Advice 33ci vs. 330i for parent-to-be

[MarcM]

I am hoping for some good advice on the following: I was close to purchasing a 2004 330ci when my wife and I recently learned that she is expecting our first child. Although I still much prefer the coupe, I'm now reconsidering whether, in view of this big news, the coupe is still the car to buy, as opposed to the 4-door sedan. Either way, the car will be a necessary step up from my 2-seat Z3.

I realize that much of this is personal preference, but does anyone have some experience with the 325 or 330 coupe and infant carseats, etc. that you can share with me? More precisely, am I likely to really regret not having the extra doors (or more likely regret having the arguably less-sporty car?) I suspect that the BMW is likely to not be our primary car for carrying the baby, as my wife has a four-door sedan.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated -- obviously, I have only the vaguest idea what's in store for me in a few months...

 

[rp911t]

Sometimes the lil'one is more important than having two doors instead of four. I would highly suggest getting the four door because it is easier access for the lil'one. Plus your insurance won't be as high as in the coupe.

BMW's ARE sports cars.

Personally, i think that the two-door coupe is more of a feminine car than the four door. I'm more inclined to buy a four door instead of a two door.

 

[deutsch100]

I think you will have no problem with the ci. The back seat will fit a small adult really nicely...and you are only putting an infant in a carseat. My 2004 cic even has button that automatically (and really quickly) pulls the front seats out of the way to access the back seat. Maybe the ci has that too. The auto button also puts the seat back to it's set memory position.

The trunk in the ci is also really big for a coupe...plenty big enough for the baby stroller and the Prada diaper bag full of baby goodies

Get the coupe...then you won't regret it every time you see one passing by.

P.S.

The new 3 series (E90) sedan is coming out before the ci and cic...so by getting a ci you can keep a "current" body style longer than getting the sedan.

BIG congrats on the baby. That is awesome!!!!!!

 

[MrElussive]

If you prefer the 2-door, then go for it. BMW makes it so easy to move the front seats forward, you can just do it in 2 seconds. You don't sacrifice performance by going with the sedan, just the look of the car (and you get increased practicality). I say go for the Coupe and deal with the harder rear seat access. If you plan to keep the car for more than a few years, just remember that the baby won't be a baby forever.

 

[Frosty Power 323CI]

I prefer the 2 door but I don't have kids yet. Get the 4 door or you'll end up trading in the CI down the road for a minivan, just my opinion. Congrats though on the new baby on the way, and I'm not talking about the car....ha ha.

Best of Luck!

 

[rjp325i]

An infant carrier and later booster seats work much easier in the 4 door. My son has the 2003 330ci (spt & premium, 18" wheels) and I have the 2004 330i w/ZHP. The rear seat access make a more difficult installation for infant and child booster seats. We have in the family a 4 yr old, an 8 yr old and a new baby due in Dec. The infant carriers and booster seats work in both models but if you and your wife are looking for the easiest mounting a 4 door is the way to go. Do not spend extra for the rear air bags as they are recommended to be deactivated when children are in the rear area. If you do choose the 4 door opt for the 60-40 fold down rear seats. They are optional on a 4 door but std on the 2 door.

 

[codex57]

I just bought a bar-b-que grill and tried to stick it in the back seat. Very difficult. I have no problems hopping in there myself, but putting stuff in and then taking it out is much harder. I just can't recommend a coupe in good conscience. I understand how you feel. I'd much prefer a coupe too, particularly if you already have a sedan. But, there may be situations when you'll have to put your kid in the coupe. It's just too difficult to get to the back for me to recommend it.

My main reason is what if you have an accident? You know how hard it is gonna be to get your kid out when doors and stuff don't work? That little window is harder to squeeze through and there's no door to pry open. I still have that story of the guy dying in the back of an M3 cuz he couldn't get out in my head. Just not worth it, especially your own child.

 

[Bad Monkey]

I had my first baby in April...a shiny new 2004 330xi. My second (and obviously much more important baby!) came in July. I don't know much about the ci's folding seat for rear access, but I can't imagine trying to squeeze a carrier past a folded up seat, no matter how far forward it moves... it's challenging enough with a four door! The other plus for the four door is that my wife can get in and out of the back seat to be with baby Owen without me having to schlep to the passenger side and open it for her, as I would have to do with a 2-door.

If you are really hell bent on going 2-door, I would recommend buying your stroller/carrier system and try putting the carrier in the back seat before you buy.

Good luck with both of your new baby's. I'm sure you'll have a great time with them!

 

[MarcM]

Thank you, everyone, for the advice. I think I may have found a perfect solution -- I test drove the 330i performance package yesterday. I wasn't able to afford the performance package in the coupe, but BMW is apparently running a manufacturer/dealer incentive, so it actually turns out to be cheaper than the coupe with the premium and sport package, and feels to me even more sporty, plus I get the four doors.

Thanks again for your input.

 

[codex57]

Yeah, the ZHP is a great choice. When you get it, let me check it out. I'm in West LA. I can drive to you.

 

[aNoodle]

I was about to say the ZHP is a pretty cool package. I wish they had it in the first year of E46 production. I'm jealous. Take pictures when you get it!

 

[blkonblk330i]

do yourself and your back a favor - get the sedan.

 

[rp911t]

Good job on getting the sedan

 

[MrElussive]

On a general note, I don't know why so many people hesitate towards a Coupe. You can still seat 4-5 passengers and you still get trunk space and room in the back. If you prefer that look, why not go for it? I think you'll find that if you go with a Coupe or any other smaller car, you'll see that you don't really need the extra space a Sedan (or any other larger vehicle) gives you. If you get a big Expedition, you'll find yourself hauling lots of people and all their stuff around. Basically, as the owner/driver of the car, you end up using what your car offers. Plus a lot of Coupes have fold-down rear seats which makes things SO much easier if you do need to carry a lot of shit around every once in a while.

The onle true downsides to a Coupe are the following:
-Harder to get passengers into/out of the rear seat.
-Rear passengers cannot exit the car themselves in case of an emergency (car accident, etc.).
-Usually less trunk space in a Coupe than a Sedan.

 

[rjp325i]

Good sensible choice. I love my ZHP. I got it new in Jan and have 10K+ miles on it. With kids a 2 door vs 4 door means ease of access and a 4 door is far more convenient.

 

[codex57]

The onle true downsides to a Coupe are the following:
-Harder to get passengers into/out of the rear seat.
-Rear passengers cannot exit the car themselves in case of an emergency (car accident, etc.).
-Usually less trunk space in a Coupe than a Sedan.

No one said getting a coupe was bad. I got one. But those reasons you listed are the exact reasons why he shouldn't have gotten a coupe. We're talking a little baby that can't get out itself. That's doubly bad.

Well, the trunk space looks the same to me. I was comparing my car and my g/f's friend's car. Both are way too small. hell, my Civic has a bigger trunk than the BMW. That's retarded.

 

[rp911t]

Just get the bloody Sedan

 

[rp911t]

Actually, once you have children you really don't need a "fast" car at all. Personally I say get the X5.