[Stinger]

I tried this once before, taking some pictures of car seats in my convertible 335i, and was blasted by some members here because I just did a quick install to see if the Britax Decathalon car seats I had would fit. In my first post, I had just merely placed the seats in the back without a full install and was just helping people see how the fit was. Unfortunately, when I tried the full install with the Britax seats, I found them way too big and unworkable. After some other member comments, I found recommendations for Recaro and Graco ComfortSport Convertible 5pt car seats. I went with the Graco's because we already had $600 invested in car seats with the Britax seats so I didn't feel like blowing another $500+ on another pair of seats for my 335i and the Graco's test very well. Besides, the kids will only go in my car if my wife's car is in the shop or some other rare reason. They're really only for backup. If you have a choice, go with the Recaro's they look better and test extremely well.

Anyway, I took these pictures to help people see how the fit is with forward facing car seats in the 3-series convertible. I was able to get into the car fine. I just moved my seat up a little bit, no more than if I had a passenger in the back. I'm 6' tall and still had plenty of room in the front as does the passenger. It's actually comfortable enough to do as a daily driver if you must.

NOTES: One of the pictures below also shows the "ball" balancer to show the seats are installed properly. In fact, I have a neighbor who is a certified car seat installer for the Fire Station and even though he laughs at me doing this, he said the seats are properly installed. I also used a seat protector, if you are wondering what the grey mat is under the car seat.

I took these pictures top down so people can see the sizing and fit in the car best. I do not drive top down with the boys. I put them in and take them out top down. But drive them around top up. So, please save the criticism about top down driving with smaller children.

[halB]

You can install car seats in the convertible but there is nothing for you to attach the tether straps, which is illegal in Ontario Canada. The law here says all full car seats must be installed with tether straps. I have a 3.5 year old and she can only travel in my 530Xi or my mini van. My 5 year old can ride the back of the convertible in a booster seat.

[wj4]

Awesome. They got long enough hair to let the wind cut thru too!

[cn555ic]

It works when the kids are young like yours, but i have a 3 year old and a almost 2 year old....WHen they get bigger the driver and passenger front seats have to move furthur up making it almost impossible to drive comfortable and for the passenger to have enough leg room...I am 5'9 and when the kids are in the car, i almost hate to drive my car because of the driving position of the seat being so close to the steering wheel...Stinger you have it alright now, but when the kids grow bigger, you will see my friend!!! not the best situation, but i know they are not in your car that much only on special circumstances!!! I am in the same boat!!

[halB]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

It works when the kids are young like yours, but i have a 3 year old and a almost 2 year old....WHen they get bigger the driver and passenger front seats have to move furthur up making it almost impossible to drive comfortable and for the passenger to have enough leg room...I am 5'9 and when the kids are in the car, i almost hate to drive my car because of the driving position of the seat being so close to the steering wheel...Stinger you have it alright now, but when the kids grow bigger, you will see my friend!!! not the best situation, but i know they are not in your car that much only on special circumstances!!! I am in the same boat!!

Once they weight more than 40lbs you can put them in backless boosters and the legroom problem will be solved. These Clek Oto seats can even fit in the trunk with the top down when you don't need them.

http://www.magnaclek.com/canada/english/oto/index.aspx

[Bluesummer]

Convertible is a way to go if you have kids

[myfirstbmw335i]

how freaking cute......congrats on car and beautiful children...

[Zeiss]

Haha, very cute!

[Emon Crew]

I dont know about those seats, but you have some cute kids man.
Lucky ones to be cruisn in a convertible so young too lol

[dkbimmer]

Kids look so happy!

[Stinger]

Originally Posted by dkbimmer

Kids look so happy!

Thank you. They sure do. They love cars and have their own Bimmers.

[ArmyBimmerDude]

Cute kids man. By the way, you may want to change your profile unless you have another convertible on the way.

[mkoesel]

Great pics Stinger. Awesome to see them graduating to forward facing. Two rear facing seats in an E9X would be really tight.

By next spring you'll be able to do quick around town trips, top down. Just make sure you're ready to get the stink-eye from stuffy mom's and old people. :finger:

[Bram335]

Fits great bud. Very cute kids

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by dkbimmer

Kids look so happy!

I want to be a kid again.....

[Queenskid24]

haha nice.

[achien]

you just gave me the best idea to get a coupe with kids (hard-top convertible)...

[who's ur daddy?]

[Banyan]

My problem originally with fitting a carseat in the back of my e93 was the top of the seat's digging into the rear headrest. The seat installed ok, but I got worried about deforming my beautiful new leather headrests.

I can see from these pics that there is a little digging going on here, but not too bad. If you want to eliminate it entirely, Britax just came out with a carseat for compact cars -- the Diplomat -- that fits perfectly in the back of my e93. No headrest issues at all.

[rcmcfe]

Originally Posted by Bluesummer

Convertible is a way to go if you have kids

[ALPINE6SPD]

The install looks good. One thing to think about (I am not lecturing or trying to sound like a know it all) but I would not install a mat under the car seat. I have read that this coul;d be a problem if you get into an accident. The car seat is meant to be on the seat and not something like a pad. It could slip out in a hard impact. Also you cant get the seat as tight as you would if it was on the seat and not on a pad. Once again I am not telling you what to do or trying to criticize you but just think about it.

I am in the same posistion as you with 1 child who only goes in my car once in a while and I have his seat without a pad. It does leave marks in the seat (which really sucks) but its just something I am going to have to live with. Your kids are very cute and I can tell you really care about them and want them to enjoy your car with you. My son actually loves driving in my car because of my Dinan Exhaust. He like it when I open it up and he can hear it rev in neutral. He makes revving sounds all the time when he sees my car even if we are not even in it.

[scottp999]

The safety comments are interesting. My mother had a corvair convertible and she drove my sister and I around. No seatbelts, not child seats, nothing. It had a black interior so we did get to sit on towels to keep from burning up on the vinyl seats.

"Cole remembered that GM had a warehouse full of seat belts that were offered as extra-cost options but seldom sold."

and

"What Corvair did accomplish was to make the federal government an unwelcome partner of the auto builders. It was solely responsible for the emergence of lifelong industry foe Ralph Nader, whose name became synonymous with consumerism. From the corporate view, it marked the end of absolute freedom of design and engineering."

From: http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enth...S215.A809.html