peet

I had a thread going a while back about the lack of third seat belt in back. So since it is not there, I have a couple of choices:

Babysmart front seat from MB dealer

or

Use the interior two 'LATCH' mounts for a seat mounted in the center of rear.

I'd rather put my 'third' kid in the back because of the safer location, but with the jury rigged system I am proposing I am wondering if this is truly safer.

Any thoughts?

Also, anyone have links to pics and more info on the MB branded front mountable seats? Everytime I search google, all I can come up with are reviews of the car mentioning the feature.

TIA
Peet

patronus

peet,

To properly answer this, two questions:

1. What is the weight/age of the child in question? They will grow, so keep that in mind.

2. Will you ever need to put 5 people in the car? If so, the babysmart option will not work.

I have used a babysmart seat for over a year and been happy, but my child is 9 and weighs 60 lbs.

young

babysmart's the way to go...

note that LATCH has the belt and the tether (at the head). the tether prevents the seat from "tipping" forward.

peet

I have a 3, 4 and 6 year old. They are 35, 45, 55 respectively. I can put anyone in any spot. If I put in a child seat in the back, I'd put the little one in it. If I put a booster in the front, the biggest one goes there.

Is the seat your 9 year old using a booster then? Any pix or link?

I don't so much need to haul 5 people (we have a van too) but when my wife goes out I want to be able to take all 3 kids.

Thanks for the help!

P

P.S. I expect to keep the car 4-5 years so the solution should figure that in.

patronus

peet,

I use a booster with the back removed. It works great!

If you go the babysmart route, you will not be able to put 3 kids and an adult aboard. If you do the latch, without a top teather, well, it may be bad news!

I don't have any web info on the seats, but I believe I remember three different babysmart seats available (from infant through 80 lbs. or so).

rskinner

I have the baby smart infant seat. It is only good rear facing and up to 20 lbs. It works great and I will be buying the next model, if I can find one.

I know it is not what you want, but if you need a pic, let me know.

peet

talked to MBUSA and dealer yesterday. The boosters have been on national back order for the past 6 or so months! No one supposedly has them. They found one in stock somewhere for a customer about 2 months ago but that was that.

MBUSA claims that the seats are being redesign to comply with new fed statutes but didn't have details. He figured they would be out late fall. BIG BUMMER.

If any of you are dealers or have access to inventory info, please post reply with leads for where to go.

Also, if anyone has the booster, please post a pic. I am curious if this thing is made of gold!

P

MB-BOB

peet, you may want to send a private message to CME4BENZ. He's a dealer and may be able to help.

peet

Thanks MB-BOB!

rskinner

peet, you may also want to try www.mercedesshop.com.