Saloon cars with through loading seats

[mr_spock]

Hi all, as my V90 lease will be going back around Christmas I'm contemplating its replacement. I'm wondering if, instead of an estate or SUV I might be able to find a 4 door saloon where the rear seats fold flat like an estate. Preferably 5-series, Jag XF etc sort of size.

Any ideas?

[dundarach]

My Rover 75 does, probably not the answer you need however

[mr_spock]

dundarach said:

My Rover 75 does, probably not the answer you need however

Actually I quite like those...

[piers1]

You can spec it on the 5 series, however almost no-one does, so finding one on the secondhand market is nigh on impossible. It is a silly price option as well from new. You would think when buying at 40-50-60k it would come as standard....

[ChrisH72]

There's plenty that have split folding seats, and many that don't as standard can be specced. I've always needed them and ended up buying an E92 coupe because they were standard whereas they were optional on the E90 saloon.

If you're buying new you should have no issues but used might be a case of searching a bit.

[Tomo1971]

A6 saloon has split folding rear seat backs, split 60/40

[Pica-Pica]

My F30 BMW 3 series has them (it may be an option, rather than standard). They are extremely useful, 40/20/40 split, and for me makes much more sense than an estate.

[ZX10R NIN]

It depends on how much you want to spend?

[eein]

My 760Li has a through ski bag hatch that gives an approx 1ft by half a ft hole. Surprisingly practical. Given the length of the car I can fit a nearly 4m length of something with the boot closed.

[mr_spock]

ZX10R NIN said:

It depends on how much you want to spend?

Fair point. 5-7K, I thought the early XFs had folding seats. Worst case I'll end up with an ML, L322 or Touareg.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mazda6 SL

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009123...

Q50

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009083...

You're limited because Folding seats were an optional extras on the XF's etc

[mr_spock]

Ooh, Infinity looks interesting. Will look out for an auto.

I'd read that all the MK1 XFs had folding seats but only some had the pull handle fitted.

Ah, found it:

https://www.jaginfo.org/threads/how-to-fit-the-oe-...

[ZX10R NIN]

mr_spock said:

Ooh, Infinity looks interesting. Will look out for an auto.

I'd read that all the MK1 XFs had folding seats but only some had the pull handle fitted.

Ah, found it:

https://www.jaginfo.org/threads/how-to-fit-the-oe-...

Good to know I wonder how much it is to retro fit the handle.

[ZX10R NIN]

mr_spock said:

Ooh, Infinity looks interesting. Will look out for an auto.

I'd read that all the MK1 XFs had folding seats but only some had the pull handle fitted.

Ah, found it:

https://www.jaginfo.org/threads/how-to-fit-the-oe-...

Good to know I wonder how much it is to retro fit the handle.

Auto Q50's are out there but you'll have to haggle & up the budget a smidge:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010185...

Or take a look at the EX:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010185...

G37 Saloon

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INFINITI-G37x-SEDAN-3-7...

[Mr Tidy]

Surprising that it seems to be an option on so many cars these days as it can be really useful!

Back in the 90s I had a Cavalier Saloon and a Sierra Sapphire that both had it as standard.

But when I decided to swap my 325i Touring last year I got lucky and found a 330i Saloon that had the option, as well as the ski-hatch.

[Starm]

I’m currently looking for a g30 530d/540i with the load through rear seats which were a £336 option, they’re are on my mandatory list to avoid buying a touring.

[tomsugden]

My Audi S5 convertable has folding rear seats.

[Drooles]

I specced it on a Jaguar XE several years ago. If I remember correctly it was about £400. Annoyingly, I never used it.

Biggest waste of £400 I can remember but hopefully the new owner(s) are getting some use from it!

[Shifter1]

But what would be the point over an estate? Just because you really want the 3 boxes styling? Just genuinely curious as if practicality is what you want, it's hard to beat an estate.

[Pica-Pica]

Shifter1 said:

But what would be the point over an estate? Just because you really want the 3 boxes styling? Just genuinely curious as if practicality is what you want, it's hard to beat an estate.

For me, I prefer saloon looks. An estate looks liked a forced choice. In reality, a saloon with folding seats, is extremely practical. For any larger items that I need, they would not fit in an estate anyway. The difference in cost more than pays for any delivery costs.