GR86 Higher seating position

[Jayware33]

I’ve had my test drive (and order placed) in the GR86 but the first thing I noticed was how high up I feel I’m sitting. I’ve owned GT86’s in the past and familiar with the seats so made sure it was as low down as it could go. The passenger seat felt lower down to me too which was odd. I currently have a 2006 e85 Z4 with the M Sport Suspension which was a lowered factory fit so maybe that actually does sit lower than the GR86. But anyone else feel like they’re sitting on the car and not in? I don’t recall the GT86 feeling like this (maybe the fact that came with 17” wheels and not 18”?). Is the only thing really putting me off continuing with my order.

 

[Conscript]

But anyone else feel like they’re sitting on the car and not in? I don’t recall the GT86 feeling like this (maybe the fact that came with 17” wheels and not 18”?).

No, not at all. Quite the opposite, for me, the seating position is one of the best bits of the car, precisely because it doesn't have that "on rather than in feeling". And in fact, when I first sat in the car, I was pleased at how it felt almost exactly like the GT86. Instantly familiar.

The wheels won't be it. The GR has larger wheels but proportionally lower profile tyres; the overall rolling diameter hasn't changed.

Thinking about it, I'm sure I read somewhere that the seats in the GR are actually a bit lower which is why it's now impossible for a rear passenger to place their feet under them. However that would just mean lower rails. I don't know if the floor might still sit higher than the GT.

 

[Silver Fox]

The same for me as @Conscript - the seat position is great for me and as a previous GT86 owner I felt immediately 'at home'.

I don't even have my seat in the lowest possible position - lowest but one for me (5'10" and a bit, for reference).

In this position my seat is lower than the passenger's; perhaps the demo had a stuck/faulty seat adjustment?

 

[Jayware33]

Thanks - I know a few others reported feeling a little higher too on the Facebook group. I immediately felt in a less sporty and low down seat compared to my Z. It’s really bothering me. Maybe the dash position or how much if the bonnet I can see. When I put my arm out and measured the distance to the ground and then compared to my Z they were almost identical. I think on the Z I’m sitting on the rear axle but in the 86 I’m way upfront, maybe something to do with this. Other than that I love the car and it it was simply breathtaking in the corners. Felt like it could be a nice sports car and comfy long drive GT, a real split personality.

 

[Silver Fox]

I used to have a Z4 M Coupe (2006 like your Z4); my god the ride on that damned thing was firm to say the least! The GR86 is so much more pleasant in comparison.

 

[Jayware33]

I used to have a Z4 M Coupe (2006 like your Z4); my god the ride on that damned thing was firm to say the least! The GR86 is so much more pleasant in comparison.

Thanks - yeh the Z4M was harsh. But I’m terms of seating position, specially the feeling of being higher up, did you also feel this ?

 

[Silver Fox]

Thanks - yeh the Z4M was harsh. But I’m terms of seating position, specially the feeling of being higher up, did you also feel this ?

I didn't to be honest - I'm very happy with the seating position of the GR (as above, I've not even got mine in the lowest setting). It's been a good few years since I had the Z4 but I don't think the GR feels any 'higher'.

Appreciate it's a personal thing however.

 

[GR86GRY]

High seating position you say? All the Yaris owners be like...

 

[Jayware33]

I appreciate everyone’s time to reply to me .

 

[Conscript]

I appreciate everyone’s time to reply to me .

No worries, hope it helps you make your mind up!

Just a thought....how how is the belt line in the Z4 compared to the GR? Perhaps the GR has a lower door top which might add to the illusion of you being seated higher?

 

[leosayer]

Being tall (6'3"), I'm pretty fussy about driving position and seat height and I can't stand a high driving position in fact I've disregarded many fine cars simply because I'll never feel comfortable even when there is plenty of leg and headroom.

There's no doubt that the 86 is a low car and everyone who drops into the passenger seat contents on how low the seat is.

When driving, a few things also stand out such as the gearstick and centre console which are pretty high to the extent that a lower seating position might make gearchanges quite difficult.

Another thing that stands out is that the top of the door is only slightly below my shoulder line which also makes the seat feel quite low.

My legs are quite outstretched with not much space between my knees and the floor.

The top of steering wheel on it's uppermost position is level with my chin.

And yet in spite of these things, I agree with the OP that the driving position feels an inch too high. I can only think that it's a sort of illusion due to the low bonnet and dashline resulting from the low bonnet which in turn results from the low-mounted flat 4.

In other words, the seat isn't too high, the rest of the car is too low.

 

[Hachi-roku]

Another 6ft3 perspective from me. Perfectly happy with the seats and their position and I don’t feel they’re high, this said despite having gone to extremes in the past with previous cars (lowered seat mount frames and/or buckets paired with the sliding runners completely removed to get myself lower in the cabin).

My biggest gripe is the steering column adjustment. If it telescoped further out and further up in its range I’d be far happier. Maxed out I find it simply a touch too low and too far away from me. I hasten to add no retarded gangster lean angle on my seat back so it’s definitely not that at play with respect to reach!

 

[Silver Fox]

I appreciate everyone’s time to reply to me .

You are most welcome.

I've seen other comrades mention their height, so it might be useful to know how tall you are.

(And you can answer honestly, it's a safe space here. You don't have to add inches as folk tend to do on the internet - it's not Pistonheads after all. I mean, if I can get comfortable being 7ft 15inches I'm sure you can. )

 

[Jayware33]

You are most welcome.

I've seen other comrades mention their height, so it might be useful to know how tall you are.

(And you can answer honestly, it's a safe space here. You don't have to add inches as folk tend to do on the internet - it's not Pistonheads after all. I mean, if I can get comfortable being 7ft 15inches I'm sure you can. )

Haha thanks man. I’m 5ft 10

 

[Jayware33]

No worries, hope it helps you make your mind up!

Just a thought....how how is the belt line in the Z4 compared to the GR? Perhaps the GR has a lower door top which might add to the illusion of you being seated higher?

Yeh, that’s a good point. I’ll check the next time - I think as others have also said that it could be some kind of perspective as the other bits of the car are lower it gives you an illusion of sitting higher.

 

[Electric Blue]

Another 6ft3 perspective from me. Perfectly happy with the seats and their position and I don’t feel they’re high, this said despite having gone to extremes in the past with previous cars (lowered seat mount frames and/or buckets paired with the sliding runners completely removed to get myself lower in the cabin).

My biggest gripe is the steering column adjustment. If it telescoped further out and further up in its range I’d be far happier. Maxed out I find it simply a touch too low and too far away from me. I hasten to add no retarded gangster lean angle on my seat back so it’s definitely not that at play with respect to reach!

Agreed

 

[KobayashiMaru86]

A touch lower would be nice but yeah, could well be that it all needs to be a bit higher.

 

[Conscript]

Just thought I'd bump this thread, because I recently watched the video review by Car (linked the reviews/articles forum section, and they specifically mention that the seat height is lower than the previous car:



"...the ride height has been dropped by 10mm, the driver sits 5mm lower...."

Not sure whether that's cumulative, so overall the seating position is 15mm lower than a GT86, or that the car has dropped 10mm while the seat is 5mm higher, so ending up with a net value of 5mm lower...but if those measurements are true, then whatever way you slice it, it's lower than the GT86. So it whatever is making you perceive it to be higher must be something else...the ergonomics of the controls perhaps?

This would explain why I'm having a bit more trouble getting in and out of it than the old car. Need to lose some weight

 

[Jayware33]

Just thought I'd bump this thread, because I recently watched the video review by Car (linked the reviews/articles forum section, and they specifically mention that the seat height is lower than the previous car:



"...the ride height has been dropped by 10mm, the driver sits 5mm lower...."

Not sure whether that's cumulative, so overall the seating position is 15mm lower than a GT86, or that the car has dropped 10mm while the seat is 5mm higher, so ending up with a net value of 5mm lower...but if those measurements are true, then whatever way you slice it, it's lower than the GT86. So it whatever is making you perceive it to be higher must be something else...the ergonomics of the controls perhaps?

This would explain why I'm having a bit more trouble getting in and out of it than the old car. Need to lose some weight

Thanks. Yeh, I think it might well be the fact the dash or bonnet bumps are positioned in the way they are. It just ‘feels’ like the seat could be doing with going a little lower. When I sit in my Z, which to me has a feeling of being lower down and extend my arm to the ground and measure the distance (scientific, I know) - it’s exactly the same as the GR86 so I now know it’s not actually any different in that regard. Just an odd feeling sitting in it for me.