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      10-09-2012, 03:55 PM   #1
swamp
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Three child seats in X3

Has anyone fitted three child seats in the back of their X3? Mrs Swamp is expecting twins...

We already have a three-year-old, so we will need to squeeze in two Group 0+ seats and one Group 1 seat.

Even if we buy narrow seats, it looks like being a bit of a squash, and I'm not sure even how safe it will be. Isofix will likely not be possible either (though it seems Isofix is more about correct installation and ease rather than any inherent safety.)

If anyone has any direct experience this would be most appreciated.
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      10-10-2012, 01:21 AM   #2
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Congratulations swamp. You're going to have your hands full soon!

My wife has tried this but didn't want to not use ISOFIX on the middle seat so abandoned her attempt (with our 2 year old's seat and a friend's baby and 2 year old seats). I'll check with her how far she got. I think it is possible with seats that aren't too wide but you may lose ISOFIX altogether because even the side seats have to be pushed further out than ISOFIX would allow
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      10-10-2012, 03:46 AM   #3
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Mrs sfax states that you can "easily fit 3 if they're not ISOFIX"
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      10-10-2012, 10:59 AM   #4
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I have one front facing (with cup holders) and one rear facing in the back...and it almost occupies 75-80% of entire seating area. Barely not enough room even to pull out the center arm rest.

I don't think 3 child seats is possible unless they are very narrow & thinly padded.

But in US child seats are heavily padded & wider due to crash test ratings & nhtsa standards.
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      10-10-2012, 12:33 PM   #5
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I predict a 3 row X5 in your future!

Btw. congrats!
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      10-10-2012, 04:07 PM   #6
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Congratulations... But 3 child seat will not fit. I have twins as well & 2 car seats are already too tight. My wife is petite (her waist is about the width of a booster sit) & trying to sit with them in the middle but she could hardly move.
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      10-10-2012, 04:46 PM   #7
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A couple of people strangely posting that categorically it will not fit 3 despite never having tried to fit 3 seats in, only 2. Obviously it depends on the individual widths but I'm assured they (my wife and her friend) had 3 in place in the back seat of our X3 but couldn't use ISOFIX, only seatbelts because ISOFIX doesn't allow the seat to get close enough to the door
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      01-08-2013, 12:30 PM   #8
swamp
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Well I've just tried to fit three car seats and they don't fit.

I bought two (allegedly) narrow group 0+ infant seats and tried fitting with our existing narrow group 1 seat (which we use for aircraft). They simply don't fit together. The infant seats sit at an angle and they actually touch the doors. A one-off short journey yes, but as an ongoing concern the X3 will not fit three car seats.

I'm going to look at Multimac, but this is very expensive and will reduce the flexibility of the car as it is a semi-permanent bench across the back seats.

Last edited by swamp; 01-08-2013 at 12:37 PM..
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      02-25-2013, 03:38 PM   #9
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Update....

Well I'm pleased to announce that two healthy twin boys have arrived! Mother and babies should be coming home from the hospital in the X3 any day soon. I still haven't got rid of the car, and I now hope not to.

I have to say the car has been brilliant during the past week. I've been driving it round the clock back and forth to the hospital, taking swamp jnr to relatives in the country, fetching the mother in law from the airport etc etc. It's been faultless. It was particularly excellent during one urgent and *very* high speed run last week at 1am through SW London to the hospital

I'm genuinely thinking twice about changing the car. I need to fit three car seats, but I'm thinking we can probably do with what we've got.
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      02-25-2013, 03:54 PM   #10
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Congrats!!!!
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      02-25-2013, 04:07 PM   #11
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Congratulations.
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      02-27-2013, 03:25 PM   #12
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Hey swamp ,congratulations

Let us know if you are still looking at the multi mac bench or fit. Would be interested to see photos

Thanks
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      09-15-2013, 12:29 PM   #13
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Hi Swamp,
Hope kids doing just fine, did you finaly manage to fit 3 seats in the back if so, any advice what brand you did end up with.

Thanks.
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