I am currently waiting for my new company car, a 216d Active Tourer. It was ordered in the start of May, and it will be delivered in the start of September. In some ways this car is not optimal in my view, but I had a few cars on a list to choose from:
- BMW 116d.
- BMW 216d AT.
- BMW 318d touring or sedan.
- Renault Megane touring.
- Renault Talisman.
- Renault Grand Scenic.
I first had my eyes on the 318d, but being a family with 3 kids, we had no chance to manage all the kids in the back seat.
I also tried the Grand Scenic, which was like a dream when it came to space - but really not a dream to sit behind the steering wheel. Nevertheless, I was prepared to choose the Grand Scenic, because we couldn´t use the 3-series (I tried to get approval for the bigger 318d GT - but it was rejected).
But, having the BMW brand on the list, it hurts to choose a Renault. So I decided to test the Active Tourer, just to be sure that I had tried as best as I could to become a BMW driver. I really did not believe that the quite small looking Active Tourer could be useful for our family.
Our kids are 1+6+9 years old, the smallest is seated in a rear facing seat - the middle one in a belt seat and the oldest one on a pillow. And hey, we managed to organize them all in the back seat. Every time I looked at the car I borrowed from the BMW dealer, my eyes and brain told me "No way, look at the car. Can´t you see how small it is?". But being the whole family inside it told me something else.
I have to say that I experienced the trunk a bit too small for us, but I think we can survive with a roof box for the longer journeys. The only test car the dealer had to me was also a 225xe, so I did´t get an impression of the compartment under the trunk.
My question is:
1) Do any other in this group have experience with 3 kids in F45? Are my impressions right when they tell me this will work well?
2) How big is the compartment under the trunk except in 225xe? Is it possible to place a regular suitcase there?
In the end I will just say that it´s crazy to order a 216d here in Norway, the 225xe has the same price tag. But I work in an international company, so the car list is for all of Europe - not special made for Norwegian taxes
- BMW 116d.
- BMW 216d AT.
- BMW 318d touring or sedan.
- Renault Megane touring.
- Renault Talisman.
- Renault Grand Scenic.
I first had my eyes on the 318d, but being a family with 3 kids, we had no chance to manage all the kids in the back seat.
I also tried the Grand Scenic, which was like a dream when it came to space - but really not a dream to sit behind the steering wheel. Nevertheless, I was prepared to choose the Grand Scenic, because we couldn´t use the 3-series (I tried to get approval for the bigger 318d GT - but it was rejected).
But, having the BMW brand on the list, it hurts to choose a Renault. So I decided to test the Active Tourer, just to be sure that I had tried as best as I could to become a BMW driver. I really did not believe that the quite small looking Active Tourer could be useful for our family.
Our kids are 1+6+9 years old, the smallest is seated in a rear facing seat - the middle one in a belt seat and the oldest one on a pillow. And hey, we managed to organize them all in the back seat. Every time I looked at the car I borrowed from the BMW dealer, my eyes and brain told me "No way, look at the car. Can´t you see how small it is?". But being the whole family inside it told me something else.
I have to say that I experienced the trunk a bit too small for us, but I think we can survive with a roof box for the longer journeys. The only test car the dealer had to me was also a 225xe, so I did´t get an impression of the compartment under the trunk.
My question is:
1) Do any other in this group have experience with 3 kids in F45? Are my impressions right when they tell me this will work well?
2) How big is the compartment under the trunk except in 225xe? Is it possible to place a regular suitcase there?
In the end I will just say that it´s crazy to order a 216d here in Norway, the 225xe has the same price tag. But I work in an international company, so the car list is for all of Europe - not special made for Norwegian taxes