Alternative to MINI baby seat that fits

[cook1e]

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.

[dannotdan]

Thanks for the good info. I know there have been a few threads about this in the past but I don't know that anyone ever resolved the issue. Has anyone out there from the US found a similar solution?

[Rakey]

just make sure you keep using the 0+ seat until the correct age is reached before changing to a forward facing seat.

have you thought about fitting it behind the passenger seat rather than behind the drivers seat?

You should also check out Maxi Cosi, as they have some excellent seats, but go to an independent retailer or John Lewis rather than mothercare, as they have far more knowledge about fitting

[cook1e]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

just make sure you keep using the 0+ seat until the correct age is reached before changing to a forward facing seat.

have you thought about fitting it behind the passenger seat rather than behind the drivers seat?

You should also check out Maxi Cosi, as they have some excellent seats, but go to an independent retailer or John Lewis rather than mothercare, as they have far more knowledge about fitting

Cheers Rakey,

Already moved my boys forward facing booster type seat behind the drivers seat so that the backwards facing one for me little duaghter can go behind the front passenger seat but this may still be a bit cramped for the missus in any long Journeys. Still the Cooper is suppossed to be MY car and not the family bus, thats why we have the peepy carrier as well as a MINI (plus my Triumph GT6 which is strictly a big boys toy!)

The guy in Mothercare did also suggest Maxi Cosi once she is over 9Kg, he actually seemed to be pretty good and appeared to know what he was talking about, it's a big Mothercare Superstore he's the Manager and seems to be the one who normally gives advice on fitting car seats.

[Rakey]

still rate the independent more than mothercare, I used to be a mothercare store manager and buyer

Maxi Cosi, are tops!! I am guessing it was the Priori Carseat, which is a class leader at the moment, that would be my choice too if I had to buy one

[ABG]

Quote: Originally Posted by cook1e

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.

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.

It's true - we've been using ours for a few months now (behind the passenger seat )

Pics...

[Paul]

Any reason not to use the BMW seat in other cars? We've used the ISOFIX 0+ BMW seat in Abi's parent's Volvo XC-90 with no problem?

[ABG]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Any reason not to use the BMW seat in other cars? We've used the ISOFIX 0+ BMW seat in Abi's parent's Volvo XC-90 with no problem?

Nope - it can go in the back of any car - if there isn't ISOFIX it just means the seatbelt holds it in place. The manual should have diagrams of different fixings.

[Paul]

They've got ISOFIX as standard so that's not a problem, I was just concerned that for some reason I coulnd't fathom I shouldn't be using it in there!

[Spy Car]

Has anyone used either the Peg Preggo (Mommas and Pappas in the UK I think) "Primo Viaggio" or the Graco "Snug Ride" in a MINI?

[jimmyjp]

Quote: Originally Posted by Spy Car

Has anyone used either the Peg Preggo (Mommas and Pappas in the UK I think) "Primo Viaggio" or the Graco "Snug Ride" in a MINI?

We tried one out. It will go in - just - and the Surefix base makes sure it's secure. The UK version of the base isn't ISOFIX though.

The passenger seat has to be all the way forward. That's ok for us as the wife will be using the MINI normally so no-one has to sit in the passenger seat. Having said that, she still had room when she sat in the passenger side with the baby seat behind so we can both go out in it if needed.

I'm keen to hear from people who have used the Primo Viaggio.

JJP

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by ABG

It's true - we've been using ours for a few months now (behind the passenger seat )

Pics...

Did a better job of fitting it than a specialist fitting centre I went to today. Hmmmm.

[pob]

I got given the BMW Isofix stage 1 seat free from my dealer as an apology for some of the problems I'd experienced. Nice seat but my daughter prefers the Britax ISOFIX Duo we have in our other car as it uses a shoulder harness rather than a big restraint which goes on her knees. The Britax seat fits the MINI fine - it's not approved as it hasn't been tested in the MINI but its rock solid when its in there and isn't going anywhere. Hopefully get more use out of the BMW seat when she's a bit taller and doesn't have her arms perched on the restraint!

[RDMac]

Hi Guys,

Well today was our first outing into the wonderfull world of baby seats and pushchairs / travel systems for my MINI Cooper S WITHOUT ISOFIX with leather seats.

We are due in September, but thought we'd better start to have a look.

WHAT A NIGHTMARE !! ........ HELP

We tried the bugaboo frog travel system, it just about fitted with one of the rear seats dropped! and tried the Quinny XL freestyle, which fitted better.

These both need a Maxi-Cosi baby seat, but when trying the Maxi Cosi Cabrio, we couldn't get the seat belt to slide under the seat belt grips.

We also thought about ditching the idea of a travel system and getting the Maclaren Techno XT stroller (suitable from birth) as it folds really small (still have to have a seat down), and having a seperate car seat.

Can anyone recommend a model of Group 0+ baby seat (one that has a handle to be a baby carrier) to fit in our Cooper pleaseeeeeeeeeeee or do we have to plump for the BMW offering?

Also, what prams/pushchairs/travel systems do you all have.

Any help appreciated

Rich


.

[Paul]

Push chair - Mamas and Papas Aria (Single seat) fits in the boot (with everything closed down) and ours has lasted 9 months of "off road" walks and lots of use, no problem so far.