[radiospace]

Hi,

I'm looking forward to test driving the R56 when it shows up in North America in a couple of weeks.

I'm a little concerned about how the seating position might have changed from the R53 -- I've test driven an R53 and one of my favorite aspects of it is the fairly upright seating position that gives you a good sense that you can see all around the car. I tend to get claustrophobic in a car with a low seating position, on the other hand.

I've read a couple of comments that the R56 sits you more down "in" the car, and the like. If you could compare the driving position to that of an R53 (if you've driven both) I'd like to hear your comments on it.

Thanks.

[Ryephile]

When I sat in the R56 at the Detroit Auto Show, it seemed very familiar to my R53, albeit like I was able to lower the seat another 3/4". The shifter position is the same, though the shifter itself feels much better than the R53. The driving position versus the pedals and steering wheel all felt "about the same" from my static seat time.

Hope that helps,
Ryan

[steeve]

You don't sit any lower, but the waist line has risen slightly, but jumping from my wifes R53 into my R56 the new car feels larger inside so less claustrophobic, even though I have black seats and an anthracite roof lining (a good option). Once you're on the move the increased waist line is really not noticable
Hope this helps.
STEVE..............

[KenL]

Seating/driving position is excellent and has a large range of adjustment.

[Paul]

Agree with all the above, the adjustment is much better (like a modern car should have), so if anything the seating position is improved, plus there's more legroom so that's a bonus too.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

As Steeve said, the waistline has risen slightly. Although this isn't too noticeable when you get in the R56, it's very noticeable as soon as you get back in the R50/3!

You will notice the difference that the reach adjustable steering column makes; if, like me, you like to bring the steering wheel back towards you you can do this, although it does then mean that the gearlever is now too far away!

Check out the changes to the pedals as well; you get a clutch foot rest that you can actually rest your clutch foot on with the R56! If that's what you are looking for, it's great. However, the flip side of this is that, if you like to be able to stretch your left leg when you drive this is no longer possible I very easily get cramp and an ache in my left knee if I can't stretch my left leg out and this always rules a car out for me

I don't know what it is like in a LHD R56, but in the RHD R56 there is less available width to the left of the clutch pedal as well.

If you are looking for an automatic, much of the above may be irrelevant

The actual seating position is very similar to the R50/3 but a lot of people think that the seats in the R56 are a lot more comfortable. I find them a bit thinner, but it's all a bit subjective as this point.

I'd like to know what you think when you try the new car.

Tigger.

[Tone]

radiospace - like you I've a preference for feeling on top of things and have the seating adjusted on the R53 at its highest level. After the big build-up to the launch of the R56 I was really disappointed with the change of position when first trying it out. The new pedestrian regs mean that the bonnet is higher and as has already been pointed out, the waistline is higher. I found the dash was not only deeper but there's more of a curve on it so that at its highest point in the middle the whole thing including the speedo is a lot more conspicuous. Because of these things the windscreen is not so deep either.

Have since been back to the dealers and looked at it again. Now that the initial shock of the changes has passed, however, am sure that with a little patience, when the time comes to p/e, and after getting a second opinion, I shall be able to adjust to what after all is a far better car than the one it replaces.

Hope this helps.

[radiospace]

Thanks for all the informative replies. Sounds like I'll just have to sit in it and get a feel for it myself (to be expected) but that it isn't all bad in comparison. It's interesting that for some of us, like Tone and myself, this is a pretty big issue, but it doesn't get a lot of press.

[Dainewb]

I was actually thinking today that the seating position in my r56s (on the lowest setting) seemed a bit higher than my old cooper! No idea if it is or not! Windows are smaller, but having got used to it (car only 1 week old) its absolutely fine visibility wise. I still sit in a fairly upright position like you. Just a great car, I definitely don't think there any issues with the seating position