Bigger car for Wife who is expecting?
Discussion
Hi
So the Wife currently has a BMW Z4 and being pregnant means it needs to go asap really, ignoring the fact its impracticable, she is struggling with getting in and out of it and the seats are not the most comfortable.
We have a budget of £6-8k but have no interest in the generic school mum cars like the Zafira etc.
Ideally we are looking for something German owned/made, 5 door with a boot big enough to get a newborn type buggy in, plus it needs to have some sort of power.
The BMW 2L Petrols in the Exx range seem underpowered for their weight and the 2L diesel means the dreaded N47 with the chain issues so that rules those out.
So far my thoughts are:
E90 325/330 - Petrol or Diesel
Mk6 Golf - 2.0 TDI or 2.0 GTI
Audi A3/A4
The E90 will likely have a bigger boot but will also be worse on fuel I would assume. This being our first kid, we are not really sure how big of a car we are going to need, its going to be a daily for her with the occasional trip to the coast to see family etc.
Ummming and ahhhing on whether to bother with the diesel considering the 6-8k miles she will be doing, some of which is going to be short journeys so the cost savings and potential DPF/Turbo issues could outweigh any saving in MPG.
Insurance is not a big deal, we are old enough that any of the cars above will be sub £400 per year to insure.
Thanks
So the Wife currently has a BMW Z4 and being pregnant means it needs to go asap really, ignoring the fact its impracticable, she is struggling with getting in and out of it and the seats are not the most comfortable.
We have a budget of £6-8k but have no interest in the generic school mum cars like the Zafira etc.
Ideally we are looking for something German owned/made, 5 door with a boot big enough to get a newborn type buggy in, plus it needs to have some sort of power.
The BMW 2L Petrols in the Exx range seem underpowered for their weight and the 2L diesel means the dreaded N47 with the chain issues so that rules those out.
So far my thoughts are:
E90 325/330 - Petrol or Diesel
Mk6 Golf - 2.0 TDI or 2.0 GTI
Audi A3/A4
The E90 will likely have a bigger boot but will also be worse on fuel I would assume. This being our first kid, we are not really sure how big of a car we are going to need, its going to be a daily for her with the occasional trip to the coast to see family etc.
Ummming and ahhhing on whether to bother with the diesel considering the 6-8k miles she will be doing, some of which is going to be short journeys so the cost savings and potential DPF/Turbo issues could outweigh any saving in MPG.
Insurance is not a big deal, we are old enough that any of the cars above will be sub £400 per year to insure.
Thanks
Octavia VRS is what first jumped to my mind - they feel massive inside. The hatch would be more than enough, but I'd go estate for the ease that comes with the extra practicality.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or for even more space...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or for even more space...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Edited by ilikejam on Wednesday 28th August 12:52
Z4 too small? Pah!
My wife ran her Suzuki Cappuccino from before the birth of our first child, then used to put the child seat on the passenger seat. The only reason she sold the car was the imminent arrival of our second child.
We did have to have another car for family outings but I ended up having to use that most of the time as my wife wasn't keen to relinquish her keys.
My wife ran her Suzuki Cappuccino from before the birth of our first child, then used to put the child seat on the passenger seat. The only reason she sold the car was the imminent arrival of our second child.
We did have to have another car for family outings but I ended up having to use that most of the time as my wife wasn't keen to relinquish her keys.
I’d certainly stick with something 3 Series/A4 sized ... and in estate form
You will be amazed how much bulky s
te kids come with now 
I’d also consider an SUV .. depending on the size of your wife it will really make getting carry chairs etc in/out much easier as there is far less bending
We swopped an E90 saloon for the X1 and it made a massive difference ...just that bit of extra height and the tailgate with the split folding rear seat
Now running an X3 .. but kept the Z4
You will be amazed how much bulky s
te kids come with now I’d also consider an SUV .. depending on the size of your wife it will really make getting carry chairs etc in/out much easier as there is far less bending
We swopped an E90 saloon for the X1 and it made a massive difference ...just that bit of extra height and the tailgate with the split folding rear seat
Now running an X3 .. but kept the Z4
Congratulations on being the first expecting father poster to:
- 1: have a current vehicle that genuinely doesn’t meet the needs of a family of 3, and:
- 2: not being an utter bed wetter and deciding that transporting a pushchair means you need to buy something the size of a Range Rover
My wife's daily when we had #1 (and expecting #2) was an RX-8. Plenty of room for daily duties. Only got rid because it was a royal pain to put baby in the back and so had #1 in the front (with the air bag disabled etc), but that meant you couldn't use the rear that side. Not much of a problem with one but a pain with two. While the RX-8 is technically a 4 door, due to the design if you're trying to get a baby in a car seat in you have to open both doors *wide* as well as move the seat, then lean a long way down and in while holding a baby and seat at arms length.
Equally my sister has two children, they got a Focus and they'll do weekend trips to visit us (or longer away).
Anyway, Golf is would be plenty big enough, 3 series more so only I would personally go for the estate over the saloon as it adds a significant amount more boot space without affecting how it drives.
I will add that while personally I see SUV's as an utter abomination and waste of space...having a car where you're not leaning in and down *is* much easier on the back. In the same way, 4/5 doors are easier than 2/3.
Finally, I would be careful about some even quite large cars because they can be quite limiting on rear space. My old Mondeo mk2 Estate for example I could only fit the baby seat behind the passenger as with the rear facing baby seat it would push my seat forwards into an uncomfortable position. Equally ensure that whatever you go for has isofix, some cars had it as no cost options. It's not the end of the world as you can get bases etc. While you can almost always strap them in just using a belt it's both a pain and sometimes cars don't have long enough belts to go all the way round.
In that regard I would go there for more rear passenger space over boot space. You don't need *that* much stuff in the boot.
Equally my sister has two children, they got a Focus and they'll do weekend trips to visit us (or longer away).
Anyway, Golf is would be plenty big enough, 3 series more so only I would personally go for the estate over the saloon as it adds a significant amount more boot space without affecting how it drives.
I will add that while personally I see SUV's as an utter abomination and waste of space...having a car where you're not leaning in and down *is* much easier on the back. In the same way, 4/5 doors are easier than 2/3.
Finally, I would be careful about some even quite large cars because they can be quite limiting on rear space. My old Mondeo mk2 Estate for example I could only fit the baby seat behind the passenger as with the rear facing baby seat it would push my seat forwards into an uncomfortable position. Equally ensure that whatever you go for has isofix, some cars had it as no cost options. It's not the end of the world as you can get bases etc. While you can almost always strap them in just using a belt it's both a pain and sometimes cars don't have long enough belts to go all the way round.
In that regard I would go there for more rear passenger space over boot space. You don't need *that* much stuff in the boot.
We went through this recently, my wife ended up with a 2016 Skoda Octavia Estate.
We considered other German options, but the Skoda was much better value for money, with a decent standard spec, it is bigger inside than my F31. It also has the variable boot floor option, which when raised means no big lip to lift the buggy over, wife likes this.
Ours was 2.5 years old when purchased, had done 27k, 1 owner, 1.4 SEL (petrol) manual estate. We purchased from a main dealer at just under £11k.
Good luck with the search!
We considered other German options, but the Skoda was much better value for money, with a decent standard spec, it is bigger inside than my F31. It also has the variable boot floor option, which when raised means no big lip to lift the buggy over, wife likes this.
Ours was 2.5 years old when purchased, had done 27k, 1 owner, 1.4 SEL (petrol) manual estate. We purchased from a main dealer at just under £11k.
Good luck with the search!
Having used a Renault Kadjar for a month while my bmw 520d touring was in for recall, I'd have to disagree with the comments on an SUV being better for putting baby and stuff in.
Rather than leaning in and down a bit you're lifting and leaning. Not great if short, slight stature! The boot is worse with much higher lip than any estate, not ideal for pushchair/stroller, shopping (and dog in my case).
I'd get an estate of some kind as already stated. That being said, my OH manages fine with her 1 series.
Best thing we bought was a swivel car seat, so much easier putting child in and taking out again than a fixed seat (OH has the swivel, I have a normal one).
Rather than leaning in and down a bit you're lifting and leaning. Not great if short, slight stature! The boot is worse with much higher lip than any estate, not ideal for pushchair/stroller, shopping (and dog in my case).
I'd get an estate of some kind as already stated. That being said, my OH manages fine with her 1 series.
Best thing we bought was a swivel car seat, so much easier putting child in and taking out again than a fixed seat (OH has the swivel, I have a normal one).
We have a two year old and our family car for the past 2 years has been a Nissan Note Mk1. It's been absolutely fine for space.
I think a Golf would be the best option of those you gave.
The other options suggested (Octavia Estate, Volvo estate etc.) would be worth considering if you're planning to have more children, but overkill if not.
I think a Golf would be the best option of those you gave.
The other options suggested (Octavia Estate, Volvo estate etc.) would be worth considering if you're planning to have more children, but overkill if not.
Don Phil said:
Having used a Renault Kadjar for a month while my bmw 520d touring was in for recall, I'd have to disagree with the comments on an SUV being better for putting baby and stuff in.
Is that really classed as an SUV? I was thinking Land Cruiser / similar not some tripe hatch on stilts.vtecyo said:
Don Phil said:
Having used a Renault Kadjar for a month while my bmw 520d touring was in for recall, I'd have to disagree with the comments on an SUV being better for putting baby and stuff in.
Is that really classed as an SUV? I was thinking Land Cruiser / similar not some tripe hatch on stilts.I'd have thought land cruisers etc are even more difficult as you have to climb/reach in even further.
I'd throw a Mazda 6 into the works. Reliability is pretty awesome and parts don't seem to carry the German manufacturer tax. Admittedly, the road noise is louder than a BMW but having the radio on distracts me enough that I don't notice unless I really listen for it. Boot currently has a pair of tyres and an engine crane in and I can still see through the rear window unobstructed so should be spacious enough for the vast majority of paraphernalia that children require. £30 tax, 50mpg (says the read readout) and reliable, I can't ask for more.
Appreciate all the replies.
My wife is fairly small so she is not keen on something as long as an estate and I think an SUV would be overkill for now, if we have another kid it wont be for a few years by which time she will probably be ready to change cars again, tends to keep them 3 years or so.
We looked at an A3 sportback last night at a local garage, 2013 so the newer shape for £8k but it was an absolute state. Multiple bodywork scuffs, boot lid had umpteen scratches, front two tyres were on the wear strips and rears were not far behind. Interior had not been cleaned and clearly owned by a smoker, still had tobacco in the centre console!
I realise we should expect some wear and tear from a used car but this was a mess, the salesman said we would need to purchase the 'care package' for £400 which gave it 1 year MOT with no advisories and they would sort out the bodywork, claimed it was a state as it just came off a transporter, presumably from an auction.
Plus they charge a £150 'Admin fee' on all cars. Seems to be a new thing creeping in, never paid one on previous cars!
Tyres screeched as we drove away at speed lol
My wife is fairly small so she is not keen on something as long as an estate and I think an SUV would be overkill for now, if we have another kid it wont be for a few years by which time she will probably be ready to change cars again, tends to keep them 3 years or so.
We looked at an A3 sportback last night at a local garage, 2013 so the newer shape for £8k but it was an absolute state. Multiple bodywork scuffs, boot lid had umpteen scratches, front two tyres were on the wear strips and rears were not far behind. Interior had not been cleaned and clearly owned by a smoker, still had tobacco in the centre console!
I realise we should expect some wear and tear from a used car but this was a mess, the salesman said we would need to purchase the 'care package' for £400 which gave it 1 year MOT with no advisories and they would sort out the bodywork, claimed it was a state as it just came off a transporter, presumably from an auction.
Plus they charge a £150 'Admin fee' on all cars. Seems to be a new thing creeping in, never paid one on previous cars!
Tyres screeched as we drove away at speed lol
RazerSauber said:
I'd throw a Mazda 6 into the works. Reliability is pretty awesome and parts don't seem to carry the German manufacturer tax. Admittedly, the road noise is louder than a BMW but having the radio on distracts me enough that I don't notice unless I really listen for it. Boot currently has a pair of tyres and an engine crane in and I can still see through the rear window unobstructed so should be spacious enough for the vast majority of paraphernalia that children require. £30 tax, 50mpg (says the read readout) and reliable, I can't ask for more.
We bought a 6 MPS as a replacement for the RX-8 as a "sensible family car". The MPS specific parts have a significant MPS tax on them (like M-Tax only more Japanese 
) for example, I needed a new brake caliper bracket. Normal 6, £20. 6 MPS, £150. 
It is however not a small car, it's larger than a BMW 3-series (actually about halfway in size between a 3 and 5 series) and basically the same size as a Mondeo (which is also a big car). It has a big boot also.
Mazdas suffer badly from rust though and the 6 is no exception. They're almost Mercedes bad. Unsure if the later ones are any better (they could hardly be worse) as I'm expecting that to be what kills it.
Newer ones would of course be ok for a few years but if you're looking at older ones I would get a Mondeo over a 6, our Mondeo is 2 years newer than the 6 but with 50k more on it. Not a single advisory for rust on the Mondeo yet the 6 has had them for the last 4 years and I've had to weld up the sills and rear arches on it. Equally the previous Mk2 Mondeo was only showing trace signs when I got rid at 14 years old / 175k and would have gone on for years more before was an issue.
What about a Golf Estate? Not as big as the full size estates but still has a huge boot and can be picked up reasonably priced.
As a slight curveball, my dad used to have two SEAT Altea's and he loved them. They're an MPV yes but not as boxy or frumpy as a Zafira. We had the Altea's when my sister was a baby and I was in primary school, my mam hates big cars (she thinks her new shape Polo is "far too wide" for context) and she managed fine with the Altea.
As a slight curveball, my dad used to have two SEAT Altea's and he loved them. They're an MPV yes but not as boxy or frumpy as a Zafira. We had the Altea's when my sister was a baby and I was in primary school, my mam hates big cars (she thinks her new shape Polo is "far too wide" for context) and she managed fine with the Altea.
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