[simont]

I've always ignorantly assumed that the current M3 V8 are only available as a coupe or convertible and no Touring, until I saw a saloon yesterday.

Would the saloon be as practical and space efficient as the Touring for a small family in accomodating all the clobbers? Or is it a case of being an M3 in E90 form is worth the sacrifice on space and versatility againsit a E91 Touring, while can still sufficiently practical for all family duties?

[Em135eye]

Very different cars (E91 compared to E90 M3).

I assume E90 M3s have rear folding seats as standard? If not, you need them.

A fair bit less "useable" space in an E90 but rear seating space is the same.

For a quick E91 you need a 335i or 335d and to get anywhere near an M3, both need a remap - even then the M3 is a much "sportier" car.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by simont

I've always ignorantly assumed that the current M3 V8 are only available as a coupe or convertible and no Touring, until I saw a saloon yesterday.

Would the saloon be as practical and space efficient as the Touring for a small family in accomodating all the clobbers? Or is it a case of being an M3 in E90 form is worth the sacrifice on space and versatility againsit a E91 Touring, while can still sufficiently practical for all family duties?

Well, I just don't know, but just the size difference gives me a bit of a clue as to which would hold more 'clobbers'

[parapaul]

My uncle chose the E92 M3 over the E90 as it had no less room... Make of that what you will.

But E90 vs E91? If you've got clobbers to fit in, you'll need some boot space. E91 335i

[Bungle009]

The space available in an E90 (With seats in place) is very similar to E91, (460 litres-ish in both I think) but the space is not very useable. The boot aperture is quite small, and you will struggle to get 2 large cases in an e90. An E91 is MASSIVELY more flexible. I Have an E90 & Wish I had held out for an E91.

[M3-FAST]

OP, your not really comparing like for like?

Only you will know how you use your estate - if you frequently carry more than just a small load of luggage (ie: never use the additional 'window' space and keep everything under the luggage cover) then you 'may' be able to cope with an E90.

The boot in the E90 is quite large, but you are used to a large boot opening, as others have said, the E90 is quite narrow with the boot open, sayiong that though I have fitted 2 largeish suitcases in mine before with no bother. I am taking the missus and 2 kids to France in it and have purchased a roof box to carry all the lighter kids crap (buggy, footballs, food, etc...) and keep the boot for the cases.

I got an E90 over a coupe, because the rear doors were essential for me having a small baby (cue the 'I fit kids in my coupe OK' posts!!) - the M3 gives me a sports saloon that not much can keep up with when I am driving alone, and a practical family 4 door when I have the wife and kids in tow.

Also factor in increased running costs, (slightly more expensive servicing, tyres, fuel economy, etc...). Oh and the modding bug may bite, that costs even more money

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by parapaul

My uncle chose the E92 M3 over the E90 as it had no less room... Make of that what you will.

But E90 vs E91? If you've got clobbers to fit in, you'll need some boot space. E91 335i

The E90 is primarily designed for folk that need the rear doors, other than that I don't think there is really much arguament over buying either?

The OP already has a 335i E91

[simont]

Originally Posted by parapaul

My uncle chose the E92 M3 over the E90 as it had no less room... Make of that what you will.

But E90 vs E91? If you've got clobbers to fit in, you'll need some boot space. E91 335i

That's what I have, my kid is 9 months old so there is a lot of stuff to get into the car. The bulky one being the buggy. When I do the weekly food shopping, with the buggy in the boot, there is not enough space so I need to put quite a few bags in the passenger front seat, now I put the buggy in the passenger front seat and the boot swallowed all bags with ease. However the seating arrangement will change soon with the wife moving to the front once the front facing car seat phase starts, then I will need to make sure that the buggy can fit into the boot of a E90 without a problem.

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

OP, your not really comparing like for like?

Only you will know how you use your estate - if you frequently carry more than just a small load of luggage (ie: never use the additional 'window' space and keep everything under the luggage cover) then you 'may' be able to cope with an E90.

The boot in the E90 is quite large, but you are used to a large boot opening, as others have said, the E90 is quite narrow with the boot open, sayiong that though I have fitted 2 largeish suitcases in mine before with no bother. I am taking the missus and 2 kids to France in it and have purchased a roof box to carry all the lighter kids crap (buggy, footballs, food, etc...) and keep the boot for the cases.

I got an E90 over a coupe, because the rear doors were essential for me having a small baby (cue the 'I fit kids in my coupe OK' posts!!) - the M3 gives me a sports saloon that not much can keep up with when I am driving alone, and a practical family 4 door when I have the wife and kids in tow.

Also factor in increased running costs, (slightly more expensive servicing, tyres, fuel economy, etc...). Oh and the modding bug may bite, that costs even more money

I understand that no matter how good the mods are, a 335i will not provide the same level of sportiness as an M3, however there is a AUC price difference between the two. For me it seems the shape of the boot opening would be the key consideration rather than the boot space.

It puzzles me why BMW does not produce a M3 Touring whilst every other 3er's body shape features an M version?

[M3-FAST]

A lot of it will depend on what buggy you buy! Once out little one was old enough (he is 15 months now BTW) - we got him one of these:

http://www.quinny.com/ot-en/strollers/zapp

It folds up VERY small and takes up very little space in the side of the E90 boot leaving room for all the family shopping etc...

We still have the larger pushchair but that lives in the missus's Citroen C5 which has a cavernous boot.

[doughboy]

I'd have an E90 M3 by now if it was a viable option - and EVO mag rate the saloon as a better drive than the coupe too, the M3 vert doesn't get reviewed in decent car mags

I had to sell my E90 330i when the baby came along due to lack of space.

We always ended up with stuff in the passenger compartment, even when using the thinnest umbrella fold buggies. (uber lightweight mclarens)

As M3 fast says it depends how you use the space as the E90 has a height restrictive boot entry.

Photo below - A recent short trip away - no chance in an E90. BTW we have a 400 litre roof box as well now - and still only 1 small child!

[Em135eye]

You also can't use an E90 as a play pen...!



I think our dog would be a bit miffed stuck in the back of a saloon too!

[R80TER]

I cant grasp how people cant get on with an E90 with kids.. I have an E90 and 2 kids aged 1 and 2. Absolutley fine. yes you need to maybe think about things like going to the supermarket, but thats why the trolleys have seats now, so you can leave the pushchair at home! I will second the shout on the Quinny Zapp, they are brilliant! and i am on the look out for a cheap "boys" one, as my lad ain't going in his sisters hand-me-down pink one!!

Just went to the airport last week for holidays, 2 suitcases, 2 "trunkies" and a pushchair "Mclaren" in the boot. No problemo!!

[E92BSM10]

e90 saloon looks much better than the estate

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by R80TER

I cant grasp how people cant get on with an E90 with kids..

Just went to the airport last week for holidays, 2 suitcases, 2 "trunkies" and a pushchair "Mclaren" in the boot. No problemo!!

If you only go to the airport (with the reduced luggage that flying requires) or the supermarket then maybe an E90 will do.

But camping or touring holidays and visiting relatives etc where you need the decent walking/long-distance pushchair, travel cot, highchair, travel fridge etc are a no no in a E90. TBH we'll be fine when the kid(s) are 4 or so, no more of this crap to carry round!!

BTW the Mclaren Volo or Quest are bigger when open, cheaper, lighter and more compact when folded (longer and thinner) than the Zapp so they go in the back of the boot even better..... and they have a bit of useful storage, they have 4 wheels so they don't fall over, they recline and you get a decent (working) rain cover too and the zapp won't last for long - our 21 month old's knees were bent double in it and her head wedged into the hood when we tried a friends one recently.

[Cafe.Racer]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

You also can't use an E90 as a play pen...!

My kids are much older, an they STILL play in the back.

Originally Posted by E92K.C10

e90 saloon looks much better than the estate

You're wrong.

[M330Touring]

Originally Posted by E92K.C10

e90 saloon looks much better than the estate

Cough!!

[PhilL]

I can't understand why there's no apparent market for an E91 M3 - it would be the perfect blend of performance and practicality IMO.

[PhilL]

Originally Posted by E92K.C10

e90 saloon looks much better than the estate

In your opinion maybe, but IMO the e91 looks FAR cooler

[simont]

Originally Posted by PhilL

I can't understand why there's no apparent market for an E91 M3 - it would be the perfect blend of performance and practicality IMO.

People are forced to look to Audi (RS) or Mercedes (AMG) as a result. Has there ever been a M version of the 3 series touring?

Originally Posted by PhilL

In your opinion maybe, but IMO the e91 looks FAR cooler

+1

[Em135eye]

Simon - no there hasn't - only M estate is the M5 Touring.

When the E90 came out, it looked just like a Mitsubishi Carisma to me...

[madstader]

Going back to the original question - I always fancied a Touring but in the former generation the boot space seemed actually LESS than the saloon so I stuck with that.

In the current generation of Touring however it's much more practical. The boot is a really good size and you get fold down seats, cargo nets to stop stuff flying about, etc. You also get useful nets and hooks in the boot itself (on SE and above I think?) and have found it to be much more like I always thought a Touring would be.

In short - up to the current shape of 3 series I'd have said the Touring is OK but not that more practical but now - it's the one to go for if you need a bit of room and flexibility.

(you'll also be surprised how often you use that opening rear tailgate window aswell - very useful).

[ss134]

I have an E90 and 3 kids - i can count on one hand the amount of times all 3 have been in the car at once, i went to the south of France for a week and although it was a squeeze i had enough space for luggage when packed correctly ( without a roofbox).

For 99% of the time i do not need the space a touring would give me and for the 1% when it would be nice i just find a way. For me that small % of time when it would be nice to have a touring does not justify the purchase.