325i touring suitable for baby?

[Wid77]

A bit of a strange request this but wondered if anyone can help?

We are having a baby soon and my missus reckons the car will have to go for a safer alternative. I have told her that the BMW is a strong car and it does have ABS but she wants a newer car, such as a focus. I know that she does have a point on this but i would really like to keep the beemer and i can't really afford to buy another car also.

Does anyone have any info i can convinve her with, or do you think the beemer should go. The way i think is that i was bought up in a variety of death traps, Jag Mk 10, Triumph 2500PI, Escort 1300, Scimitar GT6 and i'm still here but she's not buying this.

Would like your opinions.

[fuzzy]

weve got a 2 year old with another baby on the way and the touring is a good solid car. id rather be in that in the event of a crash than a modern car that just crumples on impact.

[StuBeeDoo]

the touring is a good solid car. id rather be in that in the event of a crash than a modern car that just crumples on impact.

I'll second that! I've seen plenty of so called "safe " modern cars that have literally disintigrated in moderate impacts.
From memory, there are at least two 'Zone members who can testify to the safety of E30's.
I was brought-up around the "death-traps" you mention and I feel safer in my Touring than I do in certain modern cars.
Stuart.

[stevo]

sorry guy's,
do the back seats in a touring fold down?

[agent006]

there's no point changing it just for something newer. Change it for an NCAP 4 or 5 star car and then it's worth doing.
Also, get some advanced driving tution. Avoid the accident in the first place.

[320Touring]

my mate has a 53 plate Zafira Diesel, and has borrowed my can on the odd occassion when the zaffy was in the garage ( )

He says its easy to drive, and felt plenty safe with the two kids and the missus in it!she even commented it was more solidly built than the zaffy.

He had no problems getting the 2 car seats and buggies into the rear seat/boot.

Assuming that the car is well maintained (oil/sparks/coolant replaced regularly) then it should prove to be more reliable than a ford Fukkit, plus no depreciation, and no niggly build quality issues

[StuBeeDoo]

Change it for an NCAP 4 or 5 star car and then it's worth doing.

That's debatable! I've seen articles (can't remember where now) that throw all this "safety rating" lark into doubt........
There was something about a car going from 4-star to 5-star just because they added a sticker telling you that it has airbags!

[StuBeeDoo]

sorry guy's,
do the back seats in a touring fold down?

Sure do!
I can get 6ft+ floral tributes in mine.

[Wid77]

Thanks for the replies. They have confirmed what i was thinking myself. If i am going to replace the car just for safety reasons then it has to be with a nearly new one that has a good NCAP rating. I don't want to do this due to the money and the fact that every journey in the BMW is an occasion. I really enjoy driving it. I reckon i will stick with the touring, maintain it well and drive sensibly when the baby is in the car. It does have plenty of space in the back for luggage. I have had some preliminary 'discussions' and i think she is happy with this. She does admit that the BMW feels very strong and well made, which of course we know it is! I suppose they had no system of ratings in 1988 to show how the touring compared with other cars of that era but i'm sure it would have beaten most of them.

[fuzzy]

i had a head on with a small truck that ripped his front wheel of and pushed my front wheel up through my dash on the passenger side and i walked away without a scratch .doesnt matter how much advanced driving tuition you have, all it takes is for one idiot to crash into you

[Wid77]

i had a head on with a small truck that ripped his front wheel of and pushed my front wheel up through my dash on the passenger side and i walked away without a scratch .doesnt matter how much advanced driving tuition you have, all it takes is for one idiot to crash into you

That sounds nasty! Lucky to walk away from that one. You are right about all it taking is one idiot or lack of concentration. Defensive driving. That is the name of the game. Assume they are all idiots!

[toby]

"Saftey - Above average by '80s standards; strong structure with crumple zones."
Parker's Used car reviews
http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carre ... nge_id=755

Saftey test are a bit dubious because they are formalised - crashing into walls - ninety degree side impact etc. which do not necessarily reflect a fair representation of overall saftey in the real world where strange accidents happen.

I drive a touring myself. It does seem to be a strong car. Also done some baby transportaion for some friends. Pushchair etc all no problem.

Consider also that the car might be less likely to get stolen than a more modern car. Nothing worse than being car jacked or having car stolen while in supermarket.

Good luck with the baby - get some sleep while you still can!

[Wid77]

"Saftey - Above average by '80s standards; strong structure with crumple zones."
Parker's Used car reviews
http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carre ... nge_id=755

Saftey test are a bit dubious because they are formalised - crashing into walls - ninety degree side impact etc. which do not necessarily reflect a fair representation of overall saftey in the real world where strange accidents happen.

I drive a touring myself. It does seem to be a strong car. Also done some baby transportaion for some friends. Pushchair etc all no problem.

Consider also that the car might be less likely to get stolen than a more modern car. Nothing worse than being car jacked or having car stolen while in supermarket.

Good luck with the baby - get some sleep while you still can!

Cheers for that mate. Good advice all of it. Especially liked the link to the Parkers website. Very interesting. You are right about the image of E30's. They don't seem to attract as much negative attention as newer BMW's and other cars.

[Chaos]

i can see that you might want to change a convertible or a 2 seater if u have a baby. But i dont see the point if u have a suitable car already.

[oguz327]

If i had a little one on the way and had to get rid of the sport i would go for the touring everytime! Strong/solid, relyable and cheep for parts and to run. If i had an accident id rather be in an E30 than a ford!

[Brianmoooore]

I've had three of the little sods wrecking the back of one of my tourings for many years now. One mod I did was to fit an inrtia reel seatbelt to the middle rear seat as a bit of extra safety.
Get your wife into the habit of checking that the little tabs on top of the rear seat backs are fully down when she puts the baby in, indicating that the seat backs arwe locked.
I have no worries on passive safety. The E30 performs well in real life shunts.

[Wid77]

Thanks for all your help and suggestions. You have convinced me, not that i needed that much anyway. You can keep your crappy fords

[daveyw]

i'm waiting on the other half spitting out sprog number 3 and i'm looking for a touring. saw an old wifeys touring getting belted side on by an artic as she attempted to cross the dual carriage way. she was sore but lived. that was enough to convince me that i'll have one as my kiddie carrier!