Recommend an Estate Car that takes a bike

Cee-Jay-Cee

Any time i want to take my bike anywhere I have to borrow my wifes corolla hatchback and take out the two childrens seats and remove the parcel shelf and headrests and fold down the back seats and then refit everything afterwards. The bike will not fit in my own car (Legacy saloon) without removing both wheels which is a bigger PITA! So i need a car, more than likely an estate, that can accomodate a bike without having to fold down the rear seats or take a wheel off the bike. Ive been looking at Avensis's, Mazda 6's, Saab 93/95, Accords (butt ugly) and Volvo V50/70's on donedeal but without physically trying to fit a bike in one its difficult to tell if it will fit or not so can anyone recommend a few models that they know will accomodate a bike with relative ease, Please.

DirkVoodoo

Oh, in before someone recommends a sh*t-troen!

What's wrong with a bike rack? Cheaper than a new car, you could buy a new bike too!

I'd go with:

Alfa 159 Sportwagon
Skoda Octavia Estate
Skoda Superb Estate
Mercedes Benz E-Class Estate

Basically, anything you see being used in the pro peloton, for maximum points.

And for the record, I think the Accord is quite a decent looking estate, plus you get that famed Honda reliability.

shamrock55

Why not just get a bike rack for the car you have bit extreme having to get another car

Cee-Jay-Cee

I'm planning on selling my own car and buying an estate instead.

I considered a bike rack but they look equally as fiddly as having to remove child seats and drop the back seats on my wifes car. If i wasnt using a bike rack then i couldnt have it on the car...it would just bug the hell out of me and so isnt an option.

colm_gti

If you want to be able to put a bike in the back of a car, without removing wheels and without dropping seats, your only real option is a van...

I had a mazda 6 saloon for the past year, I could put a bike with its wheels removed in the boot without folding the seats...

crazy_kenny

I have an Octavia estate and there is no way a road bike will fit without removing front wheel and dropping one of the back seats. Got so peed off doing this I bought a bike rack. On and off in 2 minutes.

Wishbone Ash

CJC999 wrote: »

i need a car, more than likely an estate, that can accomodate a bike without having to fold down the rear seats or take a wheel off the bike

Unless you're prepared to import some sort of American 7 litre petrol behemoth, you won't find any ordinary estate car which will do that.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Ok so if an Octavia wont take one then chances are many of the others i've looked at wont either.

Kenny - what type of rack have you? Any i've looked at are secured using cables/cords and look messy to set up, maybe theyre not?

If i thought it'd only take a minute or so to attach a rack then i'd definitely get one...

Wishbone Ash

crazy_kenny wrote: »

Got so peed off doing this I bought a bike rack. On and off in 2 minutes.

It only takes a few seconds to do it. My last car was a saloon and I had a bike rack. My present car is a hatchback and I love the fact that I can drop the back seats and throw the bike in.Much easier and more secure than a bike rack IMO.

colm_gti

I've a Thule 561, dead handy, love it!

Ryath

Don't think there's any estate you'll get a road bike in the boot without taking of at least the front wheel. Even 7 seater people carriers with the back row seats down can't. Its not that much bother to pop of the front wheel the back wheel I can understand I avoid doing it myself though it has got a lot easier with practice.

Bike rack is ok but it's much handier and safer just to be able to throw it in the boot.

I was in the same boat two years ago sick of taking the child seats in and out and having to choose between taking the bike or the kids:P Got a mk4 Mondeo estate. I can fit two bikes in the boot with the front wheels off. It has about the biggest boot going. It has a quite deep cut out beside the wheel arch on one side a lot of cars don't. Its surprising the difference that extra few inches in width make.

Surprised the octavia can't fit a bike with the front wheel of with out folding the seats. Was looking for a VRS estate for awhile. No a hope of an Alfa 159 I love them but the boot is tiny for an estate. Estates I would reckon are big enough Passat, A6, E class, Mazda6

I know a club mate could fit two bike with the wheels on in an opel zafira with the back row and the double middle seat down so at least you could leave one child seat in the car. Some 7 seaters Ford Galaxy for one have split back row so you could still have two seats up in the back.

crazy_kenny

CJC999 wrote: »

Ok so if an Octavia wont take one then chances are many of the others i've looked at wont either.

Lenny - what type of rack have you? Any i've looked at are secured using cables/cords and look messy to set up, maybe theyre not?

If i thought it'd only take a minute or so to attach a rack then i'd definitely get one...

This is the one I have. It has 6 fixing points using adjustable nylon cords and hooks. Two at the top, two at the bottom and one on either side. The first few attempts can take a little longer but when you get the hang of it, it easy.


htp://m.evanscycles.com/products/hollywood/transporter-rack-f1-ec006052

detones

Agree with Ryath think mondeo estate would be the best bet. Good to hear it can fit 2 bikes with just the front wheel off am considering this myself as a next car. Think it actually measures larger than a 5 series touring.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Was looking at an 06 Lancer estate. They have 60/40 split rear seats so would only need to take out or move one of the seats.

I'd rather not have to take a front wheel off but have no problem doing so if need be, it's just that I find its a bit fiddly getting the wheel centred correctly once I put it back on again. Maybe it's lack of practice or maybe they're all like that.

Ryath

detones wrote: »

Agree with Ryath think mondeo estate would be the best bet. Good to hear it can fit 2 bikes with just the front wheel off am considering this myself as a next car. Think it actually measures larger than a 5 series touring.

Its wider but the 5 series is longer. 5 series boot is lot smaller though rear wheel drive eats up a lot space.

Wishbone Ash

detones wrote: »

Agree with Ryath think mondeo estate would be the best bet. Good to hear it can fit 2 bikes with just the front wheel off am considering this myself as a next car. Think it actually measures larger than a 5 series touring.

That just reminds me that I saw a Mk II Granada Estate in Swords a few days ago. Now that was a big car.

I used to have a Scorpio saloon. The estate version must have been a roomy car as it was the next model up from the Mondeo.

Wishbone Ash

CJC999 wrote: »

I find its a bit fiddly getting the wheel centred correctly once I put it back on again

When you apply a bit of weight to it, it will centre itself. I've never found that to be a problem.

(I presume we are referring to QR wheels?)

Cee-Jay-Cee

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

When you apply a bit of weight to it, it will centre itself. I've never found that to be a problem.

(I presume we are referring to QR wheels?)

Yes QR wheels.

victorcarrera

I assume the hassle you refer to is a hybrid or similar with bolt on wheels, in which case I can't comment other than bikes with flat bars are more awkward than drops to fit in a car.
FWIW people I know can fit complete racing bikes in estate versions of Volkswagen passat, Renault grand megane, opel astra, ford focus and one guy fits a fully assembled bike in a saloon ford fiesta.

victorcarrera

CJC999 wrote: »

Yes QR wheels.

In that case practice fitting the wheels. (Stand the bike upside down. It is much easier that way). You can then just bring the frame with you when you go shopping for a car as the frame and wheels will fit in the boot of most cars. Out of sight etc. An estate car advertises everything in it.

Wishbone Ash

victorcarrera wrote: »

... can fit complete racing bikes in estate versions of Volkswagen passat, Renault grand megane, opel astra, ford focus and one guy fits a fully assembled bike in a saloon ford fiesta.

...without folding the rear seats? I don't think so!

Ryath

Another reason to keep the rear wheel on is it protects the rear derailleur. They seem very vulnerable to me when the wheel is of.

OP just practice talking the front wheel on and of it literally just takes 10 secs when your used to it.

galwaycyclist

Berlingo multispace. If you don't want to take wheels off. You do have to drop two of the back seats but thats pain free - they just flip forward.

Harrybelafonte

Ahem, Fiat Multipla... I'm sure there'll be multiple "F'ugly" replies but I managed to fit two BMXes, a MTB and Road bike in mine with front wheels removed on the last two. I'm looking to get an estate in New Year but can currently get two bikes on my Lupo. I'll be trying to get a focus if it helps. Mondeo is a pretty big car for city driving.

531

I fit my bike in an MX5! It's a small, compact frame and I only have to remove wheels and saddle. And it's fun to drive!

hardCopy

Mondeo hatchback here. Once the seats are down the bike goes in fully assembled, wheels on. I could comfortably get a second one in too. It even takes my girlfriend's 70's cruiser fully assembled.

route66

If you really don't want to fold anything down, you're probably looking at something like this:




But I wouldn't like to be paying the running costs :eek:

I guess the least hassle way of carrying bikes is to get a towbar and fit something like this:

mirv

Practice taking your wheels off for heavens sake. You're going to need to do it if you ever get a puncture, and it's far less of a bother than folding the seats or using a bike rack, or buying a new car.

Unscrew the QR skewer a couple of extra turns to clear the lawyer tabs on the front fork, and make sure you've shifted into the smallest cog when you are removing and replacing the back wheel. Should take all of 15 seconds to drop both wheels out of the bike, and less than a minute to replace the wheels, make sure they're centered, and to make sure the brakes are centered. You shouldn't even need to touch the chain - a push of the rear derailleur cage is all that is needed.

Could probably fit four road bikes in the back of a hatchback polo mk4 if both wheels are taken off and the bikes are turned upside down and the seats are folded. Can definitely fit a single bike + wheels in the boot of a hatchback without folding the seats if the wheels are taken off.

kopfan77

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Oh, in before someone recommends a sh*t-troen!

What's wrong with a bike rack? Cheaper than a new car, you could buy a new bike too!

I'd go with:

Alfa 159 Sportwagon
Skoda Octavia Estate
Skoda Superb Estate
Mercedes Benz E-Class Estate

Basically, anything you see being used in the pro peloton, for maximum points.

And for the record, I think the Accord is quite a decent looking estate, plus you get that famed Honda reliability.

+1 on this.....04 honda accord hatchback and gets 2 bikes up the ballyhouras for me

Brian?

I regularly put my bike it the back seat of my VW Golf by simply taking the front wheel off. It's not exactly a big job.

ford2600

Have a Skoda estate, always take off both wheels, pull back blind/skirt no one knows it's in there.

Bought a €6 boot bag in lidl, it brilliant for keeping boot clean.

Also have roof rack when I need boot space, fine for also.

There is no perfect way to transport bike, one way or other is a compromise. No need to buy a new car though.

If security isn't a concern, thule hitch system is excellent. Quicker than boot or roof rack. Is it worth putting on a hitch though....

Ryath

People keep missing the point the OP has child seats and doesn't want to be taking them out to fold the car seats down.

Pretty certain no regular estate will take a full bike with the wheels on in the boot. Maybe a range rover or a huge american or double cabbed pickup certainly nothing you could run on a budget.

As I said I some 7 seat mpvs can with the rear seats folded on one side of the car probably can. The only 7 seat I would consider though is the Ford S-max the roof is probably too low with out taking of the seat post.

The accord seems like a good suggestion actually they are pretty rare though I considered them but at the time there were none in my budget. Was looking for petrols as well which make them even rarer.
Like the look of this one

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Accord/2.4-TOUR/201312213850868/advert?channel=CARS

Assume as you drive a Subaru legacy you don't really want to tootle around in a 1.9 tdi. Practice taking the front wheel of and get a nice estate. I may yet compromise myself and start take both wheels of so I can something sportier. Have liked the Alfa 159 and Octavia vrs estates for along time. Nearly bought a black vrs at the time I was looking but couldn't find one in blue which is what I really wanted. An Audi RS6 should still take it one wheel of though:D

lennymc

i have a 156 estate, and it barely takes the bike with wheels on when the seats are down. It is a notoriously small estate, but as others have said, i couldnt imagine many estates being able to take a bike with wheels in place while keeping the seats up. Had the use of an octavia estate recently, and the boot didnt look much bigger from jamming a bike in there pov. Good luck with your search!!

RobFowl

Am on my second Volvo V70 and great for bikes. Can just about fit one in the boot with the front wheel removed but room for 4 in the boot (wheels removed) without letting the seats down.
If you do put the seats down 2 bikes at least with wheels on fit in easily

Cee-Jay-Cee

I guess I'll practice taking off and putting on the front wheel. Anytime I've taken them off previously it seems to take me a few attempts to get the wheel centred in relation to the brakes.

I'll also look into a rack of some sort. I dont have a tow hitch and so need one that attaches to the boot lid/rear of the car.

Wishbone Ash

Ryath wrote: »

People keep missing the point the OP has child seats and doesn't want to be talking them out to fold the car seats down

+1

Sure a fully assembled bike will fit in almost any hatchback with the seats down!

Inquitus

I have the same issues as the OP. I take both wheels off, takes 2 mins, and put them in the boot. The frame then sits upright across the legwells between the Back seat and front seat between the 2 rear doors.

Ryath

RobFowl wrote: »

Am on my second Volvo V70 and great for bikes. Can just about fit one in the boot with the front wheel removed but room for 4 in the boot (wheels removed) without letting the seats down.
If you do put the seats down 2 bikes at least with wheels on fit in easily

Which model V70 2007+? Surprised if the new model can't take a bike with wheels comfortably it's very similer in size to my Mondeo estate. Discounted the older model when looking two years ago but the new one is starting to come in to my budget. One of the few manufactures who managed to sell cars with decent sized petrol engines in Ireland.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/V70/2.5-T-SE/30013449617302310/advert?channel=CARS

If it had a dark leather interior I'd be very tempted to trade

RobFowl

Ryath wrote: »

Which model V70 2007+? Surprised if the new model can't take a bike with wheels comfortably it's very similer in size to my Mondeo estate. Discounted the older model when looking two years ago but the new one is starting to come in to my budget. One of the few manufactures who managed to sell cars with decent sized petrol engines in Ireland.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/V70/2.5-T-SE/30013449617302310/advert?channel=CARS

If it had a dark leather interior I'd be very tempted to trade

Mines a late 2008 R system 1.9 diesel.

That one is an absolute steal !!!!!!!!!

Lumen

I have Citroen C5 Tourer and Honda FR-V MPV.

The C5 with seats up? Forget about it, no way anything with over 20" wheels is going in.

The FRV is far more practical, due to being taller and wider. With the front wheel off I can get the bike in lengthways and vertically, although there is very little clearance and I've scuffed the roof lining with the chainring.

How about a Fiat Doblo Highroof?

Ryath

RobFowl wrote: »

Mines a late 2008 R system 1.9 diesel.

That one is an absolute steal !!!!!!!!!

Very nice really like the R-Design models

Its a great bargain alright nobody wants to buy the big engined petrols so a lot of them are really under priced, couple of nice 2 ltr petrol's for sale aswell for not much more.

I'm tempted to over look the beige leather at the price alright might pop out and have look at if I'm up in Dublin soon.

Lumen

Wheelchair accessible Grand Espace?

Lumen

Wheelchair accessible Renault Partner?

And more here.

el tel

You need something like this; easy rear access and plently of anchorage points to keep your cargo from moving around, and inexpensive too.

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/cars-for-sale/ford-granada-hearse/5079326

Lumen

el tel wrote: »

You need something like this; easy rear access and plently of anchorage points toe keep your cargo from moving around, and inexpensive too.

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/cars-for-sale/ford-granada-hearse/5079326

Good thinking but lacks rear seats. Are there any 4-5 seater hearses?

Bluefoam

Forget about the van, get the 159, it's a beautiful car & very well put together - believe me, I drove one for a couple of years.

el tel

Lumen wrote: »

Good thinking but lacks rear seats. Are there any 4-5 seater hearses?

Of course you can!

And made in Dundalk too! Pricey though...



http://www.duffycoachbodies.com/index.html

Lumen

Mercedes-Benz R Class 320L LWB
http://www.auto-sportiva.com/used-car-mercedes-benz-r-class-estate-834

...and rip out the rear seats.

Lumen

In before "I wouldn't be seen dead in a hearse".

Boom! I'm here all week.

franer1970

Opel have a slide-out back rack available as an option on several models, called "Flexfit"



Downside is you loose the spare wheel (if the car had one in the first place...)

Cee-Jay-Cee

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

+1

Sure a fully assembled bike will fit in almost any hatchback with the seats down!

If you read my initial post you'd see that I already have use of my wife's corolla hatchback and yes the bike fits in fully assembled when the seats are folded down but it's the annoyance of having to remove child seats, headrests and parcel shelf each time that I want to avoid.