new 5 seat family car

[michael_JCWS]

Hi all,

Looking at getting a new family car E-class/5-series or the like, but want to get something that can potentially fit 3 child seats in a row. I'm sure other people must have had this dilema

cheers

Michael

[michael_JCWS]

anyone..

[V88Dicky]

I think the current (since 04) A6 can do this.

Still very steep prices, unless you want the 2.0TDi which seem common as muck.
Try finding a 3.0TDi quattro or 3.2 petrol quattro for less than 15K and less than 4 years old.
Me and the missus couldn't so we plumpted for somthing else in the end. Shame.

[fathomfive]

Not quite a Merc or BMW but how about an S-Max?

[michael_JCWS]

Will check out the V70 and A6. Also have a look at 5 series and maybe X5

[superlightr]

3 child seats - depend what age groups.

We had 2x 3 yr old and 1x baby and found that the LR Disco 3 was one of the few cars that could take the 1x isofix and 2x harness seats across the back.

Other cars we tried were the normal suspects A6, V70 etc but they all either would press too much on the door and/or press on the seatbelt relase button next to it. We had a 9-5 saab before which wasnt wide enough.

So a reccommend for a Disco 3 or 4

[angusc43]

The Crack Fox said:

There was a similar request recently, can't remember the outcome,

Edited by The Crack Fox on Tuesday 7th September 10:23

This was the outcome - on the other thread IITC the OP wanted to get three kids in an XFR or something and Multimac seats were the answer

http://www.multimac.co.uk/what_it_is

[Chris_]

Have a look at an XC90. 3 child seats are no problem as not only is it wide enough but the three middle row seats all slide/move individually. The middle seat also has a useful built-in booster seat. The boot is enormous, extra 3rd row of seats if needed, and in my view the least "in your face" 4x4

[superlightr]

Chris_ said:

Have a look at an XC90. 3 child seats are no problem as not only is it wide enough but the three middle row seats all slide/move individually. The middle seat also has a useful built-in booster seat. The boot is enormous, extra 3rd row of seats if needed, and in my view the least "in your face" 4x4

but if you go for a 4x4 you might as well get one that does the 4x4 stuff well like a Disco

[Zod]

V88Dicky said:

I think the current (since 04) A6 can do this.

Still very steep prices, unless you want the 2.0TDi which seem common as muck.
Try finding a 3.0TDi quattro or 3.2 petrol quattro for less than 15K and less than 4 years old.
Me and the missus couldn't so we plumpted for somthing else in the end. Shame.

My current research says it cannot, unless you squeeze them together so tightly that you cannot access the buckles.

ETA not even a 7 Series or Range Rover can do it. That's why I'm heading for an X5 with three rows of seats.

When I knew I'd need three child seats, thoughts of a B7, a Jaguar XJ Supersports or a Range Rover Supercharged filled my mind. I ended up having to compromise.

]

Edited by Zod on Tuesday 7th September 14:34

[V88Dicky]

Zod said:

V88Dicky said:

I think the current (since 04) A6 can do this.

Still very steep prices, unless you want the 2.0TDi which seem common as muck.
Try finding a 3.0TDi quattro or 3.2 petrol quattro for less than 15K and less than 4 years old.
Me and the missus couldn't so we plumpted for somthing else in the end. Shame.

My current research says it cannot, unless you squeeze them together so tightly that you cannot access the buckles.

Even with isofix style seats?

[michael_JCWS]

Zod said:

V88Dicky said:

I think the current (since 04) A6 can do this.

Still very steep prices, unless you want the 2.0TDi which seem common as muck.
Try finding a 3.0TDi quattro or 3.2 petrol quattro for less than 15K and less than 4 years old.
Me and the missus couldn't so we plumpted for somthing else in the end. Shame.

My current research says it cannot, unless you squeeze them together so tightly that you cannot access the buckles.

ETA not even a 7 Series or Range Rover can do it. That's why I'm heading for an X5 with three rows of seats.

When I knew I'd need three child seats, thoughts of a B7, a Jaguar XJ Supersports or a Range Rover Supercharged filled my mind. I ended up having to compromise.



The X5 is a 7 seater ?

Edited by Zod on Tuesday 7th September 14:34[/footnote]

[footnote]Edited by michael_JCWS on Tuesday 7th September 16:28

[Ciaran]

The current shape has 7 seats if I remember correctly.

A previous topic:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Ciaran on Tuesday 7th September 15:59

[TotalControl]

angusc43 said:

The Crack Fox said:

There was a similar request recently, can't remember the outcome,

Edited by The Crack Fox on Tuesday 7th September 10:23

This was the outcome - on the other thread IITC the OP wanted to get three kids in an XFR or something and Multimac seats were the answer

http://www.multimac.co.uk/what_it_is

That is quite interesting. I may need something like this in the near future.

[Zod]

I've thought about MultiMac, but it's not a flexible solution. It is securely fitted and not easily removable. It also appears to be pretty unsatisfactory with regard to the rear-facing seat that takes up too much space and is too upright.

[michael_JCWS]

Looks like its between X5, XC90 or LR , I did hear that the new E-class has an option for addition seats, but cant find it

[Zod]

The E Class does have the option for extra seats (except for the E63 ), but they are very small, rear-facing and make the boot otherwise unusable.

[Chris_]

superlightr said:

Chris_ said:

Have a look at an XC90. 3 child seats are no problem as not only is it wide enough but the three middle row seats all slide/move individually. The middle seat also has a useful built-in booster seat. The boot is enormous, extra 3rd row of seats if needed, and in my view the least "in your face" 4x4

but if you go for a 4x4 you might as well get one that does the 4x4 stuff well like a Disco

There's no doubt that the Disco will go further off-road (if it is not in the garage being fixed ) but the Volvo is still surprisingly capable given that it doesn't have all the 4x4 gubbins. What it goes give you, which might be more important to the OP, is more space inside and a more car-like drive. The Disco is a good car and great off-road, (for me it was the alternative choice) but the rearmost seats are fairly hopeless (like every other 4x4)and has smaller boot

[Zod]

For what it's worth, two of my mates bought XC90s when the third child arrived. One had a VW before and quite likes it. The other had a BMW before and hates it. He slates the quality of interior materials, fit and, above all, the experience of driving it; "gutless and handles like a boat".

[Chris_]

I guess it comes down to what your priorities are, they all have their pro's and cons. I would say that a disco is better off-road and a BMW is certainly more powerful and has sharper handling. I just think that as an all-round package the Volvo makes sense and certainly does if the main role is as a family hack. It is also significantly cheaper that the Disco, X5, Q7, Merc etc