Rear Seat room vs. Acura TL (car seat) and various questions

Jurisprudent · 10-25-2007, 10:28 AM

First off, very new here, so take that FWIW. Currently own a 2005 Acura TL which I like, but have always wanted a 3-series and may be getting closer to that goal in the next year or so.

With a baby on the way though, my one concern is the size of the car, and more importantly, its ability to accomodate a child seat (rear facing for a year or so, right?). I used to have a TSX and noticed when shuttling a friend's child that with a larger Britax turned rearward, you had to move the passenger seat all the way up. I don't really want that. I don't mind having to move it a little bit though, as we have a new Highlander for true baby duty.

The reason I ask here though is that from a specification standpoint, the difference in legroom in between the TL and the 3-series is only about .8 of an inch or so. It doesn't look that way, but I haven't even yet been able to sit in one of the new ones. Anyone on here that used to own a TL and can speak as to the real world difference in room?

Also, with respect to the 2007 MY, other than the introduction of the 335i, is there a good thread that describes any other changes? Given my experience with a VW turbo, I'd rather avoid turbo, but I don't know that I want the 330i since it was only offered in the 1st year of the redesign. I'm certainly open to the 328i, but would have to drive it to see how it compares to the TL. Unfortunately, with my wife, manual is not an option (that's why the TSX is gone).

Final question - and this is really important

- will golf clubs fit across the trunk, or must they be angled?

HyperM3 · 10-25-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jurisprudent

Final question - and this is really important

- will golf clubs fit across the trunk, or must they be angled?

Golf clubs fit directly across the trunk right by where you load. They will not fit across if you want them back towards the seats. You can keep other stuff back there but not the clubs.

LKNDC · 10-25-2007, 10:36 AM

Are you talking about a coupe or a sedan?

Jurisprudent · 10-25-2007, 10:38 AM

Sedan - sorry. Coupe is way out of the question at this point in my life.

3onDubs · 10-25-2007, 10:45 AM

There were a couple threads on this a while back....pretty much covered a lot of info on this...

I have an infant right now that sits in a rear facing car seat. In my opinion, whatever car you get will be cramped with a rear facing seat. Those seats take up a lot of space, and unless you get a full sized sedan, it'll be somewhat of a squeeze. When he/she moves up to a forward facing seat, you won't have a problem.

One thing to note (read this in the owner's manual the other day) is that the 3 series rear center seat is not suitable for child seats, you have to have them on either the left or right rear seat (which means that the front seat will have to be moved up some). My only advice here would be to choose a rear facing seat that takes the least amount of room.

If you go to babies r us, you can lay all their rear facing seats side by side and measure to see which ones take up the least amount of space.

Here is a 2 in one convertible car seat that can be used as a rear or forward facing seat (will save you $ in the long run), and it takes up less room than most rear facing seats:

http://chitchatbaby.com/index.asp?Pa...ROD&ProdID=755

drbimmer97 · 10-25-2007, 11:50 AM

problem with the new 3 series is that (for some stupid reason), the seat belt attactments are fixed protruding from the base of the rear seat... when previously, you could tuck them into the base....

3onDubs · 10-25-2007, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drbimmer97

problem with the new 3 series is that (for some stupid reason), the seat belt attactments are fixed protruding from the base of the rear seat... when previously, you could tuck them into the base....

Why would you want to tuck them though? You need to use them or the car seat won't be installed properly....unless you hate your kid of course

I've been using mine with no problem

aldersonjames2002 · 10-25-2007, 12:37 PM

My wife had not driven in my 335i ever, so last weekend we moved the two kids seats from the MiniTank over to the 335i...not fun, those efn hooks are hard to get at. Anyway, one rear facing and the other a booster seat, they fit ok but not really a lot of room for the passenger in front of the rear facing. The biggy for my wife is that the stroller wouldn't fit in the trunk... couldn't get it in as the opening is not tall enough for anything but the thinest of strollers..

End result, I get out of using my car for any family outings... wife was pissed I bought a car that wasn't useful for our family.. well I gave her the "I'm So Sorry!!" crap and turned before I smiled. I mean thats why I bought her a fully loaded Honda Odysey..which was almost as much as my car... oh gawd, here she comes.. shhhh....

James

3onDubs · 10-25-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aldersonjames2002

My wife had not driven in my 335i ever, so last weekend we moved the two kids seats from the MiniTank over to the 335i...not fun, those efn hooks are hard to get at. Anyway, one rear facing and the other a booster seat, they fit ok but not really a lot of room for the passenger in front of the rear facing. The biggy for my wife is that the stroller wouldn't fit in the trunk... couldn't get it in as the opening is not tall enough for anything but the thinest of strollers..

End result, I get out of using my car for any family outings... wife was pissed I bought a car that wasn't useful for our family.. well I gave her the "I'm So Sorry!!" crap and turned before I smiled. I mean thats why I bought her a fully loaded Honda Odysey..which was almost as much as my car... oh gawd, here she comes.. shhhh....

James

Do you guys have one of those 3 wheel strollers? Most of those won't fit in the trunk of any small sized sedan. We had the same problem with the "Jeep" stroller. We ended up getting this stroller...fits perfectly, well priced, and comparable to the bug-a-boo:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2815275

aldersonjames2002 · 10-25-2007, 12:56 PM

What are you trying to do???? If my wife see's this I will end up with juice and cookie crumbs all over my cars backseat, not to mention she will want to drive my car...

I forgot to mention, her level of pissedness is based on the fact that other car is a two seat Porsche Speedster

.. lol.. wow, do I love my wife.

James

3onDubs · 10-25-2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aldersonjames2002

What are you trying to do???? If my wife see's this I will end up with juice and cookie crumbs all over my cars backseat, not to mention she will want to drive my car...

I forgot to mention, her level of pissedness is based on the fact that other car is a two seat Porsche Speedster.. lol.. wow, do I love my wife.

James

Jurisprudent · 10-25-2007, 01:07 PM

Isn't the Peg Perego pretty small? Seems it may fit.

DFW_M · 10-25-2007, 01:09 PM

I have a 2.5 year old that fits OK in the back seat (even behind me and I am 6ft tall). A family member has the TL and I cannot imagine it only has <1 inch more leg space in the back -- looked like it had much more. I can certainly say that my wife's old Accord had a decent amount more room in the back. I would not imagine e90 having more back seat room than the TSX.

As for the 328 and 335... If you're a family guy, really not into adventurous (SP?) driving and crazy about speed, the 328 is more than enough. I think it is a tad slower than the 330, but fast enough and a lot of fun to drive. I am way happy with my 325

GL

3onDubs · 10-25-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jurisprudent

Isn't the Peg Perego pretty small? Seems it may fit.

Nope...that's what we have (had actually). I think it's one of the biggest ones

Jurisprudent · 10-25-2007, 01:30 PM

Hmm... the one my sister has is quite small, at least compared to her other... but we have much to learn (1st child).

Jurisprudent · 10-25-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr325i

I have a 2.5 year old that fits OK in the back seat (even behind me and I am 6ft tall). A family member has the TL and I cannot imagine it only has <1 inch more leg space in the back -- looked like it had much more. I can certainly say that my wife's old Accord had a decent amount more room in the back. I would not imagine e90 having more back seat room than the TSX.

As for the 328 and 335... If you're a family guy, really not into adventurous (SP?) driving and crazy about speed, the 328 is more than enough. I think it is a tad slower than the 330, but fast enough and a lot of fun to drive. I am way happy with my 325

GL

We had an Accord and TL up until getting the '08 Highlander (which incidentally, has a limo sized back seat), and the Accord is a bit bigger in the back, believe it or not. The two cars are about the same size dimensionally, but for whatever reason, her back seat was bigger. I still don't understand the specs (Edmunds), because I agree, from an eyeball standpoint they don't look that close. And dimensionally, the 3 series is around a foot shorter, even shorter than the TSX I think.

I'm thinking the 328 may be enough. While I'm not big in to 0-60 times, etc, I find that I'm generally satisfied with a sub 7 second car. I think the TL automatic has been clocked between 6.2 and 6.9 depending on who you ask.

3onDubs · 10-25-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jurisprudent

Hmm... the one my sister has is quite small, at least compared to her other... but we have much to learn (1st child).

Yeah, the best way is to go somewhere like babies r us and compare them all side by side....they have a prop back seat where you can sample them next to eachother.

wagonmaster · 10-25-2007, 02:39 PM

I have both an '04 Acura TL and a '07 328xi, and I can honestly say that it feels like there is more back seat space in the TL than the 3-series that can accommodate a Britax Roundabout, which we used. As mentioned before, you can't position a booster/convertible seat in the center of the rear seat of the 3-series as you can in the TL; the 3-series also has more robust bolsters in the rear seat than the TL, so you have to position the seat on either side, nestled in-between the bolsters. The center console also sticks farther back in the 3-series than the TL so you get a lot of scuffing on the ash tray from little feet. Did not use the LATCH feature in either car. If you have more specific questions about the setup in either car, let me know!

Jurisprudent · 10-25-2007, 02:50 PM

The Roundabout is the seat we are looking to get for my car I believe (it's smaller than the Marathon, yes?) - I don't mind having to put it side to side, nor do I mind the scuffing - as far as having the roundabout (and I suppose the infant seat before it) turned around, did you find that your front passenger suffered in the 328 considerably more than in the TL? My wife is only about 5' 8" or so.

Also, while not quite fair since your 328 is AWD, how would you compare the two in terms of everyday driving and acceleration? One of the things I like most about the TL in addition to the power is the fact that at 80 mph I'm only turning about 2300/2400 RPM or so, and it's extremely quiet. How is the 328 by comparison (seems I read the 328 has shorter gears than the 335)?

Jurisprudent · 10-25-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3onDubs

Nope...that's what we have (had actually). I think it's one of the biggest ones

Were you talking about the Peg Perego stroller or car seat, just for clarification? I was referring to the stroller...

3onDubs · 10-25-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jurisprudent

Were you talking about the Peg Perego stroller or car seat, just for clarification? I was referring to the stroller...

Oh I see...I was talking about the car seat (the SIP)...but we had the stroller also (the aria), and it fit fine. Aria is their middle sized stroller...I hated it because of the small crappy plastic wheels. It makes it a pain to go anywhere that doesn't have a smooth surface. Going over tiles in the mall made it seem as if the kid was gonna get brain damage

BK · 10-25-2007, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3onDubs

Why would you want to tuck them though? You need to use them or the car seat won't be installed properly....unless you hate your kid of course

I've been using mine with no problem

You must have older kids. With younger kids, you don't use the seatbelt, you use the LATCH points exclusively.

I agree with drbimmer97, the seatbelt buckles sticking out is a big PITA because they get in the way of the seats. The LATCH points are difficult enough to access already, since they are behind little doors and recessed. The seatbelts just make it harder. If you could tuck the seatbelts in, it would make it easier for car seats. Frankly, the rear seats could be better for car seats and I suspect BMW doesn't really care because that isn't its demographic.

As for carseat room -- the E90 is a little bigger than a TSX and a little smaller than a TL. We used to have an Accord V6, and IMO it was better for car seats. I also test drove the TL, and it's quite a bit roomier in the back than the E90.

Nevertheless, I have two car seats in my car (and another kid on the way... hello X5?), one rear-facing and the other a toddler seat. For the rear-facing seat, I have to move the front seats up to where it is just a bit uncomfortable, but not anywhere close to "all the way up." The toddler seat is behind the passenger seat, and I move that all the way up if nobody's there, just to keep the seatback from getting shoe prints on it.

It is rare I have the kids in my E90, and rarer still that I'd have both in there at the same time. We have a minivan for kid hauling. But the E90 works in a pinch, as well as any small sedan for those rare occasions that I need to use it.

10-25-2007, 10:28 AM	#1
Jurisprudent Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 226 Posts Drives: '15 335i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Coastal SC iTrader: (0)	Rear Seat room vs. Acura TL (car seat) and various questions First off, very new here, so take that FWIW. Currently own a 2005 Acura TL which I like, but have always wanted a 3-series and may be getting closer to that goal in the next year or so. With a baby on the way though, my one concern is the size of the car, and more importantly, its ability to accomodate a child seat (rear facing for a year or so, right?). I used to have a TSX and noticed when shuttling a friend's child that with a larger Britax turned rearward, you had to move the passenger seat all the way up. I don't really want that. I don't mind having to move it a little bit though, as we have a new Highlander for true baby duty. The reason I ask here though is that from a specification standpoint, the difference in legroom in between the TL and the 3-series is only about .8 of an inch or so. It doesn't look that way, but I haven't even yet been able to sit in one of the new ones. Anyone on here that used to own a TL and can speak as to the real world difference in room? Also, with respect to the 2007 MY, other than the introduction of the 335i, is there a good thread that describes any other changes? Given my experience with a VW turbo, I'd rather avoid turbo, but I don't know that I want the 330i since it was only offered in the 1st year of the redesign. I'm certainly open to the 328i, but would have to drive it to see how it compares to the TL. Unfortunately, with my wife, manual is not an option (that's why the TSX is gone). Final question - and this is really important - will golf clubs fit across the trunk, or must they be angled?
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10-25-2007, 10:36 AM	#3
LKNDC Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 260 Posts Drives: F06 640i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1)	Are you talking about a coupe or a sedan?
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10-25-2007, 10:38 AM	#4
Jurisprudent Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 226 Posts Drives: '15 335i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Coastal SC iTrader: (0)	Sedan - sorry. Coupe is way out of the question at this point in my life.
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10-25-2007, 10:45 AM	#5
3onDubs You live by the sword... 216 Rep 8,244 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 328i [0.00]	There were a couple threads on this a while back....pretty much covered a lot of info on this... I have an infant right now that sits in a rear facing car seat. In my opinion, whatever car you get will be cramped with a rear facing seat. Those seats take up a lot of space, and unless you get a full sized sedan, it'll be somewhat of a squeeze. When he/she moves up to a forward facing seat, you won't have a problem. One thing to note (read this in the owner's manual the other day) is that the 3 series rear center seat is not suitable for child seats, you have to have them on either the left or right rear seat (which means that the front seat will have to be moved up some). My only advice here would be to choose a rear facing seat that takes the least amount of room. If you go to babies r us, you can lay all their rear facing seats side by side and measure to see which ones take up the least amount of space. Here is a 2 in one convertible car seat that can be used as a rear or forward facing seat (will save you $ in the long run), and it takes up less room than most rear facing seats: http://chitchatbaby.com/index.asp?Pa...ROD&ProdID=755
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10-25-2007, 11:50 AM	#6
drbimmer97 Prvt 1st Class 20 Rep 353 Posts Drives: 2012 528i xDrive M-sport Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philadelphia,PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335xi [0.00]	problem with the new 3 series is that (for some stupid reason), the seat belt attactments are fixed protruding from the base of the rear seat... when previously, you could tuck them into the base.... __________________ drbimmer97 2012 F10 sport package: gloss black vinyl roof wrap: black grills: black side markers: Stage 2 JB4: 19" CSL wheels: more mods to follow "LYF SUX - NLS U DRV A BMR"
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10-25-2007, 12:37 PM	#8
aldersonjames2002 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 335i [0.00]	My wife had not driven in my 335i ever, so last weekend we moved the two kids seats from the MiniTank over to the 335i...not fun, those efn hooks are hard to get at. Anyway, one rear facing and the other a booster seat, they fit ok but not really a lot of room for the passenger in front of the rear facing. The biggy for my wife is that the stroller wouldn't fit in the trunk... couldn't get it in as the opening is not tall enough for anything but the thinest of strollers.. End result, I get out of using my car for any family outings... wife was pissed I bought a car that wasn't useful for our family.. well I gave her the "I'm So Sorry!!" crap and turned before I smiled. I mean thats why I bought her a fully loaded Honda Odysey..which was almost as much as my car... oh gawd, here she comes.. shhhh.... James
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10-25-2007, 12:56 PM	#10
aldersonjames2002 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 335i [0.00]	What are you trying to do???? If my wife see's this I will end up with juice and cookie crumbs all over my cars backseat, not to mention she will want to drive my car... I forgot to mention, her level of pissedness is based on the fact that other car is a two seat Porsche Speedster .. lol.. wow, do I love my wife. James
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10-25-2007, 01:07 PM	#12
Jurisprudent Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 226 Posts Drives: '15 335i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Coastal SC iTrader: (0)	Isn't the Peg Perego pretty small? Seems it may fit.
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10-25-2007, 01:09 PM	#13
DFW_M Major General 1684 Rep 6,606 Posts Drives: Macan GTS Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (4)	I have a 2.5 year old that fits OK in the back seat (even behind me and I am 6ft tall). A family member has the TL and I cannot imagine it only has <1 inch more leg space in the back -- looked like it had much more. I can certainly say that my wife's old Accord had a decent amount more room in the back. I would not imagine e90 having more back seat room than the TSX. As for the 328 and 335... If you're a family guy, really not into adventurous (SP?) driving and crazy about speed, the 328 is more than enough. I think it is a tad slower than the 330, but fast enough and a lot of fun to drive. I am way happy with my 325 GL
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10-25-2007, 01:30 PM	#15
Jurisprudent Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 226 Posts Drives: '15 335i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Coastal SC iTrader: (0)	Hmm... the one my sister has is quite small, at least compared to her other... but we have much to learn (1st child).
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10-25-2007, 02:39 PM	#18
wagonmaster Private First Class 4 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 328xi Touring Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	I have both an '04 Acura TL and a '07 328xi, and I can honestly say that it feels like there is more back seat space in the TL than the 3-series that can accommodate a Britax Roundabout, which we used. As mentioned before, you can't position a booster/convertible seat in the center of the rear seat of the 3-series as you can in the TL; the 3-series also has more robust bolsters in the rear seat than the TL, so you have to position the seat on either side, nestled in-between the bolsters. The center console also sticks farther back in the 3-series than the TL so you get a lot of scuffing on the ash tray from little feet. Did not use the LATCH feature in either car. If you have more specific questions about the setup in either car, let me know!
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10-25-2007, 02:50 PM	#19
Jurisprudent Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 226 Posts Drives: '15 335i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Coastal SC iTrader: (0)	The Roundabout is the seat we are looking to get for my car I believe (it's smaller than the Marathon, yes?) - I don't mind having to put it side to side, nor do I mind the scuffing - as far as having the roundabout (and I suppose the infant seat before it) turned around, did you find that your front passenger suffered in the 328 considerably more than in the TL? My wife is only about 5' 8" or so. Also, while not quite fair since your 328 is AWD, how would you compare the two in terms of everyday driving and acceleration? One of the things I like most about the TL in addition to the power is the fact that at 80 mph I'm only turning about 2300/2400 RPM or so, and it's extremely quiet. How is the 328 by comparison (seems I read the 328 has shorter gears than the 335)?
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