how important is the rear seat room for you and does it effect coupe vs sedan?

[rai]

I wonder if you guys buy the M3 because it's got decent rear seats. I mean if the seats were a lot smaller would that effect the decision?

If the rear seats were so small as to being un-usable by adults (such as the 911) would that make the M3 less of an option?

How do you guys feel about the coupe v sedan rear seat? Besides getting in easier is the sedan rear seats a lot more roomie or similar to the coupe?

I don't plan to use my rear seats much, but I would like a real 2+2 rear seat. Some cars I have seen the rear seat is zero meaning if I was driving no one not even a child would be able to sit behind me. I have been in the back seat of the 3-series sedan, but not in the rear seat of the coupe. How does it compare? Can a small adult fit a it in the back of the coupe?

[eclipsisNA]

The difference doesn't matter to me, but then again I'm not packing fat chicks into the back of my whip.

[par4bmw]

Originally Posted by rai

I wonder if you guys buy the M3 because it's got decent rear seats. I mean if the seats were a lot smaller would that effect the decision?

If the rear seats were so small as to being un-usable by adults (such as the 911) would that make the M3 less of an option?

How do you guys feel about the coupe v sedan rear seat? Besides getting in easier is the sedan rear seats a lot more roomie or similar to the coupe?

I don't plan to use my rear seats much, but I would like a real 2+2 rear seat. Some cars I have seen the rear seat is zero meaning if I was driving no one not even a child would be able to sit behind me. I have been in the back seat of the 3-series sedan, but not in the rear seat of the coupe. How does it compare? Can a small adult fit a it in the back of the coupe?

The rear seat make a big difference to me. I am still debating between the vert and sedan. The coupe can seat an adult but not comfortably behind a front seat moved way back. The coupe is also awkward for adults to get in and out of. Kids and younger adults - no problem. With the top down, the vert is not hard to get into the back even for us old farts.

[gblansten]

Decidedly unimportant

[M2381]

I could care less. 2 seats is all I need

[batchelorc]

Originally Posted by Xcellere

The difference doesn't matter to me, but then again I'm not packing fat chicks into the back of my whip.

[monsta]

no difference for me, I'm not married and no kids and usually not riding with more then 1 passenger

when I start my family I'll get the M5, so its working out perfect for me since the next M5 is due in 2011/12 and I'm almost engaged but kids are further down the road...

[KonigsTiger]

Matter a bit to me, have two kids that I sometimes drive to school and other times I want to drive the car to the suburbs and take two people with me!!! Si its a nice thing to have. Put it this way, didn't get an R8 or 911 because of that and because of the too much attantion issue.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by rai

I wonder if you guys buy the M3 because it's got decent rear seats. I mean if the seats were a lot smaller would that effect the decision?

Yes, I have kids so a rear seat is a must.

If the rear seats were so small as to being un-usable by adults (such as the 911) would that make the M3 less of an option?

Maybe. I have to admit though, that if the 911S was in my price-range, I'd probably consider it.

How do you guys feel about the coupe v sedan rear seat? Besides getting in easier is the sedan rear seats a lot more roomie or similar to the coupe?

Sedan seats five, coupe (and vert) seats four. Contrast that with former 3 series coupes which could seat five.

I have been in the back seat of the 3-series sedan, but not in the rear seat of the coupe. How does it compare? Can a small adult fit a it in the back of the coupe?

There is almost the same amount of rear leg room in the coupe as their is in the sedan. The big difference is the extra seat in the sedan, and of course the much easier access due to the rear doors.

[GT3 Tim]

I need the rear seats and rear doors....M3/4 for me. Both of my cars a 2 seaters. The wife has the SUV, so we use that a lot, but having a sedan will allow much more flexability, etc. for me!

[Jack's dad]

I ordered an M3 sedan instead of a 911due to the availability of a real back seat. With three kids I found that the last two Porsche's I owned just ended up parked too much. I think I'll drive the M3 much more frequently because of the flexibility it offers, while giving up very little performance in return...

[sayemthree]

I have two kids so the two usable seats in thew Coupe are a must. I dont consider the 911 seats usable.

If I had three kids I would be forced into the sedan - but then again if we had three the wife would have a minivan and not a 535ixt!!!

Family Planning at its best!!!

[rai]

Originally Posted by Jack's dad

I ordered an M3 sedan instead of a 911due to the availability of a real back seat. With three kids I found that the last two Porsche's I owned just ended up parked too much. I think I'll drive the M3 much more frequently because of the flexibility it offers, while giving up very little performance in return...

a friend of mine has a 911 C4S which he doesn't drive as much as he used to since his kids don't fit, he used to drive 911 and kids to school then on to work, but now he he drives the TL most of the time.

[schnell325]

I would have chosen the sedan over the coupe I will be getting, bu there was a delay of ~3 months to get an allotment for the sedan at my dealer. Having owned sedans for the past 13 years of driving, it was a difficult but painless decision to get the coupe. As my wife said, how many times have there been passengers in the back of our Subarus or 325i? I could count maybe 4 or 5 times a year when the back seats were used.

So, a coupe it was!

[MrHarris]

It's always nice that the M3/3 series coupes have usable backseats. You'll say they matter when you use them, because we will use them at least sometime during the life of the car.

[sayemthree]

Originally Posted by MrHarris

It's always nice that the M3/3 series coupes have usable backseats. You'll say they matter when you use them, because we will use them at least sometime during the life of the car.

thats right - even if you are single and no kids, a back seat can be put to use!

[Buschy]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

There is almost the same amount of rear leg room in the coupe as their is in the sedan. The big difference is the extra seat in the sedan, and of course the much easier access due to the rear doors.

I would have to disagree with this one.
If your going to put anything more then small kids in the back you don't want the coupe.

[man02195]

#1 I need 4 doors so I don't have to get out of the car to drop-off/pick-up the kids.
#2 I like the looks of the sedan better
#3 It'll be a sleeper at the track

[KonigsTiger]

I have put adults in the rear seat and its OK in terms of comfort and the like!!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by buschy

I would have to disagree with this one.

Are you saying you disagree that rear leg room is similar?

Realize, I was not advocating the coupe or sedan per se, but simply trying to provide some facts for the OP. Thought that was clear, but if not then sorry bout that.

If your going to put anything more then small kids in the back you don't want the coupe.

Absolutely, and I never said different. But then you don't even really want the sedan either, do you? I know I would surely not be happy in the back seat of 3 series sedan on any regular basis. If I really needed to haul adults regularly I would bite the bullet and get a larger car or SUV for sure.

[Buschy]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Are you saying you disagree that rear leg room is similar?

Realize, I was not advocating the coupe or sedan per se, but simply trying to provide some facts for the OP. Thought that was clear, but if not then sorry bout that.



Absolutely, and I never said different. But then you don't even really want the sedan either, do you? I know I would surely not be happy in the back seat of 3 series sedan on any regular basis. If I really needed to haul adults regularly I would bite the bullet and get a larger car or SUV for sure.

What I was saying is that the sedan is quit bigger then the coupe.
if you are planning on hauling adults, yes get a 5 or a x.
coupled with the smaller area, the lack of middle seat, and entrance through the front door, the coupe is not friendly for putting even kids back there on a daily basis. just my opinion.
I think I am trying to still convince myself not to get a convertible, I too really need the space in the back.
but then again I like the looks of the sedan better then the coupe. I know I am the minority on the board.

[OC Guy]

If the rear seat was important to me I'd get another or different car. Second car or M5 or something similar.