3 car seats in an S-Max

[WorkingMummy]

I've got the use of an S-Max this weekend. Not the new model with the sliding doors: a 2009, 7 seater.

I have two forward facing maxi-cosi bucket things for a 4 year old and a 2 year old and a backward facing number for my 8 month old.

Could anyone save me about an hour with my bottom in the air and the children running wild in the street tomorrow morning by tipping me off as to the best way to configure these? The two big buckets on the middle row and the baby in the third row? Or will they all squeeze into the middle row? Either way, feels like I'll have to take one of the larger child seats completely out in order to put the baby in and out (which seems like a bit of a pain).

All know-how gratefully received.

[etta166]

I have a Touran, so not identical, but I put all three in the middle row. I put the 4 year old in the middle seat, the two year old on one side and the baby on the other side. I find having a base for the baby seat that stays in the car really useful.

My 4 year old climbs into the seat on his own, then I do the straps (so make sure that the crotch strap, especially, is hooked out of the way before they climb in. Using the back row is a pain, because as you've realised, you need to take a car seat in and out to fold the middle row for access. I tend to pop them in via the boot if I have all 7 seats up.

[WorkingMummy]

Great. Ta

[jenc]

Hi both, this thread is interesting to me as we're about to have a third (with 3yo and 15mo) and thinking about either a Touran or S-max. Would either of you recommend them/have any reservations about them? Is there plenty of room for three car seats in the middle row? Any feedback gratefully received. Thanks.

[etta166]

I like the Touran in general. Ours is 5 years old and so far it's been no trouble (touch wood!). I've used it with a combination of 3 seats across the back (2 forward, 1 backward; 3 forward Group 1; 2 forward Group 1, 1 high-back booster) and never had any problems. I think that the S-max is bigger and may have more isofix points. The Touran has only 2 in the middle row, none in the back.

On the downside, the boot of a Touran is tiny when all 7 seats are up, and it's a right pain to get into the back row when you have carseats in all 3 seats of the middle row. I can only just fit a Maclaren techno XT in the boot with all the seats up so ended up buying a smaller buggy as well. When you're only using 5 seats, the boot is huge.

Other cars we considered were the Fiat Multipla, the Renault espace, Citroen Xara Picasso, Ford Gran C max and Vauxhaul Zafera. We went to Cargiant on a quiet week-day and looked at loads (with our car seats) then did a test drive in 2.

[jenc]

Thanks etta166, that's really helpful.

[WorkingMummy]

Well I've been out for the first time in the s-max today and loved it.

Plenty of room for the three car seats in the middle row. It felt quite roomy and there was no bother getting the kids in and out. Boot is very big with back seats down. Even with 7 seats up there is a bit of a boot, but not much.

You need to get the 2.0 engine though as (I'm told) less than that and it's sluggish.

Are you a member if Which? It is worth paying the subscription to use their website for a big purchase like this.

[WorkingMummy]

Ps we used a car finding service, recommended by Which, called Palmdale. They found us exactly the car we needed (in Milton Keynes), negotiated the price, had it checked over and delivered it to us. They will also advise you on which car suits your needs, although I think the Which comparison tool is all you need for that.

[jenc]

Thanks WorkingMummy, I'm not a member of Which? but father in law is so will check out their website. Glad you liked the S-Max!