Car seats in 2022

White340 · 05-02-2022, 05:55 PM

Hi,

I'm curious what you guys are using these days for car seats in your m3 - Specifically for toddlers. We have a 2y old who is still in a rear facing seat but is getting too big for the Uppababy mesa. I don't think she's ready for a forward facing seat yet because she's still small (30" and 24 lbs).

I know there is an old thread that discusses this but it's a bit out of date now with newer cad seats now on the market.

Thanks!

deemack79 · 05-02-2022, 06:17 PM

Go back and forth between a graco 4ever and recaro performance sport. No complaints from the kids, graco has cupholders, recaro gets you cool points.

Equilibrandt · 05-02-2022, 06:20 PM

Only one option for the //M dad:

https://www.recaro-kids.com/collections/car-seats

Jokes. You're getting to the length/weight where you start running the edge of rear/front facing. You might do some research on those dual-transition seats where they can be used in rear and front facing configurations. Save you a bit of cash.

Soul Coughing · 05-03-2022, 08:18 AM

We bought a Nuna Exec, 3 in 1. Fits pretty well behind the passenger seat, and will then convert to forward facing, and eventually turn into a booster. It also allows the front passenger to have good front leg room; much more so than our Nuna Pippa XL with base that we had when our son was still in his car seat. It's got a pretty small footprint, has good crash test ratings, and is easy to install, but expensive. And it has a large weight capacity, which can allow you to keep the toddler rear facing longer than some other seats. My understanding is that you want to keep your kid rear facing for as long as humanly possible, as it provides significantly lower injuries if you were to be in an accident.

sandwi54 · 05-04-2022, 02:36 AM

I used britax boulevard clicktight for both of my sons, both when rear and forward facing. It's a very well designed seat and has a small footprint, and fits the M3 well to give the front passenger enough leg room.

Do rear face your kid until she's 40 lbs. 24lbs is way too small to be forward facing. In a crash, her heavy head would thrust forward so hard that it breaks her spine.

PorkchopExpress · 05-04-2022, 03:28 PM

I use 2x Diono Radian 3RXT's for my two daughters (2.5 and 4.5). They're a little tall when rear facing, so my smaller daughter would have to be behind my wife in the passenger seat. They're thinner than a lot of other car seats which is why we bought them.

M4Dutch · 05-04-2022, 04:17 PM

We bought the Nuna Rava 2x, one for each car. Can be used both rear and front facing, got excellent test results, and you can adjust the incline in many different positions.
Ours is now front facing, and provides plenty room for the front seat to be in a normal position (m3).
Got cupholders, looks great and very comfy for your kid!
Also easy to uninstall, since I sometimes have to put it in our babysitters car. Definitely recommend!

Pqbrown · 05-04-2022, 04:30 PM

I moved from the mesa to a Chicco next fit zip and it's been a great seat. It's pretty compact in the rear facing configuration, maybe an inch deeper than the mesa, just depends on how much you recline it. I did a lot of research on the footprint of the seats since every inch matters when rear facing, and the Chicco was about as good as I could find. Wife has a britax boulevard and I like the Chicco a bit better because of the straps, but overall that is a pretty nice seat as well.

PKL · 05-05-2022, 03:18 PM

You can put her in the forward facing now. My 20 month old just switched to forward facing, she's 25 lbs. I can't tell you how much happier she is in the forward facing. Some will say to wait as long as possible to switch to forward facing, I am perfectly comfortable with the safety of it.
I have this and it is great

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NQKMXML...roduct_details

DocL · 05-05-2022, 03:29 PM

I always went with the Recaro for the front facing car seats, but I never had them in my M3. I can tell you this though, our nanny was driving our kids in our SUV and she T-boned a car. My kids didn't have a scratch on them. The car seats were replaced by our insurance company and I will always recommend Recaro.

Alex2x3 · 05-05-2022, 04:10 PM

I'm in the process of looking for a convertible car seat for my 8 month old. Always planned to get a Recaro car seat, but have came to learn that they pulled out of the US market. Is there anywhere I can can buy a Recaro baby seat in the US? Ideally looking for the Salia model.

Otherwise have been looking at the CYBEX Sirona S 360 or the Baby Jogger City Turn or a matching Nuna Rava that my wife has, but would definitely prefer the Recaro if possible!

M4Dutch · 05-05-2022, 05:15 PM

One other comment/question I have for those experienced dads driving the M3, that might interest the topic starter as well.
What do you guys recommend to attach a phone/ipad to the seat in front of the forward facing seat? Since our M's have these great looking sportseats there is no headrest to attach a simple holder.

Looking for recommendations!

5inn · 12-31-2022, 08:26 AM

I found a few long threads about this subject, many pictures that I found helpful. Linking them here:
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1255262
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1134151

However, I noticed many of them had rear-facing infant seats and forward facing convertibles. Does anyone have photos of rear facing convertible seats in the M3? I'd love to see photos of passenger legroom with the seat installed also.

StanislavK82 · 12-31-2022, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M4Dutch

We bought the Nuna Rava 2x, one for each car. Can be used both rear and front facing, got excellent test results, and you can adjust the incline in many different positions.
Ours is now front facing, and provides plenty room for the front seat to be in a normal position (m3).
Got cupholders, looks great and very comfy for your kid!
Also easy to uninstall, since I sometimes have to put it in our babysitters car. Definitely recommend!

Also have the Nuna Rava, it’s great and super easy to remove and install. I actually only have one and just swap it between cars when needed. This also prevents getting permenant imprints in the leather from a seat being installed for long periods of time. I do use a seat protector, but that only goes so far for preventing marks.

White340 · 12-31-2022, 11:17 AM

Here is the Graco SlimFit3

5inn · 12-31-2022, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White340

Here is the Graco SlimFit3

That's exactly what I was looking for, thank you!!
We have a similar Graco seat so it really is very helpful.

DocL · 12-31-2022, 02:10 PM

I remember the days to trying to figure out what the best child seat was for my family. We have twins, so I had to buy six of them. Four for ftwo of our cars, and then two for my mother's car. I spent a lot of money on the best seat I available. I didn't have my F80 at the time, but I would take a kid with me in my Lotus Esprit with a car seat. You should have seen the looks I got lol. Back to my point. Get the best one because when our nanny totaled our SUV, my kids were unharmed. I think we had the Recaro at the time. Just make sure the front seat has enough room behind it if still using a back facing seat so they don't touch.

Good luck.

9M71 · 12-31-2022, 04:45 PM

My kid is still rear facing and we have a (1) Nuna Rava and (2) clek Foonf.

While in the rear facing format, the clek will eat a significant amount of room, we had to move the front passenger seat forward a few inches (my wife at 5’4 is barely comfortable).

The Nuna Rava was more compact, and easier to install. Quality of clek is excellent but it’s not a great fit in the m3 (and truthfully not much better in the family mobile, a Model Y).

05-02-2022, 05:55 PM	#1
White340 Lieutenant Colonel 1396 Rep 1,988 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Comp / 2022 X5 45e Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: NYC iTrader: (3)	Car seats in 2022 Hi, I'm curious what you guys are using these days for car seats in your m3 - Specifically for toddlers. We have a 2y old who is still in a rear facing seat but is getting too big for the Uppababy mesa. I don't think she's ready for a forward facing seat yet because she's still small (30" and 24 lbs). I know there is an old thread that discusses this but it's a bit out of date now with newer cad seats now on the market. Thanks! __________________ 2022 X5 45e : AW/Tartufo 2018 M3 Competition : AW/SO 2016 340i xDrive : AW/CR (sold)
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05-02-2022, 06:17 PM	#2
deemack79 Second Lieutenant 286 Rep 255 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Long Island iTrader: (1)	Go back and forth between a graco 4ever and recaro performance sport. No complaints from the kids, graco has cupholders, recaro gets you cool points.
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05-02-2022, 06:20 PM	#3
Equilibrandt Auto/DCT Zealot 502 Rep 378 Posts Drives: M3, Miata Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Mazda MX-5 GT [0.00] 2017 BMW F80 M3 ZCP [0.00]	Only one option for the //M dad: https://www.recaro-kids.com/collections/car-seats Jokes. You're getting to the length/weight where you start running the edge of rear/front facing. You might do some research on those dual-transition seats where they can be used in rear and front facing configurations. Save you a bit of cash.
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05-03-2022, 08:18 AM	#4
Soul Coughing First Lieutenant 258 Rep 358 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (1) Garage List 2001 Honda S2000 [0.00] 2006 Mini Cooper JC ... [0.00] 2020 Audi SQ5 [0.00] 2017 BMW M3 Competi ... [0.00]	We bought a Nuna Exec, 3 in 1. Fits pretty well behind the passenger seat, and will then convert to forward facing, and eventually turn into a booster. It also allows the front passenger to have good front leg room; much more so than our Nuna Pippa XL with base that we had when our son was still in his car seat. It's got a pretty small footprint, has good crash test ratings, and is easy to install, but expensive. And it has a large weight capacity, which can allow you to keep the toddler rear facing longer than some other seats. My understanding is that you want to keep your kid rear facing for as long as humanly possible, as it provides significantly lower injuries if you were to be in an accident.
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05-04-2022, 02:36 AM	#5
sandwi54 Major 539 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: G07, F90 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: California iTrader: (1)	I used britax boulevard clicktight for both of my sons, both when rear and forward facing. It's a very well designed seat and has a small footprint, and fits the M3 well to give the front passenger enough leg room. Do rear face your kid until she's 40 lbs. 24lbs is way too small to be forward facing. In a crash, her heavy head would thrust forward so hard that it breaks her spine. __________________ 2022 X7 M50i Phytonic Blue 2019 M5 MBB (wife's DD)
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05-04-2022, 03:28 PM	#6
PorkchopExpress Private 39 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	I use 2x Diono Radian 3RXT's for my two daughters (2.5 and 4.5). They're a little tall when rear facing, so my smaller daughter would have to be behind my wife in the passenger seat. They're thinner than a lot of other car seats which is why we bought them. __________________ 2005 E46 M3 ZCP Silver Grey M6 2009 E92 M3 Arctic White DCT 2017 F80 M3 Black Sapphire Metallic M6 2018 F80 M3 Mineral White DCT
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05-04-2022, 04:17 PM	#7
M4Dutch Private First Class 36 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X5 40i xdrive Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 BMW X5 [0.00]	We bought the Nuna Rava 2x, one for each car. Can be used both rear and front facing, got excellent test results, and you can adjust the incline in many different positions. Ours is now front facing, and provides plenty room for the front seat to be in a normal position (m3). Got cupholders, looks great and very comfy for your kid! Also easy to uninstall, since I sometimes have to put it in our babysitters car. Definitely recommend! __________________ F84 M4 2015 AA midpipe MPE carbon tips BM3 stage 1
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05-04-2022, 04:30 PM	#8
Pqbrown Private First Class 56 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2014 GT-R, 2016 F80 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (5) Garage List 2016 F80 M3 [0.00]	I moved from the mesa to a Chicco next fit zip and it's been a great seat. It's pretty compact in the rear facing configuration, maybe an inch deeper than the mesa, just depends on how much you recline it. I did a lot of research on the footprint of the seats since every inch matters when rear facing, and the Chicco was about as good as I could find. Wife has a britax boulevard and I like the Chicco a bit better because of the straps, but overall that is a pretty nice seat as well.
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05-05-2022, 03:18 PM	#9
PKL Brigadier General 849 Rep 3,274 Posts Drives: 2020 M4, 2022 X6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Fernando Valley iTrader: (1)	You can put her in the forward facing now. My 20 month old just switched to forward facing, she's 25 lbs. I can't tell you how much happier she is in the forward facing. Some will say to wait as long as possible to switch to forward facing, I am perfectly comfortable with the safety of it. I have this and it is great https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NQKMXML...roduct_details __________________
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05-05-2022, 03:29 PM	#10
DocL Captain 1953 Rep 881 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Delray Beach iTrader: (2)	I always went with the Recaro for the front facing car seats, but I never had them in my M3. I can tell you this though, our nanny was driving our kids in our SUV and she T-boned a car. My kids didn't have a scratch on them. The car seats were replaced by our insurance company and I will always recommend Recaro. __________________ 2018 F80 M3. YMB/BLK. ZCP. Three Pedals. "Education will never be as expensive as ignorance."
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05-05-2022, 04:10 PM	#11
Alex2x3 Enlisted Member 14 Rep 33 Posts Drives: F80 M3 ZCP(YMB)\|24 X5M60i(BRG) Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I'm in the process of looking for a convertible car seat for my 8 month old. Always planned to get a Recaro car seat, but have came to learn that they pulled out of the US market. Is there anywhere I can can buy a Recaro baby seat in the US? Ideally looking for the Salia model. Otherwise have been looking at the CYBEX Sirona S 360 or the Baby Jogger City Turn or a matching Nuna Rava that my wife has, but would definitely prefer the Recaro if possible!
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05-05-2022, 05:15 PM	#12
M4Dutch Private First Class 36 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X5 40i xdrive Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 BMW X5 [0.00]	One other comment/question I have for those experienced dads driving the M3, that might interest the topic starter as well. What do you guys recommend to attach a phone/ipad to the seat in front of the forward facing seat? Since our M's have these great looking sportseats there is no headrest to attach a simple holder. Looking for recommendations! __________________ F84 M4 2015 AA midpipe MPE carbon tips BM3 stage 1
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12-31-2022, 08:26 AM	#13
5inn Registered 3 Rep 4 Posts Drives: On the hunt Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	I found a few long threads about this subject, many pictures that I found helpful. Linking them here: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1255262 https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1134151 However, I noticed many of them had rear-facing infant seats and forward facing convertibles. Does anyone have photos of rear facing convertible seats in the M3? I'd love to see photos of passenger legroom with the seat installed also.
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12-31-2022, 11:17 AM	#15
White340 Lieutenant Colonel 1396 Rep 1,988 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Comp / 2022 X5 45e Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: NYC iTrader: (3)	Here is the Graco SlimFit3 Attached Images __________________ 2022 X5 45e : AW/Tartufo 2018 M3 Competition : AW/SO 2016 340i xDrive : AW/CR (sold)
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12-31-2022, 02:10 PM	#17
DocL Captain 1953 Rep 881 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Delray Beach iTrader: (2)	I remember the days to trying to figure out what the best child seat was for my family. We have twins, so I had to buy six of them. Four for ftwo of our cars, and then two for my mother's car. I spent a lot of money on the best seat I available. I didn't have my F80 at the time, but I would take a kid with me in my Lotus Esprit with a car seat. You should have seen the looks I got lol. Back to my point. Get the best one because when our nanny totaled our SUV, my kids were unharmed. I think we had the Recaro at the time. Just make sure the front seat has enough room behind it if still using a back facing seat so they don't touch. Good luck. __________________ 2018 F80 M3. YMB/BLK. ZCP. Three Pedals. "Education will never be as expensive as ignorance."
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12-31-2022, 04:45 PM	#18
9M71 Major 1235 Rep 1,164 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 \| 6MT Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NYC iTrader: (2)	My kid is still rear facing and we have a (1) Nuna Rava and (2) clek Foonf. While in the rear facing format, the clek will eat a significant amount of room, we had to move the front passenger seat forward a few inches (my wife at 5’4 is barely comfortable). The Nuna Rava was more compact, and easier to install. Quality of clek is excellent but it’s not a great fit in the m3 (and truthfully not much better in the family mobile, a Model Y).
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