Child access to Clubman

[davyk31]

My wife is tempted by a Clubman. We had a 2001 Cooper and a 2003 Cooper S and think she fancies getting back to that Mini thing. However, we now have a daughter almost 3 years old and a son of 10 months both needing access to the back seats. They are both still in full car seats although my daughter may soon move to a booster type seat / cushion.

A few questions. Firstly how much can the kids see out the window in the rear. In our current car we had to buy a higher seat for my daughter to see out as the window line was high. Then more importantly how practical is it to get two kinds into the seats. We are used to a 4 door car which must be immensely easier but just wondering from those of you who have kids how you cope. Is it constant sore back time or does the club door make at least putting one child in easier. Any comments appreciated.

Final question, from my past Mini ownership I know zero discount was the norm. Is this still the case for a Clubman. My dealer seem to have a Cooper S Clubman in stock more or less to my spec, should I expect a bit of cash off this if they have not got it sold. Thanks

[Andyblizz]

My wife has got a Cooper Clubman, and we have a 23mth old.

She loves the car and has no problems put him in and taking him out of the back. Seat is by the clubman door.

And our little one appears to have no problems seeing out of the window (Britax Isofix Duo seat) as he always recongises places we are going to.

We didnt get any discount but our was a December delivery and was made to order.

Regards

Andy

[Shaun]

Only got one to fit in the Clubman and as hes 7month old I didnt get much sense out of him when I asked about visibility in the back. There are some pictures here http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-club...y-clubman.html
Of the Clubdoor in full effect.

[davyk31]

Shaun, is your seat a MAxi-Cosi Isofix, looks like it in the pic. Is there room across the backseat for two of these or would the kids be very close to eachother........sometimes a bit of distance could be a good thing

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by davyk31 (original)

Shaun, is your seat a MAxi-Cosi Isofix, looks like it in the pic. Is there room across the backseat for two of these or would the kids be very close to eachother........sometimes a bit of distance could be a good thing

Its not the isofix its just the priori model the priorifix is the isofix one with the extra leg at the front this one just has seatbelt mounts and is £100 cheaper. I will have a look at the width but two should be no problem though.

[davyk31]

If you could give me an idea of how much distance there would be between two seats it would be great. Loading all that stuff into a car in a Mini showroom would be a big hassle.

Also when putting your child into their seat via the club door is it just as easy as it would be in a conventional 4 door car or do you have to kinda reach them in and then set them back into the seat. Can you stay outside the car or do you need to step in to fasten them in?

[Gemini4321]

Davyk31,

The clubman has a 3 seater option in the back, not sure there is much more space but you have the extra belt in the back.
I dont have any little ones so can't help sorry.

Sue

[KenL]

Davyk.

Does it not bother you that if you park by the side of the road, you'll be using the clubdoor, which is on the same side of the traffic?

[Gemini4321]

Ken depends which side of the road you park on.


Sue

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gemini4321 (original)

Ken depends which side of the road you park on.

True, but parking on the "wrong" side increases your risk of an accident, and is illegal in some countries

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

Davyk.

Does it not bother you that if you park by the side of the road, you'll be using the clubdoor, which is on the same side of the traffic?

Give it a rest we all know which side the door is on by now.

[zyo]

I think some people forget that there is still the passenger door and a front seat that slides forward to let people in and out. The clubdoor makes it a bit easier when you can use it, but I manage to let people in and out of my hatchback which only has two doors.

[Tubby]

Quote: Originally Posted by zyo (original)

I think some people forget that there is still the passenger door and a front seat that slides forward to let people in and out. The clubdoor makes it a bit easier when you can use it, but I manage to let people in and out of my hatchback which only has two doors.

Indeed Zyo...I already have my Maxi-cosi Cabrio-fix behind the drivers seat anyway in my hatch, so the Clubdoor can only make things safer IMHO .

In fact, DavyK, we took a Clubman on 24 hr test drive, and found the Cluvdoor to make getting little daughter in and out of the seat fixings (Isofix) an absolute doddle, without having to step into the rear of the car. Can't say about two seats, but I can't guess that there'll be any more than 10-15 cm between seats having looked at the space our one seat took up...so much so in fact that we've opted for two-rear seat option.

I think there's a poll in there somewhere - think I'll post one

M

[davyk31]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

Davyk.

Does it not bother you that if you park by the side of the road, you'll be using the clubdoor, which is on the same side of the traffic?

At the moment we have a 5 door car with 2 child seats in the rear. Therefore one child has to exit on the traffic side anyway so your point is a bit null and void.

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by davyk31 (original)

At the moment we have a 5 door car with 2 child seats in the rear. Therefore one child has to exit on the traffic side anyway so your point is a bit null and void.

As long as you are aware of the issue and happy with it