[doronin]

While we were just two of us (well three, with Bimmer ), my e46 was more then enough for any kind of travelling around.
Now I'm curious how do you, guys, manage to take everything your kids need with you? Toys, bikes, other stuff... I'm talking about reasonably short, up to a week trips.
I know some people rent minivan for that, but I don't even want to think about this option.
Others get X5, and claim it helps. But, honestly, I don't enjoy driving heavy SUV/SAV, and yet paying not a little money for that.

So, please, tell me what is the best option to drive Bimmer when travelling, while having a family with little kids?

[underDAWG]

On the roof is your best option, if you must use E90 sedan. There are a few high end products that go well with Bimmer. HTH.

BTW, welcome

uD

[theclay]

My best friend has a two year old boy and he is looking into one of these.

Best of luck and welcome.

[Robbie!]

I have a 2 1/2 year old, the 325 is large enough for us.

[stressdoc]

I have 3 boys, 6, 9, & 11. The E46 is OK around town, but the other car is a Honda minivan, and that is the bomb for trips. Hoping to get an E91 this summer to do a family euro trip -- but we will be packing light. Hate to cover up the panorama roof, generate wind noise, and add weight on top with luggage on the rack.

[StewtheBassman]

If it were my only car then it would be Roof Rack City. If I had 3 kids it would be some kind of multi-passenger solution (I refuse to say minivan). Since I only have two little girls, we have an X5 which is great!

We are going to Toronto early December, and I think we'll take the new 325xi, I think we'll survive the trip!

[RICH2005]

We have a 6 year old and a 4 year old. A one week road trip with luggage and toys would be no problem at all. If you had a stroller though it would make it tight to fit all the luggage and toys for a one week trip.

There is not enough room for my 6 year old daughter's bike in the E90.

[gr8sho]

Originally Posted by doronin

While we were just two of us (well three, with Bimmer ), my e46 was more then enough for any kind of travelling around.
Now I'm curious how do you, guys, manage to take everything your kids need with you? Toys, bikes, other stuff... I'm talking about reasonably short, up to a week trips.
I know some people rent minivan for that, but I don't even want to think about this option.
Others get X5, and claim it helps. But, honestly, I don't enjoy driving heavy SUV/SAV, and yet paying not a little money for that.

So, please, tell me what is the best option to drive Bimmer when travelling, while having a family with little kids?

The E90 is a great car for a small family. My 5 year old is still in a car seat and he has more room in this car than in my much larger Taurus. As soon as I can post pics, I will do so and you can see how much legroom he has. My 17 year old also fits comforably. The air conditioning ducts are excellent and were absent in the G35 6MT which is one of the reasons they didn't get my money.

[petefalzzz]

It's called X5 4.4. Hauls kids, gear and quick enough to put a smile on your face.

[petefalzzz]

or a Por sche Cayenne if the $$$ allow

[doronin]

Thanks guys! To those who tells E90 is ok I just wanna remind that I'm not talking about going grocery shopping with a kid. That I could do even in Mini My aim is to get a car that would allow me to avoid renting a minivan for up-to-a-week travelling, so I'm not talking about leg room, but more of cargo space.
If you ask me what car I'd prefer, I'd say E90 330i. Well, perhaps xi - we have enough snow to justify it. However, I really enjoy travelling in my area (ON and QC), and I want driving to be a part of it, so I need my bimmer with me. I guess I just can't do that with 330...
In fact, I see only two options: E91 wagon or X5. Last year I read that X5 has less cargo space then E46 wagon, which is actually smaller then E91. What your personal experience says?

Am I missing anything?

[chrisbin]

Yep.....if wife, kids etc on board, then its the Touareg (better quality/value Cayenne for those who don'y know...)

If not, then its the E90!!

[F32Fleet]

Atleast you'll have the perfect excuse not to bring all the junk most parents believe they have to bring. My sister tells her sons, "Okay boys..we have room for two toys each". She say's she's teaching them how to priortize(sp?).. LOL

[stressdoc]

When you drive around Europe the 3-series begins to strike you as a large car. Not as many families doing car touring there, I guess trains make more sense. I would definitely look into a 325ixT, sounds like the right car for you.

[Tierfreund]

I don´t have kids but I do rememebr growing up and my father stuffing Mom, my sister, me and the luggage for a two week holiday in a red Jaguar XJS (my Granddads). I´d call that a squeze. And jet I found that trip fabulous. A red Jag in the 70´s blasting through the Alps was the finest spot to be for a five year old. I sure didn´t complain about the lack of space.

Seriously, it´s never the kids that ask for a bigger car. But most kids, especially boys will love for their parents to drive a really cool car. If space is thight, just leave the nonsense at home and pack the smaller toys.

In most cases the convienience of a bigger car when children are in the equation is for the sake of the parents. It´s just easier not to think about what you really need to pack and to pack it tightly. My father was a genius at squezing anything into even the thightest trunk and thus I grew up on a diet of coupes (does anyone around here know what an Opel Monza is?).

So drive a Porsche if you feel like it. It´ll be fine with your kids.

[scottz5]

I take the wifes car!

[afocoryw20]

The car is definetly not meant for long trips with alot of $hit. Really, no vehicle is unless you fold the seats down or are really good at Tetris. Or if you buy a hummer or excursion. Aftermarket Thule or Yakimika(sp) roof or trunk mounts will help for bikes,extra luggage,etc. Granted the trunk is more roomier than the previous E46 but still is not HUGE. I have an 2005 X3 that is nice and spacious and come with luggage racks, fold down seats 60/40 and a decent trunk area. It is supoposed to have more headroom than the X5 and obviously cost a little less. You might want to look into an X3 that comes standard with all-wheel-drive and kicks ass in the snow or anywhere for that matter. Hope this helps....

[StewtheBassman]

Originally Posted by scottz5

I take the wifes car!

How is the ride in her backseat?

[splitlife]

I just picked up my 325xit this week. Beautiful Car. My wife and I went back and forth for weeks on what to get to replace our Volvo XC70 coming off lease. Both of us wanted to drive a small car, but with 2 boys 8 & 10, I have 4 bikes in summer, and 4 - 6 pairs of skis in winter. We decided with a cargo box and buying the bulky food once at the ski resort, we can live with the smaller car.

[LEDZEP]

The E91 has more cargo room than the X5.

[StewtheBassman]

Yeah, the X5 doesn't really have a lot of cargo space unless you put the seats down. And then it's huge. But the result is that the humans in the back seat get a ton of room for the ride.

[rossmelvin]

Originally Posted by chrisbin

Yep.....if wife, kids etc on board, then its the Touareg (better quality/value Cayenne for those who don'y know...)

If not, then its the E90!!

N]don't buy a vw