I did search.. lots of info on babyseats in the MC or MCS.

Trying to find someone that is currently using a baby seat (preferably rear-facing) in the clubman.

Wondering how it works out, seen it in the MC and now the space issues, but that it is possible... would be interesting to see how the additional 3 inches adds up!

 

get back to me in a couple weeks... we'll have a baby in a rear-facing Graco travel system and a preschooler in a booster seat... and this was my wife's choice (which I agree with, but would have preferred a true 4-door)

 

I'd be curious as well. I've got an '06 MCS, and love it, but we have a baby boy on the way any day now and the rear-facing carseat just barely fits. And by barely, I mean with the passenger seat slid way up and the backrest adjusted so upright it may as well double as a Gitmo torture device. Then there's getting said seat in and out. If I wasn't going to be transporting the kiddo all to often, that'd be one thing, but it's looking like I'll be the one taking him to daycare...so my eye's been wandering to the Clubman.

Any pictures, impressions, etc of rear-facing carseats in the R55 would be greatly appreciated. And stroller-swallowing abilities, if anyone has those!

 

Check out this thread on MINI2 http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-club...s-clubman.html If you don't see the exact answer - just ask. People on that site are extremely helpful and friendly and, an extra added attraction, many have had their Clubmen(man) for quite a bit of time already. Lots of MINIacs there with kids, too.

 

Anyone with a baby needs to drive something like a Caravan or a Tahoe...I think that's the rule.

However, when I was growing up, my two sisters and I crammed in the back of a Mercury Lynx and a Renault Encore. Times have changed.

 

I grew up in a Dacia and Trabant ... the MINI would be like a Phantom for my kids

 

our ClubMan is now on order... I wasn't even shopping for one. I was going for a Mini-S. The thing that made us go the CM route was the fact it was so easy for my wife to put the carseat in the back. (our daughter is 4... but we've had this carseat since she moved from her rear-facing one)

She struggled for 5-10 min to find a good method to put our carseat in a Mini, she couldn't find a good way to do it. I could be done, but the passenger seat would have to be pushed up a bit. And then my daughters feet would be resting on the back of the passenger seat.

We took a lengthy test drive with our daughter in the back and there was plenty of room for everyone.

 

How does it work out? How about stopped at a traffic light behind a line of cars when the Public Bus slams into the back of our 2005 MCS with me and my-then 2 year old daughter in the back seat in her car seat and we didn't have any injuries and the whole car didn't fold up like a pretzel! They totaled it and I made about $5000.00 on the payoff from the insurance adjustor for the car. I think it is one of the safest vehicles out there unless you want to drive a monster car or truck and increase your carbon loading....

P.S. The skid marks from the bus started right about the point of impact so he didn't hit the brakes until he saw he was hitting me, probably going 30mph or more or so I'd guess. We were very surprised, like a bomb went off and the air bags blew up, my daughter still remembers it.

 

OK, I have a 17 month old boy. He was brought home from the hospital in my wife's 2002 Cooper. He is currently riding forward facing in the Clubman (I will be happy to post pics later) and riding on a Britax Boulevard car seat. I really like this car seat. First, it can be used rear or forward facing in the Clubman with no problems. It fits better in the back seat of this car, than say, my 2005 R53 S because the Clubman has about an inch or so more shoulder room than the regular hardtops. Second britax has the best LATCH system in the market. It works like a charm in the MINI rear seats and the seat can be removed and out back in a matter of minutes. Third, the Britax Boulevard has "True side impact protection" technology. It has extra padding to protect the child's head. Fourth, the seat is ultra comfy and my boy loves ridding in it! Fifth, the seat, once installed, is rock solid and it is very stable. Sixth, the Boulevard is rated up to 65 pounds and the shoulder belts and head rest are height adjustable by just turning a side ****...very convenient! I recommend purchasing a set of rear seat protectors from Lion Heart. These padded protectors prevent damage, dings and permanent pressure marks to the seat cushions. Highly recommended. I purchased the car seat at Baby's R US for $299 and had a $50 off discount coupon, so it came to $250. It is an expensive seat, but well worth the money. In my '05 MCS, I have a Britax Roundabout car seat which is more compact than the Boulevard. We have 2 of these and this seat works perfectly fine in the MINI either rear or forward facing and does not take up front passenger legroom. The LATCH system is first rate as well and very comfortable. The Roundabout retails for $219. The updated version of the Roundabout is the new Britax Diplomat, which is the same as the Roundabout but it comes with the side impact protection. If you have a Clubman, I recommend getting the Britax Boulevard because it fits perfectly in the car and it will last you a long time. In the Clubman you have tons of room in the rear and even rear facing, you are not going to sacrifice front passenger comfort. Thanks to the Clubdoor, putting the baby in and out should be a piece of cake. When my son was rear facing in my R53, we used to load him up through the hatch. You should see the looks in people's faces when putting the baby from the back of the car. But it works great if you have a standard hardtop MINI. In the Clubman, I recommend placing the rear face seat behind the driver, that way, all you have to do is open the Clubdoor, get inside the car and pluck the baby in the car seat. once they start riding forward facing (12+ months) the whole operation is a "walk in the park" As far as strollers are concerned, since my baby started walking we don't carry one much anymore. But before, we used the Peg Perego Aria, that fits perfectly in the standard MINI boot, and the Combi EX. Either one of those should fit much better in the Clubman's trunk. If anyone has any questions or wishes to see pics of the car seats installed, let me know and I'll be happy to help. I consider my self with enough expertise in the subject of carrying a baby in a MINI.

 

Anyone on the fence about a Clubman because has kids (or are expecting parents), don't fret..... In my honest opinion the Clubman is a fantastic and fun family car. Those extra 3 inches feel more like 20...this car is no doubt much bigger than the standard MINI. I'll snap some pics between today and tomorrow so everyone can see how easy is to live with a baby and a MINI!

 

To me the MINI is a great car to carry your kids. Not only everyone rides "closer"meaning that family conversation is encouraged (Unlike those Tahoes and Oddesseys where children get lost in the DVD player and the parents are hardly paying attention to them) but the MINI is safer as well. Not having true rear doors is a good thing IMHO. You don't run the risk of a kid opening a rear door by accident or sticking their heads out of the windows. The Clubman has no roll down windows in the back and the only way to open the Clubdoor is by opening the front passenger first. We have many friends that own gas guzzling SUVs and minivans to carry one or 2 kids. Trust me, 80% of the families out there don't need V8 monsters to move their precious cargo around.

 

God Bless You! ... i need an additional sales tool to seal the deal with the wife.

 

Oh my God! I''m so glad y'all came out of it okay.

 

Yes please post a couple pics!

 

No problem. Just bear with me so I can snap some good ones.

 

Speaking of size and room in the Clubman. I took my mother (front seat), sister (behind mom) and my 14yo nephew to a Polo Match today.

My sisters first coment was "damn there is allot of room back here". She isn't some tiny little woman either. Probably 5'11" 160lbs ish. She said she had plently of legroom and was very comfortable in back even with my 72yo mother up front and the seat back a good way so she could stretch out her stiff knees. If I can fit a full family in the Clubman a child seat in back should be NO PROBLEM.

 

Am on vacation this week and have been picking up my son (3) from preschool... carline is full of Tahoe's, Envoy's, GMC's and the usual array of mini vans. Alas, I'm the only mini!

Everyone points and shouts, the kids rave - luv it! Just go get it - as for forgiveness later...

 

Here's a pic of my 10 mo. old son riding rear facing in the Clubman in a Britax Boulevard. Sorry it's kind of a closeup and doesn't really show the seat or how much room there is. He's riding in the left rear seat and snoozes most of the time.



Here's one of the carseat facing forward:

 

I have a 2 kids (3 and 4 year old boys) and we absolutely love the Recaro Child Sport Seat. In fact, since we moved them from the Britax Marathon & Roundabout in our SUV, they can't be happier--plus their heads now don't lean forward when they fall asleep. I just went out and bought 2 more for the Mini Clubman that we just picked up.

Regarding kids and the Mini: Since picking up the Mini two weekends ago, the kids absolutely insist that I drive it over the decked out SUV that we have. They think its the coolest and most fun car ever--they even brag to their friends at school. And, yes, it is the only Mini in a sea of SUV's in the parking lot. It makes you feel good.

 

You're clearly not doing enough "spirited" motoring!

Nah, good parenting trumps all.

 

OK gang, some pics I took last night.... More to come:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coolminis/

 

I have added some pics of the Britax Roundabout seat installed in my R53 S for comparison.

 

Thank you! Excellent pics! I'm thinking about arranging for a second test drive -with- the carseat and baby!

 

Good luck!

 

Also, look at the latest crash test data-- MINIs fare far better than most SUVs. We have a Jeep Liberty, and I can tell you, our mini is going to be a lot safer than our SUV. (One of the few that was worse was the Hummer... BIGGER IS NOT SAFER!)

Haven't tried our Graco infant seat in the MINI since I haven't taken delivery yet, but this is going to be my mommy and baby car. (Little bugger is growing so fast (16lbs at 4 months), I went ahead and bought a Roundabout based on everyone's raves when Amazon.com had them on sale. Free shipping and picked it up for $165.)

The Quinny Zapp stroller was also mentioned in many MC threads-- I picked one up as well. Stylish and fits in the boot of a justacooper with room to spare. Something like 24 x 10 x 7 when collapsed (or one Gavin long):


You'd have a ton more room in the Clubman boot. If we end up with a second little one, I think we may look into a Clubman. But, NAMers will tell you, kids and a MINI is totally doable.