Mercedes C-Class Estate - Child Seats Help
Discussion
Hi All,
New here and looking for some advice please.
I have a Mercedes C-250 Sport-Plus Class Estate (2012 model)
I like the car and have had no problems with it thus far, but have recently found out that my wife is expecting twins this summer.
We currently have a 10 month old son.
The problem this presents is that we will need to fit 2 stage 0 and 1 stage 1 car seat in to the Mercedes. Apparently all across the back seats is not an issue (not space and Mercedes claims child seat in middle is 'unsafe'). Ordinarily the simple answer would be to put one of the seats in the front passenger seat. Mercedes, in their infinite wisdom, though, have made it impossible to manually turn off those airbags, meaning the only carseat you can put in their is their stage 1 model, which is over £500.
So here are my questions and I really would appreciate some input:
1) Has anyone else had this issue and how did they get round it?
2) Anyone got a second-hand stage 1 Mercedes child seat which they'd be prepared to sell?
3) Are Mercedes just being cagey with their advice do you think? ie in anyone's specific or general experience, could 2 stage 0 and 1 stage 1 seat across the back work? This would probably work better for me if workable, since otherwise my wife is going to have to sit in the middle at the back wedged between two car seats.
4) Anyone aware of any other solution to disable the front passenger airbags, without affecting other airbags, other than buying the £500 Mercedes car seat?
OR
5) Is it time to go and get the VW Sharan/Transporter, whatever the MPV is called? I'm not dead keen really.
Thanks very much in advance - and sorry for the slightly boring/sensible type post. Any assistance/advice very much appreciated.
Ta.
New here and looking for some advice please.
I have a Mercedes C-250 Sport-Plus Class Estate (2012 model)
I like the car and have had no problems with it thus far, but have recently found out that my wife is expecting twins this summer.
We currently have a 10 month old son.
The problem this presents is that we will need to fit 2 stage 0 and 1 stage 1 car seat in to the Mercedes. Apparently all across the back seats is not an issue (not space and Mercedes claims child seat in middle is 'unsafe'). Ordinarily the simple answer would be to put one of the seats in the front passenger seat. Mercedes, in their infinite wisdom, though, have made it impossible to manually turn off those airbags, meaning the only carseat you can put in their is their stage 1 model, which is over £500.
So here are my questions and I really would appreciate some input:
1) Has anyone else had this issue and how did they get round it?
2) Anyone got a second-hand stage 1 Mercedes child seat which they'd be prepared to sell?
3) Are Mercedes just being cagey with their advice do you think? ie in anyone's specific or general experience, could 2 stage 0 and 1 stage 1 seat across the back work? This would probably work better for me if workable, since otherwise my wife is going to have to sit in the middle at the back wedged between two car seats.
4) Anyone aware of any other solution to disable the front passenger airbags, without affecting other airbags, other than buying the £500 Mercedes car seat?
OR
5) Is it time to go and get the VW Sharan/Transporter, whatever the MPV is called? I'm not dead keen really.
Thanks very much in advance - and sorry for the slightly boring/sensible type post. Any assistance/advice very much appreciated.
Ta.
I'm in a similar position. 5 year old, 3.5 year old and another due in a couple of months with the challenge of getting them all into an A4. Never going to happen. Even if you do find a car that can fit three seats across (which are few and far between - a Disco for example will do it) it will be a horrendous squeeze. Furthermore, you will never be able to carry another person and as the kids get older and you become a permanent taxi service, you'll need to fit their little friends in. Suck it in and get an MPV.
Best option is an S-Max as it is a surprisingly good steer, but alternatives are the XC90 or the much underrated lwb R Class if you want to stick with MB.
I would be very surprised if there really was no way to disable the passenger airbag.
Best option is an S-Max as it is a surprisingly good steer, but alternatives are the XC90 or the much underrated lwb R Class if you want to stick with MB.
I would be very surprised if there really was no way to disable the passenger airbag.
Dapster, I had similar thoughts about the airbag situation.
The official MB seat has some special jiggery-pokery/technology/witchcraft which disables the airbags when the seat is in the car.
I've been told by MB there is NO OTHER WAY no achieve the same result, but I'm sure they just want my £500, hence me asking here!
The official MB seat has some special jiggery-pokery/technology/witchcraft which disables the airbags when the seat is in the car.
I've been told by MB there is NO OTHER WAY no achieve the same result, but I'm sure they just want my £500, hence me asking here!
I've just had a a look at the online imnetactive manual for the C class, and it says this:
•Do not drive with a child secured in a rearward-facing child restraint system on the front-passenger seat. Exception: if the vehicle is equipped with automatic child seat recognition on the front-passenger seat and the child is secured in a child restraint system with transponders for automatic child seat recognition
•if you secure a forward-facing child restraint system to the front-passenger seat, you must move the front-passenger seat as far back as possible.
•rearward-facing child restraint systems must not be fitted to the front-passenger seat unless the front-passenger airbag has been disabled. On the front-passenger seat, the front-passenger airbag is disabled if a child restraint system with a transponder for automatic child seat recognition is fitted to the front-passenger seat in a vehicle equipped with automatic child seat recognition. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp must be continuously lit.
If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle does not have automatic child seat recognition, or your rearward-facing child restraint system does not have a transponder for automatic child seat recognition, children must be secured in a child restraint system on a suitable seat in the rear. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint system to the front-passenger seat, you must move the front-passenger seat as far back as possible.
So, does your car have this? Can it be retro-fitted? If not, then it looks like you are stuck with three in the back (despite only 2 isofix positions). Hmmmm...
Sorry I cant be more help. But good luck
William ('12 C200 estate)
•Do not drive with a child secured in a rearward-facing child restraint system on the front-passenger seat. Exception: if the vehicle is equipped with automatic child seat recognition on the front-passenger seat and the child is secured in a child restraint system with transponders for automatic child seat recognition
•if you secure a forward-facing child restraint system to the front-passenger seat, you must move the front-passenger seat as far back as possible.
•rearward-facing child restraint systems must not be fitted to the front-passenger seat unless the front-passenger airbag has been disabled. On the front-passenger seat, the front-passenger airbag is disabled if a child restraint system with a transponder for automatic child seat recognition is fitted to the front-passenger seat in a vehicle equipped with automatic child seat recognition. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp must be continuously lit.
If the front-passenger seat of your vehicle does not have automatic child seat recognition, or your rearward-facing child restraint system does not have a transponder for automatic child seat recognition, children must be secured in a child restraint system on a suitable seat in the rear. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint system to the front-passenger seat, you must move the front-passenger seat as far back as possible.
So, does your car have this? Can it be retro-fitted? If not, then it looks like you are stuck with three in the back (despite only 2 isofix positions). Hmmmm...
Sorry I cant be more help. But good luck
William ('12 C200 estate)
Hi,
The car does have the automatic recognition of the car seat, providing you buy the stage 1 MB car seat.
The problem which I've now noticed (thanks to your post) is that the passenger seat must be all the way back, which is not possible with a stage 0 seat in the rear passenger seat behind that seat.
Looks like, to use a technical term, we may be screwed.
I thought that having three kids under 2 might present problems, but I was really hoping not to have to replace the car. Does look like I have no option though.
I've had the car less than 6 months as well!
The car does have the automatic recognition of the car seat, providing you buy the stage 1 MB car seat.
The problem which I've now noticed (thanks to your post) is that the passenger seat must be all the way back, which is not possible with a stage 0 seat in the rear passenger seat behind that seat.
Looks like, to use a technical term, we may be screwed.
I thought that having three kids under 2 might present problems, but I was really hoping not to have to replace the car. Does look like I have no option though.
I've had the car less than 6 months as well!
James,
This won't help the airbag issue with the front seat, but when our three were small I read about the seat conversions that EVO fitted to an M3...had decent reviews too and maybe an answer to your problem.
Not sure on your budget though?
http://www.multimac.co.uk/car_seats
This won't help the airbag issue with the front seat, but when our three were small I read about the seat conversions that EVO fitted to an M3...had decent reviews too and maybe an answer to your problem.
Not sure on your budget though?
http://www.multimac.co.uk/car_seats
Thanks Kev. I will take a better look. I think the problem is that obviously by law the kids (who will then be newborn, newborn and 15 months) (OUCH!) have to have the relevant car seats ie 2 x stage 0 and 1 x stage 1. I think there are problems fitting those three across the back.
It is because my wife is pregnant with twins that we have an issue, since 'normal' cars ie traditional saloons/hatchbacks/estates etc generally are great for up to 2 'young' children and 2 adults, but perhaps not much more.
By having 3 all under the age of 2, I don't think there is a single configuration that works.
Even with a stage 1 car seat in the front, having paid MB £500 for a stage 1 seat, it still doesn't work as you can't put the stage 0 seat behind that seat or in the middle. And I have to fit my wife in somewhere.
I do appreciate all the suggestions and I'll look in to all options, but it appears the only way this can work is with an MPV sort of vehicle, which is what I'd feared really.
It is because my wife is pregnant with twins that we have an issue, since 'normal' cars ie traditional saloons/hatchbacks/estates etc generally are great for up to 2 'young' children and 2 adults, but perhaps not much more.
By having 3 all under the age of 2, I don't think there is a single configuration that works.
Even with a stage 1 car seat in the front, having paid MB £500 for a stage 1 seat, it still doesn't work as you can't put the stage 0 seat behind that seat or in the middle. And I have to fit my wife in somewhere.
I do appreciate all the suggestions and I'll look in to all options, but it appears the only way this can work is with an MPV sort of vehicle, which is what I'd feared really.
This is another work around on the transponder.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Altrntive-to-Mercedes-Ch...
But with three young kids I think MPV really is the answer.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Altrntive-to-Mercedes-Ch...
But with three young kids I think MPV really is the answer.
There are isofix bases that are the full width of a rear seat and can accommodate 3 isofix child seats. I don't know if they attach with just 4 isofix points or 6 though (as in the middle seat doesn't need the points and is just bridged).
I know nothing about them though, except that they cost over £1000 but that still may be cheaper then replacing the car.
I know nothing about them though, except that they cost over £1000 but that still may be cheaper then replacing the car.
I have a C350 Estate and had a similar issue as I wanted one twin up the front and the other in the back. The only offical way it to buy a proper Merc baby seat with the transponder built in which turns the passenger airbag off. Yes you can buy the transponder off ebay and gaffer tape it to whatever child seat you want but would you really risk it? Also the official Merc child seats on ebay got for silly money too and again I'm not sure I would risk a second hand child seat e.g. has it ever been in an accident etc.
To be honest, I don't want to take any risks at all. I'd sooner pay £££ than take any risks with my kids' well being and I'm sure many other people are the same.
The official MB seat in the front could be an issue, but I read the front passenger seat has to be fully back, which gives insufficient room for a stage zero seat behind.
Its one of those situations which seems to offer many alternatives, but in truth all of them end up compromising (which is fine) but that compromise in each case is a health/safety compromise, which I can't accept really.
The official MB seat in the front could be an issue, but I read the front passenger seat has to be fully back, which gives insufficient room for a stage zero seat behind.
Its one of those situations which seems to offer many alternatives, but in truth all of them end up compromising (which is fine) but that compromise in each case is a health/safety compromise, which I can't accept really.
Presumably there is not much of a market for a standard sort of estate car with space for 3 kiddie seats across the back?
Could have isofix for all 3 too, although I know the transmission creates a problem for one isofix (floor) point in the middle back.
Just surprises me this is not more of a consideration for manufacturers.
Could have isofix for all 3 too, although I know the transmission creates a problem for one isofix (floor) point in the middle back.
Just surprises me this is not more of a consideration for manufacturers.
Just checked out this link - http://www.multimac.co.uk/car_seats
Anyone tried them? Would you recommend them?
One issue I can think of is that we will be using a twin buggy and a single buddy also I guess.
Ordinarily, the twin buggies are used by clipping in car seats. But these car seats obviously stay in the car.
Additionally, if our son is sleeping in his car seat currently, its a godsend to just lift him out in his seat and leave him asleep.
Having said that, if this solution is the only way to make things work in my current car, it may be worth looking in to.
Anyone tried them? Would you recommend them?
One issue I can think of is that we will be using a twin buggy and a single buddy also I guess.
Ordinarily, the twin buggies are used by clipping in car seats. But these car seats obviously stay in the car.
Additionally, if our son is sleeping in his car seat currently, its a godsend to just lift him out in his seat and leave him asleep.
Having said that, if this solution is the only way to make things work in my current car, it may be worth looking in to.
I was thinking of doing this after read John Barker's recommendations in his long term M3. The benefit I saw was that after the children had grown up and/or the car was changed this seat arrangment could be removed and resold.
I was looking to do this with an E Class convertible to allow 3 children in the rear rather than 2 but the sculptured rear stock seats made it unfeasible to fit the conversion.
Not sure when the Evo write up (think it was Oct 2010)was but should be easily found on the EVO forums.
On other (3 kids need help) threads, the majority of people have voted for the S Max. Only been a passenger in one a few times and it is a great place to be and handles surprisingly well and gives the driver a decent PH-ish driving experience too.
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