Audi A3 or BMW 1 Series
Discussion
So got some great news and found out that Mrs RZ1 is now expecting RZ1 junior, which means we need to re think cars.
At the moment Mrs RZ1 owns a Mini cooper, which we have agreed is not going to be very baby friendly, we have shortlisted our options down to either a BMW 1 Series or an Audi A3, both of which will be the 5 door models.
Does any one have any experience with either of the above and how easy it is to put baby seats in, boot space for push chairs etc etc.
We have seen some reports that say that a BMW 1 Series is a bit of a nightmare when getting a baby seats into the back, any experience with this?
Any other suggestions? We also need to get all the other bits, e.g. baby seats, prams etc, any advice on those bits would also be great appreciated, do Ferrari sell prams?
At the moment Mrs RZ1 owns a Mini cooper, which we have agreed is not going to be very baby friendly, we have shortlisted our options down to either a BMW 1 Series or an Audi A3, both of which will be the 5 door models.
Does any one have any experience with either of the above and how easy it is to put baby seats in, boot space for push chairs etc etc.
We have seen some reports that say that a BMW 1 Series is a bit of a nightmare when getting a baby seats into the back, any experience with this?
Any other suggestions? We also need to get all the other bits, e.g. baby seats, prams etc, any advice on those bits would also be great appreciated, do Ferrari sell prams?
Matt UK said:
You'll hate me for suggesting it, but have a nosey around an MPV.
Drivers cars they are not, but they really are designed around family life. Although my kids are now growing up, my wife still has a VW Sharan - it just seems to fit in painlessly with family life.
Thanks Matt but I can't bring myself to buy an mpv. Plus my wife wouldn't be too keen on driving one either. She loves driving as much as me Drivers cars they are not, but they really are designed around family life. Although my kids are now growing up, my wife still has a VW Sharan - it just seems to fit in painlessly with family life.
We used to have an A3 and as a second car it is more than capable of doing what you want. It is bigger in the back than the BMW and a standard car seat easily fits in (Maxi cosi pebble). The boot is a bit bigger than the Beemer too and fits a travel system in there ok (Bugaboo chameleon), although it can get tight in there if you Ty and squeeze loads more stuff in should she need to go on a longer trip. The reason we got rid of the A3 in the end was because of the terrible ride as ours was an S-line and the poor fuel consumption of the the 2.0Tfsi, although the ride shouldn't be an issue if you go for an SE.
scherzkeks said:
I'd be looking at something a size up. Baby junk adds up quick, and even a small stroller (pram) alone will take up the entire trunk of an A3/1. Unless you never plan to take road trips, a hatch is too small IMO.
On the other hand we managed perfectly fine with an Audi A2. OK so holidays needed a roofbox but it was never a problem.Worth noting that the BMW being RWD does mean less space in rear seats and a smaller boot than the A3 but still double the volume of a MINI hatchback!
For reference, a mk1 BMW 1er hatch has 330L boot space vs 365L for a standard A3 and 385L for a sportback.
That said, how much stuff do people carry around these days?
For reference, a mk1 BMW 1er hatch has 330L boot space vs 365L for a standard A3 and 385L for a sportback.
That said, how much stuff do people carry around these days?
Going through this at the moment.
How a Recaro Privia car seat fits in a current 5-door 1-series: http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=69... . That's pretty typical of most seats for newborns to 9-10ish months. If you want them to stay rear-facing beyond that then the seats get even bigger (and the front passenger will get really cramped).
An Uppababy Vista will just about fit in the boot without removing wheels. It fits better (and gives more space for other things) if you pop them off though.
How a Recaro Privia car seat fits in a current 5-door 1-series: http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=69... . That's pretty typical of most seats for newborns to 9-10ish months. If you want them to stay rear-facing beyond that then the seats get even bigger (and the front passenger will get really cramped).
An Uppababy Vista will just about fit in the boot without removing wheels. It fits better (and gives more space for other things) if you pop them off though.
Plenty of PH members over on the Porsche forum find ways of fitting a baby and baby kit into 911's so I am sure both would fit your needs, let's also not lose sight of the fact that the is not mum's net for blokes so it is about the car you find the best drive and a AUDI A3 is never going to be that
I agree, this thread is a bit mumsnet.
This is how PHers do it: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
This is how PHers do it: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
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