1992 r129 rear kids seats help
Discussion
Hi folks need some advice.
I purchased an 1992 r129 500sl on saturday and its only a weekend car.
Problem is when I go out on weekend I take my wife and 2 kids. My son is 4 and daughter is 2.
Are there any car seats or boosters that can fit in the rear seats? Spoke to a Britax guy and he knew the car very well and said they as a company dont make seats for the age of my car and with lap belts.
Anyone know anything different? Surely I cant be the only 31yr old with kids that takes them out in an old school sl????
I purchased an 1992 r129 500sl on saturday and its only a weekend car.
Problem is when I go out on weekend I take my wife and 2 kids. My son is 4 and daughter is 2.
Are there any car seats or boosters that can fit in the rear seats? Spoke to a Britax guy and he knew the car very well and said they as a company dont make seats for the age of my car and with lap belts.
Anyone know anything different? Surely I cant be the only 31yr old with kids that takes them out in an old school sl????
There are no boosters or car seats which you can fit in the back of a 129. The shape of the seats would make it impossible.
I had two three point belts manufactured by quickfitbs, a specialist seat belt manufacturer and they're great. However, my boys are 7 and 9 so travel on the normal rear seat with the roll bar raised as per the handbook.
I posted some pictures of the installation some while ago on PH, which does mean some drilling.
Your 2 year old would be too small to sit in the back seat; I know as I've a 2 year old myself..
I had two three point belts manufactured by quickfitbs, a specialist seat belt manufacturer and they're great. However, my boys are 7 and 9 so travel on the normal rear seat with the roll bar raised as per the handbook.
I posted some pictures of the installation some while ago on PH, which does mean some drilling.
Your 2 year old would be too small to sit in the back seat; I know as I've a 2 year old myself..
Edited by mickyveloce on Tuesday 18th March 20:58
Once quickfitsbs have helped out with the 3 point belts (they can fit for you if you don't like drilling) you might find you can use a high backed booster with integral harness. This works for me in an r107.
I think in the 129 you're supposed to drive with the rollbar up if you've got passengers in the back, I just mention in case... Might not be true but I think someone mentioned it was written in the manual.
-- edited to remove angry red face - not sure how that got there!!
I think in the 129 you're supposed to drive with the rollbar up if you've got passengers in the back, I just mention in case... Might not be true but I think someone mentioned it was written in the manual.
-- edited to remove angry red face - not sure how that got there!!
Edited by idiotgap on Saturday 22 March 10:41
Indeed. The 107 rear seat base is flat meaning a high backed seat is possible if one of the front seats is pulled forward sufficiently.
The 129 rear seat base is curved, meaning any additional seat wouldn't be stable.
It may be worth mentioning that a booster which raised a child's head above the level of the rear deck would be more dangerous than not using a booster in the event of a collision.
The 129 rear seat base is curved, meaning any additional seat wouldn't be stable.
It may be worth mentioning that a booster which raised a child's head above the level of the rear deck would be more dangerous than not using a booster in the event of a collision.
You must put the rollbar up when carrying passengers in the rear seat.
As for child seats, it is a tricky issue.
First, there are few, if any, child seats that will fit in there due to (1) the shape of the seat, (2) the lack of space, (3) the way the seat would raise the child so high.
Second, you have to ask yourself why you want to use child seats in the back of this car. I am far from convinced that their use would make your children any safer. If anything, I think it would make them less safe. The reasons are twofold. First, the installation is always going to be a compromise. Second, in a big, bulky child seat, your child's head and body are going to be in a much more vulnerable position. It is worth noting that you are not legally obliged to use a child seat if to do so would be more dangerous than not doing so. It is also worth knowing that prosecutions under the regulations are unheard of.
All that said, the lap belt can be used to fit most forward facing child seats. I find a lap belt generally secures them more firmly than a three-pointed belt with an inertia reel. Further, the lap belt in the 129 is designed to work in conjunction with the back of the front seat. You may not like the idea much, but the design principles are that the lap belt secures the body in the car and the back of the front seat restrains the head and body in an impact.
As a four seater, I don't think the car is much good if the children are under 3. My three year old now rides on the back seat, restrained with the lap belt. Heretofore, he had to go on a child seat installed on the front passenger seat.
As for child seats, it is a tricky issue.
First, there are few, if any, child seats that will fit in there due to (1) the shape of the seat, (2) the lack of space, (3) the way the seat would raise the child so high.
Second, you have to ask yourself why you want to use child seats in the back of this car. I am far from convinced that their use would make your children any safer. If anything, I think it would make them less safe. The reasons are twofold. First, the installation is always going to be a compromise. Second, in a big, bulky child seat, your child's head and body are going to be in a much more vulnerable position. It is worth noting that you are not legally obliged to use a child seat if to do so would be more dangerous than not doing so. It is also worth knowing that prosecutions under the regulations are unheard of.
All that said, the lap belt can be used to fit most forward facing child seats. I find a lap belt generally secures them more firmly than a three-pointed belt with an inertia reel. Further, the lap belt in the 129 is designed to work in conjunction with the back of the front seat. You may not like the idea much, but the design principles are that the lap belt secures the body in the car and the back of the front seat restrains the head and body in an impact.
As a four seater, I don't think the car is much good if the children are under 3. My three year old now rides on the back seat, restrained with the lap belt. Heretofore, he had to go on a child seat installed on the front passenger seat.
r129sl said:
You must put the rollbar up when carrying passengers in the rear seat.
As for child seats, it is a tricky issue.
First, there are few, if any, child seats that will fit in there due to (1) the shape of the seat, (2) the lack of space, (3) the way the seat would raise the child so high.
Second, you have to ask yourself why you want to use child seats in the back of this car. I am far from convinced that their use would make your children any safer. If anything, I think it would make them less safe. The reasons are twofold. First, the installation is always going to be a compromise. Second, in a big, bulky child seat, your child's head and body are going to be in a much more vulnerable position. It is worth noting that you are not legally obliged to use a child seat if to do so would be more dangerous than not doing so. It is also worth knowing that prosecutions under the regulations are unheard of.
All that said, the lap belt can be used to fit most forward facing child seats. I find a lap belt generally secures them more firmly than a three-pointed belt with an inertia reel. Further, the lap belt in the 129 is designed to work in conjunction with the back of the front seat. You may not like the idea much, but the design principles are that the lap belt secures the body in the car and the back of the front seat restrains the head and body in an impact.
As a four seater, I don't think the car is much good if the children are under 3. My three year old now rides on the back seat, restrained with the lap belt. Heretofore, he had to go on a child seat installed on the front passenger seat.
Strange thing in mine. Rear nearside 3 point harness rear off side lap belt.As for child seats, it is a tricky issue.
First, there are few, if any, child seats that will fit in there due to (1) the shape of the seat, (2) the lack of space, (3) the way the seat would raise the child so high.
Second, you have to ask yourself why you want to use child seats in the back of this car. I am far from convinced that their use would make your children any safer. If anything, I think it would make them less safe. The reasons are twofold. First, the installation is always going to be a compromise. Second, in a big, bulky child seat, your child's head and body are going to be in a much more vulnerable position. It is worth noting that you are not legally obliged to use a child seat if to do so would be more dangerous than not doing so. It is also worth knowing that prosecutions under the regulations are unheard of.
All that said, the lap belt can be used to fit most forward facing child seats. I find a lap belt generally secures them more firmly than a three-pointed belt with an inertia reel. Further, the lap belt in the 129 is designed to work in conjunction with the back of the front seat. You may not like the idea much, but the design principles are that the lap belt secures the body in the car and the back of the front seat restrains the head and body in an impact.
As a four seater, I don't think the car is much good if the children are under 3. My three year old now rides on the back seat, restrained with the lap belt. Heretofore, he had to go on a child seat installed on the front passenger seat.
(no kids only dog in the back so of little interest for me)
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