645i seating advice please

[Andy70]

Hi all, not been here for a while as I been pottering around in my 325ti for however long now, but I still keep getting the draw for a big V8 so been looking at getting another audi s4. Now although its a brilliant car and a peach of an engine I notice that you can get a decent 4.4 645i for around the same price but with buckets more torque in the beemer. HOWEVER the only problem with purchasing a 645 is the fact that I think its ridiculous that a car that size is only a 4 seater, (now and again I like to squeeze my mum in the back between my 2 kids car seats), but with the 645 seems to be impossible with the stupid lump in then middle and from a car that size larger than a 3 series and s4 I find it ridiculous that it is only a 4 seater... So my question is, as I believe the 6 series is based on the 5 series, (a 5 series coupe??), so with maybe a bit of giggling and maybe adjustment with the seat belt buckles, would a 5 series back seat fit in a 6? (as i know they are much flatter and could get a third person in the middle) hope that makes sort of sense. Its a dilemma I have with cars as I don't want to give up on life and own a people carrier for the odd occasion, but would like the 5 seats just in case and it seems to be a problem with BMW's as even in my partners e90 3 series there isn't the room to squeeze in between the 2 car seats as the bolsters on the side push the car seats towards the middle, however the s4 seats are lovely and flat and have plenty of room.

[Mike335i]

Even if it was possible, the car would not be type approved for 5 seats, the seatbelt would be missing and so the legality and insurance will be problems that you my not be able to overcome.

If you really do need 5 seats, how about 545i?

[Andy70]

yeah, I'd like a 545, but I've never seen one with a manual gearbox, but now and again a couple of 645's with manuals do crop up. does VOSA not inspect and approve any modifications?

[Mike335i]

I have only ever seen on manual 545i. Luckily it is for sale but with high mileage http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232446266580

I'm not sure about vosa approving such a modification, they might, but I can't imagine it being a cheap or simple endeavour. Even if they did, explaining the new seating arrangements to your insurance company might just make it far more hassle than it is worth.

[Andy70]

they approve kit cars and such like don't they? to make sure lights, seatbelts and every other safety feature is in place and I believe its a straight fee, with regards insurance yes you're probably right and it would only worth be doing if it was in the realms of reasonableness. Is it not possible to change the spec of a car legally? after all changing the colour of your car is just a letter away from the DVLA then all of a sudden, the new colour is what would show up on any paperwork for example, maybe i'm just hoping really, looks like ill be back on the audi forum then, or make my mum walk ;-)

[Collectingbrass]

Unless both front seat riders are total short arses you wont get a 3rd adult in the middle. I would also question whether you could realistically get a child into any kind of child seat in a 6, they really are a two+twoifyoureallyreallyhavetoandcantgetanuberfortheextrahookers

[Herbs]

You can get a car seat in one easily, I had one in mine from the ages of one to four (when I sold it).

No chance of getting 3 adults in the back though.

[Andy70]

my kids are in booster seats so wondered if they might fit in a 6 series, however that wasn't my original question, the 5 series back seat is a lot flatter that the six and should get a third person between the booster seats, I even got my partner between them in my dads little fabia yesterday and that is so much smaller even than my partners e90, ridiculous that a car of that size cant get someone in the middle because of the crap design of the seats , now apart from the legalities of this and I would research the feasibility, I was curious if a 5 series back seat would fit in a 6 series, or are the chassis and framework a completely different shape? I assume that a 6 series was based on a 5 so could fit??

[Herbs]

Regardless of whether it is feasible to swap the seat floor over (i doubt very much whether it is possible as the whole interior is very different), you physically cannot fit the legs of 3 people in the back.

The car is a grand tourer designed for 2 people (and occasionally 4 people) to travel in luxury with decent luggage space so no idea why that is ridiculous If you want/need 5 people, get a car designed for it.

[Andy70]

Herbs said:

Regardless of whether it is feasible to swap the seat floor over (i doubt very much whether it is possible as the whole interior is very different), you physically cannot fit the legs of 3 people in the back.

The car is a grand tourer designed for 2 people (and occasionally 4 people) to travel in luxury with decent luggage space so no idea why that is ridiculous If you want/need 5 people, get a car designed for it.

Oh right, I assumed as would be the same wheel base as a 5 series, the leg room should be the same, that one out of the window then lol, cheers.