Found! Child seat that fits!
Discussion
Hi guys (and girls of course),
I know this topic has been kicked around before but thought I'd let you all know that I've found a child seat that fits in the back of my 996 C4 and seems to be a viable alternative to the Porsche Prince.
I didn't want a Prince as they are not exactly great value for money and, even though it does really well in tests, I'm not fond of the method of holding little darling in (it uses a lap tray rather than full harness). Also, it is only suitable up to 18Kg and LD is 15Kg already so not much use left in a Prince. I trapised around Halfords, Toys R Us, Mothercare et al and tried pretty much every seat on the market. Found a few that physically fitted (the main problem is the 'footprint' - the centre tunnel caused most to sit slightly proud of the base), but none that felt secure enough for my (and the missus') liking. The seat back of the rear seats is very vertical and this generally left a triangular shaped gap at the back of the child seat that reduced its stability and left little leg room.
The one I've got is made by Klippan - have dismantled it totally and read the instructions cover to cover (now that's a first!) and can't find a model name, but judging from other posts it could be a Futura. The base is a snug and excellent fit and, with the seat back removed from the car, it is rock solid against the rear bulkhead. I was little nervous about taking that seat back out as you kind of figure the child seats are designed to work with a full seat, but it is much more secure, solves the 'trianlge gap' problem and increases legroom markedly. The seat claims to be suitable up to age 5 and can even be used rearwards facing for the first few months (but have not tried that option so don't know if it fits). It also reclines but I don't think I'd do that as it would reduce legroom quite a bit.
Anyway, hopefully the following pics make all my text a bit clearer, first one shows the seat installed and sitting nice and square on the base - where the seat belt passes over the top of the seat there is a locking mechanism that really grips the belt tight and seems to keep it really secure:
...and this one shows how flush it sits against the rear bulkhead (if you look it is as far back as the seat back on the other side):
After installing it I took it back to a couple of the shops I had previously been around and got the various 'advisors' to come and have a look (apparently they have to go on a RoSPA course to be qualified seat fitters) and they all agrred it was suitable and sufficiently anchored.
Hope that helps those of you justifying the car as a 'practical family vehicle'!
Not sure if it fits 996/964/3.2 etc but would be worth a try, pretty sure it will be OK in a 997 though.
>> Edited by leeme3 on Monday 28th November 11:39
>> Edited by leeme3 on Monday 28th November 11:42
I know this topic has been kicked around before but thought I'd let you all know that I've found a child seat that fits in the back of my 996 C4 and seems to be a viable alternative to the Porsche Prince.
I didn't want a Prince as they are not exactly great value for money and, even though it does really well in tests, I'm not fond of the method of holding little darling in (it uses a lap tray rather than full harness). Also, it is only suitable up to 18Kg and LD is 15Kg already so not much use left in a Prince. I trapised around Halfords, Toys R Us, Mothercare et al and tried pretty much every seat on the market. Found a few that physically fitted (the main problem is the 'footprint' - the centre tunnel caused most to sit slightly proud of the base), but none that felt secure enough for my (and the missus') liking. The seat back of the rear seats is very vertical and this generally left a triangular shaped gap at the back of the child seat that reduced its stability and left little leg room.
The one I've got is made by Klippan - have dismantled it totally and read the instructions cover to cover (now that's a first!) and can't find a model name, but judging from other posts it could be a Futura. The base is a snug and excellent fit and, with the seat back removed from the car, it is rock solid against the rear bulkhead. I was little nervous about taking that seat back out as you kind of figure the child seats are designed to work with a full seat, but it is much more secure, solves the 'trianlge gap' problem and increases legroom markedly. The seat claims to be suitable up to age 5 and can even be used rearwards facing for the first few months (but have not tried that option so don't know if it fits). It also reclines but I don't think I'd do that as it would reduce legroom quite a bit.
Anyway, hopefully the following pics make all my text a bit clearer, first one shows the seat installed and sitting nice and square on the base - where the seat belt passes over the top of the seat there is a locking mechanism that really grips the belt tight and seems to keep it really secure:
...and this one shows how flush it sits against the rear bulkhead (if you look it is as far back as the seat back on the other side):
After installing it I took it back to a couple of the shops I had previously been around and got the various 'advisors' to come and have a look (apparently they have to go on a RoSPA course to be qualified seat fitters) and they all agrred it was suitable and sufficiently anchored.
Hope that helps those of you justifying the car as a 'practical family vehicle'!
Not sure if it fits 996/964/3.2 etc but would be worth a try, pretty sure it will be OK in a 997 though.
>> Edited by leeme3 on Monday 28th November 11:39
>> Edited by leeme3 on Monday 28th November 11:42
The M&P one is called the XP or something similar. I tried it and it had limited legroom and again only suitable to 18Kg, but certainly well made (all my other seats / prams / buggies etc etc are M&P, it is good kit).
Only took 2 mins to remove seat back and is easy to put back in - but not really a snag as the child seat is pretty much a permanent fixture.
Only took 2 mins to remove seat back and is easy to put back in - but not really a snag as the child seat is pretty much a permanent fixture.
Oh, alright then. Thing is I got it off ebay and I was a bit reticent to admit it as I'm the first to tell folk they shouldn't buy secondhand child safety kit. But I was lucky enough to live close to have a look at it and even have a trial fitting.
I paid about £50 for it and there is another one on ebay at the moment (actually, there are 2 but, whilst, I am convinced the orange one is the same I think the other one may be a bit different).
...and if you lot get into a bidding war I'll be asking the seller for a cut!
They seem to crop up every few weeks or so - if anyone lives near Lincoln and wants to see the seat (to see if it fits for them and so on) feel free to drop me a line.
I paid about £50 for it and there is another one on ebay at the moment (actually, there are 2 but, whilst, I am convinced the orange one is the same I think the other one may be a bit different).
...and if you lot get into a bidding war I'll be asking the seller for a cut!
They seem to crop up every few weeks or so - if anyone lives near Lincoln and wants to see the seat (to see if it fits for them and so on) feel free to drop me a line.
Also ... from the photo it looks like the seat belt buckle is against the seat itself ... so-called "buckle crunch" and something to be avoided
see this www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing/fitting.htm
see this www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing/fitting.htm
fulham911club said:
Also ... from the photo it looks like the seat belt buckle is against the seat itself ... so-called "buckle crunch" and something to be avoided
see this www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing/fitting.htm
Hard to see how you will avoid some degree of that in a 911 though.
I posted on this topic some time ago at length, I believe the M&P is called Sicuro.
The XP probably refers to the Maxi Cosi Rodi (though that is a class 2/3 seat) it's the SP that fits, the xp footprint is too large due to the belt tensioner system.
LeeMe, although the klippan didn't fare too well in the "Which" tests ANY seat is better than none.
Tertius one of the problems with the klippan/M&P is the requirement for a longer rear seat belt, perhaps removing the seatback obviates this problem.
One of the reasons I purchased my 964 was because of the rear 'kiddie' seats, if not for them I would have bought another Elise.
>> Edited by azureblue118 on Monday 28th November 14:02
The XP probably refers to the Maxi Cosi Rodi (though that is a class 2/3 seat) it's the SP that fits, the xp footprint is too large due to the belt tensioner system.
LeeMe, although the klippan didn't fare too well in the "Which" tests ANY seat is better than none.
Tertius one of the problems with the klippan/M&P is the requirement for a longer rear seat belt, perhaps removing the seatback obviates this problem.
One of the reasons I purchased my 964 was because of the rear 'kiddie' seats, if not for them I would have bought another Elise.
>> Edited by azureblue118 on Monday 28th November 14:02
azureblue118 said:
...one of the problems with the klippan/M&P is the requirement for a longer rear seat belt, perhaps removing the seatback obviates this problem.
I'm not using a seat belt extension in the 996 and it fits OK with the back in or out (in terms of seat belt length that is - overall fit is definitely better with back removed).
The issue about buckle crunch is valid but then, as pointed out, any seat is better than none and actually whilst the seat is flush against the buckle it is not pressing hard on it in normal use.
All you can do is try different solutions and see what works for you and your requirements - like all parents (at least I hope 'all') I'll do what I can to minimise risk to my child and I feel the seat I've got to be up to the job - but of course 95% of the time she travels in my Passat or Golf (even though the 911 is her favourite and she complains when we don't take it!).
Not hijacking your thread here, but I am getting a 996 Targa in January and recently
discovered that my other half has a little 'surprise' in store for me due to arrive in July
. Is there ANY solution out there for a backward facing baby seat (Less than 9 month old baby) that would fit in the back of a 996 ? I have heard that removing the back seats pading saves another 4 Inches or so ?
Anyone ?
Get yourselves to this outfit:
QuickFit Seat Belt Services
Inertia House,
Lowther Road,
Stanmore,
Middlesex.
HA7 1EP
Tel: (020) 8206 0101
Website: www.quickfitsbs.co.uk
The web site is useless, I'm afraid - but they're a good company (aside from that).
They fitted rear belts into my 1976 3.0 Carrera and supplied us with two child seats that fit perfectly in the back or front. When I get home I'll check what make/model of child seat we bought - if anyone is interested.
QuickFit Seat Belt Services
Inertia House,
Lowther Road,
Stanmore,
Middlesex.
HA7 1EP
Tel: (020) 8206 0101
Website: www.quickfitsbs.co.uk
The web site is useless, I'm afraid - but they're a good company (aside from that).
They fitted rear belts into my 1976 3.0 Carrera and supplied us with two child seats that fit perfectly in the back or front. When I get home I'll check what make/model of child seat we bought - if anyone is interested.
The child seats we bought (about 2 or 3 years ago) are:
Maxi Cosi Rodi
They've been fine - no complaints.
What made them the right choice is that the base of the seat fits perfectly into the tiny bum-space that is the rear seat of an old 911. The girls are getting a bit big for the full child seats now so the backs of the Maxi Cosi come off and the base is a stand-alone booster.
Maxi Cosi Rodi
They've been fine - no complaints.
What made them the right choice is that the base of the seat fits perfectly into the tiny bum-space that is the rear seat of an old 911. The girls are getting a bit big for the full child seats now so the backs of the Maxi Cosi come off and the base is a stand-alone booster.
After much searching, the two that I found were:
- Maxi Cosi Priory XP
- Mamas & Papas Pro-tec
I went for the Mamas and Papas Pro-tec after reading the recommendation by Which Magazine. Initially I used it without removing the back seat but I have now removed it and gained a bit of legroom for the front passenger. Here are a couple of previous threads:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=48&h=0&t=195122
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=48&t=210374
- Maxi Cosi Priory XP
- Mamas & Papas Pro-tec
I went for the Mamas and Papas Pro-tec after reading the recommendation by Which Magazine. Initially I used it without removing the back seat but I have now removed it and gained a bit of legroom for the front passenger. Here are a couple of previous threads:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=48&h=0&t=195122
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=48&t=210374
I had also had a real challenge trying to find a solution to accommodate our 10 month old daughter into the back of my 993.
I went to QuickFit where they fitted this same seat. The seat they fitted to my car is the Mamas and Papas Sicuro, which is no longer a current model, but I think QuickFit can still get them. It is the same seat as this Klippan model.
I too thought about buying a Porsche Prince, but agree that it's restraining system does not inspire confidence.
QuickFit replaced the rear interia real with a bespoke longer static belt. This also comes with it's own buckle (replaces the original item on the centre tunnel) which moves the buckle position away from the seat and so eliminates the "buckle crunch". The whole system is extremely secure and exactly the solution we were looking for. I can thoroughly recommend QuickFit to anyone considering a child seat in a 911.
IMO safety is so important it's worth going to professionals.
I'll take some pictures next time I get a chance and post them up so anyone who's interested can see the installation.
I went to QuickFit where they fitted this same seat. The seat they fitted to my car is the Mamas and Papas Sicuro, which is no longer a current model, but I think QuickFit can still get them. It is the same seat as this Klippan model.
I too thought about buying a Porsche Prince, but agree that it's restraining system does not inspire confidence.
QuickFit replaced the rear interia real with a bespoke longer static belt. This also comes with it's own buckle (replaces the original item on the centre tunnel) which moves the buckle position away from the seat and so eliminates the "buckle crunch". The whole system is extremely secure and exactly the solution we were looking for. I can thoroughly recommend QuickFit to anyone considering a child seat in a 911.
IMO safety is so important it's worth going to professionals.
I'll take some pictures next time I get a chance and post them up so anyone who's interested can see the installation.
leeme3 said:
The seat claims to be suitable up to age 5 and can even be used rearwards facing for the first few months (but have not tried that option so don't know if it fits).
Unfortunately no rear facing seat fits in the back of a 911. You can fit them in the front of the car, but that means having the airbag turned off by an OPC and, if you're brave enough, asking your better half to travel in the back!
we bought a klippan futura 2-3 years ago when we had a 996 as it fits well.
A BIG WORD OF WARNING THOUGH....
The worst performers in the Which? tests were the Mothercare Daytona, with an unprecedented score of 0, the Mon Bebe Turbo Up with a 10 out of 100 and the Klippan Futura which scored 12.
THE FUTURA GOT WITHDRAWN FROM SALE AFTER THIS, SO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT BUYING. WE BINNED OURS AFTER THIS AS 12/100 IS NOT GOOD NEWS IN TERMS OF A CHILD SEAT
Bennno
A BIG WORD OF WARNING THOUGH....
The worst performers in the Which? tests were the Mothercare Daytona, with an unprecedented score of 0, the Mon Bebe Turbo Up with a 10 out of 100 and the Klippan Futura which scored 12.
THE FUTURA GOT WITHDRAWN FROM SALE AFTER THIS, SO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT BUYING. WE BINNED OURS AFTER THIS AS 12/100 IS NOT GOOD NEWS IN TERMS OF A CHILD SEAT
Bennno
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