting the A3 on Friday.

[Top Cat]

QD MBE, had to chop his Cayman in because of the offset pedals and a bad back. 

[Deako]

Common issue then really for those it can/does effect. I'd need an auto Porka or BMW.

[jhtrophy]

I had a bad back for the first month in the 1er but after messing with seat it's fine, never noticed the pedal offset, bet I do know!! Thanks although I do think an auto box would suit the 123d engine better.

[MAT ED30]

Nah your backs just twisted now so now you look like a banana 

[Deako]

It's actually a valid point. I have read up on people getting prolapsed discs due to offset pedals. Long term damage is something I wanted to avoid, so before I started using the car daily its just had to go. I tried all kinds of seating positions. My legs are too muscly to sit in the seat any further to the right. My thigh just gets buried into the bolster as it is. Too much pressure caused everywhere on my lower body.

But I am absolutely gutted.

Why convert the car to right hand drive when the clutch pedal is where the brake should be?

[Raffe]

Got a brand new 3 series turning up end of the month, and I drive 30k per year....slightly concerned now a I do suffer with lower back pain from time to time

[wigit]

First thing I noticed on the M135 when I sat in it at Goodwwod FOS

[rf860]

Just changed from a 120d coupe to a mk5 Ed30 and one of the first things i noticed is how much more comfortable the driving position and seats are. If you don't have lumbar support in a 1 or 3 series, prepare for a sore back.

[Deako]

Got a brand new 3 series turning up end of the month, and I drive 30k per year....slightly concerned now a I do suffer with lower back pain from time to time

I'd consider going to sit in a few and get a 24 hour test drive and drive it non stop before signing on the line. It won't effect everyone, but if you have a history of lower back ache, it's a sure fire way of aggregating it.

[Raffe]

Just changed from a 120d coupe to a mk5 Ed30 and one of the first things i noticed is how much more comfortable the driving position and seats are. If you don't have lumbar support in a 1 or 3 series, prepare for a sore back.

I have an M-Sport model coming and have also added the electric lumbar, fingers crossed.