R50/53 Expectant Fathers and their MINI
This thread is for all the fathers-to-be to discuss anything they want in regards to their experience with their MINI.
I'll start off:
Our baby is due May 7,2004, and we are still deciding on the name. We don't know the sex yet, the wife is just past the first trimester, and things are looking fine, though she is still experiencing morning sickness. I love my MINI, but my wife doesn't. She complains of the "stiff ride" and so when we go places together, she insists on taking her car. If we do take Lil'Octane, I feel guilty for not being considerate.
I've already researched and found the perfect MINI baby stroller, the Peg Perego Aria GM, and am satisfied with the infant seat that works with it.
What's your story?
I'll start off:
Our baby is due May 7,2004, and we are still deciding on the name. We don't know the sex yet, the wife is just past the first trimester, and things are looking fine, though she is still experiencing morning sickness. I love my MINI, but my wife doesn't. She complains of the "stiff ride" and so when we go places together, she insists on taking her car. If we do take Lil'Octane, I feel guilty for not being considerate.
I've already researched and found the perfect MINI baby stroller, the Peg Perego Aria GM, and am satisfied with the infant seat that works with it.
What's your story?
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: arlington virginia
our third baby is due in about 4 weeks (december 7th). another sister for our other two daughters. lucky for me, my yellow mini should be coming at end of december too. we figure the mini is going to be used for commuting to work a majority of the time. the two little ones (3.5 and 2) will be able to enjoy the ride occasionally. we have a minivan to shuttle the whole family.
when our first daughter was born, we shopped for the best of everything for her. britax roundabout ($200), maclaren stroller ($299) and the creme-de-la-creme, an emmajunga carriage ($600). all these stuff fit in our 2000 mercedes wagon. with the birth of our second daughter, she inherited all the stuff from her big sister and the big sister got a britax starriser booster seat ($150). now i am shopping for an infant carrier and am looking at the peg perego but cringe at the price of $179. ahh how time change...i am leaning toward a pedestrian model made by graco for $69. what the moral to story? none
when our first daughter was born, we shopped for the best of everything for her. britax roundabout ($200), maclaren stroller ($299) and the creme-de-la-creme, an emmajunga carriage ($600). all these stuff fit in our 2000 mercedes wagon. with the birth of our second daughter, she inherited all the stuff from her big sister and the big sister got a britax starriser booster seat ($150). now i am shopping for an infant carrier and am looking at the peg perego but cringe at the price of $179. ahh how time change...i am leaning toward a pedestrian model made by graco for $69. what the moral to story? none
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
2 Weeks to go and counting... Nov 30th due date. The Dr doesn't think she'll make it that far. We'll have a lot to be thankful for on Turkey-day! Yep, we have the Peg Perego Aria and infant seat too... By the sounds of it, I have to get that thing in our Passat sooner than later 
Oh, man here we go...(this is our first).
Oh, man here we go...(this is our first).
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
I'm not a father to be but wanted to chime in anyway. I am, however, a MINI owner to be and will orchestrate an April delivery of a MCS.
We just had our second girl six months ago and I wouldn't hesitate to put both girls in a MINI if the need arises. Otherwise, the MINI will just be my commuter. The wife will get it on rare occasions when her family-mobile, a Passat wagon, is in the shop. And she doesn't have any concerns with the MINI's safety.
On strollers-I prefer the infant seat/carrier/travel systems. Got the Evenflo Osh Kosh model. It's tough as nails, has offroad tires, suspension on all four wheels, cupholders, nice upholstery...but it's as big as an H2. With that thing in the back of the wagon there's barely enough room for groceries.
AlexR
We just had our second girl six months ago and I wouldn't hesitate to put both girls in a MINI if the need arises. Otherwise, the MINI will just be my commuter. The wife will get it on rare occasions when her family-mobile, a Passat wagon, is in the shop. And she doesn't have any concerns with the MINI's safety.
On strollers-I prefer the infant seat/carrier/travel systems. Got the Evenflo Osh Kosh model. It's tough as nails, has offroad tires, suspension on all four wheels, cupholders, nice upholstery...but it's as big as an H2. With that thing in the back of the wagon there's barely enough room for groceries.
AlexR
Hey AlexR-
>>We just had our second girl six months ago and I wouldn't hesitate to put both girls in a MINI if the need arises.
Congrats!
>>On strollers-I prefer the infant seat/carrier/travel systems. Got the Evenflo Osh Kosh model. It's tough as nails, has offroad tires, suspension on all four wheels, cupholders, nice upholstery...but it's as big as an H2. With that thing in the back of the wagon there's barely enough room for groceries.
Well that's what I liked about the Peg Perego Aria GM. It feels just like a normal stroller, but it folds up smaller than any other stroller, not including umbrella strollers of course. It's got all the conveniences, it works as a travel system, and it weighs 9 pounds but supports up to 40. So it's very lightweight.
It's not cheap of course. I mean there are plenty of Travel Combo's available for that price, but none tht fit in the MINI boot which is very important to me!
I have more pix on my site HERE!
>>We just had our second girl six months ago and I wouldn't hesitate to put both girls in a MINI if the need arises.
Congrats!
>>On strollers-I prefer the infant seat/carrier/travel systems. Got the Evenflo Osh Kosh model. It's tough as nails, has offroad tires, suspension on all four wheels, cupholders, nice upholstery...but it's as big as an H2. With that thing in the back of the wagon there's barely enough room for groceries.
Well that's what I liked about the Peg Perego Aria GM. It feels just like a normal stroller, but it folds up smaller than any other stroller, not including umbrella strollers of course. It's got all the conveniences, it works as a travel system, and it weighs 9 pounds but supports up to 40. So it's very lightweight.
It's not cheap of course. I mean there are plenty of Travel Combo's available for that price, but none tht fit in the MINI boot which is very important to me!
I have more pix on my site HERE!
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
OctaneGuy,
Sounds like you have a winner with that stroller. The price doesn't seem too bad to me. Our travel system cost about $250 so yours will be less than $100 over that. Not too bad . And our stroller weighs a whole lot more than 9lbs. Good thing is that both the stroller and the seat are re-usable for future kids so it's well worth the investment. Good luck.
AlexR
Sounds like you have a winner with that stroller. The price doesn't seem too bad to me. Our travel system cost about $250 so yours will be less than $100 over that. Not too bad . And our stroller weighs a whole lot more than 9lbs. Good thing is that both the stroller and the seat are re-usable for future kids so it's well worth the investment. Good luck.
AlexR
Octaneguy,
Thanks for the info on the stroller, I being looking for one, just becse the mini, with the other car we do not have a problem, but the space in the mini...
The baby is due june 2, and 5 days after that the mini will be 2. A happy month for the family.
Congrats to all on the new members of the family.
Thanks for the info on the stroller, I being looking for one, just becse the mini, with the other car we do not have a problem, but the space in the mini...
The baby is due june 2, and 5 days after that the mini will be 2. A happy month for the family.
Congrats to all on the new members of the family.
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OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,926
Likes: 40
From: Greensboro, NC
We too are expecting...number two. My four year old son, Jett, loves to ride (even better when we slide) in the Mini. My wife's a newbie to G forces but is getting used to it. My son, however, has been broken in so to say since he was an infant. At a recent Mini fall cruise, while we were in hot persuit of the pack, out came a loud exclamation "OH YAAAHHH" from the back seat
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,706
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee FL
Hey Fellow Dads!
Here's a pic of my son playing with our R/C Cooper. He's stuffing dead leaves in the boot. :smile:
I have a question for you guys. I read something in the owner's manual about turning off the side curtain airbags if you're going to have kids in the back. Have any of you done this? Know anything about it?
I don't know if it's really necessary if the kid's in a car seat. The warning says a child might rest their head on or near the airbag if not properly restrained. MINI recommends disabling the rear side curtain airbags just in case. I'm not sure if this is just a liability issue or a real danger.
FYI, this appears on pg. 38 of the '04 manual, in the "Transporting Children Safely" section. I'd cut and paste it for you, but it's a pdf.
Thanks!
Here's a pic of my son playing with our R/C Cooper. He's stuffing dead leaves in the boot. :smile:
I have a question for you guys. I read something in the owner's manual about turning off the side curtain airbags if you're going to have kids in the back. Have any of you done this? Know anything about it?
I don't know if it's really necessary if the kid's in a car seat. The warning says a child might rest their head on or near the airbag if not properly restrained. MINI recommends disabling the rear side curtain airbags just in case. I'm not sure if this is just a liability issue or a real danger.
FYI, this appears on pg. 38 of the '04 manual, in the "Transporting Children Safely" section. I'd cut and paste it for you, but it's a pdf.
Thanks!
^ ^ 
Countrym, that's VERY interesting! Here's the quote from the 2004 manual (you can cut/paste text if you have the full version of Acrobat and not just the reader)
First, this warning IS NOT in the previous year's manuals. I wonder if this was an oversight, or if BMW has some new info on the safety of the rear airbags. Also, I wonder if it's not possible to disable the side airbags in previous (to 2004) model years.
Second, my dealer NEVER mentioned this when I took delivery of my 2002 and put a child seat in the back. It would seem to me that this is something that they'd be asked to cover by BMW as part of a standard delivery...once again if it was "known" in previous years. Most car manufs take child safety VERY seriously due to the high liklihood of their losing really big bucks if a kid gets killed due to oversight. Often this is the type of thing that inspires a manuf to send an "update" to the owners' manual for previous model years; yet, I've received nothing about this from BMW/MINI.
Anyone else heard of disabling the side airbags?
_________________
Bring Out the Scoops!
Countrym, that's VERY interesting! Here's the quote from the 2004 manual (you can cut/paste text if you have the full version of Acrobat and not just the reader)
A child sitting in the rear seat and not
properly restrained may place his or
her head on or near the airbag, if so
equipped. For example, a child – even
though belted – may fall asleep with his or
her head against the side airbag. It may be
difficult for a driver to ensure that children
in the rear seat will remain properly positioned
at all times and do not place their
heads on or near the side airbag. Therefore,
we recommend that the rear side airbags, if
provided, be deactivated if you plan to
transport children in the rear seat.<
properly restrained may place his or
her head on or near the airbag, if so
equipped. For example, a child – even
though belted – may fall asleep with his or
her head against the side airbag. It may be
difficult for a driver to ensure that children
in the rear seat will remain properly positioned
at all times and do not place their
heads on or near the side airbag. Therefore,
we recommend that the rear side airbags, if
provided, be deactivated if you plan to
transport children in the rear seat.<
Second, my dealer NEVER mentioned this when I took delivery of my 2002 and put a child seat in the back. It would seem to me that this is something that they'd be asked to cover by BMW as part of a standard delivery...once again if it was "known" in previous years. Most car manufs take child safety VERY seriously due to the high liklihood of their losing really big bucks if a kid gets killed due to oversight. Often this is the type of thing that inspires a manuf to send an "update" to the owners' manual for previous model years; yet, I've received nothing about this from BMW/MINI.
Anyone else heard of disabling the side airbags?
_________________
Bring Out the Scoops!
>>OctaneGuy,
>>
>>Sounds like you have a winner with that stroller. The price doesn't seem too bad to me. Our travel system cost about $250 so yours will be less than $100 over that. Not too bad . And our stroller weighs a whole lot more than 9lbs. Good thing is that both the stroller and the seat are re-usable for future kids so it's well worth the investment. Good luck.
>>
>>AlexR
I should clarify that the Aria GM is a stroller only at $179, and doesn't include the infant seat which is another $149. So added up, I'll actually be $78 OVER you!
But hey it's a MINI, and it's our first kid.
Now I understand why my older brother got all the baby pictures, and cool toys, and I was left with hand-me-downs (I'm #3 of 3 boys).
>>
>>Sounds like you have a winner with that stroller. The price doesn't seem too bad to me. Our travel system cost about $250 so yours will be less than $100 over that. Not too bad . And our stroller weighs a whole lot more than 9lbs. Good thing is that both the stroller and the seat are re-usable for future kids so it's well worth the investment. Good luck.
>>
>>AlexR
I should clarify that the Aria GM is a stroller only at $179, and doesn't include the infant seat which is another $149. So added up, I'll actually be $78 OVER you!
But hey it's a MINI, and it's our first kid.
Now I understand why my older brother got all the baby pictures, and cool toys, and I was left with hand-me-downs (I'm #3 of 3 boys).
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Octane guy....thanks for the info.
I have my first due on Jan 8th (after 12 years of marriage) and will probably end up with the Peg Aria after your rave reviews.
On a side note...
I was viewing some of your pics and I too bought my MINI from Roadshow and drove it back home, although not as far as you did. I had John Lloyd as my MA and still correspond with him via email occasionally and that's after almost a yr of ownership.
I have my first due on Jan 8th (after 12 years of marriage) and will probably end up with the Peg Aria after your rave reviews.
On a side note...
I was viewing some of your pics and I too bought my MINI from Roadshow and drove it back home, although not as far as you did. I had John Lloyd as my MA and still correspond with him via email occasionally and that's after almost a yr of ownership.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
>>Octane guy....thanks for the info.
>>I have my first due on Jan 8th (after 12 years of marriage) and will probably end up with the Peg Aria after your rave reviews.
>>
>>On a side note...
>>I was viewing some of your pics and I too bought my MINI from Roadshow and drove it back home, although not as far as you did. I had John Lloyd as my MA and still correspond with him via email occasionally and that's after almost a yr of ownership.
Capsaicinmini:
I am feeling very dumb right now, and forget how to link to another thread...but anyway...OctaneGuy and I had a discussion about the stroller in another thread.
I know of a great place to get it in Philly that lets you order it any color they make...Babies'R"Us will stick you with one color choice (and the "matching" Peg Perego infant seat they carry - doen't even match the color of the stoller).
Do a search for "found the perfect stroller" and you'll find the thread...unless anyone is feeling charitable and feels like putting the link in for me!
ops:
_________________
2003 MCS, Indi Blue, Black Roof
>>I have my first due on Jan 8th (after 12 years of marriage) and will probably end up with the Peg Aria after your rave reviews.
>>
>>On a side note...
>>I was viewing some of your pics and I too bought my MINI from Roadshow and drove it back home, although not as far as you did. I had John Lloyd as my MA and still correspond with him via email occasionally and that's after almost a yr of ownership.
Capsaicinmini:
I am feeling very dumb right now, and forget how to link to another thread...but anyway...OctaneGuy and I had a discussion about the stroller in another thread.
I know of a great place to get it in Philly that lets you order it any color they make...Babies'R"Us will stick you with one color choice (and the "matching" Peg Perego infant seat they carry - doen't even match the color of the stoller).
Do a search for "found the perfect stroller" and you'll find the thread...unless anyone is feeling charitable and feels like putting the link in for me!
ops:_________________
2003 MCS, Indi Blue, Black Roof
>>Octane guy....thanks for the info.
>>I have my first due on Jan 8th (after 12 years of marriage) and will probably end up with the Peg Aria after your rave reviews.
>>
>>On a side note...
>>I was viewing some of your pics and I too bought my MINI from Roadshow and drove it back home, although not as far as you did. I had John Lloyd as my MA and still correspond with him via email occasionally and that's after almost a yr of ownership.
Man, if there was ever a late response to a post--this has got to take the cake. So how's the baby??? Ours is arriving in less than a month. Our Peg Perego is waiting for him. LOL. Hmm, John actually responds to your emails??? LOL. The most I ever get is a Yes, No, or thank you. But seriously, he seems like a good guy. Oh boy, I hope you didn't try to get him on video when you picked up your MINI. Boy, he got really pissed at me when I was ending my scene with him standing by my car. Was about to shut it off, and he was about to have a coronary. I'm still loving my MINI!!!
>>I have my first due on Jan 8th (after 12 years of marriage) and will probably end up with the Peg Aria after your rave reviews.
>>
>>On a side note...
>>I was viewing some of your pics and I too bought my MINI from Roadshow and drove it back home, although not as far as you did. I had John Lloyd as my MA and still correspond with him via email occasionally and that's after almost a yr of ownership.
Man, if there was ever a late response to a post--this has got to take the cake. So how's the baby??? Ours is arriving in less than a month. Our Peg Perego is waiting for him. LOL. Hmm, John actually responds to your emails??? LOL. The most I ever get is a Yes, No, or thank you. But seriously, he seems like a good guy. Oh boy, I hope you didn't try to get him on video when you picked up your MINI. Boy, he got really pissed at me when I was ending my scene with him standing by my car. Was about to shut it off, and he was about to have a coronary. I'm still loving my MINI!!!
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara
What's up Daddy-os!
Just stumbled across this thread. My wife and I are expecting our first child on May 6 2004. It's a boy! I am glad it takes 9 months because I am finally ready for the little dude to get here.
Best of Luck to all of you!
Matt :smile:
Just stumbled across this thread. My wife and I are expecting our first child on May 6 2004. It's a boy! I am glad it takes 9 months because I am finally ready for the little dude to get here.
Best of Luck to all of you!
Matt :smile:
May is a wonderful month for babies isn't! OMG. Our baby BOY is due May 7, 2004!!! And he's our first child too. I've spent the last 9 months prepping my MINI, and myself. LOL
Congratulations!!!
Richard
Congratulations!!!
Richard
Neutral
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
>>May is a wonderful month for babies isn't! OMG.
Yep, it is ... we had our little girl last May 20.
When I was shopping for my Mini, I had this conversation with my wife:
She: "Can you fit a baby seat in it?"
Me: "Uhhh ... I dunno."
She: "Does it _matter_ to you if you can fit a baby seat in it?"
Me: "Uhhh ... no." :smile:
So we use our new Subaru Outback as the family truckster (very satisfied with that) and the Mini is my commute-only vehicle.
Best,
nudavchzz
Yep, it is ... we had our little girl last May 20.
When I was shopping for my Mini, I had this conversation with my wife:
She: "Can you fit a baby seat in it?"
Me: "Uhhh ... I dunno."
She: "Does it _matter_ to you if you can fit a baby seat in it?"
Me: "Uhhh ... no." :smile:
So we use our new Subaru Outback as the family truckster (very satisfied with that) and the Mini is my commute-only vehicle.
Best,
nudavchzz
>>Yep, it is ... we had our little girl last May 20.
>>When I was shopping for my Mini, I had this conversation with my wife:
>>She: "Can you fit a baby seat in it?"
>>Me: "Uhhh ... I dunno."
>>She: "Does it _matter_ to you if you can fit a baby seat in it?"
>>Me: "Uhhh ... no." :smile:
Yeah in my case, since I'm going to be the one taking our son to day care--i.e. which as at my workplace, I'm the designated driver! So I searched long and hard to make sure I could find a stroller and baby seat that would work well with my MINI. Good that you had a solution!
>>When I was shopping for my Mini, I had this conversation with my wife:
>>She: "Can you fit a baby seat in it?"
>>Me: "Uhhh ... I dunno."
>>She: "Does it _matter_ to you if you can fit a baby seat in it?"
>>Me: "Uhhh ... no." :smile:
Yeah in my case, since I'm going to be the one taking our son to day care--i.e. which as at my workplace, I'm the designated driver! So I searched long and hard to make sure I could find a stroller and baby seat that would work well with my MINI. Good that you had a solution!
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 0
>>May is a wonderful month for babies isn't! OMG. Our baby BOY is due May 7, 2004!!! And he's our first child too. I've spent the last 9 months prepping my MINI, and myself. LOL
>>
>>Congratulations!!!
>>
>>Richard
Congrats to everyone expecting!
OctaneGuy - I always thought that adorable little tyke in your sig pic was your child, and you were having another.
>>
>>Congratulations!!!
>>
>>Richard
Congrats to everyone expecting!
OctaneGuy - I always thought that adorable little tyke in your sig pic was your child, and you were having another.
Neutral
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
We have been having trouble fitting an infant car seat into our Mini Cooper and worry that we'll have to sell it! Our baby boy is due this June. We tried putting a Britax companion and a Peg Pereggo Primo Viaggo, but then the front seat can't snap back into place with literally any leg room for a normal-sized front passenger. Any advice from a fellow Mini enthusiast?? We would be so sad to give up the car... 
Sincerely,
Hillary
anger@haas.berkeley.edu
Sincerely,
Hillary
anger@haas.berkeley.edu
I've got the Peg Perego Aria GM Stroller and the Primo Viaggia infant seat. My wife is 5'7 and she rides in the passenger seat. I've found through a combination of seat back and forward/backward adjustment to be comfortable. Our baby boy, Lukas, is arriving in just a few weeks.
I tested this configuration with a 1 year old infant, and it worked perfectly. The mother was in the front seat--but again, she was petite---at about 5'6, so she had plenty of leg room.
Personally, I'm not giving up my MINI for anything!! LOL. I've found a solution that works for me, and I'm sure you can find one for you as well. =)
Basically put the infant seat in place, adjust the height so it's level. Slide the passenger seat back until it touches the infant seat. Make the seat back as straight up as possible and see if you can move the seat any further. Play with this combination of sliding seat back, and reclining, first priority is making sure the infant seat it secure and in place. Then be sure the MINI seat is not hitting the infant seat, then see how much room is left over for the passenger, and adjust accordingly. My biggest surprise was in adjusting the verticalness of the seat back and finding just how much more room could be achieved simply by adjusting that one part.
I tested this configuration with a 1 year old infant, and it worked perfectly. The mother was in the front seat--but again, she was petite---at about 5'6, so she had plenty of leg room.
Personally, I'm not giving up my MINI for anything!! LOL. I've found a solution that works for me, and I'm sure you can find one for you as well. =)
Basically put the infant seat in place, adjust the height so it's level. Slide the passenger seat back until it touches the infant seat. Make the seat back as straight up as possible and see if you can move the seat any further. Play with this combination of sliding seat back, and reclining, first priority is making sure the infant seat it secure and in place. Then be sure the MINI seat is not hitting the infant seat, then see how much room is left over for the passenger, and adjust accordingly. My biggest surprise was in adjusting the verticalness of the seat back and finding just how much more room could be achieved simply by adjusting that one part.
When I saw this thread pop up again on the pulse, I thought it was because OcataneGuy's baby had arrived...since he's (or his wife, more precisely) in the home stretch. :smile:
Yeah, it's possible to find a solution to fitting a baby/baby seat into a MINI, but you'll have to be patient, lucky, and be willing to do a lot of trial and error research. Overall, the fit will be TIGHT and you'll not have much space to carry the equipment that seems to come with infants. I have 2 kids (6 and 3) and got my MINI about 2 years ago. At the time, both of my kids were able to ride in the type of seats that are for forward-facing kids able to sit up by themselves. Those BARELY fit. Point is, infant seats will only work if, as OctaneGuy says, there's no one in the front passenger seat or he/she's pretty short. Even now, with both kids in boosters, I will usually drive my other vehicle when I have to be out and about with the kids. The MINI is just a hassle getting everyone in and out and strapped into the back...and then I have NO room for carrying anything (e.g., groceries) other than a few things in the boot or utilizing the front passenger seat for cargo.
I love my MINI, but if I didn't have another car which was more kid-carrying-friendly, I'd be driving something else.
Yeah, it's possible to find a solution to fitting a baby/baby seat into a MINI, but you'll have to be patient, lucky, and be willing to do a lot of trial and error research. Overall, the fit will be TIGHT and you'll not have much space to carry the equipment that seems to come with infants. I have 2 kids (6 and 3) and got my MINI about 2 years ago. At the time, both of my kids were able to ride in the type of seats that are for forward-facing kids able to sit up by themselves. Those BARELY fit. Point is, infant seats will only work if, as OctaneGuy says, there's no one in the front passenger seat or he/she's pretty short. Even now, with both kids in boosters, I will usually drive my other vehicle when I have to be out and about with the kids. The MINI is just a hassle getting everyone in and out and strapped into the back...and then I have NO room for carrying anything (e.g., groceries) other than a few things in the boot or utilizing the front passenger seat for cargo.
I love my MINI, but if I didn't have another car which was more kid-carrying-friendly, I'd be driving something else.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Ohio
Our 8 month old has been riding in our MINI since he was a week old, and prefers it over our Subaru.... A car seat will affect the legroom of the person riding in front of it. So first I would advise against placing the seat behind the driver. I'm 5'9" and I find that when I ride in the passenger seat it's cramped, but not real uncomfortable.
Our infant seat was one of the Evenflow's, left the base in the car and popped the seat out via the passenger side. Our son has since grown out of the infant seat and is in a convertable Evenflow now, although still rear facing. The convertible seat provides more legroom for the front passenger than the infant seat.
To place or remove the baby from the convertible seat, you will need to enter and exit the car from the driver's side...
We bought the low end Aria stroller for the MINI (and keep the monstrous Evenflow stroller in the Subaru). As mentioned earlier, it fits well in the boot, we tuck a few items around the stroller and the rest goes in the back seat.
With the help of friends we've made a few long trips in the MINI with our son as well. We recently traveled from DC to CT for Resevoir Dogs Run II, which was a weekend trip for us. We could have fit everything (2 nights of baby supplies, small suitcase, Pack n' Play, stroller, baby and 2 adults) in the MINI with the passenger seat pulled all the way forward. However, we placed the Pack n' Play and the suitcase in somebody else's car to give us a little extra room.
Our infant seat was one of the Evenflow's, left the base in the car and popped the seat out via the passenger side. Our son has since grown out of the infant seat and is in a convertable Evenflow now, although still rear facing. The convertible seat provides more legroom for the front passenger than the infant seat.
To place or remove the baby from the convertible seat, you will need to enter and exit the car from the driver's side...
We bought the low end Aria stroller for the MINI (and keep the monstrous Evenflow stroller in the Subaru). As mentioned earlier, it fits well in the boot, we tuck a few items around the stroller and the rest goes in the back seat.
With the help of friends we've made a few long trips in the MINI with our son as well. We recently traveled from DC to CT for Resevoir Dogs Run II, which was a weekend trip for us. We could have fit everything (2 nights of baby supplies, small suitcase, Pack n' Play, stroller, baby and 2 adults) in the MINI with the passenger seat pulled all the way forward. However, we placed the Pack n' Play and the suitcase in somebody else's car to give us a little extra room.
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: new jersey
We got our 03 MCS in January of 03.It has been a pleasure to drive and I have never had more fun driving back and forth to work.The MINI community is also like no other.Our first son was two when we got the car.He will be three in May.He loves the car as we do.However,this June we are expecting our second child.
In the beginning it was not so bad putting #1 in and out of the Mini.It does begin to wear on you.We live in northern NJ and due to the seasonal changes, rain and snow can change how you feel about putting kids in and out of the car. One instance,I picked up #1 from day care.It was not so rainy when I went into the building.When I came out with him,It was pouring.By the time I got him in the car and strapped in,we were both soaked.The leather seats,door panel,and carpets were soaked.Not to mention getting in the drivers seat all wet.Now with #2 on the way,I can't imagine doing this with two kids.I am one of those **** people who try to keep there cars looking as clean and show room fresh as possible.That's hard to do in this situation.And it makes me feel bad that we decided to trade the car in,for something more kid friendly.My wife cried the whole way home from the Chrysler dealer.I did not do so well the following day.We built the car together and tracked it till delivery.We will really miss it.We traded for a loaded Chrysler Pacifica.We got $22,500 on our 7000mi loaded MCS.(not bad).SO the deal is that as soon as the kids are out of car seats,we as a family sit down together and order another one.(I hope their will still be fosil fuels availible to gas it up.) I really miss the car, now that the weather is getting better.There was no way we could afford three cars.so the MINI had to go.I want to thank everyone for making a great place for us to see what's going in the MINI community.I will still pop in to look around.
Octane guy.Enjoy your first child.Their is nothing like being a dad! Thank's again to all.See you on the road soon.Jaydawg.
In the beginning it was not so bad putting #1 in and out of the Mini.It does begin to wear on you.We live in northern NJ and due to the seasonal changes, rain and snow can change how you feel about putting kids in and out of the car. One instance,I picked up #1 from day care.It was not so rainy when I went into the building.When I came out with him,It was pouring.By the time I got him in the car and strapped in,we were both soaked.The leather seats,door panel,and carpets were soaked.Not to mention getting in the drivers seat all wet.Now with #2 on the way,I can't imagine doing this with two kids.I am one of those **** people who try to keep there cars looking as clean and show room fresh as possible.That's hard to do in this situation.And it makes me feel bad that we decided to trade the car in,for something more kid friendly.My wife cried the whole way home from the Chrysler dealer.I did not do so well the following day.We built the car together and tracked it till delivery.We will really miss it.We traded for a loaded Chrysler Pacifica.We got $22,500 on our 7000mi loaded MCS.(not bad).SO the deal is that as soon as the kids are out of car seats,we as a family sit down together and order another one.(I hope their will still be fosil fuels availible to gas it up.) I really miss the car, now that the weather is getting better.There was no way we could afford three cars.so the MINI had to go.I want to thank everyone for making a great place for us to see what's going in the MINI community.I will still pop in to look around.
Octane guy.Enjoy your first child.Their is nothing like being a dad! Thank's again to all.See you on the road soon.Jaydawg.