Isofix - is it worth fitting?

[sweegie]

So, Mrs Sweegie is in the latter stages of producing sprog number 1 and car upgrades have now taken the form of baby seats.... I can get an isofix base for the car seat, but would need to fit the rails etc into the rear. Has anyone else done this? I'm not sure if it's worth it unless it's a bit ot a 'mare to secure the seat with the usual 3 point rear belt...

Opinions welcomed

[Nobby]

I put ISOFIX in mine and would definately recommend doing the same. The safer the better.

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Volvo did a study - isofix is no safe than belts. The issue is that most parents can't do the belts properly and ISO fix is more (but not infallible) idiot proof.
That being said, isofix is easier but only lasts really until they are about 3 years old.

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Oh - some ISO fix bases also work with belts. Make sure you get some seat protection to stop damage.

[Nobby]

All 3 seats that i have (from cat 0, 1, 2 & 3) use the belts too.

[bam_bam]

I put the ISO bar in but I'd also highly recommend good seat protection. The ISO base units tend to really lock in hard and depress the cushioning and leather etc.
Fixing the ISO bar is pretty straight forward and no more than a 10min job. I ripped out the rear bench (unclipped the heating elements), then I had to locate the paper covered holes and I then penetrated the holes with a phallic tool before tightly screwing in the ISO bar.

Fnar.

[sweegie]

Cool, will get these fitted in that case. Sounds like it's worth while.

Bam, poking holes is no problem. Nor is screwing things until they go tight. I presume now you can just push a button and everything comes off really easily?

[audi_driver79]

I fitted a bracket the other month and it was easy to fit but the seat base has never clipped in properly again. One clip does but not the other for some reason? Is there a knack to putting it back in I don't know about?

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Easy to break the clips when removing the seat.

[audi_driver79]

Clips seem intact but just one side doesn't clip in. Will have another go when I get time. IMO its just the ease of isofix but if you get a base that fits in with a seatbelt then the car seat goes on that the bracket isn't the be all end all. Still if its the safety of your child peace of mind is very important.

[marc1]

Fit the isofix. For the sake of the relatively small cost and ease of fitting it's really a huge convenience. We have a base in each car and just unclick the car seat and click into the othe car - no faffing around. There's enough faffing that goes with a child as it is, so any thing like this is a welcomed advantage.

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Only downsides to isofix is that you have no flexibility to fine tuning seat position and it's easy for the isofix 'prongs' to damage leather seats.

Group 0 it's definitely easier to use a seat base if isofix or not. Group 2 and above don't have isofix as the child's weight is over the limit for the brackets. Group 1 car seats are generally fit and forget as the child can get in and out themselves (or with only minor assistance) and are held in by the seat's belts with the adult belt going through the back.

[Ecxoes]

hey guys I'm thinking about doing this, where did you get these brackets you speak of?

[marc1]

Try Stoke Audi forum Sponsor.

[Mɐʇʇ]

What's the UK price of these? I notice there's a German Audi dealer selling some via ebay.