baby seats + A2

[gerard]

hello,

we are expecting twins in october and are shopping around for baby seats.

i recall reading in the A2 brochure that "preparing" the car for babyseats is a £70 option...

is this for real?

don't all cars now have sockets/mounts for baby seats?

we got the bench seat so that we can put two baby seats in the back and maybe in an emergancy stick a third person in the back on short trips... is this realistic? probably not , heh heh....

i haven't seen an audi baby seat yet...

some prams have baby seats that transfer to the car but a dedicated baby seat seems safer...

thanks,
gerard

2003 1.6 SE FSI Cobalt Blue & 1968 Dodge Charger

[runboy]

I think you have to pay for ISOFIX in the A2 at time of build-not sure if it can be retro-fitted though.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

[Rob Earl]

Yes thats right Steve. Isofix is a £70 option and that also includes a switch in the glovebox to turn off the passenger airbag.

We don't have kids yey but will still specify it as an option again - you never know whats going to happen and it's another selling point.

A2's don't make very good sledges:( http://www.a2forum.net/robe.gif1.4SE petrol. http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk14.htm

[msmorley]

As I understand it, Isofix mountings are standard on the rear seats. They are just a pair of small metal loops hidden between the cushions at the back of the seat. That said, I don't know if the bench seat has them. IIRC, the £70 pound option covers Isofix mounts for the front passenger seat and the key-switchable front airbag - see http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk29.htm. If you haven't got the ISOFIX mounts, I don't think retrofitting them is going to be straightforward - I'd think twice about entrusting the safety of my kids to some third-party welding

I haven't seen any Group 0 ISOFIX seats - VAG certainly don't have any - so you may find yourself restricted to conventional belted seats for the first 9 months or so, as we were. Our "brat" is about to graduate to a Group 1 ISOFIX seat made by Britax, since the Audi one looks rather suspiciously like the same seat rebranded (it even has the same name :D)

HTH...

[img=left]http://www.santorini.dsl.pipex.com/a2_avatar.gif[/img=left][b]Mark.
2003 Azure Blue 1.6 FSI SE

OpenSky | Climate Control | DIS | Isofix + brat | Space-Floor-Box
ERW | Symphony II | Winter Pack | Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror

[msmorley]

Hmmm... seems that Rob beat me to it - did I really take 15 minutes to compose that reply?

Perhaps my comments on the rear seats should be disregarded - does anyone have ISOFIX on the rear seats without having specified the option? I'd feel better about paying £70 for three seats... [:I]

[img=left]http://www.santorini.dsl.pipex.com/a2_avatar.gif[/img=left]Mark.
2003 Azure Blue 1.6 FSI SE

OpenSky | Climate Control | DIS | Isofix + brat | Space-Floor-Box
ERW | Symphony II | Winter Pack | Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror

[shezlee]

Ours as ISOFIX and is an option on build, I have an A2 accessories booklet that shows seats and things, will try and find and scan.

Lee and Sheridan,
TDI SE, Build 11/01, Dolphin Grey,
50% Brighter Bulbs : Original Audi 6 CD Changer (Fitted in proper location by me) : Rear drinks holder : Floppy Wiper : Centre Tray : Elasticated Belt System.
http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk18.htm

[jon.od]

What does isofix look like is it as simple as just two metal loops and i will have a look

[shezlee]

Yes they are attached to the backrest of the seats and can be found at the very bottom.

Lee and Sheridan,
TDI SE, Build 11/01, Dolphin Grey,
50% Brighter Bulbs : Original Audi 6 CD Changer (Fitted in proper location by me) : Rear drinks holder : Floppy Wiper : Centre Tray : Elasticated Belt System.
http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk18.htm

[gerard]

very interesting...

so, the £70 isofix feature is that it can switch off the airbag on the front passenger seat?

in america they tell you to put your kids in the back seats anyway and the dealer will permanently switch off the front passenger airbag if you have to put a brat in the front seat...

it is handy to be able to turn it on when you have an adult in the front!

however, what about the back seats?

there are no airbags in the back as standard...

i think you can get back airbags that are in the roof as option....

we do actually have airbags on the outside edges of the front seats (they are facing the door pillar), i hope these aren't dangerous for babies in the back seat! <sigh>

anyone else have these?

we just went in and bought our A2 from the showroom floor so we didn't really spec anything as it had all the important stuff we needed at the time (climate control, big stereo, big wheels etc)

heh heh...

i'll have togive the dealer a ring i suppose...

thanks for all your help guys!


-gerard

2003 1.6 SE FSI Cobalt Blue & 1968 Dodge Charger

[msmorley]

The side airbags are no problem for rear baby seats - they (are meant to) issue forwards to protect the front seat occupants.

My assumption that ISOFIX is available as standard in the rear probably comes from having a VW in the past: all new VWs (perhaps not the Sharan) come with ISOFIX mounts as standard in the rear. Also the Britax ISOFIX compatibility chart at http://www.britax.co.uk/isofix/Isofix_vcg_2.htm shows the rear seats as being standard and the front optional.

[img=left]http://www.santorini.dsl.pipex.com/a2_avatar.gif[/img=left]Mark.
2003 Azure Blue 1.6 FSI SE

OpenSky | Climate Control | DIS | Isofix + brat | Space-Floor-Box
ERW | Symphony II | Winter Pack | Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror

[gerard]

thanks Mark,

that chart is handy...

yes, it does make sense that the back seats should have it standard...

-gerard

2003 1.6 SE FSI Cobalt Blue & 1968 Dodge Charger

[gerard]

just spoke to our dealer (Croydon Audi)

and they said that isofix is an option on A2, A3 and A4 cars!!!!

and that that includes the rear seats as well! So if you didn't request isofix when ordering your car you wont even have the isofix on the rear seats!

damn, i thought in this day and age that all cars had them as standard on the rear seats....

i'm sure the seatbelt secured baby seats are just as safe....


-gerard

2003 1.6 SE FSI Cobalt Blue & 1968 Dodge Charger

[runboy]

gerrard

I know the front has it-not sure of the back, but when you pull the seatbelt all the way out, you'll here it click, then when you release it back in it ratchets and locks around the subject (in this case a baby seat). That way it can be held securely in place.

I know the fronts do it because if you lean forward to open the glovebox, it will go into "lock mode" and you have to undo the belt to reset it!.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

[msmorley]

quote:Originally posted by runboy

I know the front has it-not sure of the back...They do - and it is very annoying when you have a two-part baby seat where the base remains permanently in the car: though the idea is sound, of course. This effect is achieved by extending the belt to something close to its maximum extent and then letting it back again, as Steve says.

Still appalled that ISOFIX should be standard on an £8k VW and not on a £16k Audi... :( Perhaps Audi have got hold of a demographic that suggests that A2 owners don't reproduce...?

[img=left]http://www.santorini.dsl.pipex.com/a2_avatar.gif[/img=left]Mark.
2003 Azure Blue 1.6 FSI SE

OpenSky | Climate Control | DIS | Isofix + brat | Space-Floor-Box
ERW | Symphony II | Winter Pack | Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror

[Ade]

Agreed that it should be standard.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/a2ade.gif[/img=left]Ade [img]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/res/spacer.gifhttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/res/spacer.gifhttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/res/icon_profile.gifUK Owners Page 24 (http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk24.htm) http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/images/s.gif http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/res/home.gifMy Home Page (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/) http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/images/s.gif http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/res/icon_email.gifMail me (mailto:magis.moose@ntlworld.com)

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[Poppy1]

Just note that the Audi Isofix seats are made by Britax - known also as Roman in Germany. They make the same model with a Britax label which may be cheaper at Halfords. PS I have a Dutch Maxi Cosi Rodi in the back and it fits brilliantly. Ages 3 to 12 years

[Rob Earl]

Taken from the Euro NCAP page about the A2.
quote:Model history and safety equipment
The A2 was launched in Europe during autumn 2000. Equipment fitted includes twin front airbags, side airbags (thorax), front belt pre-tensioners and load limiters, and ISOFIX child restraint mountings on the rear seats.



http://www.robspage.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/audi%20accident1_IMG_small1.jpgDon't drink drive! Not only is it socially unaceptable, it also harms A2's.
1.4SE petrol. http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk14.htm http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/safety.htm

[gerard]

well well,

you have inspired me to go dig around my back seat and see if i can find the isofix that my dealer says isn't there!

heh heh....

thanks,
gerard

2003 1.6 SE FSI Cobalt Blue & 1968 Dodge Charger

[chris_26_]

My bench seat has Isofix, which I didn't order. Wish I'd known that when I bought a new car seat last time! Anyway, we've got a bebe confort Iseos in there, which if you pull the belt tight enough fixes firm enough that you can't even wiggle it a little. It does compress the seat foam somewhat though...

http://www.kiddicare.com/online/car_seats_9mths_4yrs/iseosblue.jpg


Suffolk is more dangerous than you think...

[gerard]

ok, i took a look,

and there are 3 or so narrow black loops in the back bench seat...

i'm guessing these are the isofix things?

i'll post a photo from my digital camera shortly...

-gerard


2003 1.6 SE FSI Cobalt Blue & 1968 Dodge Charger

[webster]

Hi - We have a Sep 2001 Audi A2 Black with grey leather seats. When we were buying the car, we were recommended (and did buy) the isofix fixings.

Firstly, I don't think that there are any Group 0 seats for isofix. However, the isofix system is excellent for the next group up - the seat fits really securely, feels very safe and is really easy to take out,put in different places etc.

We bought our seat from Audi - it's badged up as an Audi seat, but I can tell you it's a Britax seat ! - made in the UK. It cost £150.

I'm not sure if you have two seats in the back that there'd be much room for anyone or anything else !

Good luck with the twins !

Anyway, Zoe likes it loads !

[webster]

The little black loops are the isofix fixings - one thing I forgot to add - if your kids are in rear facing seats (generally the first ones), you may want to get your dealer to check and possibly disable the rear airbags - not sure if we should of or not, but if you open rear doors you'll see an airbag hazard sign.

Once they face forward, they're fine with the airbags I'm told.

[Rob Earl]

I think it has been mentioned before that side airbags (in the seats) are safe for children in the rear as they mainly fire forwards to protect front seat occupants. Also, if you have Sideguard (full length curtains), these too are safe as they are quite thin and don't intrude too much into the car. The only one to be wary of is the front passenger airbag with rear facing children.

Saying all that, I haven't got any children so it might be prudent to get a second opinion.

Don't drink drive! Not only is it socially unaceptable, it also harms A2's.
Was a 1.4SE petrol. http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk14.htm http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/safety.htm