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      08-16-2019, 09:40 PM   #1
mremg
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Am I Crazy To Consider 2-series As A Baby Car?

So we have a baby on the way and currently none of the car fleet is equipped for a baby. A 3rd car is out of the question due to parking and financial issues.

So I'm thinking trade in the Miata and get a 230i so that I still have a RWD car in the fleet. Other car Mk2 TT RS is a little more special, so might keep it.

Everyone says I'm nuts to get anything other than an CUV/4-door boring car. But they said the same thing about driving stick in LA and I ended up loving it.

So is a 2 series workable with a baby? I know infant seats are easy but rear facing convertibles are a bit tricky. Anyone here done it?
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      08-16-2019, 10:22 PM   #2
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Get an S4
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      08-16-2019, 10:58 PM   #3
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Get an S4
Not sure OP is interested in being on a first name basis with his service manager.
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      08-17-2019, 06:07 AM   #4
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Try it! Borrow a seat from a friend and try to install it, facing backward in the rear, and then try to secure a baby-sized object in the seat (maybe even a baby if you have a really good friend).
My own experience with modern child car seats is that they are huge and very hard to secure properly. I presume, though, that you would be leaving the seat in the car long term once it is installed,
I personally don't mind crawling in and out of the rear seat and it is easier if you use the little buttons on the front seat to move it all the way forward and then back to its original position. But most everyone else just gives me a funny look when I ask them to sit in the rear and the real issue is getting back there while holding a baby or small child.
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      08-17-2019, 06:56 AM   #5
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Hefting a baby into and out of the rear seat may work for you right now but you or your spouse may find it challenging on some days. (back or shoulder injury, short temper) And babies get heavier.

Time to move on, get something with 4 doors.
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      08-17-2019, 08:39 AM   #6
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Here is a great solution in rear wheel drive configuration...just the opening paragraph makes the case.

https://www.caranddriver.com/bmw/x3
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      08-17-2019, 09:05 AM   #7
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I say do it. You already know it will be a bit of a challenge, but not impossible. Babies grow up quickly. You only live once. Get what you want. There is plenty of room back there once they are in.
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      08-17-2019, 09:17 AM   #8
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I suppose if budget allows for it, there's always a 3 series
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      08-17-2019, 09:28 AM   #9
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My son turned one in November 1995- a couple of weeks after I took delivery of my new Club Sport. A friend had helpfully smuggled in a BMW Carli child seat from Germany that accommodated children from twelve months to six years. It worked great and we spent many enjoyable miles in that car(which I still have).
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      08-17-2019, 09:34 AM   #10
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There is a big difference between 1995 car seats and those of today. The newer ones are much heavier and much more difficult to install. Just putting the kid in it is also more complex. The only way to find out is to try. That makes much more sense than finding out the hard way that it won't work, after purchasing the vehicle.
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      08-17-2019, 09:50 AM   #11
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Further thought: when I bought a new 325 sedan in 2002, European delivery, I knew that I would be traveling for the first ten days with four of us in the car. I went to my local dealer with four medium suitcases and made sure that they fit in the trunk. Then I gave the dimensions to my passengers and told them that they could not have larger bags. The trip worked went very smoothly.
The local dealer was happy to let me trial load the car. In the end, I ordered the car through another dealer at a lower price, though since then we have made many purchases through the local folks.
So go get a seat and haul it over to your local BMW folks. Tell them what you want to try and I am sure that they will oblige.
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      08-17-2019, 10:16 AM   #12
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4 door fun cars

X2
GLA250
ILX
Focus RS
VW Golf R
Etc.

You definitely need easy access and more storage. The seat isn't the only thing you have to carry!
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      08-17-2019, 10:19 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ralawren View Post
X2
GLA250
ILX
Focus RS
VW Golf R
Etc.

You definitely need easy access and more storage. The seat isn't the only thing you have to carry!
He wants RWD, noted in his first post.
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      08-17-2019, 10:28 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ralawren View Post
X2
GLA250
ILX
Focus RS
VW Golf R
Etc.

You definitely need easy access and more storage. The seat isn't the only thing you have to carry!
+1 Don't forget you need to also bring a stroller, diaper bag, etc as well. I think you need to talk with your wife about this before making any decisions.
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      08-17-2019, 10:45 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ralawren View Post
X2
GLA250
ILX
Focus RS
VW Golf R
Etc.

You definitely need easy access and more storage. The seat isn't the only thing you have to carry!
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndDown View Post
+1 Don't forget you need to also bring a stroller, diaper bag, etc as well. I think you need to talk with your wife about this before making any decisions.
Exactly, and you/we have been there/done that. Not only the baby's stuff but the baby will likely be with you both when doing some shopping so room for even more stuff. I still think the X3 is his best overall choice in the premium space with RWD and good performance, as Car and Driver noted. I have a friend who was an enthusiast and he now drives a Pacifica after his first (and now second) child arrived! His bumper sticker...."I used to be cool".
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      08-17-2019, 11:30 AM   #16
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X3 or or better yet 328i / 330i wagon if you can afford it. As someone who's raised two kids to the point my wife and I are now waiting to learn our first grandchild is on the way, the best vehicular day we had was the day we took delivery of our 1988 Dodge Caravan replacing our 84 Honda Accord, and that's from a died in the wool car guy. The car seat and the baby are just the beginning. The other required equipment seal the deal on something bigger and easier to get in and out of in the rain, snow, with a pet, grocery shopping, etc., etc. At least you retain the TT RS for fun times behind the wheel. Good luck with your new family and new family car.
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      08-17-2019, 12:21 PM   #17
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We decided on just one child- it kept us out of Minivan Purgatory. At one point we had two 318tis and a 1993 Pathfinder SE I used as a work beater. We always took a ti for vacations.
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      08-17-2019, 07:51 PM   #18
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Thanks for all the suggestions. The X3 looks like a great car, but auto only! I like driving stick and hope to drive a manual as long as I can buy one.

I agree that there will be more stuff to haul down the line and a four door will absolutely make my life easier but where's the fun in that

I did look into the car seats and OMFG they're all ginormous! The only brand I thought made consistently compact car seats was Cybex and I will checkout if they'll fit ok in the back of a 2er. The local target didn't have any in stock so I'll have to go to a special store to get that one.

The 2er is a perfect replacement for the Miata and I always wanted to own one. I think I'll just do it, maybe buy a roof top cargo carrier and if I really end up hating the whole thing, I'll probably just take the hit and get a Golf.
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      08-17-2019, 09:15 PM   #19
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I don't know about rear-facing seats; my kids were 3 when I got my car. However, forward facing seats are a non-issue in the 2er and my kids love it!

If you can get through the first 12-24 months or however long you keep your baby in rear-facing seats, I'd say go for it if the rear-facing seat fits with your normal seating position. The time will go faster than you think it will (so enjoy it while it lasts).
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      08-17-2019, 09:20 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mremg View Post
Thanks for all the suggestions. The X3 looks like a great car, but auto only! I like driving stick and hope to drive a manual as long as I can buy one.

I agree that there will be more stuff to haul down the line and a four door will absolutely make my life easier but where's the fun in that

I did look into the car seats and OMFG they're all ginormous! The only brand I thought made consistently compact car seats was Cybex and I will checkout if they'll fit ok in the back of a 2er. The local target didn't have any in stock so I'll have to go to a special store to get that one.

The 2er is a perfect replacement for the Miata and I always wanted to own one. I think I'll just do it, maybe buy a roof top cargo carrier and if I really end up hating the whole thing, I'll probably just take the hit and get a Golf.
Here is just one source to help pick the best child seat for your baby. Keep in mind the lastest recommendations for infants are as long as possible or closer to two years rearward-facing.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/car-seats.htm

Be sure to find a vehicle that fits that baby seat in the center rear position for optimal impact protection fore/aft as well as from the side. Not sure the 2 can do that, but I have not tried. My youngest is 35.

Also respectfully suggest you keep your checkbook handy as you will likely find that your priorities change as you get further into parenthood.

Good luck and best wishes!
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      08-17-2019, 10:49 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mremg View Post
Thanks for all the suggestions. The X3 looks like a great car, but auto only! I like driving stick and hope to drive a manual as long as I can buy one.

I agree that there will be more stuff to haul down the line and a four door will absolutely make my life easier but where's the fun in that

I did look into the car seats and OMFG they're all ginormous! The only brand I thought made consistently compact car seats was Cybex and I will checkout if they'll fit ok in the back of a 2er. The local target didn't have any in stock so I'll have to go to a special store to get that one.

The 2er is a perfect replacement for the Miata and I always wanted to own one. I think I'll just do it, maybe buy a roof top cargo carrier and if I really end up hating the whole thing, I'll probably just take the hit and get a Golf.
Funny you mention a Golf - cuz I would recommend a used manual GTI or R for the next couple of years while they're in the rear facing seats and then jump to a 2 when they turn around. I know they're FWD/AWD, but you'll still have the fun of a small, tossable MT ride and have a some room leftover for all the crap that comes along w the little ones.....my .02
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      08-17-2019, 10:57 PM   #22
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So I had a 135i that I loved... had kids and traded the car for an X3.

Car seats can be pretty monstrous, especially if you get a convertible one. Also, they recommend kids sit rear facing for quite a bit of time. I think my car seat is rated for rear facing til they are 35+ pounds. The car seat in the X3 (rear-facing configuration) sucks up quite a bit of front seat legroom. My wife is fine in the front seat, but it's not super comfortable. Not sure if it's still the case, but my 17 X3 only has LATCH mounts (and rear tether) for the outer seats (not the middle).

However... I now have a 2019 M240xi (son is 2.5 now). The car seat front facing is totally fine. Getting him in and out of the back seat can be a bit uncomfortable, but he is able to climb into the car seat on his own making that it much easier.

To your question, I did put the convertible seat rear-facing once... makes the front seat basically unusable and it's a pain to get them in and out. I wouldn't want to do this with an infant/toddler on the regular.

Also, I definitely get the judgy looks pulling the 2 year old from the 2-door sports coupe. It doesn't bother me... the lady with the mini-van driving 10x more aggressive/faster than me can make all the dirty looks she wants... Plus my son loves riding in the car (he's actually clapping during the turns).

Finally, I've used several car seats. I have the Graco 4ever 4in1 and it's huge. Great seat, but makes it impossible to get 2 people +car seat in the back of the X3.

I recently bought a Diono 3rxt and I find it a much better fit in the X3 and an overall better seat for just a few more $. I now have the Graco in the M240 as the width doesn't really matter, and the Diono in the X3.

Hopefully this helps! Feel free to PM for more info.

PS. You'll hear a lot about the back middle being the safest, but always check the car's manual to make sure it's supported.
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