Hi everyone,

My wife and I are considering a Clubman, and took one out for a spin a few weeks ago. We took our two daughters (one is 3 years, and the other 8 mos.) with us to test out how everyone and everything would fit. Granted, it was snug, but we knew that going in. Everything went well putting the car seats in using LATCH; the test drive was great, things are looking good...

Then we get back to the dealer. It's Saturday, it's busy, and there are people waiting to drive the car we're returning. OK, I'll just pull the seats out quick, no problem, done it a bunch of times. Usually takes about 15 seconds per side. Umm, what the heck, say I. I can't get the silly anchor out. I mean, I just CAN NOT get the thing out. Those cool plastic covers over the anchor points that keep everything pretty? Well, they may work if you have fingers the size of my 3-year old, but they sure are giving me a fight. It took me about 5 minutes of struggle to get them out. That plastic cover is like a cage that constricts your workspace.

So, am I the only one that has issues with this? It may seem petty to some. But if I am taking passengers other than my kids, this is a real problem for me. I'd have to struggle with the darn thing every time.

Any solutions out there?

Thanks all.
Will

 

I have two car seats in the back for my 3 & 4 year olds and understand your issue. I have used the Britax Marathon, Roundabout and the Recaro Sport seats and haven't had much of a problem though. The secret is to slide the front passenger seat all the way forward, enter through the club door and squeeze your hand between the center of the car seats to get one of the middle latches released. Once you get it, loosen the slack and get that seat out of the back, then you have easy access to the second.

Regarding the little plastic coverings, I pretty much opened them up and tried to bend it so it stays up and out of the way. The challenge was more of getting my hand between two car seats in the middle. I wouldn't shy away from the car because of this...plus once the baby faces forward it will be much easier.

 

Thanks for the response.

I think, after re-reading my post, I stated my issue poorly. My problem isn't really with the plastic covers, or even getting to them with both car seats attached; it's that I cant get my fingers inside that little cage where the LATCH lives. I can get the LATCHes in just fine, but when it comes to removing them, you have to get your fingers into that cage to get to the release spring.

Maybe I need to try again when there aren't people breathing down my neck to get it done...

 

we got our seat in there in about 15 seconds.
Once we knew 'the trick' (for our seat anyhow )

rotate your car seats latch 90 degrees, insert till the latch gets past the hook in the hole. Rotate it back press down a bit then it snaps into place.


Taking it out was just as easy..... My wife couldn't do it at 1st but after a look or 2, we got it.

 

That makes more sense....both of my car seats use the latches that are like seat belts--with the orange button that you have to press to release. The one you described is just the old school metal hook type latch. I can definitely understand your issue now. BTW, I've never liked those latches--they're usually the same ones used for the rear tether. If you are looking for a great solution, I highly recommend the Recaro Young Sport Car Seat for your toddler---the best seat we've used (and when the kids fall asleep their head stay back and don't dangle forward like in the other seats I've had).

 

i just received my orbit toddler seat, latch works great, but the seat is pretty high, it like my son is in a indy car.

 

I have the Britax Boulervard car seat in the Clubman and honestly haven't had any problems installing and removing the latches. But then again, Britax has the best latch anchors in the business with push button release.

The Britax Boulevard is the updated version of the Marathon model, but with side impact protection.

 

Bout time we in the US are getting features that are required in Europe! Freakin' lax regulatory lassaiz-fair market mentality craap.

It's good to hear that these features are now available in the US from more an more manufacturers. I grey marketed a BMW seat years ago from Europe to get the improved protection.

And to the OP, either learn to do the twisty trick or get some seats that have more modern latch gizmos. Our Peg has the seat-belt like things, and the BMW has a release handle on the front of the seat.

Matt

 

We're also using the Britax Boulervard and haven't had any problems using the latch system.

I did have an issue finding the latches on my inlaw's rental (some american fleet car). Had to fish around in the area between the seat back and seat base and ended up cutting my finger on an exposed piece of metal. So I really appreciate the latch cage on the MINI's!!!

 

Doc, I believe Britax just released updated versions of their popular car seats with "True Side Protection" technology.

The Roundabout is now known as the Diplomat. The Marathon is now known as the Boulevard.

What I like about the Boulevard (And the more compact Diplomat) is that the head rest and seat belt height are now fully adjustable via a simple rotary **** on the left side of the seat.

For Clubman owners, I highly recommend the larger size Boulevard model. For R53 and R56 owners, the Diplomat is a better fit because it is more compact and fits better in the back of the regular hardtops.

Since the Clubman has more rear shoulder room than the standard hardtops, you can get away with a slightly wider and taller seat.

 

I like to loosen the straps before releasing the LATCH anchors. I have only had problems when the straps were taught (usually when in a hurry).

I have used the Britax Roundabout in an R56 and have used a Britax Regent in the R55. While the Regent was much too large even in the Clubman (we use that one in my wife's 328xiT) I found that the base of the Roundabout would deform the leatherette in my previous Coupe. The Marathon has the same base as the Roundabout so that wasn't the best option for our new Clubman.

I found the SafeGuard Go Hybrid to be really interesting option for Minis. The base is smooth (works with LATCH and a tether) and it's a 5-point harness seat that converts into a regular booster. My daughter is big for her age and needs either the enormous Regent or a 5-point booster so in the Mini I think the SafeGuard works really well.

 

I have two car seats in my R56 and I've had similar troubles in getting my fingers in the latch holes. The last couple times, it hasn't been as hard. I'm guessing that I've somehow adapted to the depth, but they are noticeably deeper than any other cars I've LATCHed.