Pedal distance

Author
Discussion

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,777 posts

200 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2015
quotequote all
So I've come from a 2.5 to a 3R and the first thing I noticed was how close the accelerator & brake pedals are. So close in fact, that I would say dangerous to the uninitiated! I could drive my 2.5 wearing hob nail boots, but not a chance in this. They are level too.
I imagine for track days and a bit of fancy footwork, it would be great.
What are yours like?

Jarcy

1,559 posts

282 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2015
quotequote all
Same as you describe on my 3R. A little too close together, and I hate the off-set to the left.
But I have special shoes that I wear most times that I drive the Noble. smile

I also hate the fact that the steering wheel is to the left and not plumb centre. I first experienced this in my driving instructor's Fiesta.
Thought it was barmy that they should design a car without the controls lined-up. Swore that I would never own a car with that glaring fault.
But here I am with such a feature on both my Noble and Merc.

Considering that the Noble is supposed to be such a sublime drivers car, I'm pretty annoyed that Lee could get the driving position right.
I wonder if the narrower column and wider seats in the M400 make much difference?

Spindoctor

800 posts

207 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2015
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bernhund said:
So I've come from a 2.5 to a 3R and the first thing I noticed was how close the accelerator & brake pedals are. So close in fact, that I would say dangerous to the uninitiated!
That was exactly how I felt when I took mine for a test drive when buying it. Oliver at Kerridges will testify to that. What I then realised was that the pedals had some silly covers on them that were wider than the pedal itself. Removed those and the gap between pedals was fine. Never had an issue since.

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,777 posts

200 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2015
quotequote all
Jarcy said:
Same as you describe on my 3R. A little too close together, and I hate the off-set to the left.
But I have special shoes that I wear most times that I drive the Noble. smile

I also hate the fact that the steering wheel is to the left and not plumb centre. I first experienced this in my driving instructor's Fiesta.
Thought it was barmy that they should design a car without the controls lined-up. Swore that I would never own a car with that glaring fault.
But here I am with such a feature on both my Noble and Merc.

Considering that the Noble is supposed to be such a sublime drivers car, I'm pretty annoyed that Lee could get the driving position right.
I wonder if the narrower column and wider seats in the M400 make much difference?
Perhaps the Noble should have come with special footwear like the Zonda!
I imagine, and probably naively, that the pedal position being so close is all about track driving. I'm now going to be told that it isn't and that it just wasn't thought out properly!
Funny enough, I don't mind the offset of pedals or steering. But maybe I'm just twisted (physically). laugh

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,777 posts

200 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2015
quotequote all
Spindoctor said:
bernhund said:
So I've come from a 2.5 to a 3R and the first thing I noticed was how close the accelerator & brake pedals are. So close in fact, that I would say dangerous to the uninitiated!
That was exactly how I felt when I took mine for a test drive when buying it. Oliver at Kerridges will testify to that. What I then realised was that the pedals had some silly covers on them that were wider than the pedal itself. Removed those and the gap between pedals was fine. Never had an issue since.
I'm going to have to take a look at mine in the morning now! Hopefully I'll find the same as you did.

2.5bluenob

1,620 posts

183 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2015
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Also just check that the pedal isn't bent as i've had to pull mine back in to shape once before after someone stamped on the brake pedal while standing outside the car.
Steve

Driven

56 posts

116 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2015
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Jarcy said:
I wonder if the narrower column and wider seats in the M400 make much difference?
I have not sat in a 3R, but having own a M400, it doesn't seem like the controls are offset. The brake and throttle pedals are awfully close, just can't wear boots or clogs.

Rob_W

1,070 posts

221 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2015
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M400 is not offset, one of the more subtle changes (as I understand) but it would never surprise anyone if there aren't some 3Rs like that?

Jarcy

1,559 posts

282 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2015
quotequote all
Rob_W said:
M400 is not offset, one of the more subtle changes (as I understand) but it would never surprise anyone if there aren't some 3Rs like that?
Is the steerling wheel dead centre in front of you? Many people don't even notice if it's not plumb centre.
When I ordered my Merc, the saleman didn't understand what I was on about, when I explained that the wheel was offset to the left. If you project a centre line through the seat, the centre cap of the wheel is about an inch to the left. Same on both my Noble and the Merc.
But if you then jump into a BMW, you understand that some manufacturers do care about getting the driving position right.

sjc

14,313 posts

277 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2015
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Rob_W said:
M400 is not offset, one of the more subtle changes (as I understand) but it would never surprise anyone if there aren't some 3Rs like that?
There were some late 3R's ( as in late 54 plate/05)that were.

macky17

2,220 posts

196 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2015
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sjc said:
Rob_W said:
M400 is not offset, one of the more subtle changes (as I understand) but it would never surprise anyone if there aren't some 3Rs like that?
There were some late 3R's ( as in late 54 plate/05)that were.
Not so subtle actually - the combination of wider seats, correctly aligned pedals and more headroom means the M400 is the only Noble I can drive at 6-4.

Rob_W

1,070 posts

221 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2015
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macky17 said:
Not so subtle actually - the combination of wider seats, correctly aligned pedals and more headroom means the M400 is the only Noble I can drive at 6-4.
Subtle, as in less talked about

verba1

628 posts

175 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2015
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Rob_W said:
M400 is not offset, one of the more subtle changes (as I understand) but it would never surprise anyone if there aren't some 3Rs like that?
Hi Rob , yes there are. I have a 2005 3R with the same pedal set up as an M400 together with the straighter driving position ,slightly better turning circle and the M400 gear linkage all factory fitted .

jacksbike

14 posts

114 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2015
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Does the M400 Gear linkage make much difference? I struggle to change gear quickly and smoothly in my 3R.

daddysumo

2,545 posts

220 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2015
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you can adjust the steering column if your are that worried by its position.. get your tool kit out...

Blu3R

2,379 posts

206 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2015
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jacksbike said:
Does the M400 Gear linkage make much difference? I struggle to change gear quickly and smoothly in my 3R.
In a nut shell, yes.