Mini R53 - Suitable for new baby arrival?
Discussion
Rear facing car seat and a pram might be a bit of a squeeze. The new 5dr Cooper S I had for a couple of weeks was a pain. 2 front facing seats in the back took up most of the space. Fitting a pram in the boot (bugaboo) was next to impossible, took up the whole rear window. The other cheaper pushchair didn't fit at all.
You could fold down the seat on one side and that will solve some of your problems
You could fold down the seat on one side and that will solve some of your problems
Hi OP
I know someone who has a mini convertible and two children aged 3 and under 1. She's had the car before the first was born too, so it is manageable but it really depends on your lifestyle.
We spend a lot of time travelling 100+ miles to see family and we'd struggle, as sometimes we're away for a week plus and we take a fair bit of baby stuff. Others would no doubt manage with less. Our family car is a Note and that's been plenty big enough so far (again, for us).
I have a three door Polo GTI. It's very rarely used for family duties, as loading our son in and out is much easier with stubby rear doors, with a slightly higher load level, and it saves moving the car seat around (although that isn't bad, just another job to do when you want to get going).
To sum up, some will manage easily enough, others never would manage, and others may struggle to manage by squeezing everything in. It just depends on who you are and how often you need to travel /be away.
I know someone who has a mini convertible and two children aged 3 and under 1. She's had the car before the first was born too, so it is manageable but it really depends on your lifestyle.
We spend a lot of time travelling 100+ miles to see family and we'd struggle, as sometimes we're away for a week plus and we take a fair bit of baby stuff. Others would no doubt manage with less. Our family car is a Note and that's been plenty big enough so far (again, for us).
I have a three door Polo GTI. It's very rarely used for family duties, as loading our son in and out is much easier with stubby rear doors, with a slightly higher load level, and it saves moving the car seat around (although that isn't bad, just another job to do when you want to get going).
To sum up, some will manage easily enough, others never would manage, and others may struggle to manage by squeezing everything in. It just depends on who you are and how often you need to travel /be away.
Edited by Cudd Wudd on Saturday 15th October 09:11
Edited by Cudd Wudd on Saturday 15th October 09:16
Hi
WE have managed with a MINI clubman for the last five years. Our kids are currently 7 and 3 years old. A few tips...
Day-to-day there are not any 'real' issues. Rear facing seat would fit in the front with the airbag switched off. It can prove awkward installing this in the rear, IME. This will 'only' be for six months or so......
Get used to squeezing in the back to plug the seat belt in when they get a little older. (Don't do this if you have any back issues though.....)
With one child, a pram fits behind the drivers seat, leaving the boot for other clutter and the passenger seat free for the other parent.
With two kids, we used a roofbox with the MINI for longer trips.
The Clubman can easily fit a pram in the boot.
We did have an R53 and couldn't find many prams that would fit in the boot so we decided to sell prior to our first child arriving.....
We did have access to another car and campervan but regularly used the MINI for all needs.
So, the reality is, it is possible but it is definitely compromised.
Mike
WE have managed with a MINI clubman for the last five years. Our kids are currently 7 and 3 years old. A few tips...
Day-to-day there are not any 'real' issues. Rear facing seat would fit in the front with the airbag switched off. It can prove awkward installing this in the rear, IME. This will 'only' be for six months or so......
Get used to squeezing in the back to plug the seat belt in when they get a little older. (Don't do this if you have any back issues though.....)
With one child, a pram fits behind the drivers seat, leaving the boot for other clutter and the passenger seat free for the other parent.
With two kids, we used a roofbox with the MINI for longer trips.
The Clubman can easily fit a pram in the boot.
We did have an R53 and couldn't find many prams that would fit in the boot so we decided to sell prior to our first child arriving.....
We did have access to another car and campervan but regularly used the MINI for all needs.
So, the reality is, it is possible but it is definitely compromised.
Mike
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