Baby Car seat covers

[Waoudi]

Hi,

We're expecting our first child next month and I'm getting ready to install the infant seat in the back.

I plan to install it in the middle since that's the safest location, however, I wanted to make sure I don't damage the leather seats. I've been doing research for the last few days and there are so many bad reviews for every car seat cover I've looked at and also some people believe they are not safe.

Half the people have reported indentation and the others have reported that the seat covers melt into the leather in the summer. Anyone experience either?

If you've used a seat cover and you've experienced no damage please let me know which one you used.

Thanks!!

[P1]

It's very tough to get no indentations whatsoever. Obviously the safety of your child is the most important thing, so you'll tie those chairs down like your life depends on them. What I did is take a nice waffle weave towel, and put that under child seat.

[iconoclast]

There isn't any latch system in the middle. You would have to use an anchor point from each side which is not recommended but there is a top tether anchor in the center for use with the middle seat belt for older children in larger booster seats. In addition the center has a high point and curves down on both sides the seat you may be trying to install may not sit flush with the rear bench in the center.

These are the oem Euro child seats but I am showing you what the middle seat is designed for and the type of seat which it was intended to accomodate.

[DuSh]

I love those bmw carseats

[Wtfitzvi]

I'm in the same boat. Expecting our second child first week of June. I'm curious to see what options are available out there.

In the last we've always used a towel underneath the base of the infant seat.

[fosterelli]

Most CPSTs (car seat gurus) use sliced pool noodles for leveling child seats, due to the noodle's lack of slip and compression risk - and it also helps prevent any permanent indentations.

The biggest concerns are (1) improper security/stabilization of the seat during worst-case accidents due to seat covers/towels, etc. interfering with proper seat installation and (2) compression of said seat covers/towels, etc...which in serious accidents can compress enough to loosen the seat more than desired for maximum child protection and crashworthiness.

Beware the center of the X5 is also a narrow seat, so some child seats will not fit between the buckles.

The center does not have LATCH, but remember LATCH isn't necessarily safer. It was designed to reduce the number of improper child seat installations (parents who don't know how to properly install a child seat, grandma takes the kids and doesn't do it right, etc.). LATCH is all about simplicity of installing seats properly.

The center seat is the safest place for a child, LATCH or not. If we had one kid, newborn, rear-facing, it would definitely be in the center, in a properly installed seat. Forward facing when the kid gets older we would utilize the center with top tether. If you ever get t-boned by a 1-ton truck, just think of all of that extra space between your kid's head and the bumper of the truck crashing through that window.

We have five kids, from 17 down to 3...which equates to about 24 car seats and boosters, spread across about 38 cars and SUVs over the 17 years. So lots of experience with this.

Wife is a former CPST as well - volunteering at fire stations, hospitals, and checkpoints to help teach new parents how to do things right.

Congratulations on the impending newborn!

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by fosterelli

The center seat is the safest place for a child, LATCH or not.

True however it is only as safe as the seat and the installation. If you do not have the proper seat or it is not installed securely because of the layout of the bench seat the child is in a worse predicament than being on the left or right secured properly. This is one area Volvo beat the others in with the integrated booster seat. Such a great feature.

If anyone is interested these are some seats I had installed after doing some research years ago along with photos...

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...=674104&page=2

Originally Posted by DuSh

I love those bmw carseats

Considering the colorway they are fashioned in I think they would look best in an i8. The older versions were just really cool all around. IMO.

[CatalinP]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

True however it is only as safe as the seat and the installation.

In the Owner's Manual, BMW says that it is not recommended to install a child seat in the middle.

[lowlevelhell]

We’ve had a child seat in the middle for two years using a pad. Never rely only on LATCH. The seat will have a seatbelt attaching system. Use that AND the LATCH system.

No issue with melting or marking with the pad on Nappa.

[Dilmorecg]

We have a 6 month old and I got this: https://www.amazon.com/OXFORD-Luxury...seat+protector

I like it so far. No noticeable marks when I remove it. I like it because its a little nicer looking than most other ones.

[Chadmatic]

Originally Posted by DuSh

I love those bmw carseats

BMW totally missed their opportunity to get your children hooked on ///M by stitching those child seats with the (mini) ///m logo!

[fosterelli]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

In the Owner's Manual, BMW says that it is not recommended to install a child seat in the middle.

Always follow your manual. If this is true (I won't check because I'm not using car seats in the X5) you should definitely pay attention OP.

The vehicle manual and the car seat manual should be followed to the letter.

I would guess that this is due to the narrow distance between the belts. The middle is very narrow.

[fosterelli]

Originally Posted by lowlevelhell

We’ve had a child seat in the middle for two years using a pad. Never rely only on LATCH. The seat will have a seatbelt attaching system. Use that AND the LATCH system.

No issue with melting or marking with the pad on Nappa.

This is incorrect. You are NOT to use LATCH and seatbelts simultaneously. You choose one or the other. They are both crash tested independently and certified to meet standards set by NHTSA and other groups/agencies. Read your manuals, they will tell you.

Never rely on LATCH? You're direct-anchoring with LATCH at the low points of the seat and with a tether. Not sure why you're saying this. Please elaborate. Very dangerous to post inaccurate information regarding this. See this link: https://one.nhtsa.gov/Driving-Safety...-–-LATCH

[fosterelli]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

True however it is only as safe as the seat and the installation. If you do not have the proper seat or it is not installed securely because of the layout of the bench seat the child is in a worse predicament than being on the left or right secured properly.

Goes without saying...I'd hope anyway. If you're having a child, your minimum responsibility is to train yourself on how to properly install your seats in all of your vehicles.

But the safest place is the center, regardless of fastening types. Unless the vehicle manufacturer says differently.

[fosterelli]

FWIW to the OP, of our 5 kids mentioned above with dozens of vehicles and car seats, we've (1) never used a pad (2) never once had permanent indentations or damage to our vehicles. Some indentations would last a day or so, others up to a week...but they always came back to like-new.

If you do go down the road of using a pad, be sure to pick one that is made by a child seat manufacturer, because they would be tested properly. See this: https://us.britax.com/accessories/ve...eat-protector/

And finally, here is a link with a ton of resources for learning all about choosing seats, proper fittings, installations, when to change to a new seat, forward and rear facing information, etc. https://www.safekids.org/safetytips/...risks/car-seat

[Kzang]

Can you guys recommend a good car seat for an infant? I also have a baby on the way and haven't picked a car seat that is safe and compatible with our X5's.

[Chigger]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Can you guys recommend a good car seat for an infant? I also have a baby on the way and haven't picked a car seat that is safe and compatible with our X5's.

Britax or Recaro

[imirdalf]

Recaro best ever...

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by Chigger

Britax or Recaro

Any particular model for infants?

[iconoclast]

We had the the Recaro Monza and Recaro ProSport before getting the Clek boosters in leather to match the interior. The fabric seat covers fade horribly after washing and appear to be purple in direct light. If you click the link below you can see ours installed in a few different BMW vehicles. If you go with the Recaro seats purchase additional pads from Recaro and double up. Their padding isn't that great for long road trips.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...9&postcount=28

[fosterelli]

The Nuna Pipa is one of the top rated right now. The Uppababy Mesa is another good one.

The Pipa is hands-down the must-have in baby land. And extremely lightweight, which is big for when baby grows (or you're having to carry for longer periods of time).

We've definitely had our share of Britax in the past, along with a few Recaro seats.

For today's infant seats, definitely check out the Pipa if you are wanting the best in safety, function, and ease of use.

[sj22]

+1 for pipa

We didnt use any seat protection and it was fine.