I Noticed searching yesterday that there seems to be a bit of a problem getting a baby seat to fit a MINI apart from the BMW/MINI version that is a tad pricey. I've now managed to find a universal seat that will fit from a good quality manufacturer.
I picked up my new MINI on Saturday
and found that the current car seat we had for my 10 month old daughter (a Britax Rock-a-Tot Group 0) fitted but restricted the drivers seat adjustment so that I had to have it set forward a couple of notches from my preferred driving position. Thought no problem, just nip down to the local Mothercare World and get the next size up car seat (Group 1). Snag is my daughter only weighs in at about 8kg and needs to go in a rear facing seat until 9Kg. Mothercare couldn't find any seats to fit a MINI rear facing
so looks like I'll have to wait until she weighs in at 9Kg as this shouldn't be too long. I'll have to make any lengthy sprog laden journeys in the family bus (Citroen Picasso) until then.
Thought it was worth mentioning that I visited the Britax website today and their fitting guidlines show that a Britax Renaissance has been tested and fits the rear seat of the BMW MINI. There are comments that it's awkward to install due to limited room, that the head restraint has to be removed or raised and that the seat sits quite high. Good news is if you shop around you can get a Britax Renaisance seat for around £100- (RRP is £135) which is less than half the price of the BMW MINI seat.The Britax Renaisance covers from 9Kg (20lbs) up to 18Kg (40lbs) and being universal fitting will fit a lot of other cars which is useful if you have a fleet of cars like us in the Cookie clan.
Good news is that my 3 year old boys car seat fits the MINI with no problem but this is a forward facing one that acts a bit like a booster with him held in by the cars seat belts.
Hope this is off help to any other MINI2ers with sprogs.
