Who buys a 3er saloon?
06-13-2009, 07:12 AM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Manila, Philippines
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2002 BMW 530i - Silver
2008 BMW X5 xDrive 30d - Black
2007 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro - Silver
Why does anyone buy a 3-series sedan? 3 normal sized adults can't even fit there properly. 2 could fit there comfortably. That also applies for the 3er coupe. 2 normal sized adults can fit there too. Trunk is a bit smaller. Plus, a 3er looks better. Anyway, that is just my opinion. What about you guys?
This is actually for my cousin in L.A. He already has a new Volvo XC60. That is the car he bought to replace is old Volvo V50 wagon. He can already fit his family there(5 yr. old son, 6 yr.old daughter and wife). He should just buy a 3er coupe. His wife could fit there and his 2 kids can sit in the back...
This is actually for my cousin in L.A. He already has a new Volvo XC60. That is the car he bought to replace is old Volvo V50 wagon. He can already fit his family there(5 yr. old son, 6 yr.old daughter and wife). He should just buy a 3er coupe. His wife could fit there and his 2 kids can sit in the back...
06-13-2009, 08:13 AM
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: See my signature
Originally Posted by 5er_ooomph' post='910378' date='Jun 13 2009, 11:12 AM
Why does anyone buy a 3-series sedan? 3 normal sized adults can't even fit there properly. 2 could fit there comfortably. That also applies for the 3er coupe. 2 normal sized adults can fit there too. Trunk is a bit smaller. Plus, a 3er looks better. Anyway, that is just my opinion. What about you guys?
This is actually for my cousin in L.A. He already has a new Volvo XC60. That is the car he bought to replace is old Volvo V50 wagon. He can already fit his family there(5 yr. old son, 6 yr.old daughter and wife). He should just buy a 3er coupe. His wife could fit there and his 2 kids can sit in the back...
This is actually for my cousin in L.A. He already has a new Volvo XC60. That is the car he bought to replace is old Volvo V50 wagon. He can already fit his family there(5 yr. old son, 6 yr.old daughter and wife). He should just buy a 3er coupe. His wife could fit there and his 2 kids can sit in the back...
06-13-2009, 08:47 AM
#3
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Manila, Philippines
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2002 BMW 530i - Silver
2008 BMW X5 xDrive 30d - Black
2007 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro - Silver
Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='910420' date='Jun 14 2009, 12:13 AM
The lack of room in the 3 series, especially in the back seat, is why I got a 550 rather than a M3 sedan, which is about the same price. My dealer had both available in stock at the time in March.
I have no doubt in my mind that a 550i can keep up with an m3 saloon
.
06-13-2009, 09:10 AM
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: See my signature
Originally Posted by 5er_ooomph' post='910446' date='Jun 13 2009, 12:47 PM
Hehe...
I have no doubt in my mind that a 550i can keep up with an m3 saloon.
I have no doubt in my mind that a 550i can keep up with an m3 saloon
.I love power above all else in cars. But alas, I needed the rear seat room and a M5 was just a little too much in monthly payments. Hence, my 550i Sport.
06-13-2009, 11:28 AM
#5
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
The four door 3er and the 5er are only 6 cubic feet different in interior space... 93 cubic feet vs 99 cubic feet. Not the huge difference you might think...
The 3er, in fact, is just 5 cubic feet of total volume (passenger and cargo areas) short of being officially classified as a mid size car.
Conversely, the 5er, at 99 cubic feet interior and 14 cubic ft of cargo (per the EPA) is just 3 cubic feet bigger than the minimum needed to qualify as a mid size.
The 3er, in fact, is just 5 cubic feet of total volume (passenger and cargo areas) short of being officially classified as a mid size car.
Conversely, the 5er, at 99 cubic feet interior and 14 cubic ft of cargo (per the EPA) is just 3 cubic feet bigger than the minimum needed to qualify as a mid size.
06-13-2009, 02:02 PM
#6
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: See my signature
Originally Posted by swajames' post='910549' date='Jun 13 2009, 03:28 PM
The four door 3er and the 5er are only 6 cubic feet different in interior space... 93 cubic feet vs 99 cubic feet. Not the huge difference you might think...
The 3er, in fact, is just 5 cubic feet of total volume (passenger and cargo areas) short of being officially classified as a mid size car.
Conversely, the 5er, at 99 cubic feet interior and 14 cubic ft of cargo (per the EPA) is just 3 cubic feet bigger than the minimum needed to qualify as a mid size.
The 3er, in fact, is just 5 cubic feet of total volume (passenger and cargo areas) short of being officially classified as a mid size car.
Conversely, the 5er, at 99 cubic feet interior and 14 cubic ft of cargo (per the EPA) is just 3 cubic feet bigger than the minimum needed to qualify as a mid size.
06-13-2009, 02:11 PM
#7
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='910648' date='Jun 13 2009, 03:02 PM
While I am aware that 6 cubic feet separate the interior volume of the 3 and 5 series, the 5 feels much bigger in the back seat -- nowhere near as nig as my M45's rear seat was and a lot bigger than the 3 Series.
Edited to add - not the greatest post to hit my 3k milestone... But 3K it is!
06-13-2009, 06:20 PM
#8
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: See my signature
Originally Posted by swajames' post='910654' date='Jun 13 2009, 06:11 PM
Yep, that's probably where the extra inches are most apparent.
Edited to add - not the greatest post to hit my 3k milestone... But 3K it is!
Edited to add - not the greatest post to hit my 3k milestone... But 3K it is!
With your style of posting, 3K takes a lot of work. Your posts are largely substantive and not just the easy type of posts that build post counts but don't add much.
I also like the fact that you are willing to point out instances when BMW falls short. Many folks drink the Kool-Aid so much that they cannot or will not do that even when it is true. No car company is perfect. And different brands of cars are more appropriate for some drivers.
BMW is my favorite sedan brand but I also keep tabs on and test drive the competition. And I've bought other brands of cars intermixed with my BMWs. Competition and criticism when justified make for a better car. When there is no competition companies (such as Microsoft Windows) build sub-par products.
06-13-2009, 06:32 PM
#9
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='910863' date='Jun 13 2009, 07:20 PM
Congrats on 3K.
With your style of posting, 3K takes a lot of work. Your posts are largely substantive and not just the easy type of posts that build post counts but don't add much.
I also like the fact that you are willing to point out instances when BMW falls short. Many folks drink the Kool-Aid so much that they cannot or will not do that even when it is true. No car company is perfect. And different brands of cars are more appropriate for some drivers.
BMW is my favorite sedan brand but I also keep tabs on and test drive the competition. And I've bought other brands of cars intermixed with my BMWs. Competition and criticism when justified make for a better car. When there is no competition companies (such as Microsoft Windows) build sub-par products.
With your style of posting, 3K takes a lot of work. Your posts are largely substantive and not just the easy type of posts that build post counts but don't add much.
I also like the fact that you are willing to point out instances when BMW falls short. Many folks drink the Kool-Aid so much that they cannot or will not do that even when it is true. No car company is perfect. And different brands of cars are more appropriate for some drivers.
BMW is my favorite sedan brand but I also keep tabs on and test drive the competition. And I've bought other brands of cars intermixed with my BMWs. Competition and criticism when justified make for a better car. When there is no competition companies (such as Microsoft Windows) build sub-par products.
Thanks sdg!!! 
06-13-2009, 06:37 PM
#10
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: See my signature
Originally Posted by swajames' post='910876' date='Jun 13 2009, 10:32 PM
Thanks sdg!!! My firm is based in San Francisco (it was founded 75 years ago in SF and our HQ is at One Market) although I am resident in the New York office. So I get out there from time to time on business.
The next time that happens, I would love to get to meet some of our Nor Cal members. The BBQ and drive looked like a lot of fun (and thankfully, that close call on the drive was only a close call).