A matter of practicality

M3Monkey/// · 09-13-2014, 04:52 PM

How impractical is the coupe compared to the sedan with young children aged 9 and 11?
In theory, it seems 4 doors is the way to go, but, the coupe looks so cool...any sage advice, opinions, from the informed?
What about driving an e93 in the northeast? Worth it over an e90 or e92?
Please school me...

askjeeves · 09-13-2014, 05:12 PM

There is plenty of space in the back and it's not too difficult to get in and out. Your kids shouldn't have any problems with that.

FormulaMMM · 09-13-2014, 05:28 PM

With two I think you'll find the E90 a better option. That's a lot of seat moving w/ E92. Looks better anyways. ;-)

LarThaL · 09-13-2014, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by askjeeves

There is plenty of space in the back and it's not too difficult to get in and out. Your kids shouldn't have any problems with that.

There is plenty of space in the back seat of the coupe. Getting in and out is obviously a little more inconvenient but if you aren't a family of big people, it is fine. If you love the coupe, get it.

Ezio · 09-13-2014, 08:01 PM

Its kind of a hassle dealing with these back seats IMO. Its not really a thing of space, more just the fact you gotta keep moving your seats. Its harder to clean back there etc...

I agree the coupe looks better, which is why most people get the coupe.

A lot of the sedan guys get the sedan because it is in fact more practical car specially for people with familys.
I dont even use my back seats often, but i can tell you i hate them. I wish the M3 coupe only had two seats.

MineralWhiteDropTop · 09-13-2014, 08:03 PM

E93 or bust!!!

yoelev · 09-13-2014, 08:25 PM

335 or m3?

pbonsalb · 09-13-2014, 08:49 PM

If you have to get people in and out of the back every day get a 4 door. If it is occasional then a 2 door is fine.

Sinful · 09-13-2014, 09:12 PM

My daughter is 14 years old, 5 feet tall and around 90 pounds, she has no problem getting in and out of the car. However, it may depend on how big your kids are. I wouldn't sacrifice what you really want for a tiny bit more comfort for them. You deserve it and in the end your kids always hate you anyways.

Arben · 09-13-2014, 09:23 PM

Back seats have plenty of room, pretty comfortable. I'd drive both the e93 and e92 and decide if the extra weight is worth the top down pleasure. E90's are more practical, and I'd personally get it if I had to transport back seat passengers more often than I do now.

M3 Esq · 09-13-2014, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinfulM3

My daughter is 14, 5 feet tall and around 90 pounds, she has no problem getting in and out of the car. However, it may depend on how big your kids are. I wouldn't sacrifice what you really want for a tiny bit more comfort for them. You deserve it and in the end your kids always hate you anyways.

14.5 feet tall?

STooK · 09-13-2014, 10:21 PM

E90 will be obviously more practical than the coupe or vert. If this is going to be mostly a family/only car, then I would get the e90. But if it's going to be a weekender, get the E93. Having owned both e92 and e93, I will choose the e93 at the end of the day.

However, the beauty of the M3 is, whether you get a sedan or coupe or vert, you will get the same performance in every car. I'm sure you will be more than happy with any of the choices but get the one that best fits you.

Amirsm3 · 09-13-2014, 10:41 PM

Bring the family with you when you test drive each model and it'll give you an idea of how significant the need for four doors is.

I went with the e90 and I don't regret it a bit. My girlfriend always throws tons of shit back there and it's pretty convenient to open the door and pack the stuff in as opposed to getting into the car and going through the front seats to stow items back there.

#firstworldproblems

lve2xlr8 · 09-13-2014, 10:48 PM

If it's something you have to deal with more than once per week, then definitely get the sedan

davesaddiction · 09-13-2014, 11:34 PM

Not to be a jerk, but you will not get the "same performance" by picking a car that weighs 400+ more pounds than the others.

If the top down experience is worth it to you, that's great, but let's be honest with ourselves here...

OneSickM · 09-13-2014, 11:58 PM

sorry to thread jack but how long the doors are on the coupe? would I have problems opening the door and getting out from the coupe in a mall parking lot?

M3Monkey/// · 09-14-2014, 06:22 AM

Thank you so much for all the responses...keep them coming
My other issue is the garage. I currently park on the left side of my two car garage. The cement wall is on the drivers side. I currently drive a sedan and when I open my door, it's pretty tight getting out. I'm worried about how much room I'll have to get out of a longer coupe door. My wife parks on the right side due to having a large SUV.
Any thoughts about convertibles and whether it's worth it here in the northeast?
In doing the research, it seems the sedans are costlier used followed by the sedan, and followed by the convertible? Is this accurate?

Rupes · 09-14-2014, 06:42 AM

I've had two of these cars, and both were e92's with kids. No doubt a sedan would be a better choice if you think your kids will frequently ride with you. Performance is the same so why not?

Well for me, I just liked the looks of the coupe better and knew my kids wouldn't be with me all the time in the car. One more thing I'll add that hasn't been said - One of my cars had manual seats and the other had electric seats. I can't stress enough how much better the manual seats are for getting people in and out of the back seat. Flip a switch pull forward, done. Alternatively, flip a switch , pull forward and hold down a button for 10+ seconds so the passenger can get out, then spend the same amount of time putting the seat back in place. Good luck getting it in the exact same spot again too. I'd really look for manual seats if you will be using the back seats often.

Sinful · 09-14-2014, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Esq

14.5 feet tall?

Whoops, I meant 14 years old and 5 feet tall....

The doors on the coupe don't cause a problem getting out of even in tight areas, however again it depends on how big you are.
I can open them up barely and slide out, even in tight spots, but I am thin. I think taking your family with you and testing both the coupe and sedan was a great recommendation.No matter what we tell you it is your personal situation that will push you in the correct decision specifically for you.

djdiplomat · 09-14-2014, 09:42 AM

Get a e90, I had both and much easier to deal with 4 doors.

SilentAttack · 09-14-2014, 10:53 AM

I actually got the E90 because I thought it looked better IMO. I now have an infant so its obviously easier to get him in and out when he is in my car. But when I was looking I looked at both and just love the wideness of the E90. I have always felt the E92 was too long and blan from the door back. Almost like BMW forgot to add body lines to the back and just clicked the "finish" button. I do think the E92 is a sexy beast though and there is nothing saying I may not have a change of heart at sometime and get an E92 but for now im happy with the "family version"

iansanderson · 09-14-2014, 11:13 AM

I picked the E90 because I was sick of my passengers complaining about "squeezing" in the back seat of my E46 vert and E36 coupe... the older generation especially struggled. Now that I've owned it for a few months, I do enjoy the practicality and I don't really notice the additional weight of the rear doors. Plus, I wanted a sunroof so a CF roof was out from the beginning.

I get a lot of compliments on the sedan. Not sure if its my area or the rarity of an E90 compared to E92 but people specifically compliment the sedan layout of my car.

09-13-2014, 04:52 PM	#1
M3Monkey/// Enlisted Member 6 Rep 32 Posts Drives: newbie Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: new jersey iTrader: (0)	A matter of practicality How impractical is the coupe compared to the sedan with young children aged 9 and 11? In theory, it seems 4 doors is the way to go, but, the coupe looks so cool...any sage advice, opinions, from the informed? What about driving an e93 in the northeast? Worth it over an e90 or e92? Please school me...
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09-13-2014, 05:12 PM	#2
askjeeves Captain 147 Rep 958 Posts Drives: e92 m3/spece30 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (1)	There is plenty of space in the back and it's not too difficult to get in and out. Your kids shouldn't have any problems with that. __________________ 2011 e92 ///m3 zcp - jzb/fr ED 6/29/10
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09-13-2014, 05:28 PM	#3
FormulaMMM Brigadier General 3663 Rep 3,422 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Midwest iTrader: (2)	With two I think you'll find the E90 a better option. That's a lot of seat moving w/ E92. Looks better anyways. ;-)
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09-13-2014, 08:01 PM	#5
Ezio Brigadier General 380 Rep 3,934 Posts Drives: 2023 Alfa Romeo, 2023 m240i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: MI iTrader: (0)	Its kind of a hassle dealing with these back seats IMO. Its not really a thing of space, more just the fact you gotta keep moving your seats. Its harder to clean back there etc... I agree the coupe looks better, which is why most people get the coupe. A lot of the sedan guys get the sedan because it is in fact more practical car specially for people with familys. I dont even use my back seats often, but i can tell you i hate them. I wish the M3 coupe only had two seats.
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09-13-2014, 08:03 PM	#6
MineralWhiteDropTop Private 11 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 2013 E93 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1)	E93 or bust!!! __________________ 2013 E93 - Mineral White w/ Black&FoxRed Borla S-Type Aggressive Catback & LuxH8V4
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09-13-2014, 08:25 PM	#7
yoelev First Lieutenant 19 Rep 366 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	335 or m3? __________________
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09-13-2014, 08:49 PM	#8
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5234 Rep 10,616 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	If you have to get people in and out of the back every day get a 4 door. If it is occasional then a 2 door is fine.
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09-13-2014, 09:12 PM	#9
Sinful Banned 14 Rep 409 Posts Drives: Its black and has 4 wheels Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	My daughter is 14 years old, 5 feet tall and around 90 pounds, she has no problem getting in and out of the car. However, it may depend on how big your kids are. I wouldn't sacrifice what you really want for a tiny bit more comfort for them. You deserve it and in the end your kids always hate you anyways. Last edited by Sinful; 09-14-2014 at 09:20 AM..
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09-13-2014, 09:23 PM	#10
Arben Dunce Cap 6 Rep 75 Posts Drives: '12 E92 M Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: IL iTrader: (0)	Back seats have plenty of room, pretty comfortable. I'd drive both the e93 and e92 and decide if the extra weight is worth the top down pleasure. E90's are more practical, and I'd personally get it if I had to transport back seat passengers more often than I do now.
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09-13-2014, 10:21 PM	#12
STooK Lieutenant Colonel 726 Rep 1,974 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (6)	E90 will be obviously more practical than the coupe or vert. If this is going to be mostly a family/only car, then I would get the e90. But if it's going to be a weekender, get the E93. Having owned both e92 and e93, I will choose the e93 at the end of the day. However, the beauty of the M3 is, whether you get a sedan or coupe or vert, you will get the same performance in every car. I'm sure you will be more than happy with any of the choices but get the one that best fits you. __________________ 2013 BMW E92 ///M3 AW/BLK ZCP CF Roof 6 Speed - Perfection 2011 BMW E90 328i xDrive Space Grey/Black - Daily 2011 BMW E93 ///M3 MW/FR/BLK 6 Speed - Gone but not forgotten
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09-13-2014, 10:41 PM	#13
Amirsm3 Brigadier General 514 Rep 3,482 Posts Drives: 2011 Space Grey e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Williams/Flagstaff, AZ iTrader: (3)	Bring the family with you when you test drive each model and it'll give you an idea of how significant the need for four doors is. I went with the e90 and I don't regret it a bit. My girlfriend always throws tons of shit back there and it's pretty convenient to open the door and pack the stuff in as opposed to getting into the car and going through the front seats to stow items back there. #firstworldproblems __________________ 2011 e90 M3 Space Grey DCT ZCP- eAs, BMW Performance, Agency Power, Macht Schnell, iND, Milltek, Volk, Challenge, Stoptech, Ohlins BMWCCA:518970
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09-13-2014, 10:48 PM	#14
lve2xlr8 Major 195 Rep 1,186 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (11)	If it's something you have to deal with more than once per week, then definitely get the sedan __________________ R8 V10 6MT S65 M3 Tesla 3
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09-13-2014, 11:34 PM	#15
davesaddiction is fast cars 391 Rep 2,137 Posts Drives: '08 E90 M3 6MT SSII BPM Stg II Join Date: May 2012 Location: Oklahoma iTrader: (0)	Not to be a jerk, but you will not get the "same performance" by picking a car that weighs 400+ more pounds than the others. If the top down experience is worth it to you, that's great, but let's be honest with ourselves here... __________________ Daddy's Rocket Sled! Clarkson: "It is... pretty much perfect... Why don't I have one of these cars?" Harris: "The saloon is definitely the M3 of choice."
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09-13-2014, 11:58 PM	#16
OneSickM Captain 122 Rep 747 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: --- iTrader: (2)	sorry to thread jack but how long the doors are on the coupe? would I have problems opening the door and getting out from the coupe in a mall parking lot?
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09-14-2014, 06:22 AM	#17
M3Monkey/// Enlisted Member 6 Rep 32 Posts Drives: newbie Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: new jersey iTrader: (0)	Thank you so much for all the responses...keep them coming My other issue is the garage. I currently park on the left side of my two car garage. The cement wall is on the drivers side. I currently drive a sedan and when I open my door, it's pretty tight getting out. I'm worried about how much room I'll have to get out of a longer coupe door. My wife parks on the right side due to having a large SUV. Any thoughts about convertibles and whether it's worth it here in the northeast? In doing the research, it seems the sedans are costlier used followed by the sedan, and followed by the convertible? Is this accurate?
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09-14-2014, 06:42 AM	#18
Rupes Major 1056 Rep 1,459 Posts Drives: F87 M2 (current), E90 330xi (w Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	I've had two of these cars, and both were e92's with kids. No doubt a sedan would be a better choice if you think your kids will frequently ride with you. Performance is the same so why not? Well for me, I just liked the looks of the coupe better and knew my kids wouldn't be with me all the time in the car. One more thing I'll add that hasn't been said - One of my cars had manual seats and the other had electric seats. I can't stress enough how much better the manual seats are for getting people in and out of the back seat. Flip a switch pull forward, done. Alternatively, flip a switch , pull forward and hold down a button for 10+ seconds so the passenger can get out, then spend the same amount of time putting the seat back in place. Good luck getting it in the exact same spot again too. I'd really look for manual seats if you will be using the back seats often.
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09-14-2014, 09:42 AM	#20
djdiplomat Private First Class 35 Rep 180 Posts Drives: e90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Jax,FL iTrader: (2)	Get a e90, I had both and much easier to deal with 4 doors.
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09-14-2014, 10:53 AM	#21
SilentAttack Lieutenant Colonel 163 Rep 1,790 Posts Drives: 08 E90 Jerez Black 6MT Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0)	I actually got the E90 because I thought it looked better IMO. I now have an infant so its obviously easier to get him in and out when he is in my car. But when I was looking I looked at both and just love the wideness of the E90. I have always felt the E92 was too long and blan from the door back. Almost like BMW forgot to add body lines to the back and just clicked the "finish" button. I do think the E92 is a sexy beast though and there is nothing saying I may not have a change of heart at sometime and get an E92 but for now im happy with the "family version" __________________ Stupid Photobucket
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09-14-2014, 11:13 AM	#22
iansanderson Enlisted Member 2 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2013 X5M Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: North Canton, Ohio iTrader: (0)	I picked the E90 because I was sick of my passengers complaining about "squeezing" in the back seat of my E46 vert and E36 coupe... the older generation especially struggled. Now that I've owned it for a few months, I do enjoy the practicality and I don't really notice the additional weight of the rear doors. Plus, I wanted a sunroof so a CF roof was out from the beginning. I get a lot of compliments on the sedan. Not sure if its my area or the rarity of an E90 compared to E92 but people specifically compliment the sedan layout of my car.
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