:

[Paul]

I'm sure it's been said before that the car manufacturers test the seats in their cars, and as far as I know MINI have only approved MINI/BMW seats.

[Martin F]

But Britax must also test their seats and the ISOFIX Duo Plus is listed by them as approved for use in a MINI with the addition of the foam pad that costs about £10 IIRC. I would certainly not want to use a seat that was not specifically approved by the seat manufacturer for use in a MINI.

It also seems to me that with so many seats on the market, it would be an enormous task for MINI to test them all and with not much benefit to MINI. So it would be reasonable for them to conclude that it is better to leave it to the seat makers.

[merv]

This is what I have just got from Maxi Cosi - the makers of child seats approach the various manufacturers for a 'lone' car then test/crash it with their seat it. Is likely manufactures may say no to the likes of Britax and Maxi Cosi from time to time (the child seat person in Mothercare told me yesterday that he knew Aston Martin had said no on one model at least- understandably). What isn't know is if a seat isn't approved by the maker from a particular car whether this is because the car seat wasn't up to safety standards or if it was simply a case of the manufacturer not supplying a test car because they won't say - not worth the risk I would suggest!

The ISOFIX Duo Plus looks like the way forward - thanks Martin

[merv]

For Info have finally found the Maxi Cosi compatibility list:

Maxi-Cosi products - fr-en list:

[lil red mini]

Carseat Brand: concord
Carseat Name: ion
Attachment method: seatbelt
Childs age: 8mths
Carseat weight range: birth to 13kg (28lb)
MINI Type: one
Body Type: hatch
MINI build date: 2003
Interior trim: basic material

fits really well. the handle goes forwards (towards the back seat) when installed which means i can get the baby in and out easily as theres no handle in the way.

[ViscountCharles]

Costs a sodding fortune, but we've always used the BMW group I-II ISOFIX seat in the back of our R52 MCS.

[spot]

I have a Britax Isofix seat and a Britax Evolva 1-2-3 and both fit really well for my 2 boys age 1 and 3/4's and 3 and a bit. Details for these seats are easily available on the Britax website and they have a really good website. Covers are easily removable for washing etc.

[minimummy]

Has anyone got any experience of the Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR?

Good / Bad ?