Would the e90 M3 have a wider rear bench than a non-M e90? Car-seat related question

[IGotId]

The reason I ask is I want to be able to fit 3 carseats (2 Sunshine Radian XLST's & an infant carrier; all 3 being about 17" wide) in the back for emergency situations. I'm shopping for a replacement for my e46 M3. We will likely be trading my wife's MDX in for a minivan which will do all of the heavy-duty family hauling. Although I will have only 1 or 2 of the kids in my car at a time, I'm looking for a car that can fit the 3 kids in the back for emergencies. The 57.2" rear bench would make it much easier obviously...

According to this diagram from BMWUSAs website, the M3's rear bench is 57.2" wide:



The non-M3 e90s appears to be 55.1":



I would have thought both would have identical dimensions? Are the diagrams likely accurate? I believe I'm reading them correctly?

[kitw]

because of the way the latch anchors work, and the shape of the seat cushions, I don't think this is going to be possible at all. No way could I fit a 17" car seat between my Recaro Young Sport and Graco Infant seat.

[mexicanmike]

Take all the seats to a dealership and try. If they want to sell a car, that will let you test it.

[IGotId]

Originally Posted by kitw

because of the way the latch anchors work, and the shape of the seat cushions, I don't think this is going to be possible at all. No way could I fit a 17" car seat between my Recaro Young Sport and Graco Infant seat.

I'm assuming that your Recaro & Graco are considerably wider than 17"? 1 of the XLSTs would be rear-facing (behind the passenger seat), the other XTSL would be forward facing (middle), the infant would be behind the driver...the 2 outboards would be LATCH anchored & the middle would be seat-belt anchored...

BTW, all 3 are 17" wide...

[IGotId]

Originally Posted by mexicanmike

Take all the seats to a dealership and try. If they want to sell a car, that will let you test it.

I plan to do that this weekend...the only reason I even thought of looking at the specs was I wanted to see if I should test-fit the 3 car seats in a non-M e90...

BTW, I'm also considering a CTS-V wagon, unfortunately the Caddy appears to be even narrower

[kitw]

Originally Posted by IGotId

I'm assuming that your Recaro & Graco are considerably wider than 17"? 1 of the XLSTs would be rear-facing (behind the passenger seat), the other XTSL would be forward facing (middle), the infant would be behind the driver...the 2 outboards would be LATCH anchored & the middle would be seat-belt anchored...

BTW, all 3 are 17" wide...

There is at least 4-5 inches between the door and my car seats, so you lose about 10" of rear seat room there. The Recaro is 19.5" wide.

BMW measures the width of the bench, but the side bolsters are 4-5 inches of that, which means that the car seats are pretty close together. No way could you sit between easily. Remember, there are no middle latch anchors as the back seat is really too narrow for 3 car seats.

Time to go shopping for an E63 wagon with the rear facing 3rd row!

[klammer]

Don't think you could fit 3 seats, I've got 2 seats, one forward one rear facing and can't imagine another person in the back let alone another seat, but then again for emergencies who knows what can be done, good luck

[kitw]

Originally Posted by klammer

Don't think you could fit 3 seats, I've got 2 seats, one forward one rear facing and can't imagine another person in the back let alone another seat, but then again for emergencies who knows what can be done, good luck

I have stuck my wife in the back for a very short trip, but we couldn't use the latch anchors for one seat, we had my son strapped in the passenger side using the seat belt. Wouldn't work with seat mounted to the latch anchors.

I doubt you'll get 3 car seats in the back seat, but prove us wrong!

[signes]

This will help illustrate what Kit is saying. Two Recaros, one relatively narrow, one medium (that is anchored using latch.) I cannot imagine how you could fit another seat in here...

[Gamoto]

You have a family vehicle correct??? You say you will never have more than 2 kids in your M.......So why would you ask such a silly question. This is a top 10 dumb question candidate hands down WTF

[RayC]

Originally Posted by Gamoto

You have a family vehicle correct??? You say you will never have more than 2 kids in your M.......So why would you ask such a silly question. This is a top 10 dumb question candidate hands down WTF

Uhmm...OP did say for "emergencies".

[Chowster]

I have to agree with Kit. You might get the three tucked in the back, but it'll be quite difficult to secure the seats. I think the difficulty will be between the XTSL and the infant carrier.

[IGotId]

Originally Posted by IGotId

I'm looking for a car that can fit the 3 kids in the back for emergencies.

Originally Posted by Gamoto

You have a family vehicle correct??? You say you will never have more than 2 kids in your M.......So why would you ask such a silly question. This is a top 10 dumb question candidate hands down WTF

R.I.F.

[IGotId]

Thanks for all the responses!

Originally Posted by kitw

I doubt you'll get 3 car seats in the back seat, but prove us wrong!

I may just have to take you up on that challenge!

[Gamoto]

Originally Posted by RayC

Uhmm...OP did say for "emergencies".

Oh...yeah so he will have 2 car seats in the back of his M at all times even though his family car is a mimivan......then if he is home alone with his 3 kids
( Not sure from the post if he has 3 or maybe the neighbor kid might be over)
There will be an emergency when he will have to stick a 3rd car seat to rush all 3 chidren to a hospital or whatever........Let's get real!! Dumb Post

[RayC]

Originally Posted by Gamoto

Oh...yeah so he will have 2 car seats in the back of his M at all times even though his family car is a mimivan......then if he is home alone with his 3 kids
( Not sure from the post if he has 3 or maybe the neighbor kid might be over)
There will be an emergency when he will have to stick a 3rd car seat to rush all 3 chidren to a hospital or whatever........Let's get real!! Dumb Post

Perhaps that is why he is checking with M3post members with practical experience before committing to a purchase that will not suit his needs. And the "emergencies" does not necessarily mean a hospital trip or what not. How about if the minivan's engine blows out or a flat tire renders it inop and the OP has no choice but to use his car as the primary child transport.

So quick to judge...

[Chowster]

Originally Posted by RayC

Perhaps that is why he is checking with M3post members with practical experience before committing to a purchase that will not suit his needs. And the "emergencies" does not necessarily mean a hospital trip or what not. How about if the minivan's engine blows out or a flat tire renders it inop and the OP has no choice but to use his car as the primary child transport.

So quick to judge...

1. I could come up with an endless list of family emergencies.

[mkoesel]

Here's how this discussion played out last time (for those interested - such as the OP perhaps):

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486362

[sameh]

I have to say. Being able fit 3 car seats in the back seat of an M3 would probably count as the most unusual prerequisite anyone has ever mandated.

[Gamoto]

Originally Posted by IGotId

R.I.F.

Originally Posted by IGotId

The reason I ask is I want to be able to fit 3 carseats (2 Sunshine Radian XLST's & an infant carrier; all 3 being about 17" wide) in the back for emergency situations. I'm shopping for a replacement for my e46 M3. We will likely be trading my wife's MDX in for a minivan which will do all of the heavy-duty family hauling. Although I will have only 1 or 2 of the kids in my car at a time, I'm looking for a car that can fit the 3 kids in the back for emergencies. The 57.2" rear bench would make it much easier obviously...

According to this diagram from BMWUSAs website, the M3's rear bench is 57.2" wide:



The non-M3 e90s appears to be 55.1":



I would have thought both would have identical dimensions? Are the diagrams likely accurate? I believe I'm reading them correctly?

Your 1st sentence does say 3 car seats....Does it not

[Chowster]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Here's how this discussion played out last time (for those interested - such as the OP perhaps):

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486362

I was trying to find that thread. There are a few others that we've compared car seats in photos as well. OP, it's worth a search to see those pics.

And definitely post a pic after you do your test run at the dealer, successful or not!

[IGotId]

Originally Posted by Chowster

1. I could come up with an endless list of family emergencies.

thanks, life is unpredictable at best with kids!

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Here's how this discussion played out last time (for those interested - such as the OP perhaps):

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486362

thanks for the link!

Originally Posted by Gamoto

Your 1st sentence does say 3 car seats....Does it not

It states that I want to be able to, the 4th sentence clarifies

"The reason I ask is I want to be able to fit 3 carseats (2 Sunshine Radian XLST's & an infant carrier; all 3 being about 17" wide) in the back for emergency situations. I'm shopping for a replacement for my e46 M3. We will likely be trading my wife's MDX in for a minivan which will do all of the heavy-duty family hauling. Although I will have only 1 or 2 of the kids in my car at a time, I'm looking for a car that can fit the 3 kids in the back for emergencies."

Originally Posted by Chowster

I was trying to find that thread. There are a few others that we've compared car seats in photos as well. OP, it's worth a search to see those pics.

And definitely post a pic after you do your test run at the dealer, successful or not!

thanks, will do!