Any tall drivers here? How's your frontal headroom?
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Any tall drivers here? How's your frontal headroom?
I recently have come to the harsh conclusion that most modern cars are not fit for my 6'4 with seemingly long torso build. I was looking at a CL and realized that that HUGE behemoth has a full 1" less head room than the W212 (36.9" VS 37.9"). The CLS has the same head room as the CL, and I can't even begin to describe how cramped my head is in a CLS, I wouldn't even want to ride in the thing really as an accident would pretty much guarantee my head would hit a hard point at a high speed.
My W211 I remember feeling really cramped in when I sat up straight. I found it odd as the car is a large 4-Door Sedan with an upright roofline. That car only has 37.4" frontal headroom. My W220 S-Class also felt cramped, and its headroom is about the same.
Which brings me to the E. The headroom is by the best of that bunch, but I recently started getting that "cramped" feeling. I realized that I've gotten so used to keeping my head inside the moonroof indentation that in the case of a side collision, my head would go pretty much right into the hard outer points of said indentation, thus making me feel as if even the W212 is a "safety hazard". With the moonroof open, and me sitting straight up (seat ALL the way down), my head it extremely close to being level with the OUTSIDE roofline.
All in all, it's got me really disappointed in M-B for not really catering to tall drivers, especially with their being known for such huge cars. BMW's frontal headroom, for example, is a full 1+" better on about all their competing models. It's not like I'm Shaq tall!
So, any others here at or over 6'4-ish that have these cars?
My W211 I remember feeling really cramped in when I sat up straight. I found it odd as the car is a large 4-Door Sedan with an upright roofline. That car only has 37.4" frontal headroom. My W220 S-Class also felt cramped, and its headroom is about the same.
Which brings me to the E. The headroom is by the best of that bunch, but I recently started getting that "cramped" feeling. I realized that I've gotten so used to keeping my head inside the moonroof indentation that in the case of a side collision, my head would go pretty much right into the hard outer points of said indentation, thus making me feel as if even the W212 is a "safety hazard". With the moonroof open, and me sitting straight up (seat ALL the way down), my head it extremely close to being level with the OUTSIDE roofline.
All in all, it's got me really disappointed in M-B for not really catering to tall drivers, especially with their being known for such huge cars. BMW's frontal headroom, for example, is a full 1+" better on about all their competing models. It's not like I'm Shaq tall!
So, any others here at or over 6'4-ish that have these cars?
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From: Canada
W213, C238
I recently have come to the harsh conclusion that most modern cars are not fit for my 6'4 with seemingly long torso build. I was looking at a CL and realized that that HUGE behemoth has a full 1" less head room than the W212 (36.9" VS 37.9"). The CLS has the same head room as the CL, and I can't even begin to describe how cramped my head is in a CLS, I wouldn't even want to ride in the thing really as an accident would pretty much guarantee my head would hit a hard point at a high speed.
My W211 I remember feeling really cramped in when I sat up straight. I found it odd as the car is a large 4-Door Sedan with an upright roofline. That car only has 37.4" frontal headroom. My W220 S-Class also felt cramped, and its headroom is about the same.
Which brings me to the E. The headroom is by the best of that bunch, but I recently started getting that "cramped" feeling. I realized that I've gotten so used to keeping my head inside the moonroof indentation that in the case of a side collision, my head would go pretty much right into the hard outer points of said indentation, thus making me feel as if even the W212 is a "safety hazard". With the moonroof open, and me sitting straight up (seat ALL the way down), my head it extremely close to being level with the OUTSIDE roofline.
All in all, it's got me really disappointed in M-B for not really catering to tall drivers, especially with their being known for such huge cars. BMW's frontal headroom, for example, is a full 1+" better on about all their competing models. It's not like I'm Shaq tall!
So, any others here at or over 6'4-ish that have these cars?
My W211 I remember feeling really cramped in when I sat up straight. I found it odd as the car is a large 4-Door Sedan with an upright roofline. That car only has 37.4" frontal headroom. My W220 S-Class also felt cramped, and its headroom is about the same.
Which brings me to the E. The headroom is by the best of that bunch, but I recently started getting that "cramped" feeling. I realized that I've gotten so used to keeping my head inside the moonroof indentation that in the case of a side collision, my head would go pretty much right into the hard outer points of said indentation, thus making me feel as if even the W212 is a "safety hazard". With the moonroof open, and me sitting straight up (seat ALL the way down), my head it extremely close to being level with the OUTSIDE roofline.
All in all, it's got me really disappointed in M-B for not really catering to tall drivers, especially with their being known for such huge cars. BMW's frontal headroom, for example, is a full 1+" better on about all their competing models. It's not like I'm Shaq tall!
So, any others here at or over 6'4-ish that have these cars?
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E350
I am 6'4" and find that I sit up a lot more in the E in order to be comfortable and get proper lower back support and have plenty of head room. I have also been in a CLS and A6 and had no issue with head room in either. Sounds like u have a disproportionally long torso. My legs r long (pants inseam is 34 to 36).
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Yeah, my torso must be that of a 6'6 person or something. I'm completely in awe that you can fit in a CLS at 6'4, since me in a CLS is so bad that I practically have to tilt my neck and even then I'm still jammed against the hard points around the moonroof. In a CLS, sitting up, seat all the way down, my head skims against the glass moonroof even. In the E, I have about an inch till the moonroof in that same seating position, but if I try and fit my head under the hard/metal/fabric frame around said moonroof indentation, my head is too jammed to even attempt it.
What's got me kind of spooked is if I get hit, especially from the side, I realized that my head can seriously slam against the edge of the roof indentation. No reason to have such a safe car if that's the case.
What's got me kind of spooked is if I get hit, especially from the side, I realized that my head can seriously slam against the edge of the roof indentation. No reason to have such a safe car if that's the case.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
If you want to see how bad M-B's front headroom specifications are, check this out:
E: 37.9" (W211 was 37.4")
S: 37.8"
CLS: 36.9"
CL: 36.9"
New SL: 39" (ironically).
BMW:
7: 40.6"
5: 39.1"
6 Gran Coupe: 40"
6 Series Coupe: 40" [Though it felt way more cramped than 40" suggests for me] (also can you believe the 6 family which is lower AND sleeker than the E and CLS's give vastly more frontal headroom than either.... we're talking VS a upright Family Sedan E-Class)
Even the new Porsche 911 has 38.4" frontal headroom.
Basically, the only cars M-B makes that I can even somewhat comfortably fit in (remember, I'm not 7", simply an NBA Point Guard's average height) are the E and SL. I was absolutely pissed when I found out even the massive CL has too little headroom.
I'm really trying to talk myself into BMW's lately. It's to the point where I don't even want to support M-B anymore after these "revelations".
E: 37.9" (W211 was 37.4")
S: 37.8"
CLS: 36.9"
CL: 36.9"
New SL: 39" (ironically).
BMW:
7: 40.6"
5: 39.1"
6 Gran Coupe: 40"
6 Series Coupe: 40" [Though it felt way more cramped than 40" suggests for me] (also can you believe the 6 family which is lower AND sleeker than the E and CLS's give vastly more frontal headroom than either.... we're talking VS a upright Family Sedan E-Class)
Even the new Porsche 911 has 38.4" frontal headroom.
Basically, the only cars M-B makes that I can even somewhat comfortably fit in (remember, I'm not 7", simply an NBA Point Guard's average height) are the E and SL. I was absolutely pissed when I found out even the massive CL has too little headroom.
I'm really trying to talk myself into BMW's lately. It's to the point where I don't even want to support M-B anymore after these "revelations".
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Lol. Not even I know anymore. If I get into something else I really wanted a Coupe, since I'm getting tired of unnecessary 4-Doors, and that got shot down after the CL travesty. The kicker was when I saw a reflection of myself in my E (building window) checking out my cars side profile, and noticed how cramped and up to the roof I looked. Since then I've been really focused on this headroom situation.
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Thread Starter
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Fortunately, the moonroof indentation makes it comfortable for me, and I guess I'm so used to leaning slightly to the right (where my head can fit in it) that it doesn't bother me anymore. But if I try and sit up straight, then my head jams up against the left side (actual roof). That's why I'm concerned about it in the case of a (hopefully never) accident or something.
You found the F10 cramped, headroom wise? Did you have the seat all the way down? I agree that publicized numbers don't mean much (as I've found out). I've yet to really analyze my headroom in the F10. I do know that I sat in the 6 Series and although headroom was somewhat okay, it felt a little more cramped than my E, or at best, comparable. Only difference there is with the 6, I could roll the seatback more and it works since the whole car is about a sportier positioning.
What I do know is that the new Porsche 991 has great headroom for me. Too bad that baby with some decent options costs a soul and brain.
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
The 997 has more headroom than the W212. The GLK without sunroof has most headroom obviously, but unfortunately the E550 sedan cannot be ordered without sunroof.
I don't find the BMW 5 or 7 having more headroom than the W212. The problem with those two is that the door opening is quite limiting for one's head to get in, if you know what I mean.
I don't find the BMW 5 or 7 having more headroom than the W212. The problem with those two is that the door opening is quite limiting for one's head to get in, if you know what I mean.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
The 997 has more headroom than the W212. The GLK without sunroof has most headroom obviously, but unfortunately the E550 sedan cannot be ordered without sunroof.
I don't find the BMW 5 or 7 having more headroom than the W212. The problem with those two is that the door opening is quite limiting for one's head to get in, if you know what I mean.
I don't find the BMW 5 or 7 having more headroom than the W212. The problem with those two is that the door opening is quite limiting for one's head to get in, if you know what I mean.
I guess a 911 is my only bet here. I have till March of 2014 to let depreciation on the 991 set in.
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
Thanks. So it looks like I can rest assured that I have no reason to convince myself into a 5-Series. I'll have to check for myself and see how my own seemingly "unique" build fits in it anyway though. It seems like BMW really aren't truthful with their interior dimension headroom specifications.
I guess a 911 is my only bet here. I have till March of 2014 to let depreciation on the 991 set in.
I guess a 911 is my only bet here. I have till March of 2014 to let depreciation on the 991 set in.
In any case, we were in the position to get the 5 but find the rear too tight compared to the E, and the front seats hard to get into.
Also prefer the MB brake auto hold feature (by foot), over the BMW one, by pressing a button. The multi contour seat on the MB beats the BMW one as well in my opinion.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Did the 5 seem to have any more frontal headroom than the E though, or were you initially referring to the rear headroom being the same as the E's?
I didn't pay attention to entry/exit on the E compared to the 5, but that's interesting to note. BMW's generally have lower seats which leads me to believe that perhaps more generous frontal headroom should essentially be more realistic VS M-B's who typically have higher up seating positions. The 5er also has a pretty tall roofline it seems.
I didn't pay attention to entry/exit on the E compared to the 5, but that's interesting to note. BMW's generally have lower seats which leads me to believe that perhaps more generous frontal headroom should essentially be more realistic VS M-B's who typically have higher up seating positions. The 5er also has a pretty tall roofline it seems.
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18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
KA, get a Bmw 6 coupe,,, since you dont like 4 doors anymore and your always at the BMW dealer taking pictures... Thats what I would get.
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
Did the 5 seem to have any more frontal headroom than the E though, or were you initially referring to the rear headroom being the same as the E's?
I didn't pay attention to entry/exit on the E compared to the 5, but that's interesting to note. BMW's generally have lower seats which leads me to believe that perhaps more generous frontal headroom should essentially be more realistic VS M-B's who typically have higher up seating positions. The 5er also has a pretty tall roofline it seems.
I didn't pay attention to entry/exit on the E compared to the 5, but that's interesting to note. BMW's generally have lower seats which leads me to believe that perhaps more generous frontal headroom should essentially be more realistic VS M-B's who typically have higher up seating positions. The 5er also has a pretty tall roofline it seems.
Regarding the entry/exit for the front, it's the top part of the door opening at the B pillar, the E definitely wins in this area.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
The W212 E in comparison has MUCH thinner B-PIllars, yet stronger B-Pillars. I.e, the E uses more advanced/expensive, Mega High Strength/Low Weight steels to generate even slightly more strength than the 5-Series' B-Pillars which are about twice as massive.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
That pretty much is me inside a CLS. If I sit high enough in the E, I might be able to even get the very top of my head to get a taste of the outside air.
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From: Germany
2012 E350 Wagon, 2011 VW GTI
I'm only 6' and there are times I feel like my head will hit the top of the windshield. I do have a long torso but we also have the pano roof. Then again, my daily driver is an mkvi GTI so I have plenty of headroom and when I get into the S212 I have to adjust.
We used to have an X5 and while there was plenty of headroom the overall functional space of the S212 is much better.
To date our longest trip as been 8 hrs roundtrip and it really hasn't been an issue. We're taking a vacation up to Denmark this week so we'll see how it feels over a really long haul.
I have to say that I tend to forget the seating height as soon as I get on the autobahn...the car just cruises effortlessly and is a joy to drive.
We used to have an X5 and while there was plenty of headroom the overall functional space of the S212 is much better.
To date our longest trip as been 8 hrs roundtrip and it really hasn't been an issue. We're taking a vacation up to Denmark this week so we'll see how it feels over a really long haul.
I have to say that I tend to forget the seating height as soon as I get on the autobahn...the car just cruises effortlessly and is a joy to drive.
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W212 FL
I am surprised to see a complain about insufficient headroom for W212 .I am 181 cm tall , and headroom is fine for me . However, my seat adjustment is almost at the lowest position .
I don't like it raising the seat because I feel like I could hit my head as well lol
My biggest complaint was about finding a proper driving view because I had hard time trying to figure out my driving position , thankfully I am used to it now and no more feeling discomfortable about it
My dad's Fleetwood has a higher headroom just a for note . When I sat in A207 , I didn't hit my head above the roof lol .
I don't like it raising the seat because I feel like I could hit my head as well lol
My biggest complaint was about finding a proper driving view because I had hard time trying to figure out my driving position , thankfully I am used to it now and no more feeling discomfortable about it
My dad's Fleetwood has a higher headroom just a for note . When I sat in A207 , I didn't hit my head above the roof lol .
Last edited by BenzV12; Aug 10, 2012 at 05:35 PM.
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Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Tesla
I agree with MCF. You must have odd proportions. I'm about 6'4 and a 1/2 and I've had no issues fitting in any cars listed. I've never once found myself uncomfortable in any of the cars due to a lack of headroom, including the CLS. In fact, my daily driver is a 2012 Mustang and even then I don't hit the roof, with the seat raised a small amount.
