Baby seats in a C63??
Discussion
Ok, news out!! Mrs ecain63 is coming up 20 weeks and even though its still early doors I'm starting to think baby seats etc due to some good Xmas / new year deals coming up.
In truth the baby won't be in the Merc that often as Mrs ecain63 has a Volvo V50 for the house duties and may be upgraded to a Q7 or similar if she behaves herself. But, that said I'm excited and in the mood to get a matching set of cool Recaros specially for the back of the red AMG. Even if it is deemed as excessive!
I think these will look the nuts installed with said youth:
At new born:
https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/65454971...
When a little older:
https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/35165360...
With the fittings etc, how easy is the 'living with' aspect of baby seats in a C-class? Also, do your kids enjoy the rides in your AMG? I know guys with big power Audis and BMWs who's kids demand to be taken out in 'daddys brum-brum' because its noisy and fun, but knowing the AMG fairly well now is it a car that your kids are happy being in? Obviously i have no intention to hoon around as a dad but i don't want to upset anyone by having an unsuitable car for the job.
Eddie
In truth the baby won't be in the Merc that often as Mrs ecain63 has a Volvo V50 for the house duties and may be upgraded to a Q7 or similar if she behaves herself. But, that said I'm excited and in the mood to get a matching set of cool Recaros specially for the back of the red AMG. Even if it is deemed as excessive!
I think these will look the nuts installed with said youth:
At new born:
https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/65454971...
When a little older:
https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/35165360...
With the fittings etc, how easy is the 'living with' aspect of baby seats in a C-class? Also, do your kids enjoy the rides in your AMG? I know guys with big power Audis and BMWs who's kids demand to be taken out in 'daddys brum-brum' because its noisy and fun, but knowing the AMG fairly well now is it a car that your kids are happy being in? Obviously i have no intention to hoon around as a dad but i don't want to upset anyone by having an unsuitable car for the job.
Eddie
Thanks for the above, I'm most ecstatic currently. Glad you got on well with yours, its good to see them getting a good score. Out of interest how do they wear and are they easy to clean? Can't see any problems afoot with all the bits that undo and remove but it'd be good to hear from an owner.
I've always been led to believe that Recaro have been a class leader for seats in general and even with the rep they seem to be priced more reasonably than some of the fashionable competition. Oh, on that note have you seen what Merc charge? I can buy both of those seats and 2 x bases for what Merc charge for one new born seat. Joke!!
The reason I ask about the Merc being suitable is due to the ride quality more than the it being a time warp chariot. Oddly the C63 is crashy when its only me in the car and seems fine and comfortable if i have adults in the back to load the suspension up. With youngsters, being less weighty than their peers is there an issue with crashiness or is it really no issue at all? That aside i can't see any problem with the Merc, I'd just rather get some reviews, good or bad.
Eddie
I've always been led to believe that Recaro have been a class leader for seats in general and even with the rep they seem to be priced more reasonably than some of the fashionable competition. Oh, on that note have you seen what Merc charge? I can buy both of those seats and 2 x bases for what Merc charge for one new born seat. Joke!!
The reason I ask about the Merc being suitable is due to the ride quality more than the it being a time warp chariot. Oddly the C63 is crashy when its only me in the car and seems fine and comfortable if i have adults in the back to load the suspension up. With youngsters, being less weighty than their peers is there an issue with crashiness or is it really no issue at all? That aside i can't see any problem with the Merc, I'd just rather get some reviews, good or bad.
Eddie
The major issue in the rear of the C63 is the extent to which the very deep AMG power front seats encroach on the rear seat compartment. This means that unless the driver/front passenger are happy to position the front seats bolt upright with their knees rammed under the dashboard there really is very little rear legroom.
This is OK once the kids are big enough to sit without child seats but there are a few issues until you get to get to this stage.
As newborns they will be in a baby capsule which will need the front seats to be positioned quite a long way forward and a lot of vertical in the seat back, so not much fun for the front passenger and all but impossible for a driver.
From the toddler stage onwards their little legs tend to stick straight out when strapped into their child seats so they end up kicking/scratching the bejesus out of the plastic panels covering the rear of the front seats. If you were keen you might be able to remove the panel for a few years but by the time I had thought about it the damage was done.
On the plus side my 2 boys have always loved going in "daddy's car", and a burst of acceleration is still guaranteed to get them wildly kicking the front seats with excitement!!
This is OK once the kids are big enough to sit without child seats but there are a few issues until you get to get to this stage.
As newborns they will be in a baby capsule which will need the front seats to be positioned quite a long way forward and a lot of vertical in the seat back, so not much fun for the front passenger and all but impossible for a driver.
From the toddler stage onwards their little legs tend to stick straight out when strapped into their child seats so they end up kicking/scratching the bejesus out of the plastic panels covering the rear of the front seats. If you were keen you might be able to remove the panel for a few years but by the time I had thought about it the damage was done.
On the plus side my 2 boys have always loved going in "daddy's car", and a burst of acceleration is still guaranteed to get them wildly kicking the front seats with excitement!!
Recaros have worn and cleaned well.
They can be a little fiddly to get in and out of the base, so if you're doing it every day it could be a pain. If you're pulling them out once a month it's fine.
A good point is made above, make sure they actually fit if you're tall. The Saab is *vast* and kiddo can now kick the drivers seat when it's set for me. If the c63 has deep front seats it could be snug.
They can be a little fiddly to get in and out of the base, so if you're doing it every day it could be a pain. If you're pulling them out once a month it's fine.
A good point is made above, make sure they actually fit if you're tall. The Saab is *vast* and kiddo can now kick the drivers seat when it's set for me. If the c63 has deep front seats it could be snug.
First of all congratulations Eddie!
We had the Saloon when our eldest was still in car seats and the baby was in a baby seat.
The Recaro's was perfect for the Merc but as mentioned the leg room in the back wasn't great. This was easily solved as I always took his shoes off when he was in the back.
As for the ride quality I wouldn't worry too much at all. If anything both our kids always loved being in the back of the car and seemed to go to sleep with the movement and sound.
To be honest even in a Full Fat Range Rover the two of them still manage to get shoes marks on the back of the seats.
I have given up trying to tell them so now I just suck it up and if there shoes are particularly dirty I take them off.
We had the Saloon when our eldest was still in car seats and the baby was in a baby seat.
The Recaro's was perfect for the Merc but as mentioned the leg room in the back wasn't great. This was easily solved as I always took his shoes off when he was in the back.
As for the ride quality I wouldn't worry too much at all. If anything both our kids always loved being in the back of the car and seemed to go to sleep with the movement and sound.
To be honest even in a Full Fat Range Rover the two of them still manage to get shoes marks on the back of the seats.
I have given up trying to tell them so now I just suck it up and if there shoes are particularly dirty I take them off.
Congratulations. My youngest only needs a booster seat now but I do echo the comments above regarding the rear leg room, there ain't a lot back there. That said, the kids are fine travelling in the back - i.e. no moaning on our trip down through France last year and no car sickness, it is light and airy enough. The Scirocco I had for a couple of years had the opposoite effect with very small rear windows / high door line in the rear so the kids always felt car sick on anything other than a short trip.
Congrats. Don't know these specific seats but ISOFix is essential. My Dad was the technical director of Britax when ISOFix was being developed. It makes a hugs difference to the security of the seat both in general driving but also obviously in the unfortunate event of an accident.
I agree that the Merc seats (as with BMW) are massively expensive, BUT they do have something that you won't get otherwise……they deactivate the front airbag allowing you to have the seat on the passenger seat. This would be excellent if it wasn't for the fact that Merc (unlike BMW) don't then put ISOFix points on the passenger seat.
My two have been brought up with performance cars. Their favourite car that we've had…….our current '06 Lexus RX because it has screens in the back of the headrests, and the back seat is like a sofa! I am not impressed!
I agree that the Merc seats (as with BMW) are massively expensive, BUT they do have something that you won't get otherwise……they deactivate the front airbag allowing you to have the seat on the passenger seat. This would be excellent if it wasn't for the fact that Merc (unlike BMW) don't then put ISOFix points on the passenger seat.
My two have been brought up with performance cars. Their favourite car that we've had…….our current '06 Lexus RX because it has screens in the back of the headrests, and the back seat is like a sofa! I am not impressed!
Congratulations! We have our 2nd coming in February.
Sadly "the boss" hasn't approved a C63 yet, as "we need the space of the ML"!
However, I recommend the isofix base and we had the maxi cosi car seat. Unfortunately, we tested it.....some stupid woman didn't see a roundabout and came straight into the back of me at full speed (I was stopped). My boy was one and a half and fully protected. This isn't something you scrimp and save on. Especially if you are in a C63; a young boy racer won't know you have a baby in the back if he fancies trying to race you off the lights!
In terms of rear room, I am constantly wiping dirty foot prints off the back of the fronts seat. Baby wipes work great!
Another suggestion is something for your missus. My wife was 8 months pregnant (and in her two week old audi!) when somebody drove into the back of her in queuing traffic on the motorway. Not the phone call you want to take!
She had been using a "bump seat belt protector" and the doctors said it really made a difference as everything was ok. I would recommend this on.....http://www.johnlewis.com/clippasafe-advanced-bump-belt/p231328265
Sorry if I sound like a health and safety officer....but kids are far more valuable than our cars!
Good luck.
Sadly "the boss" hasn't approved a C63 yet, as "we need the space of the ML"!
However, I recommend the isofix base and we had the maxi cosi car seat. Unfortunately, we tested it.....some stupid woman didn't see a roundabout and came straight into the back of me at full speed (I was stopped). My boy was one and a half and fully protected. This isn't something you scrimp and save on. Especially if you are in a C63; a young boy racer won't know you have a baby in the back if he fancies trying to race you off the lights!
In terms of rear room, I am constantly wiping dirty foot prints off the back of the fronts seat. Baby wipes work great!
Another suggestion is something for your missus. My wife was 8 months pregnant (and in her two week old audi!) when somebody drove into the back of her in queuing traffic on the motorway. Not the phone call you want to take!
She had been using a "bump seat belt protector" and the doctors said it really made a difference as everything was ok. I would recommend this on.....http://www.johnlewis.com/clippasafe-advanced-bump-belt/p231328265
Sorry if I sound like a health and safety officer....but kids are far more valuable than our cars!
Good luck.
Thanks folks, that's the info i wanted.
Ref the seat backs, i think i might get some film to protect them but really its not something i'm too fussed by. The car is there to be used and i'll enjoy occasionally ferrying my sprogs around more than i'll dislike dirty footprints. As i said earlier, the Merc will be a bit of showy fun for me and the family once every couple of weeks rather than an everyday workhorse. I just like the idea of matching red trimmed Recaros and baby racing / pit lane suits when visiting family and mates. Sad i know!
I assume you guys with the Isofix bases bases bought seat protectors? Did they do the job or did they mark the leather regardless?
And thanks for the congrats
Eddie
Ref the seat backs, i think i might get some film to protect them but really its not something i'm too fussed by. The car is there to be used and i'll enjoy occasionally ferrying my sprogs around more than i'll dislike dirty footprints. As i said earlier, the Merc will be a bit of showy fun for me and the family once every couple of weeks rather than an everyday workhorse. I just like the idea of matching red trimmed Recaros and baby racing / pit lane suits when visiting family and mates. Sad i know!
I assume you guys with the Isofix bases bases bought seat protectors? Did they do the job or did they mark the leather regardless?
And thanks for the congrats
Eddie
Eddie. This is the seat protector I've used in all my cars. It protects the seats from any sign of wear.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prince-Lionheart-Two-Stage...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prince-Lionheart-Two-Stage...
Hey, don't have a C63 but did get the wife once she had Zach 7 months ago a 60 plate C Class Sport estate which she loves.
Couple of issues .
1. Putting a rear facing car seat in the front, the airbag won't switch off unless it the car seat has some chip in it to send a signal and the Maxi Cosi doesnt have this so in teh back only which is a bit of a pain. In my '05 E Class it automatically senses its a car seat and switches the airbag off.
2. Rear Setbelt just goes round car seat, and I mean just!!
3. I'm just under 6 foot and wouldnt say i have my seat set back far and I can't have it where I would normally due to it hitting car seat.
Goodluck.
Aidan
Couple of issues .
1. Putting a rear facing car seat in the front, the airbag won't switch off unless it the car seat has some chip in it to send a signal and the Maxi Cosi doesnt have this so in teh back only which is a bit of a pain. In my '05 E Class it automatically senses its a car seat and switches the airbag off.
2. Rear Setbelt just goes round car seat, and I mean just!!
3. I'm just under 6 foot and wouldnt say i have my seat set back far and I can't have it where I would normally due to it hitting car seat.
Goodluck.
Aidan
Interested to hear conversations on the passenger air-bag - I have a c55 which is obviously older, but it has the sensor for the front seat which recognises that someone is on the seat, but that 'someone' is small/light and hence automatically disables the AB - I think someone else referenced this for a similar age e55 also - is it a different system for the c63?
Returning to the OP's original questions - our little one is only 8 months old and clearly finds all cars very cosseting based on how much she manages to sleep in them - quite normal for babies of course. I have never seen any evidence of her waking courtesy of a pothole or speed-bump - I don't think they are that sensitive to spring rates and the like!
this is the car seat we have - http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Babies-R-Us/Travel-and-Pu...
Maxi-Cosi - part of a travel system - no Isofix base which is a pain sometimes in the dark, but....it was a lot of extra cash for something which you will only have 9-12 months before having to start again with a forward facing seat and before anyone does a MumsNet-style 'surely you're not serious', not having Isofix does not equate to being unsafe! - the next seat will be of course as it lasts potentially for a few years.
Good luck and congratulations anyway
Returning to the OP's original questions - our little one is only 8 months old and clearly finds all cars very cosseting based on how much she manages to sleep in them - quite normal for babies of course. I have never seen any evidence of her waking courtesy of a pothole or speed-bump - I don't think they are that sensitive to spring rates and the like!
this is the car seat we have - http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Babies-R-Us/Travel-and-Pu...
Maxi-Cosi - part of a travel system - no Isofix base which is a pain sometimes in the dark, but....it was a lot of extra cash for something which you will only have 9-12 months before having to start again with a forward facing seat and before anyone does a MumsNet-style 'surely you're not serious', not having Isofix does not equate to being unsafe! - the next seat will be of course as it lasts potentially for a few years.
Good luck and congratulations anyway
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