Question (Kid On The Way)

[SilentAttack]

So in the months of searching for a e92 M3 that was perfect for me I find out my wife is prego. Yes it is very exciting but now im trying to decide if instead of getting a e92 coupe M3 I should get the sedan. I currently have a 328 xdrive and love the body and have always decided against the coupe because of how long the body looks in the back. The M3 looks great in both the coupe and sedan. Does anyone have newborn experience with either or both???

Suggestions please.

Thanks in advance.

[j2m]

You'll have trouble getting a rear facing car seat into the E92, the passenger seat would have to be slammed into the dashboard while driving. Front facing are no problem.

[FogCityM3]

While plenty of room in coupe, having to fold down seats and reach in is a PITA (on any coupe, BMW or not). This is especially true during the first 6 months (where baby will be in a car carrier and you just snap in and out) and until about 2.5-3, until the kid can get into seat by themselves. After that coupe is probably ok until about 11-12 yo (unlikely to keep that long anyway). Sedan totally workable w/ kids for car seat stuff in getting in and out in that 2- 3 yr old period (not to mention installation of the car seats which can be harrowing).

[e92m3_f15x5]

Congrats on the good news.

I have a 10 month-old and a E92 M3.

I bought the car 4 months before my daughter was born, thinking the backseats would be great for the whole family to go out. I originally looked at 997s but thought the rear seats were too small.

The fact is, you'll never put a baby in the back of the E92, especially if you have a second 4 door car. I've only had my girl in the back once, and that was because I had no other options.

If you don't have another car for the family, then I would recommend the E90.

[Candide13]

E90 is much, much better with kids; nothing beats direct access to the rear seats. We had an Audi S4 convertible before, and it was quite some operation to get the kids installed, eh, safely seated. You spend all your time moving the front seat back and forth.

Really, with kids nothing compares to the E90.

Plus, I think it looks better from the side and the rear, with the mischievous lights sticking up like rabbit ears!

[Rich_Jenkins]

Originally Posted by mhabs

While plenty of room in coupe, having to fold down seats and reach in is a PITA (on any coupe, BMW or not). This is especially true during the first 6 months (where baby will be in a car carrier and you just snap in and out) and until about 2.5-3, until the kid can get into seat by themselves. After that coupe is probably ok until about 11-12 yo (unlikely to keep that long anyway). Sedan totally workable w/ kids for car seat stuff in getting in and out in that 2- 3 yr old period (not to mention installation of the car seats which can be harrowing).

This. ^^^

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

No question at all get a e90 ... you will not be sorry.

When it happen to me a long time ago, I drove a Pontiac Firebird. I changed to a 4 door Ford at that time I had no choice in the matter

[Chriskm3]

I have a 4 year old and 2 year old and a 6 week old. And putting a car in the back of a e92 is near impossible. If you don't have a different car then go with a e90. And save yourself scratches and the headaches

[Edmbimmer88]

Had an e90 with our first, considered a coupe then but the rear seats suck for rear facing. Bucket carriers barely fit in the mouth of the door.

Lease came up and upgraded to an e60 but then we had our second. Moved from the e60 (LOVED THAT CAR) because the trunk was deep but not tall enough for a double stroller. Bought the X5 and that's what we roll in as a family.

Make the sacrifice for a few years, I did and I now have the e92 M I've always wanted.

[radiantm3]

I had my e92 with our first child and had no issues. Had a convertible recaro baby seat and there was plenty of room for it. I had it behind the drivers side. Only catch was I had to climb into the back seat to get him in and out until he was big/old enough to sit forward. Unless its your only car, I don't see the issue.

[Transfer]

E90 M3 is not a sacrifice in comparison to E92. Find an E90 and don't look back.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Transfer

E90 M3 is not a sacrifice in comparison to E92. Find an E90 and don't look back.

But the coupe is so worth the sacrifice.

[FVM3]

Go for e90

[luis_m3]

E90 is great! And it looks better than the E92 IMO.

[CBS]

Congrats and E90! I've had 2 E90 M3's, very practical (transport the family) and awesome to drive. Make sure you find one with fold down rear seats for added practicality.

[CanAutM3]

My daughter is now 2. I've had absolutely no problems with the E92. We were using a Peg-Perego rear facing seat for the first 15 months and it was a breeze to snap in place. We are now using a Recaro and it is also very easy to strap the little one in it. My wife drives an S4. I actually find it is easier in the M3 coupe compared to the 4 door S4 because the coupe has much larger doors.

So if your hart is with a coupe, don't let the good news about the kiddy stop you. There is no sacrifice here. It is perfectly liveable .

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

So if your heart is with a coupe, don't let the good news about the kiddy stop you. There is no sacrifice here. It is perfectly liveable .

Congrats on the future gearhead, first of all!

OP, since you said you think that the M3 looks great as both a coupe and a sedan, I'd encourage you to look into the E90. Most likely, you'll be happy you have the added usability in the future, and might be able to hold on to the car longer for that reason. If you feel you'd be sacrificing something by getting the sedan instead of the couple, then it's a little different story.

How often will the kiddo be in your car? If every day, or close to that, it's a no-brainer. If once or twice a week (or less), then the benefit of the sedan lessens.

Other than that, how often do you have three or more people in your current car? If you use all four doors frequently, you might miss them in a coupe. Just a thought.

I'd like to say the sedan is a bit more of a "sleeper", too, but it's really not to anyone who knows anything about cars (not like the E39 M5 was!).

[darnelld]

I have an E90 with two little girls (one is 4, the other 2). It is fantastic. We all fit (car seats included) and they love it to boot!

[Lorde]

With kids, you will love the E90.

-E90 owner with kid on the way.

[geneatals]

e90 m3 here, 4 y/o and 14 month old kid. I've had the e90 m3 since my youngest was a new born. Definitely will have enough room, just need to find the right car seat as well. It's the perfect compromise of kid hauler and weekend spirited driving car...Current set up is my 4 y/o is in a forward facing recaro seat behind me and my son is rear facing in first years car seat behind the passenger seat....once he goes forward facing it'll be a bit more comfortable for my wife to sit in the front seat (she's 5'5", but likes to sit like she's 5'10" lol). But we rarely use my car when all four of us go somewhere, that why she has and when we use her honda pilot

my brother has a 335is, he sometimes takes my oldest out...so I've had experience installing a car seat in an e9x coupe along with getting a kid in and out of the car, I could see how that could get really old really fast. Trying to maneuver an infant carseat in and out of the coupe isn't the easiest thing to do. If the child is older and forward facing it would be easier..but rear facing it's just tough IMO

congrats on the coming new addition to your family...

[peeti]

It's been a while with baby seats for me - my youngest is almost 14. But for the foreseeable past, save for a diversion to a C63 benz, I've owned coupes. When I first showed the kids my e90, my youngest gave me a huge ass bear hug, kissed me on the cheek and said "Thank you for the extra doors dad." That was crazy cool - but it underscores kids and cars.

To your problem: if it's your main car for carrying the nugget(s), get a 4 door, plain and simple. You'll absolutely HATE dealing with putting them in, buckling and reverse, through the flipped front seat.

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by peeti

When I first showed the kids my e90, my youngest gave me a huge ass bear hug, kissed me on the cheek and said "Thank you for the extra doors dad." That was crazy cool - but it underscores kids and cars.

Love this.