Does an M4 have a lower seating position than an M3?

[duky]

Random question but I got a 430i Gran Coupe loaner while our F80 was in for service. It felt to me like I was sitting lower in the 4 Series and I'm wondering whether this is fact or fiction? Not sure how to figure this one out

[CanAutM3]

I think the feeling stems from the fact that the window sills are higher on the 4-series body compared to the 3-series.

[duky]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I think the feeling stems from the fact that the window sills are higher on the 4-series body compared to the 3-series.

Oh, are they actually higher? As in you're saying the door height is greater on 4 than 3?

[Bch53211]

Not sure about the specs or cause but it does seem that i sit higher up in my M3 vs the M4 I had previously.

[melvyn]

You sit lower in the M3 , especially in the CS .

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by melvyn

You sit lower in the M3 , especially in the CS .

There’s nothing that indicates that the seating position is any lower in the CS.

Further, I am curious as to why you believe the seating position is lower in the M3 relative to the M4, as most have the opposite impression?

[shay2nak]

I just sat in a M4 CS today. It definitely goes lower...way lower than in the M3. I should have sat in a standard M4. I'll go back later this week since the M3 CS wasn't done with PDI. M4 CS seats are so comfortable!!! Softer with alcantara. I want to get these now! And whatever else is needed to lower the seat further in my M3 as I'm already at the lowest.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

I just sat in a M4 CS today. It definitely goes lower...way lower than in the M3. I should have sat in a standard M4. I'll go back later this week since the M3 CS wasn't done with PDI. M4 CS seats are so comfortable!!! Softer with alcantara. I want to get these now! And whatever else is needed to lower the seat further in my M3 as I'm already at the lowest.

Just FYI, there is no difference in height adjustment between the M4cs seats and the regular seats I had in my 2015 M4. But I have to agree, I love the M4cs seats with the alcantara side bolsters.

[duky]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

I just sat in a M4 CS today. It definitely goes lower...way lower than in the M3. I should have sat in a standard M4. I'll go back later this week since the M3 CS wasn't done with PDI. M4 CS seats are so comfortable!!! Softer with alcantara. I want to get these now! And whatever else is needed to lower the seat further in my M3 as I'm already at the lowest.

Wow ok so I don't think I was inventing this. I loved the seating position in the 4 as well. Sucks that we can't get that low in the 3 and this also made me realize that I've never sat in an M4, which is surprising

[alex2364]

It's been reported in the past that the 4 sits lower than the 3.

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by duky

Wow ok so I don't think I was inventing this. I loved the seating position in the 4 as well. Sucks that we can't get that low in the 3 and this also made me realize that I've never sat in an M4, which is surprising

Then I wonder if the M4 and M3 have different part numbers for the seats. I'd buy the M4 CS seats and associated hardware to get the seats lower.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

Then I wonder if the M4 and M3 have different part numbers for the seats. I'd buy the M4 CS seats and associated hardware to get the seats lower.

The M3 and M4 definitely have different part numbers for the seats as they are different seats. The M4 seat can tilt the seat-back forward to provide access to rear seat occupants. They also have an electrical switch on the backside of the seat-back to be able to move the entire seat forward or rearward to further facilitate ingress to the rear quarters.

[Fuller]

When the 4 series was released, I believe it had the lowest center of gravity of any bmw model offered at that time. In my experience it definitely feels like a lower sitting position compared to the 3 series. I'm not sure how it compares to an m3, but if it feels lower it's not surprising.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Fuller

When the 4 series was released, I believe it had the lowest center of gravity of any bmw model offered at that time. In my experience it definitely feels like a lower sitting position compared to the 3 series. I'm not sure how it compares to an m3, but if it feels lower it's not surprising.

A lower center of gravity does not necessarily translate into a lower seating position.

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

The M3 and M4 definitely have different part numbers for the seats as they are different seats. The M4 seat can tilt the seat-back forward to provide access to rear seat occupants. They also have an electrical switch on the backside of the seat-back to be able to move the entire seat forward or rearward to further facilitate ingress to the rear quarters.

Even better. I'm assuming i just need the seat itself and not the brackets, rails, etc?? Though I'm really tempted to get a set of lightweight Recaros, etc. IIRC, the height of those would be fixed.

[Fuller]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

A lower center of gravity does not necessarily translate into a lower seating position.

True, but given two models with the same, or similar seat adjustability, the lower car will probably feel lower to sit in.

[Colinv6]

Having owned 2 F80’s and now currently an F82 CS, I’m positive that you sit lower in the F80’s than the M4.

[unfoundnemo]

I had a 4 series GC a while back and I believe I read the car itself was about 1 inch lower than the comparable 3 series and the relative seating position capable of being about 1 inch lower as well. I would say that the seating position in the comp seats in my F80 seem just as low as the 4 series GC, though. In fact, I had the standard seats in my 4 series GC down to the floor while I keep the comp seats in my F80 up a bit for a similar feel.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Colinv6

Having owned 2 F80’s and now currently an F82 CS, I’m positive that you sit lower in the F80’s than the M4.

What gives you this impression?

Don’t forget that the roof line of the M4 is significantly lower than the M3, so you can’t rely on headroom not the top of the windshield to establish seating height.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Fuller

True, but given two models with the same, or similar seat adjustability, the lower car will probably feel lower to sit in.

It’s all relative. The lower roofline of the M4 could give the perception of seating higher due to the lesser headroom and limited top view out of the windshield even if your butt is the same distance from the ground .

[Fuller]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

It's all relative. The lower roofline of the M4 could give the perception of seating higher due to the lesser headroom and limited top view out of the windshield even if your butt is the same distance from the ground .

For me, the relative height and angle to the dash, steering wheel, and hood give the impression of seat height during driving. The lower roof confers more of a low look from the exterior, but I don't pay as much attention to that once I'm driving.

[Colinv6]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

What gives you this impression?

Don’t forget that the roof line of the M4 is significantly lower than the M3, so you can’t rely on headroom not the top of the windshield to establish seating height.

I go with my shoulder to glass height and in the M3 I always felt comfortably below the window with my shoulder, in the M4 it feels like my shoulder is above the doorcard.

I’ve got used to it now, but I jumped in my dads F80 the other day, it immediately felt lower again. I know I’m not the only one to have felt the M4 seems higher.