Ok, this might seem like a dumb question:

What is an Isofix baby seat base, will one fit in the coupe? I imagine it's some kind of base unit that allows a car seat to click into it, instead of messing about with seat belts. Trying to decipher some of these baby websites really hard!

Yeah sounds like you've got the hang of it. The base stays fixed in the car so you can just slot the seat in and out. The question about it fitting a coupe i dont know. I would think not as ISOfix is quite a recent thing most new cars have ISOfix labels on the seat belts. I think the belts are longer and also have a special ratchet in them, that allow the belt to come all the way out then rentract in around the base, and you then you cant pull the belt out again until the belt has been fully retracted.

Isofix is a system whereby car seats are fitted with two metal hook things that child car seats can clip into. It does indeed mean you don't have to faff around with seatbelts and it's a pretty quick and secure way of fixing a child seat in.

However Isofix child seats don't have to be a base unit and a removable part, they can be a whole seat you take in and out, the Isofix part is just the bit that attaches the seat to the car and doesn't affect the design of the child seat.

The coupe doesn't have any Isofix connections and it's not the type of thing you can retro fit so you'll have to use seatbelt ones.

Cheers,

Gareth

It is possible to do, just i dont think its been done on a coop yet, a quick google will clarify.

On the other hand I shall be attempting this feat shortly, remember though that unless your having it done professionally theres a gamble to be had when it comes to the structural integrity of the mounts and IMHO a gamble thats not worth taking....

....though you may have had similar experience fitted anything like 5 point harnesses before

Thanks for the replies all, I will have to do some more reading, and see if it is possible to retrofit the anchors etc.

I will report back if I go down this route.


Gareth

Im certainly going to try, im confident there will be some sufficently strong anchor points lurking in that area, good materials and some high shear strength bolts and i reckon its a winner!

Stick to seat belts too much risk in my opinion.

I agree with PaulP, personally I wouldn't risk trying to retrofit Isofix points. Also, I'm pretty sure the back seats will have to be cut and modified as well which (for me at least) would be hard to do without it looking crap.

The main advantage with Isofix is that it reduces the risk of fitting the seat incorrectly, but if you buy a base unit that stays in the car and a child car seat that clips into it then you only have to do the seatbelt part once and not every time you move the seat.

Hi all, after recently looking into this a fair amount you can get bases which are isofix and belt mount. This means that it can isofix into the wifes golf but also fix with the seatbelt into the back of the coop. It is also a very solid fix with the belt.

The manufacturer is maxi cosy, I am not sure of the model name but it has easy fix on the base.

Definately worth going down the base route if you are putting a baby seat in the coop a lot as its a bit of a pain to fix the seat only in.

HTH

Chris

Have to mention: not all Isofix bases fit all Isofix equipped cars. Eg. the Brera has Isofix but we've only come across 3 bases that actually fit.

you CANT retro fix isofit mounts to a car and fit an isofix base. (its not tested to confirm weather it will withstand a crash) and retailers arnt supposed to sell them to you!

the isofix base that will fit both the seat belt mounted and isofix is indeed the maxi cosi easy-fix,the easy base is belt only. rrp around £100.

any isofix product comes with an accecptable fit guide of what car their product will fit to, if your car isnt on the list then you CANT fit the seat/base because it has to be tested to ensure it will withstand in an accident.

im a gold star trained car seat fitter for halfords, any questions please dont hesitate to pm me, ben