[TheBear]

Dear All,
First of all - let me say a BIG Thank You for all your posts and the kind words. I'm really impressed having got so many replies and also practical advice from already experienced parents and/or BMW owners and all of that in just one day!
This being said, I'd like to summarize a few repeated comments:
- Many of you recommended switching to F11 - I hear you, but already too late to change the model. Plus I'm considering changing to break/station wagon if 2nd kid arrives, but that's not on the plan yet, so I stick to F10.
- Not recommended upgrading to nappa leather - Ok, you convinced me staying with Dakota. I guess leather dash also useless in that case...
- Avoiding ventilated seats or taking protection for rear seats - in that case I'd just avoid that option (Switzerland being in the "middle" between South and North Europe has a fantastic climate - not too cold and not too hot either- so ventilated seats are not necessarily a must...)
- Taking rear auto sunblind side ones - that's already on order
- Taking Dynamic Drive / adjustable dumpers - that's already on order ( active steering)
- Rear entertainment not necessary for now - I agree it's a cool feature, but most of you are right, it's quite useless with a new born kid. Maybe for the next car (iPad 2 to be considered as well )
- Upgrade to 19" 331 - still not clear, some of you say it's really nice, but doesn't it worsen the driving comfort (vs 18" rft's turbine style)? With dynamic drive / adjustable dumpers should work fine, no? Please comment on driving experience.
Again, thanks a lot for all your help and any additional advice welcome :-)
Mikhail (TheBear)

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by TheBear

- Upgrade to 19" 331 - still not clear, some of you say it's really nice, but doesn't it worsen the driving comfort (vs 18" rft's turbine style)? With dynamic drive / adjustable dumpers should work fine, no? Please comment on driving experience.

19" or even 20" are absolutely no problem whatsoever. The F10s (active) suspension can cope with it and comfort is still excellent.

[guji]

Quick note.. for the extra money left, did you consider buying the tire/wheel protection plan? I would highly recommend that.

Otherwise, I would recommend the 19'' wheels.. those are cool and comfortable! I have them and I love them.

[TheBear]

Originally Posted by guji

Quick note.. for the extra money left, did you consider buying the tire/wheel protection plan? I would highly recommend that.

I'm not sure that exists in Switzerland??? But I will check. Thanks

[dave70]

My son watches videos on the I pad - rear seat entertainment is pricey...

[sparoz]

Hi Guys, sorry to revive an old thread and it is great info. My wife is expecting so we have to change her coupe to something bigger. I have been test driving the F11 and absolutely love it even though the X5 is better value. The only other question I have is it good to have a Sunroof for the baby so he/she can look around? Or the sunlight is going to be a problem and we will never use it? I am looking at keeping the car for 3-4 years. What about the Sun glazing, is it still a good idea to have the shades even I am already getting the glazing?

Many thanks

[yohanlawrence]

hi - on a slightly related subject - I have 3 (yes 3) x 5 year olds, and need to find a way of securing the kids in the back. There's no laws here on car seats(yes that's crazy). Have 3 regular car seats which fit in the Kia Sorrento we have, but the way the seats are on the F10 the seats won't fit. Have a booster seat too, but they are quite wide so can't get 3 in ... any thoughts or advise welcome !

[The Mewster]

As a father of a five year old and three year old twins (who are only now able to fit into my car as they are only just in booster seats) without a doubt I'd say F11 and the power opening/closing boot.

You won't have a problem with the F10 initially when they are little, it's going to be in a couple of years time when you have more stuff to cart around, and possibly another little one!

But, saying that I'm sure you'll love whatever you get.... (car that is, rather than child...)

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by sparoz

Hi Guys, sorry to revive an old thread and it is great info. My wife is expecting so we have to change her coupe to something bigger. I have been test driving the F11 and absolutely love it even though the X5 is better value. The only other question I have is it good to have a Sunroof for the baby so he/she can look around? Or the sunlight is going to be a problem and we will never use it? I am looking at keeping the car for 3-4 years. What about the Sun glazing, is it still a good idea to have the shades even I am already getting the glazing?

Many thanks

Took my son about 3 years to get used to the sunroof. Depends on how often you drive alone. With the kid in the car, you'll always want it closed.

[joy5]

Good luck on the future arrival...

I got 2 kids, 5+ and 8 months... little disappointed with the back seat space... compared to the length of the car, could have more space back in there. Not sure if F11 offer more back seat room.

I've got the folding seats, ordered not just because of the kids, but for transportation.

[deejaygee]

I fit 3 kids 3

[pharding]

Oyster Black will be trashed by a child with time. Black interior is much better.

[Rochdale Pioneers]

I've got a 10 yr old, a 3 yr old, and a baby due to be born any day now, and an F10 on order for August. Absolutely didn't want coal-hole black interior, toyed with Oyster Black but decided I'd spend forever wiping marks off it. So I've gone for Cinnamon Brown - the marmite of the interior trim world - which for me looks fabulous in combination with the white exterior.

I agree with some of the comments being made about space - I'm in an E91 at the moment which already has a bot which isn't quite big enough. But as there's no F11 on my company car list and I have to pay cash for any options, I think that a roof box when I need to haul absolutely everything around will do the job. For the vast majority of the time there will just be me in the car, so we'll find a way to cope with max luggage demands!

Did I mention cash for options? So instead of spending stupid amounts of money for shades or dark glass on the options list, I'm going to buy some of these which from what I've seen do the same job of shades AND darkening the glass without being too expensive.

Cars and fatherhood. A nice dilemma to have!

[BavarianCraving]

Congratulations!! Agree with most of the above, also I understand there is a UV protectant coating available from the factory in addition to the sunshades (which are also a great idea). ABSOLUTELY do not get the beautiful but less rugged nappa leather, as the average child would probably have its way with it within a few months.

Maybe consider changing from the oyster also, as my friend with that interior (and a 2 year old boy) no longer has oyster, it's more of a beige from all the usual nastiness.

Go for the 19's if you like them. I have and love them, and the ride in normal is smooth as you could ever want. Kick it to sport or sport plus, and it's a more enjoyable experience for you

Personally, I think the F10 is the better looking car, and it seems to have plenty of trunk space for my wife and I, but then again we have never tried to cram a baby buggy into it. F11 is great looking as well, and certainly more unique.

I don't think you can really go wrong from what you ordered, though. Good luck!

[sparoz]

Thanks everyone, looks like I need to select black. Although in Sunny Australia - black just soak up so much heat.

[Rochdale Pioneers]

Right folks, the car is here and I thought I'd post an update on space. 3 kids aged 10, 3 and 7 weeks. The baby is in a Graco rear face seat which clicks onto a non-ISOFIX base on the left rear seat. My 10 year old is in the middle, and my 3 year old on a front-face Graco non-ISOFIX seat on the right. They all fit comfortably!

As for boot space, yes the buggy takes up 2/3rds the width. But plenty of space for bags down the 1/3rd side, on top and in the shoulder areas at the front. I'm certain I will need a roof box for major trips away, but balanced against that is my wife and the baby both liking use of a sling rather than a buggy....

One thing that needs buying and quickly are some sun shades. Thinking of getting the proper BMW ones. Will report back.

[sanf]

Picked up my 535xi m sport last week. Blk/blk. Rear shades for my 9 months old. Riding in style while keeping the kid happy. The only thing I found is the backseats being a little tight with the carseat. need a 750il next haha

[sundance]

Originally Posted by Rochdale Pioneers

One thing that needs buying and quickly are some sun shades. Thinking of getting the proper BMW ones. Will report back.

Highly recommend these! Expensive but worth it. Following the advice of others on here, I just went for the rear side windows and didn't purchase the rear windscreen cover (which is seen as less useful)...

[Rochdale Pioneers]

Originally Posted by sundance

Highly recommend these! Expensive but worth it. Following the advice of others on here, I just went for the rear side windows and didn't purchase the rear windscreen cover (which is seen as less useful)...

How much was it just for the side ones? How does it look with them just on the sides? They're not so much shades as window darkeners from the outside.

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by Rochdale Pioneers

How does it look with them just on the sides? They're not so much shades as window darkeners from the outside.

You're right about that. I have the OEM rear tint plus the BMW sun shades. The backseat of the car looks pitch-black from the outside. Actually, kinda funny because behind the mean looking blacked out window there's just my little baby son happily smiling.