How much can I fit in the Trunk? Here are your answers...

[///M///]

This is especially useful for all those doing Euro Delivery. My motivation to find this out was primarily because other than my wife and our one year old we have a close friend tagging along as well. This being a 16 day trip, luggage was a really big concern and more so with a one year old. We initially decided that we will do one medium suitcase that can be shared by my wife and daughter and two cabin size carry on's for the guys. Since we are primarily doing AirBnb, we will always have access to laundry Being able to fit the stroller in the trunk was a very high priority and that limited the number of the suitcases we could fit in. After getting some dimensions from a few forum folks I realized that two medium sizes and a small (cabin) size may be doable along with the stroller. So today I finally got the chance to test it out in a 3 series and was very happy to find out that it will fit (barely though).

I have attached a chart below that shows standard luggage sizes. These sizes are standard for all suitcases and will be similar for all brands.

Small - 21-22"
Medium - 24-25"
Large - 28-29"

The above sizes indicate length of the suitcases (not width) not including the wheels.

The 25" is usually made by Samsonite. I have found the 24" to be more common than the 25". But the 25" is a perfect fit (width-wise) for maximum use of space. The max width for laying suitcase side by side is 37". You can't go any bigger than the medium 25" suitcases if you have them laying side by side because the large suitcases are wider. If you go with 24-25" be rest assured that they will easily fit.

For us, we will be carrying the following and it is what I tested today:
Qty.2 Medium 25" [28" L (with wheels)x 18.25" W x 10" H)
Qty 1 Small 21" [22" L (with wheels)x 14" W x 9" H)
Qty. 1 Lightweight Stroller
Qty. 2 Backpacks

One more thing - if you don't have a stroller you should easily be able to fit another small (21-22") bag.

Onto the pictures..........

[Donger Kim]

wow this is actually very helpful. I was a bit concerned as my girlfriend and I will be doing alot of traveling before we even get to ED/Germany (Weve been living out of our suitcase traveling for 8 months now, but decided to head home and maybe drop some stuff off/reorganize). Initially I was thinking one large suitcase and a carryon + 1 backpack was what we had in mind. the problem is I generally carry around computer equipment (for work), which is why we go through our luggage allowence fairly quickly.

[MFNATIK]

Thanks dsm918 !!! I was going to go down to the dealership and try it pretty soon myself so thanks for posting this info!!! I have a close friend that wanted to come along too but I have two kids (5 and 7) so it might be a tight fit. The only upside is not stroller needed but need to check on the back seat room with two boosters.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

Thanks dsm918 !!! I was going to go down to the dealership and try it pretty soon myself so thanks for posting this info!!! I have a close friend that wanted to come along too but I have two kids (5 and 7) so it might be a tight fit. The only upside is not stroller needed but need to check on the back seat room with two boosters.

I would not count on fitting much inside the car if the back seats re taken. Guess with a 5 and 7 year old you will have room for backpacks and misc stuff. If you travel with four suitcases YI can easily do 2 medium and 2 small ones. You may be able to get away even with 3 mediums and a small but that's pushing it.

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by dsm918

I would not count on fitting much inside the car if the back seats re taken. Guess with a 5 and 7 year old you will have room for backpacks and misc stuff. If you travel with four suitcases YI can easily do 2 medium and 2 small ones. You may be able to get away even with 3 mediums and a small but that's pushing it.

I think you're right. Unfortunately it doesn't appear that it would be a great idea to have my friend tag along. If this was an F10 M5 then I'm think probably doable. But the F80 isn't that big hahah. Thanks for confirming my suspicions!

[NavyBeeker]

Thanks for showing us how it can be done and I'll be glad to have as much space as it will allow... I imagine for many who fall for these cars, the trunk space isn't going to be that important (more of a nice to have rather than a need to have).... but it sure does emphasize how great of an all-arounder this engineering marvel is!

[///M///]

Originally Posted by NavyBeeker

Thanks for showing us how it can be done and I'll be glad to have as much space as it will allow... I imagine for many who fall for these cars, the trunk space isn't going to be that important (more of a nice to have rather than a need to have).... but it sure does emphasize how great of an all-arounder this engineering marvel is!

No problem. You are right that most won't care about the trunk. I posted this thread exclusively for people doing euro delivery as a family with kids. That's when you really need to know what the trunk can or cannot fit

[Miamiboyca]

Originally Posted by dsm918

No problem. You are right that most won't care about the trunk. I posted this thread exclusively for people doing euro delivery as a family with kids. That's when you really need to know what the trunk can or cannot fit

I have to admit this never would have occurred to me but I dont have kids...lol I also did 7 days with just a carry on...

Pretty cool that you took the time to do this for folks. dsm918 I don't care what MFNATIK says about you, you're ok....

j/k guys

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by Miamiboyca

I have to admit this never would have occurred to me but I dont have kids...lol I also did 7 days with just a carry on...

Pretty cool that you took the time to do this for folks. dsm918 I don't care what MFNATIK says about you, you're ok....

j/k guys

Hahaha, oh come on. The only real asshole on this forum that I've encountered is that 49Laws guy hahaha

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by dsm918

No problem. You are right that most won't care about the trunk. I posted this thread exclusively for people doing euro delivery as a family with kids. That's when you really need to know what the trunk can or cannot fit

DSM, I went to my dealership with our suitcases to ensure they would fit properly in the trunk. Tested on an f30 for reference to my pending f80.

I might be wrong on this but I think the load floors are different. My two cases fit perfectly in the f30 side by side and flat. In my f80 one had to be canted at an angle due to the load floor not being flat at the outsides. If you're relying on room above your larger pieces you may be getting a false positive with the f30 test.

Hopefully this matters none at all to you, but it may be a very helpful heads up. Good luck with the trip.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

DSM, I went to my dealership with our suitcases to ensure they would fit properly in the trunk. Tested on an f30 for reference to my pending f80.

I might be wrong on this but I think the load floors are different. My two cases fit perfectly in the f30 side by side and flat. In my f80 one had to be canted at an angle due to the load floor not being flat at the outsides. If you're relying on room above your larger pieces you may be getting a false positive with the f30 test.

Hopefully this matters none at all to you, but it may be a very helpful heads up. Good luck with the trip.

Rowan. Thanks. The load floors in the one I tested on were not flat, they were flat for the majority of the width but then raised towards each side so both suitcases angles slightly upward on each side. They were raised on the sides similar to the F80. But since I am just putting a small bag (cabin size carry on) on top of the big suitcase, I expect it to be fine.

If you look at the pictures again you will notice the blue one is more obvious at not being flat on the floor. It is raised on the right side.

[OneRib]

Good thread dsm918 . I did this also and its very helpful.
A note though for everyone. You need to account for items purchased while on the trip and the bags being filled when you pack them. Its one thing to cram empty luggage in a trunk vs bags stuffed with clothes or fragile items.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by OneRib

Good thread dsm918 . I did this also and its very helpful.
A note though for everyone. You need to account for items purchased while on the trip and the bags being filled when you pack them. Its one thing to cram empty luggage in a trunk vs bags stuffed with clothes or fragile items.

Excellent Point. We all shop

Rowan, I found a picture of the F82 trunk I had taken from the local cars and coffee. In comparing that with the F30 trunk I can confirm they both have the raised section. See below pictures. They are identical. The first 2 pictures are for a F30 and the last one is a F82 M4.

[MFNATIK]

went to test fit at my dealer yesterday using an F30 since no F80s were available. I can say that this generation's trunk is equivalent if not just slightly bigger than the E60 5er.

[MFNATIK]

I didn't bring the backpacks and camera bag, but I suspect with 4 backpacks everything should be a decent fit. For reference that is a 30" suitcase and a 28" REI Wheely Beast (empty). My main concern was the side to side fit.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

I didn't bring the backpacks and camera bag, but I suspect with 4 backpacks everything should be a decent fit. For reference that is a 30" suitcase and a 28" REI Wheely Beast (empty). My main concern was the side to side fit.

Looks like you went the full size suitcase

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by dsm918

Looks like you went the full size suitcase

haha, yeah, I usually use two of those for domestic and international travel but usually we are at a hotel or resort. This is the first time doing an international road trip and not many trunks can take 2 full size hardside suitcases. Luckily two of those fit in the back of a E39 touring.

[RocketBoots]

Originally Posted by dsm918

This is especially useful for all those doing Euro Delivery. My motivation to find this out was primarily because other than my wife and our one year old we have a close friend tagging along as well. This being a 16 day trip, luggage was a really big concern and more so with a one year old. We initially decided that we will do one medium suitcase that can be shared by my wife and daughter and two cabin size carry on's for the guys, but then realized the truth: one medium size and two cabin size for the wife and daughter, pants and jacket pockets for the guys.

I corrected your post for you, of what's actually going to happen

Also, don't forget the cubby under the floor of the trunk. You could stuff a small backpack, cameras, beverages, and possibly a 1 yr old child (if you took out the mobility kit)

One of the main things I don't like about the trunk is that the levers/hinges are inside the compartment, instead of hydraulic and outside (like a 235, or older BMW's). It wastes a lot of space if you're packing to the max.

Sounds like it will be a fun trip

[///M///]

Originally Posted by RocketBoots

I corrected your post for you, of what's actually going to happen

Also, don't forget the cubby under the floor of the trunk. You could stuff a small backpack, cameras, beverages, and possibly a 1 yr old child (if you took out the mobility kit)

[Bluex]

Glad you worked this out.....sorry I was so negligent in getting measurements to you! For whatever reason it kept slipping in and out of my consciousness....

[///M///]

Originally Posted by Bluex

Glad you worked this out.....sorry I was so negligent in getting measurements to you! For whatever reason it kept slipping in and out of my consciousness....

No worries, you helped out enough on many other things

[Miamiboyca]

You two want a room? Lol