Discussion
hey guys,
im seriously considering an early S atm, but am a little worried about the interior space.
Im 6'5" and a large build but I can get into and drive a wedge ok, and have owned several mk1 mx5's but im wondering how an S compares to those space/comfort wise. (everyones different ofc, but as i can drive both of those cars i wondered if anyone has driven them and an S)
i do have a second (related) question
what can be done to gain more room for the taller driver of an S ?
different seats, runner mods etc etc
i did try and search, but the search on here is still somewhat dodgy.
im seriously considering an early S atm, but am a little worried about the interior space.
Im 6'5" and a large build but I can get into and drive a wedge ok, and have owned several mk1 mx5's but im wondering how an S compares to those space/comfort wise. (everyones different ofc, but as i can drive both of those cars i wondered if anyone has driven them and an S)
i do have a second (related) question
what can be done to gain more room for the taller driver of an S ?
different seats, runner mods etc etc
i did try and search, but the search on here is still somewhat dodgy.
Edited by BountyHunter on Friday 14th September 22:25
BountyHunter said:
problem is the one im looking at is an early S (for various reasons including price, spec and some other things - if i buy it all will be revealed)
yeah I need to find a friendly owner somewhere nr Cardiff i think.
Ahh I see.yeah I need to find a friendly owner somewhere nr Cardiff i think.
Well if you are able to fabricate things yourself then the pedal box on an early car can have a few inches taken out of it but it may just take things from a very tight fit to a tight fit. I'm 6'3" and I fit ok although I wouldn't describe things a spacious. I have done 2 Europe trips driving over a 1000 miles each time in a few days and both times it has been fine so it's not too small.
The issue with the early cars is the door being shorter, it takes a bit of practice before you can get in and out without looking silly!
They're pretty good for tall people, probably because Peter Wheeler who owned the company when these cars were in production was very tall too.
You should probably set your sights on an S3 or later as these have a longer door opening.
I'm 6'4 and have no particular problem with headroom with the standard seats, but it depends how much of your height is in your back if you see what I mean. However, getting in with a crash helmet was an interference fit with the standard seats. I fitted a Sparco Cobra bucket seat which enabled me to get an inch or two lower and gives space to get yourself further away from the wheel if you needed that. One disadvantage of this setup is that I have eliminated the seat runners which means the car is not adjustable to suit any other drivers - that's fine for me because nobody else gets to drive it anyway.
You should probably set your sights on an S3 or later as these have a longer door opening.
I'm 6'4 and have no particular problem with headroom with the standard seats, but it depends how much of your height is in your back if you see what I mean. However, getting in with a crash helmet was an interference fit with the standard seats. I fitted a Sparco Cobra bucket seat which enabled me to get an inch or two lower and gives space to get yourself further away from the wheel if you needed that. One disadvantage of this setup is that I have eliminated the seat runners which means the car is not adjustable to suit any other drivers - that's fine for me because nobody else gets to drive it anyway.
t as long as your foot can reach the loud pedal.....GreenV8S said:
They're pretty good for tall people, probably because Peter Wheeler who owned the company when these cars were in production was very tall too.
You should probably set your sights on an S3 or later as these have a longer door opening.
I'm 6'4 and have no particular problem with headroom with the standard seats, but it depends how much of your height is in your back if you see what I mean. However, getting in with a crash helmet was an interference fit with the standard seats. I fitted a Sparco Cobra bucket seat which enabled me to get an inch or two lower and gives space to get yourself further away from the wheel if you needed that. One disadvantage of this setup is that I have eliminated the seat runners which means the car is not adjustable to suit any other drivers - that's fine for me because nobody else gets to drive it anyway.
i did think that about Wheeler, but then you see lots of people saying otherwise re fitting in the carsYou should probably set your sights on an S3 or later as these have a longer door opening.
I'm 6'4 and have no particular problem with headroom with the standard seats, but it depends how much of your height is in your back if you see what I mean. However, getting in with a crash helmet was an interference fit with the standard seats. I fitted a Sparco Cobra bucket seat which enabled me to get an inch or two lower and gives space to get yourself further away from the wheel if you needed that. One disadvantage of this setup is that I have eliminated the seat runners which means the car is not adjustable to suit any other drivers - that's fine for me because nobody else gets to drive it anyway.
I remember when i first looked at a Wedge a few years ago being told "you wont fit, i didnt" but i got in fine (with the roof on actually as it was raining)and managed to drive it fine.
if the current car falls through then yes i probably would look at S3.
not a fan of some of these buckets as i simply dont fit across the hips in them.
and yes i do see what you mean - afaik my leg/torso ratio is about average
Edited by BountyHunter on Saturday 15th September 01:42
It may depend on the car as an option when new was a long or short pedal box (not adjustable)so some may not work while others will. At 6' 2" I have problems with the shorter doored early cars but my S3 with standard pedal box is fine and the seat isn't all the way back, getting in in the tight garage if the roof is on is a challenge though
Pedal box modification was part of the original build specification and non-reversible AFAIK.
Seats will only go so far back due to fuel tank placement behind the seats.
You'll just have to try some and see, but an S3 onwards with the bigger doors (at Peter Wheeler's request again AFAIK to ease access) will certainly make it less difficult.
I'm 6'3" and hardly svelte and got in out out of my V8S without too much grief - left foot on the clutch pedal as you go helps
HTH
Seats will only go so far back due to fuel tank placement behind the seats.
You'll just have to try some and see, but an S3 onwards with the bigger doors (at Peter Wheeler's request again AFAIK to ease access) will certainly make it less difficult.
I'm 6'3" and hardly svelte and got in out out of my V8S without too much grief - left foot on the clutch pedal as you go helps
HTH
I'm 6 ft 5 in tall with average build and have no probs in my S2. Over five years of ownership I've done a few trips where I've been in the car for 3-4hours at a time with no trouble.
Having never owned a S with long doors I don't miss them...getting in and out of an elise is way more difficult than an S.
I think pedal boxes can differ between S' which may make a difference.
Ralph
Having never owned a S with long doors I don't miss them...getting in and out of an elise is way more difficult than an S.
I think pedal boxes can differ between S' which may make a difference.
Ralph
I'm 6"6 and very broad/large build, went for a test drive in a wedge 350i few years ago and gutted at the time as simply couldn't drive it once in as so cramped and once in I was peering over the windscreen! I'm comfy in my S3, with the shorter doors on the earlier models your find your own way to get in but once in reckon your be fine. If too snug for your taste then obviously look into a smaller steering wheel (which worked with my tiny Triumph GT6) or change seats.
I'm 6'3" and hardly svelte and got in out out of my V8S without too much grief - left foot on the clutch pedal as you go helps
Hi - Can vouch for Tubby Stu here (Not the Svelte bit anyway) - I bought his car off him. I'm also tall at 6ft 5, and get in and out no problem at all . My S2 was a bit tight to be honest, but mainly because the doors are shorter on S2 or earlier. Basically where there's a will...... I'm not sure a roll bar would help the situation.
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff