E46 touring Vs E39 touring

[gareth]

Running an idea past you chaps...

Does anyone on here use a E39 or E46 touring to cart kids bikes about at all?

My kids are growing and their bikes are about to grow too! At present my E30 touring will just about take the kids bikes in the boot but as soon as they move up to 20" wheels it's a no-go. Will 2x 20" wheel kids bikes fit in a E39 or E46 touring though? remember, no folding seats down - to take the kids for a ride, they'll be in the car! Adult bikes on the roof is a given - set for that already but not a lot of room for 4 bikes on one roofrack!

[bss325i]

Bike rack on the tailgate?

[Tedswagon]

I can't answer your question unfortunately, but I'd say tailgate racks which are held on with hooks and straps can twist your tailgate. Tow bar mounted would be best. IMO.

[gareth]

Not keen on rear mounted bike racks. I'm out on the bike in all weathers and vibration/movement + water + dirt = paint damage very quickly! Also nasty for the bikes and unstable!

I have a set of proper bike mounts and an over-engineered set of roof bars for the E30 at the moment as the coilovers do shake the bikes about somewhat!

Towbar could be a possibility.

When the kids get bigger again and have near full size bikes, the only sensible option will be a small trailer with bike racks on - at least then i won't get mud dropping on the roof on the way home!

[dowot]

20" bmx size bike in the boot of an e46 touring??? only if its in bits the e46 is quite small in comparison to an e39, prob smaller than the e30, if not it feels like it is.

[gareth]

Hmm, i feared as much.
At present they have 18" wheel bikes and i can get two in the E30.

My Mk2 polo saloon had a bigger boot than the E30 though, that could get them in much easier!

[clipper]

Never tried getting 2 bmx bikes in my 39 touring but at a guess I'd say no. Not without removing wheels.
They are big boots though. And good one is lovely to drive. Just get the biggest engine you can as they're a tad lardy...

[Brianmoooore]

I have a 39 touring as well, and although I've never tried, I think the boot area's too short to get bikes in with the seats up.
I have a tow bar flange mounted bike carrier that will take five full sized bikes. Made it myself years ago, and it's strong enough to take my full weight hanging off the end of it, as well as all the bikes.

[gareth]

The problem with a rear mount carrier is full suspension bikes with odd frame sizes / shapes but i like your idea.

I thought a shitroes ax / peugeot 205 (or similar) rear beam, a tow hitch, lightboard and a few bits of scrap steel would make a very nice stable trailer. A mate of mine made one 'braked' usingthe handbrake cables and a cable operated hitch brake from a scrap caravan. worked really well!

I suppose if neither E39 or E46 will have the space, there's no point getting the bigger barge...

How's your E39 been Brian? I've heard mixed reviews from utter horror to brilliant.

[capri_rob]

46 Load area is bigger than the E30 but not by much - I looked at E39's and they seemed huge in comparison but you'll probably still struggle to get bikes in without dropping the seats or taking the bikes to bits

Transit van ?

[Simon13]

e39 wagons are big inside way more than a e46 which is pretty small. My sister has a 39 wagon for her two urchins

[gareth]

I was seriously considering a cheap beaten up old van to use purely for biking trips but that's another lot of MOT's, tax, insurance, repairs etc... that budget would allow me to get a whole load more car!

Could be an option though, then i could have a E46 compact daily! No need for space at all!

Simon, any gut feeling on two BMX sized bikes in the boot? ;)

[Brianmoooore]

E39 touring boot is 1100mm long at the bottom, along the floor, and 800mm long at load cover height.

[gareth]

You're a gent, ta! Being cheeky, what's the width?

[Brianmoooore]

1100mm, and fairly consistent at that figure all the way over, and most of the way up.

[gareth]

Cheers Brian

That's actually only about 100mm longer and wider than the E30 touring one, though access will be a lot easier.

Hmm, reckon it's a no-go for larger bikes here.

May be back to plan 1... a beaten up old van with 2 extra seats, just to use to take the bikes out and get covered in muck! then i can have a smal ldaily - no need for a touring that'll be odd!

[AndyG]

I've had an e39 touring and have a 46 now and the 39 would be my choice for family bikes. Plus I'd load on the roof using BMW's bar system, very good and easy to fit when used with some after-market bike carriers. You can fit 3 bikes with ease up there if you choose the right bike rack.

I've seen a number of issues with rear mounted racks though. We used to take 3 bikes in total, 2 up top and one inside at times, and with the rear seats split we all had good space to travel in comfort. But if you put them inside be prepared for all the mud, dirt, oil etc, so we always ended up lifting them on the roof and using the space inside for clothes, gear, pumps wheels or whatever else we were taking.

The e46, well I';d only now take a max of 3 on top, there is no space inside at all for people and bikes (unless its a folding bike).

Hope this helps.

The e39 though is a superb car.

Hope this helps