Struggling with a "family friendly" 420D Gran Coupe
Discussion
Hi All,
I've got a 2017 420D Gran Couple which I thought I'd hold onto now that we have a newborn. How does everyone manage with cars of this size and smaller with a young family or am I missing something!? I thought they were meant to be family friendly with couple styling.
The baby seat in the back isn't in the most practical amount of space/opening which I understand that practicality will be slightly hindered due to the sloping roof. However the passenger seat needs to be pushed all the way forward making it quite an uncomfortable space with little to no room for the passenger. The bassinet and pram barely fit in the hatchback boot space. I thought with the wide opening this would be really helpful however I can only fit the chassis of the pram and bassinet in with nothing else really. The bassinet needs to be collapsed which is a nuisance.
We have a couple of long weekends away in the UK coming up and feeling doubtful that there will be sufficient space to load up with baby and luggage and be in a comfortable environment. I've always loved how the car looks and its a fantastic mile muncher also don't really want to switch to a SUV etc.
Keen to know if its time to sell up and get something bigger or have I under estimated just how much of a squeeze it will be for the first 6 months
I've got a 2017 420D Gran Couple which I thought I'd hold onto now that we have a newborn. How does everyone manage with cars of this size and smaller with a young family or am I missing something!? I thought they were meant to be family friendly with couple styling.
The baby seat in the back isn't in the most practical amount of space/opening which I understand that practicality will be slightly hindered due to the sloping roof. However the passenger seat needs to be pushed all the way forward making it quite an uncomfortable space with little to no room for the passenger. The bassinet and pram barely fit in the hatchback boot space. I thought with the wide opening this would be really helpful however I can only fit the chassis of the pram and bassinet in with nothing else really. The bassinet needs to be collapsed which is a nuisance.
We have a couple of long weekends away in the UK coming up and feeling doubtful that there will be sufficient space to load up with baby and luggage and be in a comfortable environment. I've always loved how the car looks and its a fantastic mile muncher also don't really want to switch to a SUV etc.
Keen to know if its time to sell up and get something bigger or have I under estimated just how much of a squeeze it will be for the first 6 months
We always took far too much stuff when we had our first child. Pram. Car seat. Changing clobber. Clothes. Toys. Bottles for milk, breast pump etc.....
Never used most of it. They're tougher than you think, babies. Still took it all next time.
When our second came along three years later, we had learned. Folding buggie, one rucksack. Job done!
Fast forward a few years and all they'll need is a phone and somewhere to charge it.
Stick with your Gran Coupe (we had one, very good cars) and take less stuff!
Never used most of it. They're tougher than you think, babies. Still took it all next time.
When our second came along three years later, we had learned. Folding buggie, one rucksack. Job done!
Fast forward a few years and all they'll need is a phone and somewhere to charge it.
Stick with your Gran Coupe (we had one, very good cars) and take less stuff!
you only need the basinette for a couple of months, after that the pushchair will go down much smaller. sling it on the seat beside the kid.
if you have isofix in the middle, it can be better to use that - we got a rear-facing kid seat in behind 2 of us (both > 6' tal) in a hyundai i10 (rental car) with comfy seating possiotherwise its a choice of
a) longer car
b) smaller carseat (plenty around that will take up much less space) - I assume you only have a group 0+, but if you've got a group 0-3 or something, swap it out, they're massive
c) squishy wife, or wife in the seat behind you, no-one in the front (which you'll likely to anyway to stop the kid screaming all the way to grampys house)
the key thing is not size of car, its the size between the front and rear seats which can be deceptive. That said, we ran a vauxhall signum (long wheelbase vectra) to avoid this being even a hint of an issue until both of our kids were out of rear-facing kids seats
if you have isofix in the middle, it can be better to use that - we got a rear-facing kid seat in behind 2 of us (both > 6' tal) in a hyundai i10 (rental car) with comfy seating possiotherwise its a choice of
a) longer car
b) smaller carseat (plenty around that will take up much less space) - I assume you only have a group 0+, but if you've got a group 0-3 or something, swap it out, they're massive
c) squishy wife, or wife in the seat behind you, no-one in the front (which you'll likely to anyway to stop the kid screaming all the way to grampys house)
the key thing is not size of car, its the size between the front and rear seats which can be deceptive. That said, we ran a vauxhall signum (long wheelbase vectra) to avoid this being even a hint of an issue until both of our kids were out of rear-facing kids seats
raspy said:
You need a SUV, mate. Life will be a lot easier.
We managed with a MkV Golf GTi for the first few years when we just had one. No problems, even when we fitted an extended-rear-facing car seat. I could even sit comfortably in the front passenger seat, although my knees were rather closer to the glovebox than I'd have liked.
My wife then moved onto a series of Mk VIIs. Again, very few problems that judicious packaging wouldn't solve, even with two kids.
(I got a Civic saloon which did/does occasional family duties, but aside from Christmas trips to family there was no occasion we had to use that instead of the Golfs)
If you're the sort of parents that have to have every single middle-class gadget and branded thingummy going, then yeah, buy a large SUV or estate to cope with all the tat you'll carry around, and bemoan how expensive having kids is.
But more seriously:-
- good car seats (Britax / Maxi-Cosi) still fit in hatchbacks without wiping the front passenger seat out
- grandparents can buy (or have bought for them) cheap or 2nd hand cots, high chairs etc. so you don't need to carry those from place to place - if you think, the additional cost there is less than 1 month's repayment on a pricey SUV.
- despite all the marketing and gimmickry, you can still get prams/pushchairs that will fit into a hatchback boot happily. And collapsible Mclaren-style strollers will fit across a rear footwell once they get above 1y.o.
- ...pretty much everything else is optional or cheap or small or usually all 3 combined.
Just buy a Car with more space.
I’ve never had a 3 series gc but it sounds like it has less room than a golf.
BMW, I think, very deliberately sell a range of sizes of car. Plenty of room in a 5 series saloon, but I regret not buying an X5 or similar. Easier to load kids and do seat belts (because of the height) and then there’s the tailgate area to sit on when doing muddy boots.
I think a hatch or estate is very useful to carry bicycles - because it’s good to be able to take them to cycle in car free areas, when they’re young.
Others will come on and say that they managed with a mini 850 and shoe box, and I am sure they did and you could, but if you have the money there are conveniences to a dirty big suv. So long as you’ve got a smaller car when going to a multi-storey.
I’ve never had a 3 series gc but it sounds like it has less room than a golf.
BMW, I think, very deliberately sell a range of sizes of car. Plenty of room in a 5 series saloon, but I regret not buying an X5 or similar. Easier to load kids and do seat belts (because of the height) and then there’s the tailgate area to sit on when doing muddy boots.
I think a hatch or estate is very useful to carry bicycles - because it’s good to be able to take them to cycle in car free areas, when they’re young.
Others will come on and say that they managed with a mini 850 and shoe box, and I am sure they did and you could, but if you have the money there are conveniences to a dirty big suv. So long as you’ve got a smaller car when going to a multi-storey.
Yeah I think "family friendly" is a marketing line that you should interrogate for yourself before buying. Cars like this are inherently compromised - I'd go so far to say just buy a real coupe as it'll be radically impractical for kids but at least you'll have a proper car, not something that's trying to be two things and failing at both.
the need for 10billion tons of stuff declines as the child gets older - if you do like the Gran Coupe for itself then stick with it as you'll soon be past the "take the whole house with you" stage of going out. don't get a SUV - get an estate/wagon. Still plenty of decent estate cars out there - Mazda, Skoda, Golf R most notably.
the need for 10billion tons of stuff declines as the child gets older - if you do like the Gran Coupe for itself then stick with it as you'll soon be past the "take the whole house with you" stage of going out. don't get a SUV - get an estate/wagon. Still plenty of decent estate cars out there - Mazda, Skoda, Golf R most notably.
The issue isn't the size of the car, it's the size of the car seats and prams. They're all fooking massive.
Anyone who says 'well were coped when ours were young...back in 2005' had a much simpler requirement. I know, I was one of those and our first was in a BMW 3 Compact.
Now though, you need a decent SUV or large estate.
Anyone who says 'well were coped when ours were young...back in 2005' had a much simpler requirement. I know, I was one of those and our first was in a BMW 3 Compact.
Now though, you need a decent SUV or large estate.
Pommy said:
The issue isn't the size of the car, it's the size of the car seats and prams. They're all fooking massive.
Anyone who says 'well were coped when ours were young...back in 2005' had a much simpler requirement. I know, I was one of those and our first was in a BMW 3 Compact.
Now though, you need a decent SUV or large estate.
This is about right - my dad poo-pooed the idea of getting a bigger car when my daughter arrived, saying "we did OK with [insert name of random 1970s and 80s three box saloons] for your brother and you" but baby and kid stuff now is MASSIVE compared to the total absence / flimsy nature of the equivalent things in the 1970s and 80s. We purposely bought the smallest possible pram, but it still took up a good suitcase worth of space folded up. Pushchairs? Basically don't think of putting anything else in your boot.Anyone who says 'well were coped when ours were young...back in 2005' had a much simpler requirement. I know, I was one of those and our first was in a BMW 3 Compact.
Now though, you need a decent SUV or large estate.
Try a 3 series touring. Often touted as the best do everything family car on the planet. Or if you want the best family car ever made find an Alpina version. I may be slightly biased but after 4 years of ownership I'm still not thinking about a replacement ( and I've gone through 4 second cars for the wife in that time)
MLS11 said:
Hi All,
I've got a 2017 420D Gran Couple which I thought I'd hold onto now that we have a newborn. How does everyone manage with cars of this size and smaller with a young family or am I missing something!? I thought they were meant to be family friendly with couple styling.
The baby seat in the back isn't in the most practical amount of space/opening which I understand that practicality will be slightly hindered due to the sloping roof. However the passenger seat needs to be pushed all the way forward making it quite an uncomfortable space with little to no room for the passenger. The bassinet and pram barely fit in the hatchback boot space. I thought with the wide opening this would be really helpful however I can only fit the chassis of the pram and bassinet in with nothing else really. The bassinet needs to be collapsed which is a nuisance.
We have a couple of long weekends away in the UK coming up and feeling doubtful that there will be sufficient space to load up with baby and luggage and be in a comfortable environment. I've always loved how the car looks and its a fantastic mile muncher also don't really want to switch to a SUV etc.
Keen to know if its time to sell up and get something bigger or have I under estimated just how much of a squeeze it will be for the first 6 months
It's just bad project management. Clearly you've been responsible for getting the right car while your other half has been responsible for the baby kit and neither of you liaised when you were doing so. I've got a 2017 420D Gran Couple which I thought I'd hold onto now that we have a newborn. How does everyone manage with cars of this size and smaller with a young family or am I missing something!? I thought they were meant to be family friendly with couple styling.
The baby seat in the back isn't in the most practical amount of space/opening which I understand that practicality will be slightly hindered due to the sloping roof. However the passenger seat needs to be pushed all the way forward making it quite an uncomfortable space with little to no room for the passenger. The bassinet and pram barely fit in the hatchback boot space. I thought with the wide opening this would be really helpful however I can only fit the chassis of the pram and bassinet in with nothing else really. The bassinet needs to be collapsed which is a nuisance.
We have a couple of long weekends away in the UK coming up and feeling doubtful that there will be sufficient space to load up with baby and luggage and be in a comfortable environment. I've always loved how the car looks and its a fantastic mile muncher also don't really want to switch to a SUV etc.
Keen to know if its time to sell up and get something bigger or have I under estimated just how much of a squeeze it will be for the first 6 months
You've basically ended up with the wrong baby kit as the car is more than large enough for the basic task of moving 1-2 children around from baby to university.
However, it's unlikely you will be able to explain this to your line manager and arguably unwise to try.
You are taking too much stuff.
That car is more than adequate for 2 adults and 1 newborn.
I remember going on holiday when my son was born on a 3 series and we had space to spare. It might be tight depending on chosen buggy but if you chose a big frame buggy then it will take a fair chunk of boot space. Saying that a newborn needs fit in a rucksack easily, for a day out.
That car is more than adequate for 2 adults and 1 newborn.
I remember going on holiday when my son was born on a 3 series and we had space to spare. It might be tight depending on chosen buggy but if you chose a big frame buggy then it will take a fair chunk of boot space. Saying that a newborn needs fit in a rucksack easily, for a day out.
If you want something with space in the back don't get a small BMW, being able to put a big engine in the front means there is no room in the back seat. A neighbour once asked to look at my wife's Fiesta (current shell) and said it had way more space than her 1 series.
We ran a Mk1 Sierra when ours were small and a full size pram body would go in the boot and a carry cot on the back seat.
Granddaughter is 8 months and sone had an A6, his rotating child seat will fit in that, my Superb and his wife's T-Roc without problems although when the babies her legs get longer it will be an issue.
Fast child friendly car that isn't too big - Octavia VRs estate.
We ran a Mk1 Sierra when ours were small and a full size pram body would go in the boot and a carry cot on the back seat.
Granddaughter is 8 months and sone had an A6, his rotating child seat will fit in that, my Superb and his wife's T-Roc without problems although when the babies her legs get longer it will be an issue.
Fast child friendly car that isn't too big - Octavia VRs estate.
CrgT16 said:
You are taking too much stuff.
That car is more than adequate for 2 adults and 1 newborn.
I remember going on holiday when my son was born on a 3 series and we had space to spare. It might be tight depending on chosen buggy but if you chose a big frame buggy then it will take a fair chunk of boot space. Saying that a newborn needs fit in a rucksack easily, for a day out.
Yup. I bought a 130i when the first came along. Loads of room, plus legroom for me, a nice engine for me and less stress for me when suddenly having to leave a car in places rammed full of drugged out, self entitled, ghastly people who's only achievement in life to date was to have spaffed out a sprog. A 340i estate was next as the extra boot space does come in handy when they are older but still not vital. That car is more than adequate for 2 adults and 1 newborn.
I remember going on holiday when my son was born on a 3 series and we had space to spare. It might be tight depending on chosen buggy but if you chose a big frame buggy then it will take a fair chunk of boot space. Saying that a newborn needs fit in a rucksack easily, for a day out.
havoc said:
raspy said:
You need a SUV, mate. Life will be a lot easier.
We managed with a MkV Golf GTi for the first few years when we just had one. No problems, even when we fitted an extended-rear-facing car seat. I could even sit comfortably in the front passenger seat, although my knees were rather closer to the glovebox than I'd have liked.
My wife then moved onto a series of Mk VIIs. Again, very few problems that judicious packaging wouldn't solve, even with two kids.
(I got a Civic saloon which did/does occasional family duties, but aside from Christmas trips to family there was no occasion we had to use that instead of the Golfs)
If you're the sort of parents that have to have every single middle-class gadget and branded thingummy going, then yeah, buy a large SUV or estate to cope with all the tat you'll carry around, and bemoan how expensive having kids is.
But more seriously:-
- good car seats (Britax / Maxi-Cosi) still fit in hatchbacks without wiping the front passenger seat out
- grandparents can buy (or have bought for them) cheap or 2nd hand cots, high chairs etc. so you don't need to carry those from place to place - if you think, the additional cost there is less than 1 month's repayment on a pricey SUV.
- despite all the marketing and gimmickry, you can still get prams/pushchairs that will fit into a hatchback boot happily. And collapsible Mclaren-style strollers will fit across a rear footwell once they get above 1y.o.
- ...pretty much everything else is optional or cheap or small or usually all 3 combined.
The key phrase was easier!
We had a cooper s convertible and 2 under two, we 'managed'
We 'managed' much easier when we binned it off for a grand scenic
I remember having a bit of a test with the 640d Coupe when our second daughter was a baby. I'd put the isofix base and baby seat behind the passenger seat, but that then meant that they wasn't any room in the passenger footwell for anyones legs! The other challenge was that the rear seats are tiny in the 640 so even if you put the baby seat in the front there wasn't any room behind it. The 4 of us got by, but it wasn't exactly fun though.
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