BMW E46 M3 – 4 or 5 seats?

[frenchie TVR]

Hi Guys,
I am a father of 3 boys: 5&1/2 year old and 2 year old twins and we have a Renault grand espace as a family car and I have a TVR Chimaera 500 as a “fun car”. I am looking to get another “fun car” in the near future, in which I can carry 5 people: my fiancée and our 3 sons… It has to be a “classic” / “ future classic” and has to be fast ish… I do LOVE a 6 series BMW, but it is a 4 seater, I know the M5 is a 5 seater, but I do not really like it’s looks. I love then M3 E46, and here is my questions: is it a 4 seater or a 5 seater…? I see them advertises as 5 seaters on piston heard / auto trader, but when I look at photos or the rear it looks like there are only 4 seat, or is it available as a 4 seater and 5 seater (i.e, 5th seat belt being an optional extra)?

I am sure some of you will be able to help.

Happy new year!

[wjb]

Pretty sure the coupe is a 5 seater, and the cab is only a 4 seater.

Might be a struggle with child seats too.

[Mr Gearchange]

It’s a 5 seater the middle rear seat belt being a lap belt.

And yes - kids car seats whether big ones or boosters don’t fit any of the seats well.

[PurpleTurtle]

Cab is a 4 seater, Coupe is a 5 seater but the central seat is only a lap belt and not comfortable for journeys of any significant distance due to the raised nature of the central seat for the transmission tunnel. Really wouldn’t recommend one for regular carriage of three kids.

[frenchie TVR]

Thanks for your reply everyone.

So I now know that the cabriolet is a 4setare and the coupe is a 5 seater, so I guess it would have to be the coupe.

BUT, I have completely forgotten the obvious: car seats.

I guess I would have to look if I can fit a booster seat on the middle and a proper car seat on each of the sides.

Do the 2 rear main seat have ISOFIX?

Thank you for your input.

Eric

[Zebrs]

My 2003 coupe was isofix on two outside rear seats. I don’t think you’ve got a hope of 2 seats and a booster fitting - I have one seat and a booster in the back of my E90 and could not fit anything else, my M3 was no doubt narrower across the back.

Think you’ll struggle with any performance car and 3 seats I’m afraid. Or eldest in the front and leave the wife at home

[fat80b]

Zebrs said:

My 2003 coupe was isofix on two outside rear seats. I don’t think you’ve got a hope of 2 seats and a booster fitting - I have one seat and a booster in the back of my E90 and could not fit anything else, my M3 was no doubt narrower across the back.

Good plan to get an M3 as the sensible car alongside the TVR. That's exactly what I did 2 years ago to partner the Tuscan.......

Mine is a 02 M3 coupe with 2 car seats in the back. We also have a 330 estate (54 plate) as the true family wagon.

In the 330, you can just squeeze a tiny adult between the car seats in the lap belt for a short journey although it is not very comfortable. In the M3, I don't think you can. Maybe you could find narrower car seats but it sounds tricky to me?

[Nunga]

There’s no way you’ll fit three child seats across the back of an E46 Coupe bench. I have an M3 and I myself didn’t realise it was ISOFIX-ready though.

[CharlesElliott]

The Multimac (https://multimac.co.uk) was always an option recommended, but it is another £1,300 or so.

[EddieJT]

I hope 6 months on, and after 3 kids you've finally put a ring on it?

FYI I have an E46 compact and I can fit 2 car seats in the outside seats, and have squeezed in a small booster seat in the centre.