[Paul]

Hello folks...

I know there are plenty of other threads on child seats, but today I went to a local place we have called the In-Car Safety Centre (http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/group...ty_503256.hcsp) (http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/road_safet...at_company.stm).

The reason I went there was basically to see a Maxi-Cosi Priori XP in action, and buy it. I know other MINI owners have these, and I've also seen them praised highly in more general terms.

I chose the In-Car Safety Centre as they're just as much a place for advice and safety guidance as they are a shop, even more so really.

Sadly, after trying many various Maxi-Cosi and Britax seats that suit Alfie's 9 month + size, we came to the sad conclusion that only the Britax Duo ISOFIX (non-approved, therefore a bit of an iffy choice) fits. But that ONLY fits using the ISOFIX, the belt is way too loose.

If the belt was OK, then a "belts and braces" method would get around the lack of approval, as you're relying on the belt, with the ISOFIX as a bonus. Also, Abi's MINI is non-ISOFIX, so that was ruled out.

One other seat did fit (I cant recall the brand/model, Britax something, with a "foot" and no recline option) but it only worked in it's bolt upright position, which is obsolutely no good.

So, it seems that unless this very well respected establishment are wrong (and I watched them try very hard to fit a range of seats in the MINI) it looks like I'll be forced to go with the BMW ISOFIX seats, which don't seem so great on comfort, or support.

Any thoughts or suggestions anyone?

[ezrally]

Our 9month uses a Britax Roundabout forward facing w the lap belt, LATCH/Iso on it only works rearward facing. It is comfy for him tho. It has little recline adjust to it.
It works fine with alot of crawling to get the seat and baby in!
Its approved for USA- so I don't know if this OK in your UK. Just skimmed your post as his crawling away as we speak- time for Tele bye bye! Phew...

[Paul]

He's in the rear facing BMW seat (0+) at the moment, and we're looking for a UK forward facing seat for the "next leg" of his growth!

[ezrally]

Paul, have you seen the "baby" Recaro booster car seat that "grows" w your child?
Very interesting nice and expensive.
Only forward facing, thus no Iso/Latch again.
If you could post a pic of it people will love it.
Nicer than alot of adult car seats.
My wife nixed the idea due to its $340 cost! Now all we need is Sparco or Momo to make kid seats!
Good luck, we use the 4dr car mostly except for long trips (hi mileage on the Gallant).

[mikeythemini]

How about retro fitting isofix to Abi's car? Have you looked into that?

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

How about retro fitting isofix to Abi's car? Have you looked into that?

That's not really the problem, I've got ISOFIX and I cant get anything to fit my car.

[Paul]

The worrying thing (for me, though I'm sure it's tested) is that the BMW/MINI seat doesn't recline, but mostly that it doesn't have shoulder straps, just a bolster?! See here: http://accessories.mini.com/internet/servlet/image.do;jsessionid=Ab8kaekXFyjg1Nr9yLYbNzC2CnDKrk 13EZMzUsr7YSYqu4cMXNP8!2009474905?imageId=3313

[pob]

Paul - I've just replied in another thread about the BMW seat. The bolster is a bit of a pain and at the moment my daughter doesn't like it. From speaking to other people who've had seats with bolsters rather than harnesses they say as the child grows they get more used to it and are fine. My daughters been in it twice and after the second go seemed to settle down with it a bit, but she didn't look comfortable as she's too small for the bolster cushion (even though she is above the recommended weight). I've resorted to using the Britax ISOFIX Duo we use in our other car. Solid as a rock in there, but like you I'm a bit unsure as it hasn't been approved by BMW/MINI. I was guessing that they wouldn't approve it for use as they want to sell more of their own seats? It certainly seems as solid as it does in our Audi A3 when its installed.

I'll have a look tomorrow to see if the BMW seat reclines - I thought it did, but not with much travel. I know the seat back height is adjustable which seems quite dinky - it will certainly last longer than the Britax seat in that respect. When she's in with the bolster she seems very secure and absence of shoulder straps must be ok if it's on sale and approved?

[Paul]

The ISOFIX Britax is fine on the ISOFIX, but hopeless without, and Abi's car has no ISOFIX.

The problem with no straps (or rather, the concern) is in the event of a rollover, would it be so good, or what about stresses on back/neck in a front or rear impact.

[Rakey]

It just so happens Paul that I know a bit about carseats as well as prams, plus a few people that are experts in carseats, mainly as we are soon launch a range of seats. I will try and do some digging for you and test a few seats in the back of my car next week and let you know how I get on.

[Paul]

Groovy, thanks.

Its seems odd that some people say they've used these seats and they fit fine though?

[Rakey]

yeah very strange, I have done fittings so far with our 0-9 months seats which fit fine, but I will check out the older ones when I am back in the office on Tuesday and also try some of the most popular brands for you, like Maxi (my fav) and Britax, and get some my friend that works for ROSPA to see what he knows too

[taff007]

I took delivery of my cooper last week and fell into the 'you can't put a price on safety' trap so I bought the Mini Isofix seat without too much thought. To be fair its a substantial bit of kit but when I did unpack it at home I was concerned about the lack of harnesses and the fairly poor instructions (when compared with booklet that came with the Maxi-Cosi Priori in our other car).

I tried the baby in the seat and just as Pob found, although she is 9 1/2 months and over the minimum weight she looked really uncomfortable and didn't seem happy, and I wasn't convinced it was that safe. At that point I was going to take the seat back but not knowing of a suitable alternative, and convincing my wife that as they are made by BMW and sold all over the world they must be safe I have persevered. She has got used to the seat now and we have been on a couple of fairly long journeys without too many complaints. The seat is rock solid in the car and I'm sure that as she grows older the bolster won't bother her at all - I'm just willing her to grow!!

There is a reclining feature on the seat but if you install the seat tight against the seat (as I'm sure is safest) it doesn't work. I have tried with the isofix clips one-click away from its tightest setting but this increases the movement of the seat as a whole, which I guess reduces the effectiveness of the seat. I'd be interested to hear what other isofix owners think.

[Paul]

OK, today we went to two other fitters/suppliers who tried the Maxi-Cosi Priori XP. Both managed to fit the seat in the car VERY well, and I also had a try and it was very snug, no movement, and felt totally secure.

We ended up purchasing the seat from our local "Nippers" (www.nippers.co.uk) who were very good indeed.

I did get the feeling (which is why we tried again) that the other place was a little "that wont fit..... see, it doesn't fit" in their attitude and effort.

Ah well, all is well that ends well.

[Paul]

Just an update, still going well. No problems with the seat or it's fitting in the MINI.

[addman]

Just for info - the Britax Duo Plus came out as a best buy in Which? last month. They didn't test any manufacturer-specific seats such as the BMW one, but the Britax came out better than any non-ISOFIX ones. Good news is that the general quality of seats has gone up in the last year or two anyway. There's scary stuff about carrycots in the back of cars - even those designed to be strapped in cars are very dangerous. I doubt they'd be a viable option with the MINI's seat shape anyway.

I think pob may have a point - BMW want to sell their own seat so won't approve others.

Anyway, I've got to worry about 0-9 first - anyone selling their BMW ISOFIX before September?

[Paul]

ISOFIX is great, but if it's not approved then if anything bad happens and there's a problem you wont be able to hold anyone responsible.

We're selling our 0+ ISOFIX soon, no point keeping it now Alfie's in his Maxi-Cosi.

[stryder]

Selling the 0+ seat? Alfie's not going to have any siblings to keep him company? And make fun of? And complain they get spoiled and he didn't?

[DNV122]

Paul,

I've been using Maxi-Cosi Priori's (pre-XP, non-ISO I think) for both my daughters (4 & 2) in the back of the family Passat estate. The Passat is great as it has clicking, non-return laps belts, which means you can hold the seats v.securely.

I've taken the oldest daughter in the back of the MINI and miss this 'clicking' belt feature as the seats are no way near as secure. I never travel far with the girls in the MINI (too small with the way I have my seat), but I am now looking for a seat for the 4 year old - one of these Rodi XPs.

Anyne else got experience of a good seat for a 4+ year old that fits in the back of a Cooper S

[addman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

ISOFIX is great, but if it's not approved then if anything bad happens and there's a problem you wont be able to hold anyone responsible.

We're selling our 0+ ISOFIX soon, no point keeping it now Alfie's in his Maxi-Cosi.

Or on the other hand when I need a 9+ I go for a safer seat that's easier to fit (it seems poor fitting is the cause of many child seat failures) and hope I never have to resort to legal recourse or shell out for a less comfortable but approved seat. Bloody BMW, why won't they approve other seats!

It's all a bit worrying, this parenting lark, and he's not even here yet!

Maxi-Cosi sounds good though, at the very least we'd be looking for another seat for our other (non-MINI, non-isofix) car so sounds like a good choice.

I'll pm you about the 0+.

Adam.