3rd row seats, once and for all!!!

[y5choi]

I am so confused about the 3rd row seat option! Most, if not all, critics out there are calling it "too small", or "worthless feat of German engineering". Some of the owers here say that it is totally "usable" and it comes in handy when needed occasionally. It all makes sense, but in the end, is it really worth the price and the alleged "reduced comfort of the second row"? Would you, the owners, please help me put an end to all the muttering?

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[JCL]

It is entirely subjective. Only you can decide. If you have an occasional need to carry young children (big enough to not require booster seats, smaller than teenagers) and don't have to take luggage along at the same time, then it may make sense for you. If you need to do it frequently, get a van.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by JCL

It is entirely subjective. Only you can decide. If you have an occasional need to carry young children (big enough to not require booster seats, smaller than teenagers) and don't have to take luggage along at the same time, then it may make sense for you. If you need to do it frequently, get a van.

...JCL is, as usual, Right On!

[CKP]

These comments are just for fitting children in the 3rd row for sensible lenghts of time.

I have checked out the 3rd row with my 6 (1.2m), 8 (1.3m) and 10 (1.4m) year old daughters and found the main problem being the seat base height. It need to be another 10cm and some of problems would go away. It will do two things:

1. Prevent the knees/legs from being pushed up.
2. It moves the persons/child further away from the back of the 2nd row relative to there feet. (as you sit 'up' you move 'backwards' by a few cms as well)

In any case, the seat belt position demands the use of boosters.

Hence, I will use a booster seat with all my girls, and I suspect I will be able to use them upto an age of 12-13 years. I have some pics but don't know how to load them up yet.

[rh71]

can't / don't want to deal with worse 2nd row seats because of it... no 3rd for me. If it weren't for that, I'd throw down the extra cash for them.

[StumpyPete]

I use the second row predominantly for carrying my children. In the UK the law requires that children up to age 12 must have a booster seat so the lack of comfort there is negated, as the kids never sit on the actual BMW cushions. When I need the extra third row - it is often for journeys less than 1 hour and we have booster seats that fit the third row. So for me it is perfectly adequate for my requirements.

[cpd1]

Stumpypete,

Which booster do you use? We have now a few different car seats (funny how I seem to get a new one once in a while ) I have tried only a cheapo Graco that we have for visiotr on teh 3rd row, haven't had a chance to test the other ones
Thanks

C

[StumpyPete]

Originally Posted by cpd1

Stumpypete,

Which booster do you use? We have now a few different car seats (funny how I seem to get a new one once in a while ) I have tried only a cheapo Graco that we have for visiotr on teh 3rd row, haven't had a chance to test the other ones
Thanks

C

We use the Graco Rally Sport (halfrauds had a 1/2 price deal on them last month so we bought two) - my Daughter is nearly 4 and really likes it - perhaps because it is pink! We need to take the headrest off the third row seat to use it - but being a highback seat this doesn't matter as the booster seat provides the head restraint.

[cpd1]

Thanks Stumpy Pete,

I think that's the same one I tried, I have a couple of others I will try. When we picked up the car, my 4 yr old daughter initially decided to only sit in the 3rd row...After much crying and negotiating she agreed on a booster for a quick test drive
She is now back on the 2nd row but the 3rd row is really useful to us so we can take some of her friends along whilst keeping the little guy (2yr old) in his second row seat.
I wouldn't have ordered the car w/o it plus you get a much more flexbile 2nd row too...

C

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by StumpyPete

I use the second row predominantly for carrying my children. In the UK the law requires that children up to age 12 must have a booster seat so the lack of comfort there is negated, as the kids never sit on the actual BMW cushions. When I need the extra third row - it is often for journeys less than 1 hour and we have booster seats that fit the third row. So for me it is perfectly adequate for my requirements.

I am very pleased w/ my choice of third row, even though I have only used the third row a few times. Its those times that justified the cost.
As far as second row is concerned, I have never had a complaint from the passengers. Also note you get slightly more cargo space w/ third row which is more important to me than the slight difference in second row comfort.