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      11-12-2012, 01:55 PM   #1
Mjlbakker
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Board computer panel out of sight

Hi guys,

Just wanted to share how annoyng it is that in my seat- and steering wheel configuration I can't see the boardcomputer instumentpanel!

Can only read off the panel when it when i get up out of my seat.

Should have gone for the back panel. Anyone reckon we can make a case of it to get retrofits cheap..? (Don't think so).

See image.
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      11-12-2012, 01:57 PM   #2
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i love that you took a sample picture of your problem while driving 150km/h
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      11-12-2012, 02:01 PM   #3
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I dont get it, why canīt you just lower the steering wheel a bit?

I had the same problem and lowered it, not the end of the world.
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      11-12-2012, 02:09 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozolz
I dont get it, why cant you just lower the steering wheel a bit?

I had the same problem and lowered it, not the end of the world.
My steering wheel can only be in one position: the perfect one! No concessions to be made.
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      11-12-2012, 02:23 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mjlbakker View Post
My steering wheel can only be in one position: the perfect one! No concessions to be made.
What is perfect about it if it is too high to fit you?
I have no problems seeing the entire instrument panel in my F20.
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      11-12-2012, 02:29 PM   #6
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I'm not sure the extended panel would help you much with this, most of the info is in the exact same place.
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      11-12-2012, 02:29 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ovekvam View Post
What is perfect about it if it is too high to fit you?
I have no problems seeing the entire instrument panel in my F20.
To be honest, if the steering wheel could go higher I would put it higher.

Lowering the wheel any more makes me feel like having the steering wheel on my knees..
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      11-12-2012, 02:32 PM   #8
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Isnt there another steering wheel u can get? M-steering wheel, it has a gap on the top
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      11-12-2012, 02:40 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mjlbakker View Post
To be honest, if the steering wheel could go higher I would put it higher.

Lowering the wheel any more makes me feel like having the steering wheel on my knees..
How about pulling it closer to you? That will also let you see more.
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      11-13-2012, 12:18 AM   #10
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I have no problem seeing the whole instrument and panel area through my M sport steering wheel. But if I'm sitting with the seat in the highest position, and the steering wheel in the highest position, it may be a problem. Try lowering your seating position and the steering wheel, and, as ovekvam suggested, pull it closer to you. It should work like a charm.
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      11-13-2012, 02:41 AM   #11
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i have the exact same problem. there is no way i can see the whole of the dash
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      11-13-2012, 02:52 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iBeech View Post
i have the exact same problem. there is no way i can see the whole of the dash
So what makes you different from us who can? Are you very short?

I have my sport seat tilted all the way down to the floor in the back, and lifted all the way up in the front, since I have rather long legs. I have the back fairly steep, and adjust the seat forwards until my right knee is 2-3 fingers from hitting the climate controls. With my shoulders leaned into the seat, I can rest my wrists on top of the steering wheel in this position, and adjust the height of the steering so that I see the entire instrument panel.
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      11-13-2012, 03:11 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ovekvam View Post
So what makes you different from us who can? Are you very short?

I have my sport seat tilted all the way down to the floor in the back, and lifted all the way up in the front, since I have rather long legs. I have the back fairly steep, and adjust the seat forwards until my right knee is 2-3 fingers from hitting the climate controls. With my shoulders leaned into the seat, I can rest my wrists on top of the steering wheel in this position, and adjust the height of the steering so that I see the entire instrument panel.
I am 1,85M so not small, but not very tall as well. Have the seat at the lowest position, the steering wheel the highest and relatively close towards me.
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      11-13-2012, 03:38 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mjlbakker View Post
I am 1,85M so not small, but not very tall as well. Have the seat at the lowest position, the steering wheel the highest and relatively close towards me.
But the way I understand you, you could see the entire instrument panel if you wanted to, but prefer to have the steering wheel at a high position. It is just a preference.

What puzzles me, is that some people can not see the instrument panel even if they try to adjust the steering, while the rest of us see it just fine.
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      11-13-2012, 03:41 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mjlbakker View Post
Have the seat at the lowest position, the steering wheel the highest and relatively close towards me.
There you have it.
Lower the steering wheel, and problem should be solved

I have the seat adjusted roughly the same as ovekvam.
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      11-13-2012, 04:57 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mjlbakker View Post
Lowering the wheel any more makes me feel like having the steering wheel on my knees..
Your seat is too far forward, that's why your knees are all crouched so high up. Push your seat back a little bit, extend the steering wheel out by the same amount so it is still comfortable to hold. Now you should be able to lower the steering wheel a little more now. Also, the steering wheel is now further away from the instrument panel, and you have a wider view of the panel through the top-half of the steering wheel.
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      11-13-2012, 06:51 AM   #17
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If you can't see the panel.. then you're doing something wrong!
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      11-13-2012, 12:09 PM   #18
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I was also annoyed by this, until I noticed that Ovekvam mentioned his setup being fine. Then, I watched Chris Harris driving in his review video, and a lightbulb finally powered up...

If you can't see the panel, your steering wheel is too far away from you. Pull it in closer, simple as that. Chris Harris drives with his wheel almost at his crotch (distance towards him, not height) as can be seen in the capture below. I've adjusted closer to this, but not quite as extreme, and my view is now fine. It's also a better driving position, albeit probably more performance oriented.
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      11-13-2012, 12:10 PM   #19
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I, too, had the same problem & at 5ft 10 I must be pretty average height. Perhaps because I spent many years in minis (BMC not BMW) I like to sit fairly upright, Ive set the steering wheel so I can see the computer display at the bottom but not the top of the dials which, though annoying, isn't critical as I mostly use cruise control & know that the speedo mustn't go past 12 o'clock
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      11-13-2012, 01:36 PM   #20
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Chris Harris is not a tall man from what I can ascertain.

At a perfectly average 5'10, I have exactly the OP's issue - either the steering wheel rim obscures the tops of the dials or the boss obscures the lower part of the display (I have to lean forward to see when scrolling through tracks etc). I've tried raising the seat, adjusting the wheel up/down, in/out, all to no avail.

One of the very few things that bugs me about the car.

Black panel is irrelevant to this particular issue - I have it in my M135i and have driven a 116d without it. No difference.
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      11-14-2012, 07:16 AM   #21
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I test drove 2 cars and in 1 I couldn't see the dash but in the other i could. They were both M sports and non black panel. In the one where i couldn't see the dash i lowered the seat fully and tilted back almost fully. This is what i do in nearly all cars. In the second test i was aware of the issue so tried the seat slightly up a bit, still fully tilted back and maybe a bit more upright in the back. I was much more comfortable in the second test and i could see the dash fully.
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      11-14-2012, 11:05 AM   #22
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2012 F20 M Sport  [10.00]
I'm 6'1" and my driving position is almost exactly like Monkey's in the picture above.

I have no problems seeing the lower screen or the indicator lights... I do however have a problem getting in and out of the car, with the steering wheel where I like to drive I have very little room to get in and out as the gap between the wheel and B pillar is very small.

I guess I should have waited and got a 3 door over the 5
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