Firstly, apologies if this is in the wrong section but as most people read this section it looked like the best place to post it.

I can find several threads on child seats but not much on ISOfix seats. Has anyone tried the new Recaro Young Expert Plus system in their Octy? How well does the ISOfix base fit the back seats?

The obvious thing would be to try one but trying to find a shop that stocks them is proving difficult. They are available to buy on the net but I would prefer to try before I buy.

Halfords stock the Britax ISOfix base which I can try but I am told the Recaro base is a different shape / size.

Any help would be appreciated.

Darren

I remember reading some info on Isofix, not on here but I think it might still be relevant

ISO info pinched from my old place

The Recaro seat doesnt score that highly in crash tests. The less sportly looking ones tend to do much better.

2004 AA report, but only covers the "Recaro Start" and not the model you mention. The Start got "satisfactory".

http://www.aatrust.com/files/reports/01052004_crash_test_full_report.pdf

We are thinking of getting the Recaro Young Sport (ages 9 months to 12 years I think), as it looks and feels so much more comfy than most seats, but we aim to read up on reviews before parting with cash.

We bought a Britax ISOFIX car seat for my young son nearly 3 years ago and it was excellent.

The fitting of it to the rear seat was very easy and effective and it gives the parents that extra bit of security that it will NOT move unlike one's held by a seat belt.

I recently sold it to a fellow Briskoda member on this website.

I know they are more expensive than a standard car seat but they are well worth it.

We bought ours from www.kiddicare.com when they first came out and they are a good company to buy from as they are always on time with their delivery if not better.

Britax as a company are very good and also own a German company called Romer who produce children seats as well.

The Britax models are also cheaper than the Skoda branded one's, don't know who makes their's, but I bet it is Romer.

If you require any further details you are more than welcome to PM me any time.

I did a lot of research recently on this subject as I required the next age group of car seat for my 8 month old.

I also required an isofix as it is by far the safest option available, now my findings were,

the look of the Recaro is ideal for my Octy Vrs by was far more expensive than the Britax Duo-isofix I eventually went for.

it didn't do all that well in the crash tests.

very difficult to find a retailer in the u.k to try before you buy.

not as many good features as the Britax.

I ended up getting a seat from Kiddicare on-line and the information they gave and service was excellent. They price match and got a deal when I bought the Lionheart seat protector at the same time.

They were cheaper because they sell seats that are imported from Europe so they have a larger variety of covers.

Seat ended up costing me

Seat ended up costing me

We want a seat for toddler age (2/3) to 12 years, so will probably still get the Recaro Young Sport, as it has so much more padding than other makes, and the same safety rating should be the same as the current Maxi Cosi Priori XP seat that we have, which we're fairly impressed with.

Thanks for all your help.

I have found a independant store in Maidenhead that has the Recaro Young Expert Plus in stock and also stocks Maxi Cosi, Britax, M&P's etc. We are heading there at the weekend to try them all.

Cheers

Darren

What store is that?

We might have to make a similar journey. Hazard of not being able to try before you buy is that car seat simply might not fit well, and that's a big no-no.

Recaro UK gave me the following two shops as stocking their seats and being the closest to Newbury.

Bear Necessities

St Marys Walk

Maidenhead

Berkshire

SL6 1QZ

Tel: (01628) 773993

Website: http://www.bear-nec.co.uk/index.htm

&

W. J. Daniel and Company Limited

121 - 125 Peascod Street

Windsor

Berkshire

SL4 1DP

Telephone: 01753 801000

Facsimile: 01753 801001

Website: http://www.danielstores.co.uk/stores/windsor.html

Both stock Recaro but do not list it on the website. Only Bear Necessities

had the seat in stock when I spoke to them last. Daniels were still waiting for delivery.

OK, thanks.

I'll be sure not to buy out their stock before you get there :P