Re: Recommendations

["Jerry Faber" <jfaber@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>David M. Jacobi wrote:
>
>...The M3 is not very well suited to toting our 5 month old around
>in her car seat, together with all of the paraphernalia required
>to keep an infant in diapers, strollers and the like.  We need more
>room and access to the back seat and more storage space.
>
>...I'm trying to figure out whether I should be looking at a
>5er sedan, a 325xi 'sport wagon,' or a 330xi 4 door.

For carrying capacity the Xi 'sport wagon' would be best, but
you give up performance.  One thing to check is if a portable crib
(the kind that pops up to a 6' by 6' size) will fit in the back.

Last summer I test drove a 325i touring and was impressed by the
room, general handling, quiet interior, and respectable performance.
I drive a 325iX and can attest to the incredible grip in bad weather.
Combining the Xi and the 325i touring makes for a good package,
but again, less performance.

That you have an M3 and 2002 means a big change in that "connected
to the car feeling".  On the otherhand, with an infant wailing in the
back seat, a more sedate car may be the ticket to sooth your nerves.

A test drive to compare the 325 with the 330 certainly is needed.  It's
possible that the sedan may be able to hold that portable crib.  Also, a 5er
really isn't a land barge.  But it may not be larger than the new 3er.

I can't figure out why BMW NA doesn't make a 330Xi Touring available.
That would be a terrific combination.  Supposedly X3 SAV is in the works,
but that just doesn't appeal to me.

Take that test drive.

Jerry
BMWCCA

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