How many in an M3 conv?

[Leggy]

I'm considering an M3 convertible but it's difficult to see from any photos hpw many people you can seat in the back (legally!)
It looks like there are only 2 seat belts.
Can any one confirm.
Cheers

[onetone]

Definately only two seats in the back - is same for all 3 series conv's - large centre section between seats, a bit like a fixed position armrest.

[wiggy001]

Shouldn't all coupes be a 2+2?

[Leggy]

Bugger, thats another one off the list.
I'd lost the battle for an Elise but won a reprieve for an M3 conv. But I need to occassionally seat 3 in the back!!

[onetone]

I think A4 Conv (various sporty options available) has 3 seats in the back - not sure, but worth checking - is not quite as good as M3 but better than most other conv's on the road.

Good luck

[Smartie]

pretty sure there are no modern cab's that seat 5! The are all narrowed at the back to allow for the roof mechanism etc.

[Andrew D]

Well it depends if it's three adults or three kids that you need to fit in the back. An A4 might fit three kids, but you can pretty much forget getting three adults into the back of any cabrio.

The roof mechanism has to fit into the walls of the cabin, so the width of the rear seat is a lot less than in a tin-top.

[Smartie]

Andrew D said:

Well it depends if it's three adults or three kids that you need to fit in the back. An A4 might fit three kids, but you can pretty much forget getting three adults into the back of any cabrio.

The roof mechanism has to fit into the walls of the cabin, so the width of the rear seat is a lot less than in a tin-top.

They'll only be 2 seatbelts though!

[Andrew D]

Smartie said:

They'll only be 2 seatbelts though!

Oh yeah, forgot about that bit!

[Robertb]

I think there are rules about one seatbelt per adult, certainly one per child. As said above, they are pretty narrow in the back. How about an M3 Coupe with a sunroof? Not quite the same of course, but can at least seat 3 legally...

[Andrew D]

Or a current model Audi S4. They're a bit of a bargain at the moment.

Get the Avant and you can even take the dogs on a hot lap or two!

[gmarks1]

I think that the A4 convertible is homologated for only 2 passengers in the back (and hence two seat belts), but a friend at work did have an extra lap belt fitted in his A4 1.8T so that he could have a third passenger in the rear. Apparently you can do this with the A4, but not with the 3 series.

This is an after market conversion though - there are a number of specialists who can do the work.

Edited by gmarks1 on Saturday 26th August 17:30