[guy_in_the_bmw]

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice / opinions as I'm trying to decide between the F31 or F36, mainly in terms of practicality and boot space.

Originally was set on getting a 340i Touring, but they don't seem to be very common in the UK, so started looking at 440i Gran Coupes as there is a lot more choice.

Recently had my first baby so need something bigger than what we have now and with there only being 15 litres between the two boots, hoping for some first hand experiences (and maybe pictures) of how you get on with either. Rear seats is less of an issue as adults won't be in the back much, mainly a car seat!

Basically trying to decide whether a 440i GC will be suitable or whether I should be waiting out for a good Touring to come up.

Thanks!

[TodmordenLad]

Owned both, an F31 330d and an F36 440i. The F31 was a better family car, just. My kids have long since left home but the F31 was better for the dog and luggage. The tailgate is more upright which helps with larger items.

However, if you've just got the one child and they're in a car seat, and you want the B58 engine, I'd get the F36. It's prettier and there are more 440i's around.

[jc62b]

Also, remember that the F36 has 60/40 split folding rear seats too. Much nicer looking car too the Gran Coupe, in my opinion.

[waltdeuce]

The F31 has enough room and still drives well. Looks better than the other version.
https://www.graffixoutfitter.com/Photos/Old-and-Present-Rides/i-PVrDLh2

[Billfitz]

F31 over F36 as a family car, F34 over both as a family car.

[anielsen71]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

F31 over F36 as a family car, F34 over both as a family car.

But the F36 is the prettiest of them all!
….I'm biased…….. :-)

[waltdeuce]

Link below provides better info than I can and it's on point.
The GC has smaller rear headroom. The F31 has a pseudo double hatch where both the window and tailgate can be opened. Super cool.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202306

[Danddd]

The F31 is so useful. I've carried straw bales (2) and other lug worthy things. Our Chow Chow fits nicely in the back. BMW did a good job designing the space to make it useful. Great for trips when you need to bring a lot of stuff to the cabin in Wisconsin. The hatch plus being able to open the rear window is cool and pretty exclusive at this point. The lighter weight 4 cylinder makes it a bit more toss-able for driving. The 4 series hatch is nice too, better looking(debatable though), more engine upgrades, just less usefulness in the rear cargo area.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by anielsen71

But the F36 is the prettiest of them all!

I'd probably drive an F36, if I didn't care about the comfort of those poor souls riding in the back seat, and if I didn't care about not being able to fit more than a couple of bags of groceries in the trunk. But I do care.

[anielsen71]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I'd probably drive an F36, if I didn't care about the comfort of those poor souls riding in the back seat, and if I didn't care about not being able to fit more than a couple of bags of groceries in the trunk. But I do care.

Depends on the size of your grocery bags….
Or the size of your family.

But yes, it has the smallest luggage space of the three
And there are solutions for that…
https://www.carfitbags.com/product-e...SET-5-PCS.html

[Techno 9000]

I have one teenage daughter, so no experience of my F36 with a baby seat, but ISOFIX ought to make the securingof it a doddle compared to when my daughter was young. . However, the boot space is good, the hatch back, split folding seats (that basically go flat) plus under floor storage all being strong points.
Remembering back to the hatchback I had when our daughter was a baby I would say it's every bit as spacious in the boot, if not a little more, sure you'll pack out every bit of space on a holiday, but that's what we all do, take the 'kitchen sink'.
We've recently returned from a holiday in Scotland, where all the needs of the two ladies and myself were accommodated well, three cabin bags, camera equipment, vanity cases, walking kit and more. (A bit more than a 'couple of bags of groceries!)
Plenty of room for tall adults (6') in both front and back at the same time.
In terms of getting in and out of the car, I find the frameless glass of the windows a boon, a double press of the unlock on the remote fob rolls the windows as low as they go on opening the door, which gives greater accessibility in parking bays if you can't open the doors wide.

[Tallest]

Get X5 for family needs if you can. Grand Touring as family car is worse than Touring…

[alohasurftoad]

if you tend to keep your cars awhile, F31

otherwise F36 for the time being, for yourself. as your child gets older or you have more children you'll make the switch to a wagon, suv, or van. your mentality will have evolved from what you want to what's practical during this time.

[WDE82]

Clearly the F31 is the most practical. Is that available with the B58 in Europe? That'd be sick. Otherwise it's only between the F30 and F36 if you want the B58. The F34 is the ugliest BMW made until the G80 M3 so that's clearly not an option.

The F36 offers the power lift trunk lid which is pretty sweet. You can program the car to allow power close as well.

Originally Posted by anielsen71

Depends on the size of your grocery bags….
Or the size of your family.

But yes, it has the smallest luggage space of the three
And there are solutions for that…
https://www.carfitbags.com/product-e...SET-5-PCS.html

The F36 trunk capacity is 17.0 cubic feet with the parcel shelf installed. The F30 capacity is 16.9 cubic feet. In the F36 you can remove the parcel shelf and fold the seats down and you get ~46 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

In addition to that the F36 is the better looking of the two so there's that as well (yes I realize I'm stating this like it's not a matter of opinion haha).

F36 hands down and yes I'm biased, but this is basically what it came down to when I was picking between the two. The F36 is simply a slightly better F30.

[anielsen71]

Originally Posted by WDE82

Clearly the F31 is the most practical. Is that available with the B58 in Europe? That'd be sick. Otherwise it's only between the F30 and F36 if you want the B58. The F34 is the ugliest BMW made until the G80 M3 so that's clearly not an option.

The F36 offers the power lift trunk lid which is pretty sweet. You can program the car to allow power close as well.

The F36 trunk capacity is 17.0 cubic feet with the parcel shelf installed. The F30 capacity is 16.9 cubic feet. In the F36 you can remove the parcel shelf and fold the seats down and you get ~46 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

In addition to that the F36 is the better looking of the two so there's that as well (yes I realize I'm stating this like it's not a matter of opinion haha).

F36 hands down and yes I'm biased, but this is basically what it came down to when I was picking between the two. The F36 is simply a slightly better F30.

Hi there.
You are probably right regarding the luggage space, I haven't checked the numbers.
But it was a question about choosing between the F31, F34 and F36. Not the F30 :-)

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by anielsen71

Hi there.
You are probably right regarding the luggage space, I haven't checked the numbers.
But it was a question about choosing between the F31, F34 and F36. Not the F30 :-)

Oh yeah deeerrrp on my part. I'd bet the GT has a bit more space but it's FUGLY so it's out.

[HarryTee]

The 36 is a likable jack of more trades here (an attractive all-rounder), but if your need for a particular aspect is very strong, eg. back space, then you're better off picking one that is made specifically for that need.

[AMG KLR]

F36 is tight in the back but surprisingly more functional than I thought

I am 26 with no family which lets me get away with it. However I will say I am quite proud of how useful it was helping me move. It pulled its weight with the trunk for sure

[QuikSilver_]

Originally Posted by AMG KLR

F36 is tight in the back but surprisingly more functional than I thought

I am 26 with no family which lets me get away with it. However I will say I am quite proud of how useful it was helping me move. It pulled its weight with the trunk for sure

This. I'm 30 with no family and just moved out of my old apartment a couple of weeks ago. Whatever little things didn't go into the storage, went into my car. Rear seats folded down, I had the car packed to the brim, with surprisingly more things than you would think would fit into a small car like an F36. It's definitely more functional than it looks!

Also, nice car AMG KLR!

[Rasco]

I've owned many 3 series Touring's and I have an F36 440i GC currently, honestly the remote electric hatch on the GC is extremely wide opening and convenient, I Have 1 son and a second on the way and plan to run this as the family car with pram etc and the boot
Is ample, got a roof box and bike rack for holidays, it's a good looking comfortable family GT that handles well and has a peach of an engine and with the CF splitter and spoiler it's honestly a beautiful car all round, I'd pick the F36 over a 31, the tourings are great but the size and convenience are not that much better compared to the GC, you won't regret it.

[muitommy]

Originally Posted by Techno 9000

I have one teenage daughter, so no experience of my F36 with a baby seat, but ISOFIX ought to make the securingof it a doddle compared to when my daughter was young. . However, the boot space is good, the hatch back, split folding seats (that basically go flat) plus under floor storage all being strong points.
Remembering back to the hatchback I had when our daughter was a baby I would say it's every bit as spacious in the boot, if not a little more, sure you'll pack out every bit of space on a holiday, but that's what we all do, take the 'kitchen sink'.
We've recently returned from a holiday in Scotland, where all the needs of the two ladies and myself were accommodated well, three cabin bags, camera equipment, vanity cases, walking kit and more. (A bit more than a 'couple of bags of groceries!)
Plenty of room for tall adults (6') in both front and back at the same time.
In terms of getting in and out of the car, I find the frameless glass of the windows a boon, a double press of the unlock on the remote fob rolls the windows as low as they go on opening the door, which gives greater accessibility in parking bays if you can't open the doors wide.

I recently found the double click trick as well, really a breeze. I like the borderless window because of its look and now I found the practical side of the borderless window!

[Rasco]

One issue I do find is that when fitting an isofix in either rear seat of the GC, specifically an isofix seat using the normal seatbelt.

Basically when you feed the seatbelt through the guide on the isofix seat, due to the seatbelt opening at the top on the car being curved, the seatbelt doesn't retract when fitted, leaving a large amount of loose seatbelt. This happens with two separate brands of car seat. I have to feed it back through to get it taut?

Anyone else found this? Maybe the seatbelt retraction force needs adjustment or replacing? It happens on both sides of the car as well.