I'm tall, and I am ready

[VikingBeard]

Hi all,

I am looking to finally pull the trigger and get into my dream car. I have done hours of research on trying to find the right BWM for me. I know I want an M3. I've been in love with those cars as long as I can remember. I rode in my first BMW in high school over 16 years ago and I still get that same excitement every time I see one on the road.

I'm in the market for a used M3. I used to work for a used vehicle location service so I'm very well versed in knowing what to look for. But, there is one thing I do not know to look for. Am I going to fit? I'm 6'6" and have very broad shoulders. Off the top of my head I can think of four cars I have ever ridden in or owned where my head did not touch the ceiling. New Mini Cooper, new Scion XB, early 80's Porsche 944, and a 1981 Chevy truck. I have yet to own or ride in a vehicle where I could see stop lights without having to crouch down. To put it in perspective, I am 6'6" and only have a 33" inseam. That is a normal inseam for a man around 5'10. I'm all torso. And shoulders/back.

I read another post on here from a man that was tall and asking questions but I found the answers to be all over the place. For a specific model one person at 6'2" said he had one inch of clearance, one person at 6'7" said no problems at all. I already know I have to skip the moon roof as that decreases headroom.

What my question is, where do I start? I've read numbers and they don't ever seem to match up to peoples answers on forums about headroom. So, I'm more interested in what long torso people that are over 6'2" or so have to say. What should I avoid? Am I realistically going to fit in an M3?

This is all so exciting. It's finally happening!

Thanks in advance.

[JonnyM3]

6'2-6'3 haven't had any issues.

why not just go to a dealership and sit in one?

[mmmpowered]

My friend is 6'8" 230 lbs and he co-drove my '08 coupe home from Vegas with no issues at all. I actually recall him commenting several times on how comfortable he was.

Not a first hand experience but I think you should be alright.

[Locksmythe]

I'm 6'6" too, but I have longer legs. You will have to drive one. I do have trouble seeing lights, though. An m6 has a lot more room.

[rituald]

I'm 6'7" (longer inseam, 36")

I originally passed on a 335i coupe because my hair brushed the headliner so I went with a sedan. Sunroof + coupe is a bad combination for us tall people.

I just ordered a E92 M3 with a CF roof. I only sat in one briefly, but it had MUCH more headroom than the 335i coupe. I ordered it without a test drive, so I can't comment on how comfortable it is in proper driving position, but I'm assuming it will be similar to my sedan). I may have to slouch a bit more to see traffic lights

Good luck fellow tall person!

[positiveions]

you'll fit fine. You'll fall in love with the ride day by day.

[PKL]

Sedan is 1 inch taller, maybe that will help you.

[prichards516]

my teammate is 6'11 he fits fine in the passenger seat w/ the seat all the way back and low lol

[VikingBeard]

Originally Posted by AudiS5

why not just go to a dealership and sit in one?

I'm not looking to buy new. My budget is $25,000. There are a broad number of years I am interested in so what I was hoping to find was a "Oh yes the 2001 has a lot more room" or something. That would be an ideal response but, I'm looking for a baseline. Portland has a bevy of used BMW's with no pedigrees to stand on. Finding an M3 that is worth taking the time to look at it seems rare so I was hoping to not have to waste my time or the sellers time as much as I could.

Plus I just wanted to do an intro post. I don't like using smiley faces but if I did, I would put one right about here ---->

Originally Posted by PKL

Sedan is 1 inch taller, maybe that will help you.

Good to know!

[kaykay]

You won't even find an E46 M3 for $25k

Look into different cars.

I'm 6' 2", no problems at all.

Lot's of tall M3 owners in this thread, jesus, some of you are 6 foot 6.

[ooowowizstev]

Originally Posted by kaykay

You won't even find an E46 M3 for $25k

Look into different cars.

I'm 6' 2", no problems at all.

Lot's of tall M3 owners in this thread, jesus, some of you are 6 foot 6.

Actually, nowadays E46 M3s can be had for under 20k. 25k could actually get you a newer, lower mileage E46 M3.

p.s. everyone in this thread is tall as shit.

[motortrend]

I'm 6'1 with long legs, and I fit perfectly in the M3 with space to spare. Not that much space in the IS250 compared to the M3 even though I fit well there too, also surprisingly more legroom than the IS even in the back

[Safster]

I'm 6'6" and I could easily wear a helmet in my sedan. Don't know about the coupe. Also I have a 36" inseam.

[BMRLVR]

I'm 6'2" 265 LBS and I have had 3 E90 chassis BMW's. They are the only vehicles I have owned that I have not had to put the seat back all the way to be comfortable!

[erm324]

6'2" no problems at all

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by kaykay

You won't even find an E46 M3 for $25k

Look into different cars.

I'm 6' 2", no problems at all.

Lot's of tall M3 owners in this thread, jesus, some of you are 6 foot 6.

Man I am short only 5 10'. The budget is low for a sedan. Should be in the $40k. The e46 should be 2001-2004 in the $25k

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by ooowowizstev

Actually, nowadays E46 M3s can be had for under 20k. 25k could actually get you a newer, lower mileage E46 M3.

p.s. everyone in this thread is tall as shit.

Yes, he can find an E46M3 in that price range. I sold my excellent '01 for that almost 3 years ago, so he should be able to get an '04-'05. Most have sunroofs, though. I suggest to the OP that he first try to find some on a lot in Portland to test out, but they are not common.

The other option is to go to a BMW club event and ask to sit in some members' cars. Most are quite accommodating. There are two clubs in Portland, ACA (http://www.bmwacaportland.com/) and CCA (http://bmworegoncca.com/). BMW CCA has a meeting coming up 2/15. That's also a good way to find out about those up for private sale by enthusiasts that take care of them.

Here is the '01 I sold, except it had stock wheels instead of the RACs:

[Polarcharger]

6'6", 36" inseam: E90 M3 with no sunroof = about 5/8" below liner. Seats handle broad shoulders well. Very comfortable car.

E46 M3 without sunroof has slightly less headroom (Recaro Profi XL fixed to VAC floor/side mounts for helmet room).

[GOLFFRR]

im 6'3" no issues you will be fine.

[greycrx87]

6'4'' no issues at all

[dpiette]

6'6' with a 36" inseam, 220 lbs. E90 M3 w/o moonroof, and I could wear a hat.

My wife has a 2001 E46 330i WITH the moonroof and it is no problem. But I can't wear my hat.

[Prince_of_Persia]

Originally Posted by AudiS5

6'2-6'3 haven't had any issues.

why not just go to a dealership and sit in one?

+1. I think you are going to be fine bud!
Good luck finding a M3, if I were you, i would get a CPO to be safe!