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      01-03-2016, 02:13 PM   #1
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The moral implications of using an M3 as a year round family vehicle

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You have a family of 5 and choose to have an m3 as your only vehicle? ...

I'm sorry if this comes off wrong, but, man, where are your priorities?
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      01-03-2016, 02:15 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dds007 View Post
You have a family of 5 and choose to have an m3 as your only vehicle? ...


I'm sorry if this comes off wrong, but, man, where are your priorities?
What is wrong with that?
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      01-03-2016, 02:18 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SakhirM4
Quote:
Originally Posted by dds007 View Post
You have a family of 5 and choose to have an m3 as your only vehicle? ...


I'm sorry if this comes off wrong, but, man, where are your priorities?
What is wrong with that?
Well,

1- knowing it snows in your area, you choose to have a rwd car.

2- it's not exactly an inexpensive type of car. For the same money, he could've had a luxury suv, like an x5 that's awd and a little more family friendly.

3- don't know how old the other kids are, but, I do know you would only be able to fit 2 car seats in the back at most. (Remember, family of 5).

Just seems somewhat irresponsible in his situation. I mean the only saving grace is that he had appropriate snow tires.
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      01-03-2016, 02:21 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dds007 View Post
You have a family of 5 and choose to have an m3 as your only vehicle? ...


I'm sorry if this comes off wrong, but, man, where are your priorities?
What should he get instead? I don't really understand what a family and an M3 have to do with anything? I assume by your comment you mean he cant fit 5 people in the M3 and should have a minivan or something similar?
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      01-03-2016, 02:25 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dds007 View Post
Well,

1- knowing it snows in your area, you choose to have a rwd car.

2- it's not exactly an inexpensive type of car. For the same money, he could've had a luxury suv, like an x5 that's awd and a little more family friendly.

3- don't know how old the other kids are, but, I do know you would only be able to fit 2 car seats in the back at most. (Remember, family of 5).

Just seems somewhat irresponsible in his situation. I mean the only saving grace is that he had appropriate snow tires.
Okay, but those are personal choices. We raised two kids - never had anything but a rwd car; never had an SUV or wagon; always had a BMW. My family did fine and my kids grew up fine. Different people choose to do things differently. OP has an M3 as his family car.
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      01-03-2016, 02:28 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by SakhirM4 View Post
Okay, but those are personal choices. We raised two kids - never had anything but a rwd car; never had an SUV or wagon; always had a BMW. My family did fine and my kids grew up fine. Different people choose to do things differently. OP has an M3 as his family car.
Im not judging. But, you live in Austin, where it does NOT snow. So, yes, i think you could get away with driving an m3 as a family car.
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      01-03-2016, 02:30 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by 04cobra View Post
What should he get instead? I don't really understand what a family and an M3 have to do with anything? I assume by your comment you mean he cant fit 5 people in the M3 and should have a minivan or something similar?
Post #3 has my response.
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      01-03-2016, 02:37 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dds007 View Post
Well,

1- knowing it snows in your area, you choose to have a rwd car.

2- it's not exactly an inexpensive type of car. For the same money, he could've had a luxury suv, like an x5 that's awd and a little more family friendly.

3- don't know how old the other kids are, but, I do know you would only be able to fit 2 car seats in the back at most. (Remember, family of 5).

Just seems somewhat irresponsible in his situation. I mean the only saving grace is that he had appropriate snow tires.
Don't mean to be a downer, but I have to agree with all of this. Especially since OP said it was their ONLY car. I have no problems with driving an M3/4 in the snow and I obviously love the car. But, no way in hell would it be my single vehicle choice for the weather conditions and large family hauler.

Maybe there is more to the story and they are without a second vehicle for whatever reason. Even though I think you got very lucky, I'm obviously glad it worked out the way it did OP and congrats on the new family member!

Last edited by minn19; 01-03-2016 at 07:00 PM..
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      01-03-2016, 02:37 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by dds007 View Post
Im not judging. But, you live in Austin, where it does NOT snow. So, yes, i think you could get away with driving an m3 as a family car.
I live in Austin now. I lived in Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Northern California, Southern California which all had snow and winter weather.
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      01-03-2016, 02:40 PM   #10
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Where else but this forum would we get people turning a great story into a chastising the OP for owning the wrong vehicle for his family. C'mon people.
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      01-03-2016, 02:46 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SakhirM4 View Post
Where else but this forum would we get people turning a great story into a chastising for owning the wrong vehicle for his family. C'mon people.
x2 -- and clearly with 225 wide studless ice/snow tires it performs well
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      01-03-2016, 02:47 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SakhirM4 View Post
Where else but this forum would we get people turning a great story into a chastising for owning the wrong vehicle for his family. C'mon people.
I normally agree with almost everything you say, but I think we are still allowed to have our own opinion. Like I said, I'm obviously very happy the way it turned out, but IMO, OP got somewhat/very lucky they didn't need EMS to come help deliver a baby in the ditch or side of the road. 10 inches of snow is no joke with the clearance issues of these cars. Happens all the time in cars that are supposedly better equipped for the snow.
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      01-03-2016, 02:53 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dds007
Quote:
Originally Posted by 04cobra View Post
What should he get instead? I don't really understand what a family and an M3 have to do with anything? I assume by your comment you mean he cant fit 5 people in the M3 and should have a minivan or something similar?
This was my response:

1- knowing it snows in your area, you choose to have a rwd car.

2- it's not exactly an inexpensive type of car. For the same money, he could've had a luxury suv, like an x5 that's awd and a little more family friendly.

3- don't know how old the other kids are, but, I do know you would only be able to fit 2 car seats in the back at most. (Remember, family of 5).

Just seems somewhat irresponsible in his situation. I mean the only saving grace is that he had appropriate snow tires.
If he had a a Camry instead would it make a diff? Or a crossover that's just a sedan raised up? All seat 5 ...he had a snow tires ready and he made it.. He seems plenty responsible.

The illusion that you need SUVs for average families is why we don't get any cool wagons and hatchbacks stateside.

I see nothing wrong w his choice to have an m3 as his family car., I have two kids myself and its
my family car too.

Congrats op!
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      01-03-2016, 02:57 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minn19 View Post
I normally agree with almost everything you say, but I think we are still allowed to have our own opinion. Like I said, I'm obviously very happy the way it turned out, but IMO, OP got somewhat/very lucky they didn't need EMS to come help deliver a baby in the ditch or side of the road. 10 inches of snow is no joke with the clearance issues of these cars. Happens all the time in cars that are supposedly better equipped for the snow.
TY Minn. Yes, this was only ONE opinion, mine. I'm also glad it worked out for the OP, but surely, if he can PLAN to have snow tires, why not PLAN to have a more suitable type of car to have in winter conditions? Like I said, an m3 is not inexpensive, for the same money, you have quite the array of choices.

I guess some of us just care about the well being of our family a little more than the "cool sports car" we have in the drive way. Sad world when you can't see that.
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      01-03-2016, 02:59 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dds007
I guess some of us just care about the well being of our family a little more than the "cool sports car" we have in the drive way. Sad world when you can't see that.
^ What is sad about this story is some assuming they know better than the op while they know nothing about him... And the parental judging.
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      01-03-2016, 03:00 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dds007 View Post
I guess some of us just care about the well being of our family a little more than the "cool sports car" we have in the drive way. Sad world when some can't see that.
WOW, just WOW! If you don't do it my way, you are doing it wrong?
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      01-03-2016, 03:02 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dds007
Quote:
Originally Posted by 04cobra View Post
What should he get instead? I don't really understand what a family and an M3 have to do with anything? I assume by your comment you mean he cant fit 5 people in the M3 and should have a minivan or something similar?
This was my response:

1- knowing it snows in your area, you choose to have a rwd car.

2- it's not exactly an inexpensive type of car. For the same money, he could've had a luxury suv, like an x5 that's awd and a little more family friendly.

3- don't know how old the other kids are, but, I do know you would only be able to fit 2 car seats in the back at most. (Remember, family of 5).

Just seems somewhat irresponsible in his situation. I mean the only saving grace is that he had appropriate snow tires.
I get what your saying, but misconceptions seem to be clouding your opinion.

Despite what most people think, you can drive a RWD car in the snow, especially when equipped with studless ice/snow tires. The driver has a lot to do with it too. In the same storm, i passed by a couple of SUV's that were stuck in my M3 with the michelin xi3s. Ground clearance would be the only big issue.

In terms of space, most SUV's dont have much more space over the M3, other than the full size ones with 3rd row seating.

There are millions of families that have just a camry, accord, civic, etc... as their only car. Same space and just slightly more ground clearance than the M3. They are FWD but with all seasons. I would take a RWD with studless ice/snow tires any day over FWD with all seasons. I would guess that 95% of those with eco family sedans never change out their tires for the winter.

May not be as practical as a minivan or large SUV, but not irresponsible.
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      01-03-2016, 03:04 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dinh335 View Post
If he had a a Camry instead would it make a diff? Or a crossover that's just a sedan raised up? All seat 5 ...he had a snow tires ready and he made it.. He seems plenty responsible.

The illusion that you need SUVs for average families is why we don't get any cool wagons and hatchbacks stateside.

I see nothing wrong w his choice to have an m3 as his family car., I have two kids myself and its
my family car too.

Congrats op!
He could have bought a RR/x5 for the same price. It seems to me he created this post because he was "surprised" he made it and was grateful to have made it.

Why risk it? -- I wouldnt want to risk my newborn child or wife.
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      01-03-2016, 03:05 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SakhirM4 View Post
Where else but this forum would we get people turning a great story into a chastising for owning the wrong vehicle for his family. C'mon people.
+1


Quote:
Originally Posted by minn19 View Post
I normally agree with almost everything you say, but I think we are still allowed to have our own opinion. Like I said, I'm obviously very happy the way it turned out, but IMO, OP got somewhat/very lucky they didn't need EMS to come help deliver a baby in the ditch or side of the road. 10 inches of snow is no joke with the clearance issues of these cars. Happens all the time in cars that are supposedly better equipped for the snow.

No disrespect...but just because one may have an opinion, doesn't mean it needs to always be written or verbalized. Sometimes the voices in ones head are better off not being shared. (Once again, nothing personal)

.
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      01-03-2016, 03:06 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dds007 View Post
Im not judging. But, you live in Austin, where it does NOT snow. So, yes, i think you could get away with driving an m3 as a family car.
Lots of people use M3s as a family car in a snowy climate. I do, although my wife also has a car as well. Would I have an M3 as my only car, particularly if I had three kids rather than two? Probably not, but I don't see it as a big issue as long as either he or his wife isn't in need of transportation when the other is away.

Maybe the OP should have called 911 so an irresponsible paramedic in a RWD ambulance could have come picked him up.
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      01-03-2016, 03:08 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PodDoc View Post
I get what your saying, but misconceptions seem to be clouding your opinion.

Despite what most people think, you can drive a RWD car in the snow, especially when equipped with studless ice/snow tires. The driver has a lot to do with it too. In the same storm, i passed by a couple of SUV's that were stuck in my M3 with the michelin xi3s. Ground clearance would be the only big issue.

In terms of space, most SUV's dont have much more space over the M3, other than the full size ones with 3rd row seating.

There are millions of families that have just a camry, accord, civic, etc... as their only car. Same space and just slightly more ground clearance than the M3. They are FWD but with all seasons. I would take a RWD with studless ice/snow tires any day over FWD with all seasons. I would guess that 95% of those with eco family sedans never change out their tires for the winter.

May not be as practical as a minivan or large SUV, but not irresponsible.
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      01-03-2016, 03:08 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dinh335 View Post
^ What is sad about this story is some assuming they know better than the op while they know nothing about him... And the parental judging.
The part I don't get is that it is the OPs families ONLY car for three kids now! I'm not trying to be judge mental, but there are some very serious realities to deal with living where we do. I don't think an M3/4 or any low slung RWD sports car is the correct car to depend on for everything the family needs while dealing with weather realities. Flame me all you want, but this is one case if they only can have one car where an AWD minivan, SUV or truck (equipped with winter tires) is the right answer. If you can have ONLY one car.

I agree with dds007. If they have put all of their money in to affording one expesive car then it was a very poor choice. I don't see how it is an inescapable thought for some here to think it would've been a better idea to spend that 60-80k on two cars. Again, just my opinion and like I said in an earlier post, maybe there is more to the story and they in the process of getting a second car. But, I can only go on what OP has told us. And no, I wouldn't have chose this to be my families only option because I had to have an M3/4 above the well being of my family. Call me crazy I guess.
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