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      05-25-2020, 08:55 AM   #1
Twindubs
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Option for 3 car seats

Good Morning, I know this is an rare request but I'm looking for an option to fit 3 car seats across. Have 2 kids with a 3rd on the way in January.

Can't afford an X7 but wondering if anyone has done this in an X5 or 5 series. Was actually looking at an M340i in January but looks like I will need something bigger.

Or is this time I just go for a (gulp) minivan and get an E46 M3 as a casual.

Thanks for your help!
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      05-25-2020, 09:46 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twindubs View Post
Good Morning, I know this is an rare request but I'm looking for an option to fit 3 car seats across. Have 2 kids with a 3rd on the way in January.

Can't afford an X7 but wondering if anyone has done this in an X5 or 5 series. Was actually looking at an M340i in January but looks like I will need something bigger.

Or is this time I just go for a (gulp) minivan and get an E46 M3 as a casual.

Thanks for your help!
I played the car seat game with 2 kids.
Choosing the right car seats is the key. I can’t see why 3 seats won’t fit across in the back of the X5. I would put the infant/car carrier seat in the middle and the two upright seats on each end. I had to carry two car seats years back and my biggest complaint was how much room the strollers took up in my other SUV. The X5 should be fine as you can prop the full size stroller up along the back of the trunk and should leave enough room for groceries or even vacation suitcases. My wife and I will never own a minivan. I recommend a Ram Limited as it’s back seats are plenty big for 3 car seats and a tonneau cover gives tons of space for multiple strollers and baggage. A luxury pickup is miles better than a SUV if you are on a budget. Also safer in crash test and mixed weather driving.
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      05-25-2020, 12:52 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twindubs View Post
Good Morning, I know this is an rare request but I'm looking for an option to fit 3 car seats across. Have 2 kids with a 3rd on the way in January.

Can't afford an X7 but wondering if anyone has done this in an X5 or 5 series. Was actually looking at an M340i in January but looks like I will need something bigger.

Or is this time I just go for a (gulp) minivan and get an E46 M3 as a casual.

Thanks for your help!
No issue! I had an E91 335d and got a twin (girls). I'm pretty tall so it didn't fit with the reverse maxi cosi's. Bought an F15 M50d. That fitted nicely. But then we build a boy. So I started searching safe but smaller seats. After a long study (everyone pointed me towards minivans and stuff) I got it to fit! In the G05 45e (without third row) it still fits! Outer seat of the twin (4 yo) is connected to isofix. Middle seat (4 yo) is secured by a black nylon strap (around the seat back and middle car seat). When the kid is in it, the seatbelt secures everything in place so no safety issue. Those seats can be attached in two ways. With seatbelt only or with seatbelt and isofix. I added the nylon strap so the seat (without kid in it) won't cause rattles or noises. The seat of the boy (2 yo) is secured with the seatbelt. That seat has it's own smaller 4-way seat belt.
Seats for the girls: Maxi Cosi Kore Pro i-size
Seat for the boy: Maxi Cosi Toby

I tried to get the two outer seats both in isofix, but the middle space gets to small with the big toddler seat. Maybe when the boy goes to the other seat it might fit, but will be tight. For the girls it's already tight to insert the seatbelt. Have looked at seatbelt extenders, but don't trust them with regards to safety. Also that removes the use of the indication light on the dashboard.
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      05-25-2020, 01:00 PM   #4
Twindubs
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ikheetleon View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Twindubs View Post
Good Morning, I know this is an rare request but I'm looking for an option to fit 3 car seats across. Have 2 kids with a 3rd on the way in January.

Can't afford an X7 but wondering if anyone has done this in an X5 or 5 series. Was actually looking at an M340i in January but looks like I will need something bigger.

Or is this time I just go for a (gulp) minivan and get an E46 M3 as a casual.

Thanks for your help!
No issue! I had an E91 335d and got a twin (girls). I'm pretty tall so it didn't fit with the reverse maxi cosi's. Bought an F15 M50d. That fitted nicely. But then we build a boy. So I started searching safe but smaller seats. After a long study (everyone pointed me towards minivans and stuff) I got it to fit! In the G05 45e (without third row) it still fits! Outer seat of the twin (4 yo) is connected to isofix. Middle seat (4 yo) is secured by a black nylon strap (around the seat back and middle car seat). When the kid is in it, the seatbelt secures everything in place so no safety issue. Those seats can be attached in two ways. With seatbelt only or with seatbelt and isofix. I added the nylon strap so the seat (without kid in it) won't cause rattles or noises. The seat of the boy (2 yo) is secured with the seatbelt. That seat has it's own smaller 4-way seat belt.
Seats for the girls: Maxi Cosi Kore Pro i-size
Seat for the boy: Maxi Cosi Toby

I tried to get the two outer seats both in isofix, but the middle space gets to small with the big toddler seat. Maybe when the boy goes to the other seat it might fit, but will be tight. For the girls it's already tight to insert the seatbelt. Have looked at seatbelt extenders, but don't trust them with regards to safety. Also that removes the use of the indication light on the dashboard.
Wicked! Thanks for the help!
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      05-25-2020, 01:09 PM   #5
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Check out https://www.multimac.com/home
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      05-25-2020, 02:43 PM   #6
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Diono Radian RXT are designed to fit 3 across. They are infant to harness booster capable.
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      05-25-2020, 09:31 PM   #7
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Not a problem. I tested it. X3 was a very snug fit and had to use seat belts to secure (3 diono's). Had my Diono's and borrowed one from my wife's car to try

X5 had way more room and I have 2 Diono's and a graco bucket seat.

First pic is the G05 with 2 Diono's and graco
Second one is the X3 with 3 Dionoa when I took it out for a test drive/fit
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      05-26-2020, 10:11 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mavjay View Post
Not a problem. I tested it. X3 was a very snug fit and had to use seat belts to secure (3 diono's). Had my Diono's and borrowed one from my wife's car to try

X5 had way more room and I have 2 Diono's and a graco bucket seat.

First pic is the G05 with 2 Diono's and graco
Second one is the X3 with 3 Dionoa when I took it out for a test drive/fit
your car seat directly on your leather is making me cringe
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      05-26-2020, 10:34 AM   #9
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Even if you make them fit your kids will fight constantly and make a huge mess. Time for a minivan. The functionality can't be beat. Honda Odyssey has worked well for us.
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      05-26-2020, 10:46 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by dream54ing View Post
your car seat directly on your leather is making me cringe

They're not in my car. It's was the demo car from the dealership.
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      05-26-2020, 10:53 AM   #11
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You guys with 3 little ones in diapers are my hero. I did it with two a few years. Best job in the world. My kids were tough early on to step over the door sills. They are better behaved to what not to do in a luxury car than most adults. I made it work in a RS4, A8, RR and 911s.
Hence why I have ivory white Merino seats and they look new despite taking my family on 2200 mile trips every year now.

Last edited by MystroX5; 05-26-2020 at 11:04 AM..
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      05-26-2020, 02:27 PM   #12
ikheetleon
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If you order a new G05 with the idea to fit 3 (small) kids on the backseats, I would advise not to order the rear seat entertainment. I had it in my F15 M50d and it was in the way when I wanted to put the kid in the middle seat. With the reverse baby seats I even had to remove the screens.
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      05-26-2020, 08:38 PM   #13
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My sister has 2.5 year old twins and a 6 year old. I have my own seats as they stay with me a good bit.
It's very tight & the booster in the middle was an absolute pain in the ass to try & buckle (I may switch to a 5 point harness booster to avoid the constant buckling). She has an in-line double stroller and it fits in the back but not ideal. A very tight fit. If I had to do it as a daily driver with 3 kids I don't think it would be for me. It would be almost impossible to get kids suitcases & adult suitcases for a road trip.

On the flip side I wouldn't want a minivan or the typical mom Tahoe/Suburban.
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      05-27-2020, 01:24 AM   #14
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I seem to remember watching a review for the 6GT (carwow maybe) that said the rear bench was wide enough for 3 child seats. Not to everyone's taste but definitely not a minivan.
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      05-27-2020, 02:41 PM   #15
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Thank you all for the advice! I won't quite have 3 kids in diapers but I will have a 4 year old, 2.5 y/o and a newborn. Newborn coming in December so doing my research now. Will likely keep my 3 series until the spring and then spring for something in 9-12 months time.

Wife has a Q7 and that will fit 3 across.
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      05-27-2020, 02:48 PM   #16
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Quote:
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Can these be ordered to North America? Looks great.
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      05-27-2020, 09:29 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twindubs View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by russelldav View Post
Can these be ordered to North America? Looks great.
Their website says they don't ship to US/Canada as the seats are tested to EU standards, not recognised in North America. Sorry I should have checked before I sent the link to you.

If I were you though and you're serious see if you can arrange to get one shipped anyway via a third party, as if you compare EU and North American regulations for car safety you'll find the EU is more stringent.
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      05-28-2020, 09:23 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by russelldav View Post
Their website says they don't ship to US/Canada as the seats are tested to EU standards, not recognised in North America. Sorry I should have checked before I sent the link to you.

If I were you though and you're serious see if you can arrange to get one shipped anyway via a third party, as if you compare EU and North American regulations for car safety you'll find the EU is more stringent.
Dang! nearly $2000 USD for 3 car seats???
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