E92 Bmw coupe vs labradoodle pup

[rsv696]

Do I really need a new car, or will our new addition be happy on the back seat with a harness / dog hammock do you think? Bmw is a second car but would still be used fairly regularly for doggy duties (mainly just me & pooch). Car has folding rear seats but is a 2 door coupe with no hatch & no room for a crate. Would appreciate your thoughts / experiences! Realistically I think an E61 530D is on the cards, but I could do without the expense. Should I just bite the bullet? Other contenders would be a 330 Touring, XC90, Subaru Legacy or maybe even a Golf R32 / Audi A3 / Focus ST

[Autopilot]

I had an E46 and while not ideal, it was workable. The main difficulties I had were:

The puppy liked to chew the seat cover I bought and generally drag it off the seat. Whether I liked it or not, the back of the car was going to get filled with mud.

When you tilt the seat to access the back of the car, most of the space is created at the top, ok for humans, not as good for dogs who have to squeeze through the small gap at the bottom. Not sure if later models have the seat actually lift up and create more space as that would be better.

The seatbelt attachment that clipped to his collar got longer and longer as he grew. To enable him to stand up and turn around etc, also gave him enough space to be able to stick his nose in my ear while driving. A fully grown Labradoodle would probably be ok, but as my dog is fairly big, it's not ideal. He loves to stick his face in your face.

We decided to get another dog so had to change the car. I bought a 535d (E61) and absolutely love it! I have a double TransK9 crate in the back to keep the dogs safe



Life is easier with the dogs at the back of the car!! Even before we got the second dog, the first dog was so much happier sat in the boot on his own with just the standard shelf in place with the net up to stop him climbing through. He could never really get comfortable in the back of the 3 series, so having the flat boot to lay in was much better for him. Probably worth trying the dog in the back of the car first as he may be happy as Larry there.

If I ever take just our female anywhere, I let her sit on the passengers seat as she just curls up and sleeps, VERY different from the other dog!

Edited by Autopilot on Saturday 26th September 09:10

Edited by Autopilot on Saturday 26th September 09:12

[rsv696]

Cheers for your reply. I think this only going to go one way really, but there aren't many E61's up for sale in the northeast at the moment. Default choice seems be small engined white goods

Edited by rsv696 on Saturday 26th September 13:30

[Jasandjules]

He will only be a small dog so should be ok on the back seat. If you get a harness and train him with it early on it should be fine IMHO.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Since I had my Labrador I've had the following as my only car;

350Z
Exige
M3 csl
R26.R
911 (twice)
Z4M coupe
Mini GP
MX5

Admittedly now the wife has an X1, but we've always managed before. Most important thing was having a house with a decent back garden, kennel & run. In addition we lived near a nature reserve and lots of green space.

2nd most important was actually taking the time to train him properly, so if we needed to travel he would be well behaved and sit where I told him to-longest distance was northern England to Oban in the back of a Porsche 993 rs lookalike.

[rsv696]

Thanks chaps. Got a large garden & loads of open space around us. £20 on a hammock & lead sounds like it might be worth a punt first. I'll see how we get on!

[RB Will]

Hammocks are fine, but please if you are going to buckle the dog up then buy a proper harness for it not collar and lead, a crash or emergency stop is going to risk serious harm.

My shepherd was fine. The back of my E30 coupe so should fit in yours fine.
I do now have an Octavia estate with Trans K9 half cage I the boot.

[elephantstone]

Erm i would not want my dogs in the back of a 3 series coupe after a "proper" walk.. What about when the dog has been rolling around in mud/fox poo and generally being a pup? Our get to go out in the MX5 when the weather is nice but for the normal days id rather have them in the boot of my dog wagon wheres they can lie down and look out the window.. A hatchback, 4x4 or estate is the way forward..

[RB Will]

It's only a bit of dirt it cleans off easy enough.
A friend of mine is using a hammock in the back of her Megane for her husky/gsd and it lives muddy runs and swimming and the car is fine.

The only thing I had to put up with was the dribble in the central cup holder as mine used to like travelling with her head between the front seats

[TwistingMyMelon]

Have a think how often the dog will go in the car? My two hardly ever go in mine, I just walk them local, I'm lucky in that there are plenty of options.

[PositronicRay]

My dog is quite happy in the back seat of my Merc SL (1994 R129)

Dog harness and just settles down roof up or down. Longest trip was 9 hrs.

[rsv696]

Well, decision's made. Pick this up on Saturday The ashtray was getting full on the E92 anyway. I present to you a mint low mileage supercharged hearse from Stuttgart with full MB dealer service history. Thanks for all your replies :

[elephantstone]

Great choice. My Merc is unbeatable as a dog wagon in my eyes...

[RB Will]

lol those 2 would have plenty of room in a Smart car

[elephantstone]

Haha knew that was coming. They love it in that boot.. They can look out and plenty of room for a non spill water bowl and they can both relax in there. They go in the car everyday so it does make life easier having a dog friendly car.