Advice needed - baby car seat questions (merged)

Pete.g

Hi,

We are looking for a carseat for a soon to be newborn. To be honest money isn't such an issue, unlike safety and peace of mind.

Now, we went to a BMW dealership yesterday and they recommended the ISOFIX which did looked very impressive with all the locking bars ect. The only issue is my wife and I have different cars and the baby will travel in both and from what I can gather the ISOFIX system is taylored to specific makes of cars which would be a problem.

Would you still recommend the ISOFIX above all else even though we would have to buy one for each car or something else?

Thanks,

Pete.

Js_Other_Half

Do both of your cars already have the isofix system installed?

[Deleted User]

I bought an isofix and a maxi cosy for my dd and her dh. It locks onto the isofix bars in both their cars but in one car the angle is just not right at all. The seat belt system had to be used and the maxi cosy is now flatter. It is an excellent system and is safe both ways

daveyjp

After trying to find an ISOFIX seat which fitted both my Audi and my wife's Toyota we gave up - despite manufacturers saying one type would fit both models. It was also a concern if we changed cars it wouldn't fit so we would have to resort to using a belt anyway.

It's a system which works when if you can find a seat which fits, but it is expensive. A properly fitted belt fastened seat does the job just as well. As you are putting a seat in each car (like us) you can fit them both properly and leave them.

To fit a seat belt fastened seat you need to thread the seat belt then pull it as if you are doing a tug of war to get it really tight. Then get someone else to fasten the clip to hold it in place. I check ours weekly and they haven't moved or come loose.

I do recommend Maxi Cosi seats, much better than Recaro.

Justie

the maxicosi came out best in the Which! trials for isofix seats and was pretty good without the isofix too. You can sign up for the 30 days free trial online if you want all the details on the ratings and what they tested for. It's always good to get the seat fitted and to see how it's done so you know it's correct. If you have an isofix capability then definitely use it the choice is then up to you as to whether you have a different seat in each car or try to find one that works in both. You may want to think about how you're both more likely to use the seat - it may be that one of you will be making more trips that are a mixture of car and pushchair in which case getting a pushchair/travel system that works with the car seat may be a priority (the maxicosi works with several chassis from different pushchair systems so may still be the best option).

Doozergirl

I have a Britax ISOFIX in my BMW and it's great. It also has the ability to use the regular shoulder seatbelt if my little girl goes in her grandparent's car. Even that fixes firmer than previous car seats we have had.

Mine is group 1 seat so I can't recommend you a particular seat.

sunshinegirl_3

We went ISOFIX all the way. We switched between 2 cars and found it worked really well. The other plus for us was being able to drop the infant carrier onto the base and know it was fitted well without having to faff with seatbelts - made a real difference when it was pouring with rain!!

We went for the Britax one as the Maxi Cosi wasn't out when we bought ours but I think they're much of a muchness and as safe as one another.

Good luck with your bundle of joy

toffeepennys

i had the bmw my husnband the vw, the only problem i had was as mine was the 320d sport the seats where shallower and we found it hard to find a car seat i felt was the right shape . we got the graco travel system with the click unit for the car seat, it really was fantastic, and at the time 2005 got the best rating on the which guide. isofix all the way although always know how to fit it both ways, i nrecently left my daughter with my mother and had to get my husband back from work just to fit the car seat ( i only know the isofix way!)

markdavey

We used the Britax Cosy Tot Premium with ISOFIX base. Came top in Which Tests and was/is very comfortable. We swap it between the Wife's Meriva and my Saab with no problems.

Best to get it checked against both cars though, mothercare will do this for you.

StartingAgainKayla70

I have used Britax in the past but found their straps get all twisted.:eek:

I would certainly recommend MAXI COSI without a doubt:D