Thinking about swapping for a touring... How's the space?

[cee]

So, I ride bikes a lot, and could do with something with a bit more room to save me putting them on the roof. What's the space like inside the touring? With and without the seats down?

Any interior shots?

Would it still satisfy my urges or would I miss the iS?

[capri_rob]

You'd probably get one bike in quite easily with the seats down.

They're not really a massive load carrier - just a lot more practical than the saloon.

The rear lights make loading bulky items quite difficult, and the side trim panels do come quite far into the load area :



If you buy a 325i the only thing you'll miss about the iS is the fuel economy

[Duke137]

Just get them on the roof, your IS is a nice car, I reckon you would regret it

[SimonTemplar]

The boot is pretty big with the rear seats down, but if you have headrests on the rear seats they don't go down as flat, and the rear lights are a pain in the neck if you are regularly stowing bulky items.

I don't use mine for transporting the bikes - we have a Defender and five bikes! - but I reckon the space itself would take two. However, you'd probably get to the point of cursing the rear lights by the time you had loaded and unloaded the bikes for the umpteenth time. It is really a question of how far you are willing to compromise daily convenience for the car; I'd rather run around in one of these and put up with a fair bit of inconvenience, but I'll be honest and say that the Touring is not as good for load lugging as it ought to be from the outside! You would definitely need the rear seats down, I would have said, which immediately makes it a two seater. So it would do two people and two bikes, I expect - although I have never tried, so obviously have a trial run before buying a car lol - but would be a fiddle every time you stowed/unloaded them, and you would be better having no rear headrests. Lovely cars, though, which goes a long way...

ST

[pacerpete]

The boot is pretty big with the rear seats down, but if you have headrests on the rear seats they don't go down as flat, and the rear lights are a pain in the neck if you are regularly stowing bulky items.

I don't use mine for transporting the bikes - we have a Defender and five bikes! - but I reckon the space itself would take two. However, you'd probably get to the point of cursing the rear lights by the time you had loaded and unloaded the bikes for the umpteenth time. It is really a question of how far you are willing to compromise daily convenience for the car; I'd rather run around in one of these and put up with a fair bit of inconvenience, but I'll be honest and say that the Touring is not as good for load lugging as it ought to be from the outside! You would definitely need the rear seats down, I would have said, which immediately makes it a two seater. So it would do two people and two bikes, I expect - although I have never tried, so obviously have a trial run before buying a car lol - but would be a fiddle every time you stowed/unloaded them, and you would be better having no rear headrests. Lovely cars, though, which goes a long way...

ST

The rear headrests pull straight out.

[pac1982]

E36 touring has more load space and is much easier to get things in and out, i'll see if i can find a pic if not i'll take one when i get home for ya.

I have one and have not had a large motorbike in the back but have had a a scooter in the back once of twice.

Nice motors

[pac1982]

there we go, not the best pic as the rear seats are still up, but as you can see, much easier to load and more space, not mine BTW

[SimonTemplar]

The rear headrests pull straight out.

Lol yes, but I am a bit precious about my leather so don't like them rattling around getting scuffed, and particularly wouldn't with bikes in there...

But completely take your point!

ST

[johnl320]

I had one for about 2 months and regretted it, nice car but fooking useless for carrying large items such as bikes, IMO thats why its called a tourer not an estate.

[pac1982]

I had one for about 2 months and regretted it, nice car but fooking useless for carrying large items such as bikes, IMO thats why its called a tourer not an estate.

that comment dont make sence there are plenty of modern tourers about with just as much space as other cars that carry the estate tag.

I think touring is just used for posh cars that have an estate version, point being you dont get a vauxhall astra touring because its to cheap, nasty and common

[Sanchez]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOWBALL-MOUNT ... _500wt_764


Plus a detchable tow ball is what i use on my touring and it works a treat, takes 2 adult bikes very well and you still see out the rear view mirror.

Keeps the leather clean and you wouldnt have toe sell the 318is.

[Morat]

Tourings are better for carrying lots of small/medium sized items than one or two large ones. Suitcases/Bags are fine. Fridges/Bikes - not so good....

In your case I'd get one with a towbar and fit a bike rack on the rear.

[johnl320]

We're not talking about modern tourers though are we. BMW couldn't use the estate tag and pitch it against other estates on the market because it would fail, I fail to see how my opinion doesn't make sense.

[Morat]

Touring btw

[johnl320]

I was refering to an e30 not an e36 BTW

[johnl320]

Touring btw

So plural is tourings

[Morat]

Yep, exactly.

[pac1982]

We're not talking about modern tourers though are we. BMW couldn't use the estate tag and pitch it against other estates on the market because it would fail, I fail to see how my opinion doesn't make sense.

A touring is the same as an estate simple as, infact estates are also know as Station wagons, Avants, Combi's or Sport Wagons etc etc dependent on the manufacture, at the end of the day its all the same there is no reason why they use any particular tag

[cee]

Yeah, think I've decided against it. I was expecting the e30 touring to be more like the e36 inside. Quite surprising really! I do love my iS so I guess it's worth the extra mpg having the bikes on the roof.

I decided against tow hook mount as I'd rather not have a massive penis sticking out the back of the car!

[Duke137]

Halfords 405 roof bars fit striaght on the coupe

[Sanchez]

My 'penis' is removable!!! I like to tuck it away somewhere else rather than it sticking out my rear end.

[Morat]

Yeah, think I've decided against it. I was expecting the e30 touring to be more like the e36 inside. Quite surprising really! I do love my iS so I guess it's worth the extra mpg having the bikes on the roof.

I decided against tow hook mount as I'd rather not have a massive penis sticking out the back of the car!

E46 touring isn't exactly spacious either - but an E39 touring has a useful boot.

[cee]

Halfords 405 roof bars fit striaght on the coupe

Yup that's what I've got. The Thule copy ones with bike racks

[cee]

My 'penis' is removable!!! I like to tuck it away somewhere else rather than it sticking out my rear end.

Classic

[Curr946]

My 'penis' is removable!!! I like to tuck it away somewhere else rather than it sticking out my rear end.

Peter you cont I nearly chocked on my coffee

[rrs]

I believe the 'offical' reasoning is that it's a touring and not an estate *because* the rear lights encroach on the boot opening.

[Jozi]

I could fit my mountain bike in it but had to remove the wheel on a ladies hybrid to get it in.

I'll got with Morat and agree their better for carrying loads of small things.

You can stuff the headrests on the floor behind the seat when you flip them up and they shouldn't get damaged there.

[pac1982]

I believe the 'offical' reasoning is that it's a touring and not an estate *because* the rear lights encroach on the boot opening.

not true there are several Mercs which are classed as tourings but the lights dont foul the boot

Infact thats also the case with alot of modern BMW tourings

[Jozi]

I was led to believe an estate has a unobstructed boot opening, unlike a touring which has lots in the way.

[pac1982]

I was led to believe an estate has a unobstructed boot opening, unlike a touring which has lots in the way.

Not all tourings have an obstructed boot opening, i would put pics up but i'm at work, just google "touring boot space" and you will find several pics of various tourings with unobstructed boots

[johnl320]

I was led to believe an estate has a unobstructed boot opening, unlike a touring which has lots in the way.

Not all tourings have an obstructed boot opening, i would put pics up but i'm at work, just google "touring boot space" and you will find several pics of various tourings with unobstructed boots

Well I disagree with what you say and unless you worked for the BMW marketing department in the mid eighties then I will stick to my opinion.

[pac1982]

I was led to believe an estate has a unobstructed boot opening, unlike a touring which has lots in the way.

Not all tourings have an obstructed boot opening, i would put pics up but i'm at work, just google "touring boot space" and you will find several pics of various tourings with unobstructed boots

Well I disagree with what you say and unless you worked for the BMW marketing department in the mid eighties then I will stick to my opinion.

I just so happens........

but really the pictures speak for them selfs

[harry_p]

I believe the 'offical' reasoning is that it's a touring and not an estate *because* the rear lights encroach on the boot opening.

touring is just a marketing term. it sounds a bit more special and a bit more 'lifestyle' than estate or wagon.

it doesnt have a properly defined meaning other than one dreamt up by bmws pr department.

[pac1982]

I believe the 'offical' reasoning is that it's a touring and not an estate *because* the rear lights encroach on the boot opening.

touring is just a marketing term. it sounds a bit more special and a bit more 'lifestyle' than estate or wagon.

it doesnt have a properly defined meaning other than one dreamt up by bmws pr department.

exactly my thinking its just a term that sounds a lot better and more posh than estate

[SimonTemplar]

And let's not even start on 'shooting brake'..!!