[RooniusMaximus]

Hi all,

Fairly new around here, and still not got our first Mini.

To make a short story long, we recently sold our TT as it had only been driven about 3,000 miles in the last three years.

We did have an A4 Avant too, but that's now been sold and we've got a big BMW 5 series for all the long journies and now wanted a smaller car for commuting and zipping about in at weekends. We need to move quickly though as we can't really manage with just one car for long.

So, Mini is on the cards but, honestly, can we expect any more use out of it compared to the TT?

Child seat will need to go in back (more on that later) so not too bothered about getting Mini with airbag deactivation. And a lot of the time, we'd need to have three in the car. With either wife or me in passenger seat.

Our daughter is just about to turn three, so I'm desparately reading threads to try and glean as much information as possible. Certainly don't want to buy a car that then sits in the garage and doesn't get used (a la TT).

So, how are people managing? And, for the usage we want, will it fit our needs?

Also, how does the officical Mini seat fare? Good, bad?

Many thanks in advance.

[sniff]

We've had the S since before junior arrived and to be honest for the type of travelling your talking about then the Mini is great. You'll be surprised at what can actually fit in the boot. Trips to the supermarket etc are much more fun in the mini - plus you get to park in the kid spaces so less chance of it getting dinged in the car park.

You've also go the bigger car when you need so why not go for it.

Your kid will end up loving all things Mini which is no bad thing.

Attached a pic of our car seat (Jane Indy plus) which our 3 year old loves........

[RooniusMaximus]

That's good to know - also good to know that there are car seats to fit. The other thread seems to all about rear-facing ones.

Is that an ISOFIX Seat? And do all Minis of all ages have ISOFIX?

Also, are the blinds factory fit items or can they be fitted retrospectively?

[Paul]

ISOFIX was an option at first, I think it became standard either in July 2004 or during 2005.

We had nothing but MINIs with our Son from birth to four and and a half with no problem at all. We used the BMW isofix 0+ seat, then the maxi cosi priori XP as he grew older.

We had a mamas and papas aria chair from birth, then later on we had a quinny zapp, both of which would fit in the boot with no fiddling about, wheel removal etc.

[RooniusMaximus]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

We had nothing but MINIs with our Son from birth to four and and a half with no problem at all. We used the BMW isofix 0+ seat, then the maxi cosi priori XP as he grew older.

.

Interesting that you say that as our current seat is a Maxi Cosi Priori XP and when I put it in the back of a Cooper on a test drive, I really didn't think it fitted well. Didn't really touch much of the seat base...

Also, I (stupidly) put it in behind the driver's seat and the depth of it meant that I was on the steering wheel like an old lady in a Honda.

[Paul]

It always goes behind my wife (5' 2") rather than me (6')!

You have to move the head rest out of the way, but other than that it's a really snug fit, one of very few chairs we were happy with as it fitted so well.

We've used it in every MINI, first and second generation, soft and hard top, cloth, half leather and full leather.

The only version it didn't fit to the seat quite so well was the Convertible (in terms of seat base to car seat), but it still held very tight, you just needed to be a bit firmer with the seat belt attachment to squash down the 'bulge' in the middle of the seat more.

[RooniusMaximus]

It does say on some websites that you should have the child in the seat to help with fitting sometimes - maybe that was the issue...

We're hopefully going to look at a couple of Minis this weekend, so I'll have another look. And this time, we'll put the seat behind the passenger seat.

[Paul]

What I would do is kneel onto the seat and make sure it was really tight in the chair, just get it all strapped down really tight. Call me paranoid, but I'd rather that than careless!

If you go for leather seats, get a 'neat seat' or similar large rubber protector for the seat the chair sits in, otherwise it can pinch and push and leave a child seat shaped mark!

[Zack]

Weve got twin boys who are now 5, and have had like paul nothing but MINIs since they were born, and it really is AMAZING to see how much you can get in them.

We used to have to go in both MINIs, if say we were going on holiday or away for a few days, but that was still great fun in convoy.

Ithink you should go for it, espesially as you also have a bigger car, just like we do at the moment.

[sniff]

Quote: Originally Posted by RooniusMaximus (original)

Also, are the blinds factory fit items or can they be fitted retrospectively?

No they are not factory fitted - just an optional extra. They seem to work pretty well and just fit into place - no need to stuck them or anything.

I think they look ok from outside as well - giving a tinted look without any chance of insurance/police problems that you might get with real tints.

[Step_7]

I've had 2 MINIS over the last 3 years and my 2 boys are now 6 and 8 - they fitted fine in the back but its getting tight now with the younger one behind me. I probably have another year with the R53 before I need to move to an R56 of some sort (Or maybe a Clubman) for the extra few inches of Legroom.

As for boot space, well we did a week long trip with the 4 of us over 1800 miles and we coped - you just have to be very selective about what is "essential" for your trip!

[Lucky Dave]

We have 3 children aged 2,4,and 7 and daily they all fit in the mini.

Its the most popular car on the school run!

[RooniusMaximus]

All good comments to hear as we've set our hearts on a Mini now.

Finally - on this topic, R53 and R56? They're the old new Mini and new/new Mini aren't they? When did the new one become available?

We've only got around 8.5k for the Mini and want a Cooper with AirCon, so I think we're looking at about 2003/2002 - that would be R53?

[Paul]

See here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...ni_generations

[RooniusMaximus]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul (original)

See here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...ni_generations

That's an excellent thread - cheers Paul.

[JustACooperClubman]

Some pics for you.....

Flickr: Photos from frankcoopers71

Here in the colonies, ISOFIX is known as LATCH and it has been mandated by the government since the 2002 model year. Every US spec MINI built since 2002 has come with the LATCH hooks as standard equipment.

[vigilante]

We have a maxicosi Tobi (cos the priori XP wouldn't fit in our Nissan Qash n Qarry) and fits brilliantly Morgan Kate loves goin out in the MINI. she likes especially likes watch the clouds out of her sunroof!


We also use a quinny zapp which fits in the boot or even on the floor in front of her...also we used to use a Bebe Confort Loola travel system and again that fit great but leaves no boot space...

[Yeoda]

It is truly amazing what you can get in a MINI with careful packing. We have done trips to the French Alps and Southern Brittany with our 2 kids (7+9 first trip) and it was fine. Everyone thought we were mad to attempt it but it was great. Both kids were on boosters so we can't comment about full child seats but it wouldn't have made much difference them anyway.

I am sure you wouldn't regret the MINI choice!

[RooniusMaximus]

Well,

we did get one - 54 Plate Cooper in Chilli Red with a black roof.

Now we just need to make the decision about which seat to get. Liking the look of the Jane as above, but don't like the current colours - they're hideous.