Child Seat Advice

[boobles]

WeirdNeville said:

Just some genreal advice:
I've got a E36 1997 BMW 328 Touring, no ISOFIX. Currently expecting our first child...

1) Is it possible to retrofit ISOFIX brackets to this car? Or is it potentially unsafe, so no-one will do it?
2) If I can't have ISOFIX, do the seats that strap in offer equivalent levels of safety? If it's a touch less conveninent then it's not a problem, but if it's much less safe then it is.

Any recommendations for say Sub £100 newborn car seats? Any specific pointers to look at?

Many thanks,
Nev.

Hi,

Unless BMW themselves are prepared to modify your car to accommodate ISOFIX, then the answer is no. It's not worth getting anybodyelse to carry out the work because it will not be approved & you run the risk of being liable god forbid if anything was to happen.

Child seats that use the 3pt car seat belt are just as safe to use if somewhat harder to install.
Isofix really only reduces in-correct installation.

It's always worth having a look on the Halfords website or Mothercare to get a rough idea of prices as I can not give this information out due to one retailer's prices being different to another.

[boobles]

angusc43 said:

Hi Boobles,

I have a non-Isofix 2005 E Class estate.

I'm my little girl (4) is about to grow out of her current seat and move onto my son's Silvercross (I think that's the brand anyway).

My son is nearly 7 I was planning to move him onto a booster seat with a back.

Any recomemndations?

Thanks

Hi,


Either of these are perfectly safe.

http://www.britax.co.uk/car-seats/car-seats/advent...

http://www.maxi-cosi.com/us-en/carseats/kid/rodi-x...

[boobles]

MattW said:

Hi Bobbles,

Would appreciate a bit of advice if you can.

My wife has a BMW E46 3 Series (2004) and I have a 2005 Saab Convertible, until recently I had a VW Passat and we both had a Maxi Cosi Axis seat which worked very well. I checked the Maxi Cosi web site and it seems to suggest that the Axiss will fit in the front passenger seat but when I try it the gap between the baby seat and the chair seems far too excesive.

As a result I am considering getting a new seat, any idea if the Recaro Young Sport is any good and will it fit?

Cheers

Matt

Hi Matt,

To be honest, I would go with what the MaxiCosi website is saying. If they state that this seat will fit, it will. They ike us compile these "fitfinder" sites by trying in all of their products in several different car makes. Sometimes the child seat may look "not right" & if you have any doubts I would contact MaxiCosi as I can not really comment without seeing a picture of the seat in place. By all means post a picture up or email me & I will give you my honest opinion.

[boobles]

parapaul said:

Hi Boobles, hoping you can help me too

Car is a 2007 3 series M sport touring. Kids are 5 and 7.

They're just on the booster 'cushion' seats now, no back or sides. The seats I'd used in both previous cars didn't fit well at all in the BMW, because of the shape of the rear seats - they're quite moulded so a seat with a flat base across its width just won't sit level.

The only ones I've found that will sit properly are really cheap and nasty (albeit kitemarked) Disney ones from Toys R Us.

http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Babies-R-Us/Travel-and-Pu...

While I'm confident they're safe enough to pass the required tests, they don't look nice at all.

The Britax and maxi-cosi sites both say their seats will fit, but having tried a selection of them, I disagree - they may be secure but they're lopsided once in on the back seat and that's not acceptable.

Is there a 'good' seat available with a narrow base?

Thanks

Hi,

To be honest, a booster seat wether it's cheap or not will serve exactly the same purpose because it offers the minimum level of protection which is to sit the child in the correct position.

Any booster seat will raise the child up so that the lap belt sits across the childs pelvis area rather than across the stomach area (if not on a booster) & they really only serve this purpose although a very important purpose. I would go for that Disney one if it fits.

[boobles]

[boobles]

Hi Moley,

That seat or simular seats are perfectly fine for her.

Also have a think about this one.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

[boobles]

To be fair, most seats for your requirements will be a hastle because they will all need some sort of adjustment to cator for both children. Infact, Britax seats tend to be the only manufacturer who make a "special needs seat" & no one alse does. This is called a Travellor Plus & could be exactly what you are after.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&am...

[boobles]

BlackVanDyke said:

That's... erm, somewhat out of my price range.
At the moment the Mouselet is using an ordinary carseat with a bit of extra foam velcroed into it, although she might need something else when she's at an age where typical boosters force sitting them bolt upright - obviously a while off that yet. It might be that by that age she'll have a proper wheelchair that can just be clamped in instead.
S has a buckle cover thingy from the National Autistic Society that helps him not to ‘accidentally’ undo it, and has pretty much full understanding intellectually speaking without any physical impairment so his needs are pretty much normal, at least in terms of carseats.

Thankyou so much for your help - I drive a Sprinter so there's no space issue for any seat. Is there anything you're aware of on the market that can accommodate a 1 year old and a 6 year old without massively heavy-duty adjustment? I was wondering if any came with an insert to fit the smaller child or something...

In all honesty no. Because they are so far apart in age, the child seat will need some adjustment to cater for both, mainly the harness. You can by seats with an adjustable "back rest" which means rather than take the harness out to adjust everytime you swap children, this can be adjusted by a one pull handle without the hastle of un-doing anything, but because the oldest is 6, you will have to remove the harness completely & use it as a "high back booster" & then fit the harness back in for the one year old.

I no your not after 2 seperate seats but this may be your only option.

Something like this for the 6yr old - This will last until the child is approx 12 & completely hastle free to instal.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&am...

& maybe something like this for the 1yr old - This will last until the child is approx 4yrs old.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&am...

[boobles]

BlackVanDyke said:

Thankyou so much, those look fab. Really appreciate that you're helping out like this - it's a fantastic service you're doing for PHers.

Thank you for the kind words. It's always a pleasure to help where I can.

[boobles]

VB said:

Boobles, we're are soon going to be replacing our child seat and are at a loss as what to buy next.

The car is an 06 Passat, which has ISOFIX fitting (never used it) & the boy is an average 2 year old. What would you recommend?


Thanks in advance

Hi,

Something like this....

http://www.britax-roemer.com/car-seats/overview-ca...


Approx from 9 months to 4yrs old.
Very good seat indeed.

[boobles]

Contigo said:

Maxi Cosi for all car seats, we hae three seats for the kids of different ages and they are one of the safest.

Early months - Maxi Cosi Cabrio
Second Stage (9 month-4years) Maxi Cosi Priori XP
Later Stage (4yrs+) Maxi Cosi Rodi AirProtect.

Best bar none.

They do make good seats but to say they are the best bar none is a bit extreme.

For you maybe but not for everyone, but everyones input is important.

[boobles]

Contigo said:

We tried load, Britax, Mothercare own brand and found out of them all for the kids, the Maxi Cosi were the best for comfort, safety and general ease of use. Just going on our experiences.

& nothing wrong with that. You found a brand that suited your needs & stuck with it. Nothing wrong with that at all.

[boobles]

callyman said:

I never realised Google was such an unknown secret.

Seriously though, good work Mr Boobles.

Thanks mate, appreciate the kind words.

[boobles]

[boobles]

You're welcome. If you buy one, let us know how you get on with it. Feedback is always welcome.

[boobles]

Hi Steve,

Booster seats can be used from 15kg up to 36kg or approx 4yrs to approx 12yrs.
I would recommend a "high back booster" because atleast they offer some side impact protection.

Something like this.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&am...

[boobles]

Both of them are extremely expensive & are no better in terms of safety than the one I have shown, or others come to think of it. The trouble with "branded" items & child seats are no exemption such as the "Subaru" seat, you really are paying for the name & nothing more.

Infact the two seats on the Subaru website are Britax products with Subaru branding.

The price difference is horrendous

Edited by boobles on Tuesday 28th June 12:40

[boobles]

spotted that they are Britax products.

[boobles]

68sebring said:

Any recommendations for a 6yr old and 18 month old for use in the back of a BMW M-Sport Convertible (E93)??

Thanks

Neil

Hi,

Could always try hear.. http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&am...



Or here.. http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&am...

If you find anything & if you want any advice with a specific seat, just ask.

[boobles]

Gary Marshall said:

Hi

I see from another post a brief mention fo volvo car seats, looking for the second car seat for my son now 11 months, to be mainly used in 2010 volvo xc 90 , assume the volvo rear facer remains a good option? Or anything else to consider? Currently in ixofix max cosi pebble.

Thanks in advance, great thread!

Cheers

Gary

Hi, worth looking at either these 2 sites to get an idea for your next child seat. Both sites are very accurate & if they suggest something will fit, it will.

Your child is about the right age for a forward facing seat but unless he or she is under 21 lbs, keep them rear facing for a little longer.


http://www.britax.co.uk/car-seats/fit-finder

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&am...