My suggestion is also base on his wife and 2 kids, and when his kids become bigger kids...
Not everyone can change car as frequently as you do (in a good way )
[/quote]

I get so easily bored...

A E61 should be the ulimate family car (with two kids). If one
really needs the space the E91 is not a option.

But two kids (even teenagers) fits also great into the coup?
which really is a four person car, not a 2 + 2.

I suppose the new E92 will have a near to 450 liter trunk.
[/quote]

At 6'3" 210lbs, I fit just fine in the driver's seat in the E90. The seat adjusts more than enough to give me ample legroom, though obviously this is at the expense of the rear passenger. It's the backseat room for the kids that concerns me most. It's one of my (and my wife's) complaints on my current car (TSX), and the 3-series definitely does not add anything to that, despite being surprisingly roomy for it's size.

Having said that, my wife's MDX is the primarily family hauler. I just need something capable of transporting two toddler boys to and from daycare during the week.

So, an E60 appeals to me for the extra backseat legroom, as well as the extra overall roominess in the cabin. The E61 would indeed be the ideal family hauler, but budget constraints won't allow it. I am considering an E91.

By the way, BMW's published 0-60 times for the 325xiT and the 525xi are 7.3 and 7.9, respectively. Clearly not a big difference, but I'm just curious - same engine, same drivetrain and the 5 is lighter - what gives?

 

Another thing to consider about trunk space is getting the fold down rear seat option. I have that on my 530xi and I use it at least once a month. It really let's you place a much longer item in the car on those rare occasions.

Tom

 

Yeah - good point. I rarely have had the need to fold down the seats in my current car, but occasion to this past weekend to fit some Elfa shelving into my car. Couldn't have done it without the folding seats, so yes, it does come in handy.