I know that this isn't a really technical question, but we want to know what parents on this forum with little children use with regard to "MINI acceptable" strollers.
To my knowledge there are only a small range of strollers/ car seats that fit in the coupe....if anyone has any information about brands/models that would be most helpful!

Thanks everyone

 

So I can only speak to front-facing car seats. I went ahead and pick up the Recaro YoungSport seats which is both a toddler front-facing seat and is configurable to a booster seat. I have a 2009 Cabrio, and it fits perfectly.

I posted a picture or two in this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...59-post13.html
Based on the room in the rear seats, it would be next to impossible to get a rear facing car seat in the rear.

As for strollers, I can't fit anything in the boot of the Cabrio. Way to small. I'll let others answer that portion for you.

 

Quinny Zap, fits perfect (smallest folding stroller) and is one of the best overall strollers out there. I actually prefer it over my Bugaboo for most situations.

 

Thanks for both replies. I am looking at the Zapp as well...seems like the way to go, however I was hoping there would be other options for this beloved car of mine.

 

I haven't been able to fit a stroller on my trunk (I already knew about it, though). I just insisted my son stopped using it (he's old enough already!).

As for the child seat, he's still using a BMW seat which I used on my old R53. It's one of the non-LATCH designs, which use the rear seatbelt only. It works fine. I need to change to a booster seat soon, though - I reckon in about 6 months.

One thing my car doesn't have is front airbag deactivation (it's a non-US spec one). It's pretty strange, but at least it forces me to drive with my son in the back seat, which is far safer for him.

He likes the car a lot. He thinks he's a huge toy (too!).

 

I have a rear facing baby seat in the back seat. It's one with the interchangeable bases, a Chicco. Basically I have have to put him in the seat and then put the seat in the car.

 

I don't remember what brand of seat I am using, but as for a stroller, the cheap umbrella strollers fit in my 05 cabrio's boot. Only 1 will fit & I still have room for misc. other stuff.

Zapp seems to be quite popular on the forums.

My other car I keep a full sized stroller with all the bells & whistles...I doubt it would fit in the MINI boot even with the seats down...that stroller is huge

 

i actually have 2 car seats in my 09 mc. i have my 4 yr old in a britax roundabout and my 5 1/2 yr old in an even flow booster with back and arm rests. granted only on weknds but they love it. no issues. cant speak for stroller as we no longer need one.

 

From day one, I've only used the Quinny Zapp as my only stroller. When my boy was still under 20 lbs, I used the Maxi Cosi Mico infant car seat. It can be used with the Quinny Zapp to became an infant stroller. When he went over 20 lbs and became too big for the infant seat, we bought the Maxi Cosi Priori convertible car seat which can be used front or rear facing and converted the Zapp back to a toddler stroller.








Like the Mini, I get approached by other new parents when they see me take out the stroller to unfold it and ask what kinda stroller it is or just to give a cute compliment.

 

I myself have a 09 Cabrio, and I have yet to find any type of stroller that fits in the boot. Can you post a picture of your umbrelle stroller in your Cabrio's boot, please?

 

This might come off as mean, but who told you there was only a small range of strollers and seats?

Now, granted, the strollers that accommodate the rear facing car seat won't fit in the boot...

Basically, the MINI Cooper does not work well with infant gear like those strollers. (unless you snag that Quinny Zapp setup that Darmog has, which I will if i ever have another little one) But with my 20 month old, she sits in her front facing Graco car seat with no problems, to include a passenger up front with plenty of leg room. My collapsible Combi stroller or my cheapy umbrella stroller can go in the boot. And if you seriously haven't seen the $10 umbrella stroller you can get at just about any big box store, you gotta get out more.

Hope that helps! My little girl loves saying "wheeee" in the MINI, really would stink if you missed out on that yourself!

 

Our daughter rides in the Alpha Omega Elite convertible car seat. It fit pretty well when she was rear-facing, and now that she's front-facing it fits even better. Very soon we'll remove the bottom piece and convert it into a booster seat.

The only thing I've had to do is put a seat protector on the back of the passenger seat. My daughter has long legs, and she likes to bump her feat on the back of the seat. Naturally, I can't have her scuffing up my upholstery.

If we're going someplace that involves a lot of walking - such as the mall - then we'll pack an umbrella stroller such as this one. It just barely fits diagonally in the boot, but I have to remove the little boot cover. Her infant stroller would only fit if we folded down the rear passenger seat. Normally we leave the stroller at home and let her ride in the store cart.

Oh, and she's taken to calling my car the "Beep Beep Go!" I have no idea where she got that from.

 

I'll do that tonight.
My Cabrio seems to be made for the umbrella stroller. There are indentions on both sides of the boot & the stroller slides into those slots. I don't need to put it in diagonally & I have full use of the top with the stroller stowed in the boot.
Kidna difficult to imagine, but I will post a picture of it tomorrow.
__________________________________________________ ___

Okay, here they are.
This first one shows the indention where I put the wheeles or handles. I have the reverse hinge open. It doesn't matter what way you put the stroller in. It fits no matter what side is up.


This is with the reverse hinge closed & the parsal shelf down & locked in place (button pressed)


And here it is, ready for me to close up the boot.


Note, I do have room behind & under the stroller. My only complaint is that it is the last thing in & first thing out. Not a big deal though. At least it doesn't slide all over durring spirited motoring.

 

(((BUMP)))

I never bump posts, but editing doesn't alert others of changes...or added pictures...

...Please forgive me

 

I think pretty much every car seat will work in the Mini... the backseats aren't that small. I mean I guess it's relative, compared w/ an Escalade the Mini's rear seats are smaller. In any case we have 3 car seats and all work just fine. 2 are forward facing the other is a rear facing. We are using 2 Greco's (I think that's the names) and the other I am not sure the brand. I would expect that all car seats would fit (unless they have some kind of large trays or attachments to the seats)?

As far as strollers, we again have about 4. All the single strollers fit, and even our double stroller fits. Our double is a "Phil and Teds" stroller. Actually the video commerciall for the phil and ted's shows it folding into the rear of a Mini. They are trying to show how compact the stroller goes when closed.

In general I think many people think that Mini's are Mini (tiny). They actually aren't that small in my opinion. They use their space quite well. Again, the Mini is no Escalade, but next time your on the road and you see a honda or toyota from the early 90's, or any make in the 80's and a Mini driving next to each other the Mini will actually look just as large as that Honda. What we condiser an average size car has actually gotten way bigger than what we used to consider an average sized car. My point is that Mini's are not that tiny, they can fit a decent amount.

If your looking to get a Mini to tote the kids around for everyday use it's probably not the best choice though. It will have difficulty fitting 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 car seats a stroller, toys, food, diaper bags, and all the other stuff you bring as well as groceries and whatever you pick up w/ all the crap (I mean kids stuff) while out.

 

Clubman + kids = ROCKS!

 

Can I still try to answer if I'm a parent with no kids?

I'd kill the buggers if they did that.

 

Thanks for the great illustrations. I think that the Zapp is definitely the way to go...perhaps the Peg Perego Aria might work as well. It's reassuring to see the pictures and also hear about your experience.