7 Seat Conundrum...

[Wolfsbait]

Having recently found out that an extra child human will be making an appearance later this year, I'm faced with the horrific prospect of needing a car with 7 seats.

7 bloody seats.

Currently we have a Merc ML and an E46 M3, with the current thinking to chop them both in for something boringly practical.

My wife loves the space and height of the ML (we live in the sticks so the 4x4 gets a work out more than the average Chelsea based version) but 7 seats and 4x4s seem limited to the vast Q7 and Disco's..?

Basically, I'm at a loss as I'd prefer to keep the M3 and get something a bit more economical than the guzzling ML with the extra seats....LWB Landie?

Any thoughts gratefully received!

[Deerfoot]

LWB R-Class?

They do 4matic versions of those don't they?

[geeks]

Volvo XC-90 has a 7 seat variant i think. Possibly the Mitsubishi Pajero too from memory. Delica? Mazda Bongo? ok the are people carriers but the Delica is very capable, not sure about the 4x4 Bongo though..

[Wolfsbait]

Hadn't considered the R Class - nice thinking potentially.

Ideally want the holy grail of space and economy - perhaps a later model diesel could deliver.

The ML350 CDI is quite a thirsty lump.

[AudiWurst]

Wolfsbait said:

Hadn't considered the R Class - nice thinking potentially.

Ideally want the holy grail of space and economy - perhaps a later model diesel could deliver.

R-class suggestion is good.

The new X5 has 7 seats, and could be quite economical with the 2.0 diesel engine...

[covmutley]

I like our s-max.

Im sure I read that the Discovery is actually not that long or wide, or at least, not as long or wide as the boxy design and height would make you believe.

[troc]

Do you need 7 or just "more than 5"? - if so, what about something boringly practical like a Honda FR-V with two rows of 3 seats and thus a decent boot.

Most 7 seaters seem to end up with tiny boots if you use more then 5 seats.

[Penneth]

Sister in same position, they have an XC90. It's literally perfect and seats 7 with ease (2 adults, 5 kids including a baby seat).

They tried everything under the sun and nothing came close to it. Majority seated 7 but without any boot space at all, and most of the rear seats were flimsy things they did not want kids to go in.

Had a Honda FRV with 6 seats prior to that.

[Wolfsbait]

troc said:

Do you need 7 or just "more than 5"? - if so, what about something boringly practical like a Honda FR-V with two rows of 3 seats and thus a decent boot.

Most 7 seaters seem to end up with tiny boots if you use more then 5 seats.

Sadly it's looking like 7 will be needed - Most of the time it will be just four of us in it...but I have my two sons (from the ubiquitous 'previous relationship') every other weekend, so the space matters.

Tried a Q7 before Xmas and it seemed vast...but the economy from the new TDI lump was impressive.

[Wolfsbait]

Penneth said:

Sister in same position, they have an XC90. It's literally perfect and seats 7 with ease (2 adults, 5 kids including a baby seat).

They tried everything under the sun and nothing came close to it. Majority seated 7 but without any boot space at all, and most of the rear seats were flimsy things they did not want kids to go in.

Had a Honda FRV with 6 seats prior to that.

Thanks - I'll check out the XC-90

Hopefully they are slightly better on fuel etc than the Merc!

[silverous]

If you really need 7 seats I don't think you can beat a Disco.... you'll get people saying an X5 or a Volvo has 7 seats but in my experience they aren't real seats - we have an X5 and BMW have advised us that you should not use booster seats or child seats in the rear 2 seats in the boot thereby rendering it a 4.5 seat car

Only downside to disco for me was aesthetics, jumpy auto box, and the fact that the leg room is less to accomodate the 3 rows so you'll have kids kicking your seat more

[Wolfsbait]

silverous said:

If you really need 7 seats I don't think you can beat a Disco.... you'll get people saying an X5 or a Volvo has 7 seats but in my experience they aren't real seats - we have an X5 and BMW have advised us that you should not use booster seats or child seats in the rear 2 seats in the boot thereby rendering it a 4.5 seat car

Only downside to disco for me was aesthetics, jumpy auto box, and the fact that the leg room is less to accomodate the 3 rows so you'll have kids kicking your seat more

I am a fan of the Disco - but haven't tried one of the later versions...how are they on fuel?

The Merc struggles to break 21mpg around town and rarely gets 30mpg on a run...

[gabbo]

silverous said:

If you really need 7 seats I don't think you can beat a Disco.... you'll get people saying an X5 or a Volvo has 7 seats but in my experience they aren't real seats - we have an X5 and BMW have advised us that you should not use booster seats or child seats in the rear 2 seats in the boot thereby rendering it a 4.5 seat car

Only downside to disco for me was aesthetics, jumpy auto box, and the fact that the leg room is less to accomodate the 3 rows so you'll have kids kicking your seat more

We had same scenario and went with the Disco. The 8 speed box isn't jumpy but I do agree with the leg room part, but overall it was the best compromise

[eltax91]

Wolfsbait said:

troc said:

Do you need 7 or just "more than 5"? - if so, what about something boringly practical like a Honda FR-V with two rows of 3 seats and thus a decent boot.

Most 7 seaters seem to end up with tiny boots if you use more then 5 seats.

Sadly it's looking like 7 will be needed - Most of the time it will be just four of us in it...but I have my two sons (from the ubiquitous 'previous relationship') every other weekend, so the space matters.

Tried a Q7 before Xmas and it seemed vast...but the economy from the new TDI lump was impressive.

So you'll need 6 seats then? 2 rows of 3 could actually be pretty decent idea....

[Dilligaf10]

Mercedes Viano, VW Caravelle, Routemaster bus at your rate of procreation!

[Wolfsbait]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

My XC90 has 7 seats.

Seats 6 and 7 are 'proper' seats, but they fold away as well as being individually usable.

The XC90 also has specific crumple zones and curtain airbags for seats 6 & 7.

Boot space with 6&7 in use is a little bigger than a MINI (all I have for comparison!) and with only 6 or 7 in use the boot is actually still very usable.

You can buy specific OE guards to go behind the 3rd row to protect occupants from luggage etc.

Mine has done 30mpg average since buying, and I dont hang about.

The entire middle row can be adjusted back/forth to give more leg room to the 3rd row as you see fit.

No idea what your budget is, but absolutely only buy a post-facelift car >2007 onwards and generally the newer the better in terms of reliability.

XC90s have some horrible reliability stereotypes attached to them, but they are almost universally related to the 2002-2006 cars.

Mine:



Rear-most seats and boot space:

Big thanks for that endorsement of the XC-90

I guess my budget will be circa £30k depending on what the Merc is worth (like I said, I'd rather keep hold of the M3 if I can get away with it!)

Nice looking car you have there!

[gabbo]

I've had both. IMHO the Disco beats the XC90, the boot looks big on the Volvo but when you close the boot because of the angles it is a lot smaller than you'd think. As you need 6 leave one seat flat and you have a massive boot, big enough for Phil and Teds buggies etc, in fact you can get a P&T buggy in with both seats up

[Wolfsbait]

Dilligaf10 said:

Mercedes Viano, VW Caravelle, Routemaster bus at your rate of procreation!

Agreed!

[Mr Gear]

If you want economy and 7 seats, you're looking at a Prius Plus.

Maybe get a motorbike too.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/toyota/priusp...

Edited by Mr Gear on Friday 3rd January 11:55

[gdelargy]

One of these:


...one of these:


...and one of these:


There's room for a dozen rug-monkeys in that.





You're welcome.