White Roof Radio #216

Timmee Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Well done, Gabe!

Timmee Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

MINI Baby Racer

dickdavid Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Congrats on the BIG news!

DavidB Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Congrats from the UK :-)

c4 Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Gabe, congratulations on your upcoming bundle of Joy!!!!

Indeed, it is a life changing event, but one that you and your wife will be very glad to be part of.

From the bottom of my heart, I am very happy for the both of you, seriously man!

One word of advice… Get lots and lots of sleep between now and the time your baby is born. Do lots of things together and do some travelling if you can.

I would say the first 3 months are sort of a rough adjusting period, but after that, its a wlak in the park.

And in regards to the 1-series…. I think it will be a great choice for you. That little coupe has your name written all over it.

Hint: If you are going for the 135i, do EURO DELIVERY!

c4 Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Boy or girl?

c4 Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Yes getting the baby in and out from the boot is the best way to go about it when they are riding rear facing. I did this with my son until the time he was 11 months. I loved the stares we got when we were placing the baby in the “trunk”.

c4 Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Oh yeah, and prepare yourself to see lots and lots of poop!

Vanwall Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Way to go, Pops!

rkw Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Congratulations, Gabe!

I’m not so sure that a 1 series coupe is a logical step. While rear access would certainly be easier than a MINI (except Clubman), it will still be awkward during the early years for lifting and strapping in the child. It is having 4 doors that makes a world of difference during this time.

c4 Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

We have 2 MINIs. I have a 15 month old boy. Neither car has been a problem and have not heed the need to have a 4 door vehicle. The MINI (Sans boot space) is a surprisingly kid friendly car.

My baby has only ridden in MINIs since he was born. He was brought home from the hospital in my wife’s ‘02. My ‘05 has been the roadtrip/family car for all this time…no problemos.

From this perspective, I would question a little Gabe’s wisdom in selling his R56 and going to a 1-series. The MINI is simply more practical because it is a hatchback, something the 135i is not. When my son started to ride rear facing in his own car seat (Britax Roundabout)the easiest and most comfortable way to put him back there was through the rear hatch opening. Open the hatch (Keep the left seatback folded down) and pluck him in there, fasten the seat belts, close hatch, you are good to go. You just get so used to do it this way that it becomes second nature. For the first year, the little ones must ride rear facing.

If mommy wants to ride in the back alongside him, just fold back up the left seatback and problem solved. Another way to put the baby in the back, is to have mommy or daddy seat in the rear seat first and then hand over the baby to be seated in the car seat.

The problem with the 1-series (Or any other coupe with a separate trunk for that matter) is that you can’t do the same thing that you could do in the MINI, and that is, to put the baby through the back. If anything, to have to place the baby in the back of a 1-series day in and day out is going to get real old and real quick.

On the plus side though, the trunk in the 135i is perhaps bigger than that of the R56 with the rear seats up.

My baby has been riding forward facing since November and its been great. You regain a few inches of leg room in the front passenger seat and it is easier to put them in and out of the car seat.

Some people CRINGE at the idea of having to deal with a 2 door car and a baby. It is doable and not as bad as some make it out to be. If you love the car, you’ll find the way to make it accomodating.

Now, we will be taking delivery of a new Clubman in a month’s time. Having the rear “clubdoor” and slightly bigger boot is going to be the icing on the cake. If the first 15-16 months we dealt with 2 standard MINI hardtops, the Clubman is going to be a walk in the park by comparison.

Maybe Gabe should think about the Clubman. Even a decked out Clubman with JCW will probably be a little easier on the wallet than a 135i. You don’t have to give up your MINI, your handling, your ride and the added bonus is a more family friendly car.

My vote is definetely for the Clubman.

Ken Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

rkw Jan 22nd, 2008 Link Congratulations, Gabe! I’m not so sure that a 1 series coupe is a logical step. While rear access would certainly be easier than a MINI (except Clubman), it will still be awkward during the early years for lifting and strapping in the child. It is having 4 doors that makes a world of difference during this time.

I have to disagree with your thinking that the rear seat access in a 1 series would be easier than a MINI. I have a 2year old and have no problem getting him in or out. With the MINI’s wide door it’s never been a problem. As for 4 doors, it is no doubt easier, but it’s a state of mind. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

Get the 1 and enjoy.

c4 Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

In a four door car you have to grab the baby and enter sideways to put him/her in the car seat. I honestly don’t find this comfortable at all. It is so much easier (when they are riding rear facing) to open up the hatch and plunk them in the seat from the boot. It is soo easy, a baby can do it!

The MINI’s door open 90 degrees, but you don’t need to open them that wide to access the rear seat anyway.

hector M. Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Congratulations Gabe

rkw Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

A baby in a MINI or 135i is certainly doable.

I just question the logic of “I’m having a baby and it would make sense to switch to a 135i”. Gabe wants a 135i, period. On the surface, the baby may seem like a plausible justification but the excuse doesn’t hold poopy when compared to other options. I think we’re all fine and excited for Gabe to get a 135i for its own sake.

c4 Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Agreed.

bluzeke Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

. . . . DUDE!? ;-)

Ketan Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Gabe congrats on the great news, I am sure you will make a great dad. May your first child be a masculine child.

Gabe Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

First off many thanks to everyone for the kind words (both here and via email). This was news I wasn’t sure I was going to share – even on WRR. Now I’m glad I did.

My argument for eventually getting a 135i doesn’t have a lot to do with fitting a child in the back seat of a MINI. While maybe it does a little bit. The 135i would surely have a little more room due to a regular sized trunk. And while you can stack to the cieling in a MINI, I’m not sure I’m prepared to do that with precious cargo in the back. No, my real argument for the 135i is a little more complex. For one it has to do with my childhood and wanting to pass on the same sort of experience to any children I have. Granted the MINI would probably be just as good in doing that, but I look at a small BMW as almost a family tradition I suppose. It’s also a car I’ve been waiting for on some level since I was a kid. In fact I’ve been counting down the days for the 1 Series Coupe since it was first rumored back in 2003. Of course there are other reasons that I won’t necessarily go into here but I do want to stress something – I have no plans to sell my current MINI. I enjoy it immensely and am not in a hurry to see it go. Any change I make will most likely be at least a year out. And even then, who knows, my plans may change.

Vanwall Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Yup, I had the same epiphany – wow, I’m gonna be a daddy, so better get that sporting machine post-hastily! ;-) HeHe! You’ve still got the Sportwagen, I’m assuming, so get a car-seat base for all cars, it’ll make things easier. There are all the pros and cons for coupe versus whatever, but heck, go for it – I’m on the gearhead side of things anyway. I’ve been looking at the 135i lustfully myself, so don’t feel alone. Just remember: don’t take bread out of your child’s mouth. Don’t make any concrete plans until the wee babe is snuggling with wifey in the DR – then start saving for college. It’s really wonderful news, tho, Gabe!

Francis Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

Congrats Gabe! definitely great news! I think you have enough peeps around you with MINIs and babies to help you out for sure. Take LOTS of pictures before and after.. they grow up so fast.

Gabe Jan 22nd, 2008 Link

You’ve still got the Sportwagen, I’m assuming, so get a car-seat base for all cars, it’ll make things easier.

Oh yeah, and that’ll be the main hauler no doubt.

Don’t make any concrete plans until the wee babe is snuggling with wifey in the DR – then start saving for college.

Exactly my plan. No need to do anything for awhile. Now had this not happened…

Dylan Jan 23rd, 2008 Link

Congratulations Gabe :) Re: the 135, I’ve wanted a MINI for years and finally been able to afford and buy one last year. The BMW 135 is really the only other car that I’d consider replacing it with (not yet!), so can totally understand why you want one. Very good looking, small, powerful, well built and a great brand and heritage. Great choice, and cant wait to read all about it. Well done again, awesome news all ’round.

c4 Jan 23rd, 2008 Link

Gabe, I think you mentioned that you grew up aboard a BMW and I can totally relate to that line of thinking. This is why my son has been riding aboard a MINI since he was born… Because I want him to gain that appreciation for the car and relate his best childhood memories to daddy’s little red car and mommy’s cool turbo MINI wagon.

While most kids in his generation are growing up aboard SUVs, Minivans, Sedans, my boy at least will someday relate his stories of growing up inside a MINI cooper…How cool is that?

Cory Jan 23rd, 2008 Link

Firstly, congratulations on the great news, Gabe.

As for your connection with BMW, I can somewhat relate. Growing up, the car I most remember is my parents’ light blue 1986 Subaru GL. I was only three when they bought the car, but they kept if for close to ten years, so it was the car I recall from my childhood. I always liked the car, even when the frame turned to rust and it sat in our driveway for quite some time because it stopped running. I was even quite distraught when my parents had to pay for it to be hauled away because it no longer ran.

Because of this car, I’ve always had a soft spot for the shooting brake scooby. I even consider getting one every once in a while. But, since I can only afford one car, I’m not sure if I could give up owning a MINI. One day, though, I do plan to own a Subaru wagon…maybe even in light blue.

eto Jan 23rd, 2008 Link

Congratulations, Gabe! When I test drove an R56 last May, I put my three year old son in his forward facing car seat so he could go for the ride. It fit no problem. I have heard that while the baby-seat is in rear-facing mode, it is uncomfortable for the front passenger and impossible if the seat is behind the driver.

DCMotoring Jan 23rd, 2008 Link

Congrats on the baby, my sister and her husband are expecting soon. While I’m sure its not the same as actually having a baby yourself, its the first baby I will have been around in a very long time so its a very exciting event.

I fully understand your desire to own or at least consider a 135i. While I did not grow up with BMWs (I’m from a Volvo family) I have come to really love them. You certainly owe it to yourself to at least take a good look at a 1 Series. From everything I’ve heard and read, its amazing!

c4 Jan 23rd, 2008 Link

With the Britax Roundabout car seat in rear facing position wasn’t bad at all. I love that seat because it is the best fitting one for the MINI.

In the months before my son was born, I did extensive research of car seats and strollers and tried one too many of them. The Roundabout is the only one that fitted best without eating into valuable passenger space.

Ashley Wilson Jan 23rd, 2008 Link

Congratulations Gabe!!!

c4 Jan 24th, 2008 Link

Who wants to live in the burbs?

lavardera Jan 24th, 2008 Link

exactly

dickdavid Jan 24th, 2008 Link

I think that a “Family Truckster” motoring badge is in order.