I ponder these things...

[mtechnik]

I used to use my right hand mostly. My left on occasion.

I dont like sitting back to the point I need to lock my elbows.

:D

[GaryE30]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I LOVE these little details that make e30s different from other cars people drive. Not only that, but they really have a good reason for every little detail.

[DatUtahGuy]

Best explanation I heard thus far is opening with your right so you can make sure to check for oncoming traffic in blind spot. And yes I have a coupe and the doors are longer. I wonder what the handle location differnece is between 4 and 2 doors

[imsotyerred]

And another thing, if we are picking nits:
Why are the window controls not on the door, by the window, like every other fucking car on the planet?!

my theory:
Cigarette smokers love the middle switch because you can light you cig, hold it in the outside hand, and roll down the window with the inside hand...prevents cigarette burns in the door card. many other european vehicles from the era had center switches

and, yes, i have burned the door panel in my dad's tahoe because I was rolling down the window with the same hand that was holding the cig

[TimbyMaTombo]

I would guess the center switches has at least something to do with the fact that they didn't want to make separate door cards for the auto windows and manual ones. If the auto windows have the plug where the crank should be, why would they still make the door card auto window only? I also don't there is enough space on the door handles for them to be comfortable.

I open the handle with both hands.... the bottom mount is broken so I have to hold the bottom of the handle in with my left hand while I pull it with the right. In my other E30, I still use both since both the top and bottom mounts are broken so I have to pull the whole handle forward toward the engine instead of out.

Out of four door handles, only one isn't broken...

[DatUtahGuy]

To my knowledge center window controls are there so you keep one hand on the steering wheel at all times. Every time you go to roll your windows up or down, if the control are on the door, you let go of steering wheel and operate them with left hand, this is bad if you are driving while doing it. But if they are in the center you only move your right hand from gear lever to switch and keep control of your vehicle with left.

[slammin.e28]

I open my door with my teeth.

Ya'll all are an odd bunch.

[dougie30]

I have always wondered why the handle was so far back and I do believe it is awkward to open I wish it was further forward so you could open with left and just push with the elbow to open like most cars

Ja mean?

[Thizzelle]

I use either. Also use your right hand because you have to rotate to the left to get out so this is just starting the process.

[TurboJake]

The gay gentlemanly trunk monkey opens the doors for me.

In all seriousness. Left hand for the door. Has never even crossed my mind to use the right hand, and it would be fucked up for me to.

[ak-]

I'm 5'9" and sit pretty similar to the guy pictured, my left hand is placed almost perfectly for the door handle. Maybe I have short arms...

Maybe you're a Tyrannosaurus Rex?

[Hooffenstein HD]

Ausfag, so right hand drive.

5'9", sit in the proper "because race car" position and opening the door is still sightly awkward with my right hand. Most of that comes from winding the window down first to reach the outside handle though.

[GillesBigCowboy]

I think use left hand in the 4dr and right hand with the 2dr... Might have to do with door weight also.