Isofix or not to Isofix...

[ULP]

Eventually Marie and I will start a family (I hasten to add this is years away as we are only 28). When I bought the Audi I was dissapointed to note that a passengers aibag de-activation switch (for rearward facing seats in the front passangers seat) was an option and not fitted to mine. Even worse, it would appear that only by selecting this option would you get the Isofix child seat mountings on the rear seats and front passengers seat (for the models with split seats) and for the nearside rear and centre rear seats along with the front passngers seat (for models with the bench seat). So without this option you would be left with the continual messing with child seats and/ or using a system with a fixed base which needed to be removed if you carry bigger passengers.

However, while I was cleaning my car I noticed what appear to be Isofix fittings to the two rear seats (centre and nearside). I am now confused, as it shouldn't have them fitted but they appear to be. It makes sense they are put on the rear (regardless) and fitted to the front only if the airbag switch is selected, but this isn't what the owners manual and brochure say; they suggest I shouldn't have anything.

Can anyone confirm if their car has Isofix fittings (and without the passengers de-activation switch) or have they been fitted to mine by fluke? If you don't know what you are looking for, they are little metal hoops between where the seat-back meets the seat base; you will need to just pull the upholstery apart between the two units (as if you were looking for a lost 50p piece!!!) and they should be clearly visable. Any advice would be helpful!

[Rob Earl]

The option we selected was Isofix, not passenger airbag deactivation - this is just a part of the isofix option.
The front seat fixing is really easy to see when the passenger seat is lowered all the way down. Perhaps it made more economical sense to fit all rear seats with isofix as standard.

[ianjohnsonws14]

Best isofis installation we had was the 206CC - It had it on the DRIVER's seat!

[Eagle]

My car (04 Reg) does not have the air bag switch, but does have the Isofix fittings on the rear seats. My grand daughter's child seat plugs into the Isofix fittings.

[JimbobA2TDiSport]

Mines also got them in the back but not the front. I don't have the airbag switch either. I thought they were standard on the rear but optional at the front?

[/-\ ']['\/\/()]

We are currently on our second A2 (Previous 1.4 TDi SE and now 1.4 TDi Sport). Both have had rear bench seats and both have had isofix fittings in them - these were all as standard as we have not specified isofix or airbag deactivation in the front.

The isofix works very well with the Britax child seats - cheaper and nicer than the Audi ones.

[ULP]

Thanks for your advice one and all; so the rear Isofix are standard. I asked my cousin about hers (which also has the bench seat) and she disn't buy an Isofix seat because her interpretation of the manual was the same as mine.

[ecoangel]

Anyone got any photos of these rear seat fixings? I'm interested cause we've a little un due in Jan 2007 !

Cheers

[lyndonbuck]

I already had car seats before I bought the A2 - two Recaro Starts as we have twins - and they are a perfect fit on the bench seat. Audi sold them as their preferred seats I think. I never realised A2s had Isofix until now, just checked and mine has it too.

[dégeu]

Isofix wires on the rear seats are standard. They are hidden between cushion and back rest.
On front seat isofix was an option but technically no problem to fit them to the seat afterwards (if AUDI sells them seperately). The front seat isofix was realized with a steel bar riveted to the lower back rest cross member.

[lyndonbuck]

They don't look very strong do they?

[spike]

Audi still list a vast range of Recaro child seats in the accessory brochure - in the safety section - see link
http://www.audiaccessories.co.uk/(ilwx4oecgpfiomqxi1hwt045)/accessories.aspx?model=1

Cheers Spike

[akko69]

Hi!
I have the two isofix latches on the rear seats but the child seat that I wish to buy need 3 anchor points.
I have checked on the back of the rear seat and the only point where I could secure the third anchor is near (just over) the handle to lower the back.
Is it right?
How have you fit it?
Thanks a lot.


PS: checking the owner manual (in German!) I have seen that an adaptor is required; the picture no. 126 (ISOFIX chapter) shows an adaptor that fits on the isofix latch semi-hidden in the seat; the car seat will be anchored to this adaptor that I guess has another isofix latch.
Is it needed?
thanks

[spike]

Hi akko69
Not sure if this is any help but I checked the 2001 Audi Accessory brochure and this shows their isofix seats only have 2 anchor points - see attachment.

Cheers Spike

Just found some more info on isofix standards and it looks like you need an Audi approved child seat unless you can fit an adaptor for the top mounting attachment point.
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/child_safety/safety_standards.html

[ULP]

Hi akko69
Not sure if this is any help but I checked the 2001 Audi Accessory brochure and this shows their isofix seats only have 2 anchor points - see attachment.

Yes, Isofix frames have only two attachments but sometimes a seat might have more which will require a bracket to be purchased from the manufacturer of the seat (so it fits their seat on one side, and the universal isofix attachment on the other)

[ULP]

I did notice the most recent new member on the forum was 'Tiffany Wholesaler' and left in no doubt we'd end up with attempts to flog the usual knock-off...

Thankfully, Tiff has posted responses in a number of topics so there are plenty of opportunities to do a deal with Del Boy.

Get knotted.

[Albiej]

Hi akko69
Not sure if this is any help but I checked the 2001 Audi Accessory brochure and this shows their isofix seats only have 2 anchor points - see attachment.

Cheers Spike

Just found some more info on isofix standards and it looks like you need an Audi approved child seat unless you can fit an adaptor for the top mounting attachment point.
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/child_safety/safety_standards.html
I have a 2004 A2 with a bench seat. I have 1 year old twins so have purchased britax isofix forward facing seats. These fit into the two pairs of isofix fittings in the rear no problem. They do not require a top tether, as per britax guidelines, and I have found no reason to buy only audi approved seats as isofix is an international standard fitted to most cars after about 2001? The two isofix infant seats (with base and seat) fit equally aswell. The only thing that needs to be checked when purchasing isofix is if the model of car requires a top tether, to anchor the top of the seat, but a check with the seat manufacturer will clarify this. I hope that helps.

[shao_khan]

I use 2 x Britax Isofix Duo Plus seats in mine - good seat and easy to fix into Isofix points.

I also have 2 x Renaissance seats - normal fit through seat belt mounting - great seat, far more protection to the kids and also slightly higher so they can both see better - just makes it harder to get them in and out.

[Gaff]

Hi,

Isofix alone does not guarantee the best protection. Sure it helps, but the essential is to have sufficient padding to surround and fix your child in one place. Beware than some of the most common brands can have lousy test/review scores.

Our tips would be britax/romer seats for babies, then Recaro Start seats for young children. The Recaros are non-isofix seats that score very highly in tests/reviews. We chose them over isofix because the design is so good. No regrets with these choices.

With 4 children, we have a collection of 6 seats. For each of the "mainstream pushchair" brand seats we bought, we believe them significantly inferior to the britax/romer and recaro seats.

GA

[ecoangel]

I see Recaro do an ISOFIX adapter but it costs £75 - anyone tried it?