[tonelesstester]

On two separate visits we've been advised (by different fitters) at Halfords that, to use a non-ISOFIX child seat in the rear of our Mini One, we need an 'insert' or 'filler' that sits on the seat, filling the deep dip from front to back providing a flat surface on which the seat-belt held child seat can sit.

The guys who mentioned this have both seen this insert (about £40) but couldn't find it under any obvious heading in their computer inventory and can't remember what it's called.

Our local Mini dealer - hasn't heard of the item I'm trying to describe - they think it may be an 'aftermarket' product rather than a BMW product, and a google search for mini rear child seat filler or mini rear child seat insert has not turned up anything.


Please, has anyone come across such a thing and do you have any details on what it is called, where I can get hold of one?


Many thanks,
TT

[ALD0]

Are they referring to the ISO Fix adaptor?

[tonelesstester]

That was quick - thanks!!

I don't think they are referring to the Isofix adapter - the seat we were talking to them about does not come in ISOFIX (Maxi-Cosi Tobi). However, they mentioned this insert was something more general, not for a specific seat.

The diagram he drew showed how the bottom back edge of the child seat might be over the dip in the rear seat due to the rake of the back of the child seat and this insert, with the profile of a rather flattened, upturned bowler hat, smoothed out the dip with the 'rim' sitting on the back and front edges of the Mini seat.

[Rakey]

he is probably talking about using an accessory item that is like a fabirc covered foam wedge to fill the gap between the car seat and the rear seat.

personally I think these are dangerous and would not recommend anyone puts or uses any item such as a wedge or a towel to try and fill a gap to make the car seat fit in a car. These can dislodge during rotation caused by impact or they are another thing to ensure you don't forget.

I'd always say buy a seat that fits correctly without any tampering rather than trying to get a seat that does not fit to fit.

[CooperS4us]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

he is probably talking about using an accessory item that is like a fabirc covered foam wedge to fill the gap between the car seat and the rear seat.

personally I think these are dangerous and would not recommend anyone puts or uses any item such as a wedge or a towel to try and fill a gap to make the car seat fit in a car. These can dislodge during rotation caused by impact or they are another thing to ensure you don't forget.

I'd always say buy a seat that fits correctly without any tampering rather than trying to get a seat that does not fit to fit.

Yes but here is the problem Rakey..... I have a Britax Roundabout car seat that fits the rear seat of the mini just fine in either from or rear facing positions. When you set the Roundabout seat in rear facing mode, the deep slope of the rear seat cushion completely alters the proper seatback angle, which should be 45 degrees. Even if the Britax seat is in the full rear facing/reclined position, the baby still manages to torque his or her head down, creating a dangeous airway obstruction.

The only recommendation made by Britax and most certified baby car seat inspectors here in the US, is to wedge either a tightly rolled towel, or even better, 2-3 swimming pool foam "noodles"to stabilize the seat and create a more horizontal positional of the base, thus increasing the seatback angle to 45 degrees.

Britax also offers the "versa-tether"latch which allows to hook the seat to the bottom of the front passenger seat or an appropiate anchor point. This is what is called the "swidish"method. Can this be done on the MINI? If so, there is no need to wedge towels or foam noodles to bring the seat back to 45 degrees...

[Morri7]

Quote: Originally Posted by tonelesstester (original)

On two separate visits we've been advised (by different fitters) at Halfords that, to use a non-ISOFIX child seat in the rear of our Mini One, we need an 'insert' or 'filler' that sits on the seat, filling the deep dip from front to back providing a flat surface on which the seat-belt held child seat can sit.

The guys who mentioned this have both seen this insert (about £40) but couldn't find it under any obvious heading in their computer inventory and can't remember what it's called.

Our local Mini dealer - hasn't heard of the item I'm trying to describe - they think it may be an 'aftermarket' product rather than a BMW product, and a google search for mini rear child seat filler or mini rear child seat insert has not turned up anything.


Please, has anyone come across such a thing and do you have any details on what it is called, where I can get hold of one?


Many thanks,
TT

We have just bought a car seat that fits very well into the rear of the Mini. It is not ISOfix. It was a Britax Renaissance SI. £99 from Kiddicare.com. It does not use any 'filler' and is very secure. My only reservasion about it is that the seat belt tensioner might damage the Mini seat after a while.

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by CooperS4us (original)

Yes but here is the problem Rakey..... I have a Britax Roundabout car seat that fits the rear seat of the mini just fine in either from or rear facing positions. When you set the Roundabout seat in rear facing mode, the deep slope of the rear seat cushion completely alters the proper seatback angle, which should be 45 degrees. Even if the Britax seat is in the full rear facing/reclined position, the baby still manages to torque his or her head down, creating a dangeous airway obstruction.

The only recommendation made by Britax and most certified baby car seat inspectors here in the US, is to wedge either a tightly rolled towel, or even better, 2-3 swimming pool foam "noodles"to stabilize the seat and create a more horizontal positional of the base, thus increasing the seatback angle to 45 degrees.

Britax also offers the "versa-tether"latch which allows to hook the seat to the bottom of the front passenger seat or an appropiate anchor point. This is what is called the "swidish"method. Can this be done on the MINI? If so, there is no need to wedge towels or foam noodles to bring the seat back to 45 degrees...

You'll find that this thread has a UJ flag to indicate that its a UK thread, as different countries have different products, different laws and different fitting methods, so the lower front latch system you refer to is not something that we have on any car in the UK, never mind the MINI

Can't really comment on what Britax USA say or how they operate, but I'm pretty sure that Britax Europe would not be recommending using anything such as a towel under our seats

The main issue is that child seats are designed to the best of their ability to fit a high percentage of all cars on the road, whilst motor manufacturers design seats for adults, and then they design one specific infact seat for themselves that works specifically with their vehicle so its far easier for them to produce a seat that fits exactly. Unfortunately for us the MINI has one of the higher angled rear benches on the road, and this is even higher in the convertible, this leading to a smaller number of universal seats fitting the MINI correctly.

[lespurgeon]

US Hijack-
Users guide for roundabout suggests a towel under the seat IF the seat angle is too great (Obviously I'm so out of my league with this entire kid thin that I decided to RTFM before trying to install). Rakey is right, the tether strap only has a tie-down spot for the over-the-seat back (Austrailian?) method not the foreward teather (Sweedish?) method. The roundabout does provide a optional tether strap as noted for rear-facing use that you can wrap around the front seat rails to create a foreward tether - I'm going to try the rear tether first - but the versa-thing should work just fine on the MINI.

My take on the entier thing having read a BUNCH of seat reviews, is with its LATCH/ISOFIX connection, the Roundabout is much more stable than most other seats out there - that the tether is a a bit belt and braces - nothing wrong with being extra safe.

[lespurgeon]

Follow-up
Wife took the MINI around to local hospital for official fitting. They put a piece of foam about 6" cylinder in first, then put in the roundabout with the base anout 45 degrees off of the seat, but the seat tilt full foreward. They also to only use the teather strap over the seat back, as the only places one could teather to below the front seat could let the strap move.

Obvious different guidance/direction in different locations/markets.