3 series or 5 series
Discussion
You ~could~ manage in a Caterham with a boot rack and bungees.... It's just a hell of a lot easier when you have a little more space than you need.
You can just sling it in as it comes often without folding it right down to its minimum size. I guarantee your Mrs will not enjoy playing car boot Tetris in the rain whilst the baby cries and screams on the backseat.
Do not make the common mistake of not buying a family size car now you are a family man.
You can just sling it in as it comes often without folding it right down to its minimum size. I guarantee your Mrs will not enjoy playing car boot Tetris in the rain whilst the baby cries and screams on the backseat.
Do not make the common mistake of not buying a family size car now you are a family man.
Imho the 3 series will be too small, to be fair the boot in the 5 series is smaller than my mates Passat!
Depends on what age car & mpg you're expecting to achieve, although all the 6cyl will see 40> down the motorway. I have a 535d, averaged 37 over past 700 miles, 80/20 split motorway & town, including a high speed continental run.
Looks aside, I think I'd have an SE model with young children, the sports suspension is still crashy on 18's, it's certainly not Alpina!
Comfort Seats
a take or leave it colour though. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Depends on what age car & mpg you're expecting to achieve, although all the 6cyl will see 40> down the motorway. I have a 535d, averaged 37 over past 700 miles, 80/20 split motorway & town, including a high speed continental run.
Looks aside, I think I'd have an SE model with young children, the sports suspension is still crashy on 18's, it's certainly not Alpina!
Comfort Seats
a take or leave it colour though. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...I had a 2003 330d touring which I sold to a couple who had just become three. They were most meticulous in making sure they had enough boot space for their kit and the primary reason they opted for the 3 series was that the mother was not comfortable driving/ parking anything larger than a 3. This may be something the OP needs to consider if the car is to be shared.
I have an F10 touring now and, whilst it is a fantastic vehicle, there's something about the slightly more compact dimensions of a 3 series which appeals more to me.
Peter
I have an F10 touring now and, whilst it is a fantastic vehicle, there's something about the slightly more compact dimensions of a 3 series which appeals more to me.
Peter
Since having our twins 4 years ago I've had both 3 and 5 tourings and now have a 7. The 3 was a great car but couldn't take much once the twin buggy was in, the 5 took everything we needed without using the rear footwells (valid storage area when the rear passengers legs are only a foot long! The 7 takes everything we need but we don't have the buggy any more.
We've had both 4 and 6 cylinder engines in both cars and prefer the 6's but the 4's are nevertheless really good cars and great on fuel. Were it my choice I'd go for a LCI 530d SE Auto with as many extras as possible. In particular I'd want leather, heated seats, pro nav (with associated bluetooth), sports steering wheel, and either sports or comfort seats.
The LCI gives acceptable mpg whilst also putting a smile on your face (when I had the 520d I looked with envy on the 525d/530d cars). It all depends on what your demands are regarding age/mileage. Wanting a 10 plate with 40k means you're limited to the 3 series..
We've had both 4 and 6 cylinder engines in both cars and prefer the 6's but the 4's are nevertheless really good cars and great on fuel. Were it my choice I'd go for a LCI 530d SE Auto with as many extras as possible. In particular I'd want leather, heated seats, pro nav (with associated bluetooth), sports steering wheel, and either sports or comfort seats.
The LCI gives acceptable mpg whilst also putting a smile on your face (when I had the 520d I looked with envy on the 525d/530d cars). It all depends on what your demands are regarding age/mileage. Wanting a 10 plate with 40k means you're limited to the 3 series..
Edited by pointedstarman on Tuesday 23 December 19:29
lovely engine in that. converted lurker said:
SMax is the answer. Keep them out of your Bmw.
ive run 5 series, 3 series, 1 series, 7 series, Range Rover Sport, and still the best family car we havce had by far is an Smax TDCI Titanium. Now the kids are all 8+ im thinking an F11 will do but to be honest I will miss the space and 7 seats, kids will miss the rear flat floor and individual 3 seats in the middle row and high sitting position to see out.Edited by shim on Tuesday 23 December 21:35
E91 320d msport owner.
Perfect for 1 child.
Boot is okay, takes a bugaboo buggy.
Odd shape though due to rwd.
We went camping last year in France for a month, 2 bikes on the back and top box.
We considered a 5 but we only needed the extra space for holiday travel so got the 3 and bought aforementioned top box.
Perfect for 1 child.
Boot is okay, takes a bugaboo buggy.
Odd shape though due to rwd.
We went camping last year in France for a month, 2 bikes on the back and top box.
We considered a 5 but we only needed the extra space for holiday travel so got the 3 and bought aforementioned top box.
Simes205 said:
E91 320d msport owner.
Perfect for 1 child.
Boot is okay, takes a bugaboo buggy.
Odd shape though due to rwd.
We went camping last year in France for a month, 2 bikes on the back and top box.
We considered a 5 but we only needed the extra space for holiday travel so got the 3 and bought aforementioned top box.
We have children now and have an e91 320d. I like the car and it works fine for us but space wise it a bit of a let down. Don't know if it is just ours but it does sound a bit tractor like.Perfect for 1 child.
Boot is okay, takes a bugaboo buggy.
Odd shape though due to rwd.
We went camping last year in France for a month, 2 bikes on the back and top box.
We considered a 5 but we only needed the extra space for holiday travel so got the 3 and bought aforementioned top box.
When we had our first child we had a grand Cherokee and I have to say life was easy with it. Space with a little one, although not essential, makes life a lot easier.
I would go 5 series from your choices all day long.
Quote posts: "3 series not big enough/cramped - 5 series has a small boot"
So how did my mum and dad cope with an A40, Triumph Herald, Hillman Imp (now that was a squeeze) and a Mk 1 Escort - when they had two boys i.e. when I was a nipper?
Lets be honest with one "rug rat" a 3 series is plenty big enough - get a grip!
So how did my mum and dad cope with an A40, Triumph Herald, Hillman Imp (now that was a squeeze) and a Mk 1 Escort - when they had two boys i.e. when I was a nipper?
Lets be honest with one "rug rat" a 3 series is plenty big enough - get a grip!
pointedstarman said:
Our next door neighbour has a 2012 S Max Zetec TDCi and loves it for carting his 3 kids about. When he's just driving to work on his own he much prefers his Mk 5 golf 2.0tdi.
Says it all really...
Lets be honest, theres not much difference really in a 2.0D Smax and a 2.0D Golf, is there, Its hardly earth shatteringSays it all really...
The wife wants an SMax.
May just plump with a e90 saloon 330d as it will mainly be me in the car going back to to work. As long as I can fit a push chair in it I'd be happy.
A post on Facebook popped up about a Volvo V50 and in r design guise they look rather nice. So that's tempting me now D'Oh!!!!
May just plump with a e90 saloon 330d as it will mainly be me in the car going back to to work. As long as I can fit a push chair in it I'd be happy.
A post on Facebook popped up about a Volvo V50 and in r design guise they look rather nice. So that's tempting me now D'Oh!!!!
I enjoy hustling our Smax 163Tdci. It's a tidy handling car you can really lean on.
Engine is rough as sandpaper compared to the 535d but the Powershift DSG box is really impressive in the Ford.
It's not a bad petrolhead family car and just as fast as the Peugeot 205 1.6Gti I had when is was 20..!
Engine is rough as sandpaper compared to the 535d but the Powershift DSG box is really impressive in the Ford.
It's not a bad petrolhead family car and just as fast as the Peugeot 205 1.6Gti I had when is was 20..!
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