[mn_angrybeats]

My sister has just bought a Cooper and she wants to fit a front child seat and hence needs the passenger airbag deactivated, the dealer wants £200 apparently to do it...

Surely it's just a matter of hooking up the laptop and turning it off or am I missing something ?

[Paul]

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53125

[JBA]

The snag with charging so much is that it deters people from a) doing it at all, putting a child at risk, or b) doing it on a DIY basis incorrectly. This then leads to a temptation to bodge or use untrained people, around explosives. The detonation charge for air bags can maim, so perhaps there is a dimension to this which should be drawn to the attention of Dtp or their vehicle inspectorate, as a first attempt at remedy.

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53125

[Mini Cab]

Before I discovered this extremely good site, I had in fact sent an email to <Customer.Information@minifin.co.uk> asking about turning off the front air bag. I received this reply today:

When you carry your grandson in his car seat. You can deactivate the air bags by using the master key or ignition key to turn the key switch to the off position. The passenger-side air bags are deactivated when the switch is in this position, While the drivers side remains active.

So this tends to be slightly different information to what other people have received?

[rentagas]

this entirely true IF you buy the July 04 mini AND specify airbag deactivation for £30
-worth it in my view. Note there is no isofix on the passenger seat though.

[Mini Cab]

Quote: Originally Posted by rentagas

this entirely true IF you buy the July 04 mini AND specify airbag deactivation for £30
-worth it in my view. Note there is no isofix on the passenger seat though.

Hi rentagas

Appreciate your comments.

I am a bit ignorant about this isofix 'thing', will have to check this out on the internet.

I just assumed I would be able to put my current Britax seat in the front as usual, obviously this seems not to be the case?

[rentagas]

The mini isofix seat can still be used without extending it's isofix clips so it's not a problem in the front. However the isofix mountings (previously an option but now standard on the convertible) give a very firm fixation of the seat to the car's chassis (or just the seat in my MPV). A "normal" seat eg Britax will still probably fit but obviously using the seat belt rather than the isofix mountings (as indeed the BMW one does in the front.
All isofix car seats cost a fortune including the Britax one although I have to say I'm even more safety conscious in the convertible than in a normal car.
note that the rear seats in the convertible have backs that are almost perpendicular to the bases so a "universal" car seat or even one OK in a hatch may not fit
Note covers for isofix mountings in car, keyed airbag switch in passenger door, isofix mounted BMW seat

[ezrally]

Compared to the cost of injuring ones back putting child and or seat in the back of a MINI, 200 doesn't sound too bad.
I don't think deactivation is something the dealer would even consider in the USA...
Maybe I should ask!

[ezrally]

I don't think deactivation is something the dealer would even consider in the USA...
Maybe I should ask![/quote]

Well I tried two midwest dealerships, and International (MKE) won't and doesn't deactivate the pass. airbag.

Its an 03 purchased there...

Patrick MINI north of CHI responded quickly and nicely that it is not possible to have it turned off.

So, its going to be more of the same struggle (for us) to get toddler in the back. Oh well he likes the MINI more now that the runflats are off.

Or use the tired 4dr Mitsu awhile longer until we can find asuitable replacement car for it.