The People's Hero Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 Hi All, I have a Mercedes C-250 Sport-Plus Class Estate (2012 model) I like the car and have had no problems with it thus far, but have recently found out that my wife is expecting twins this summer. We currently have a 10 month old son. The problem this presents is that we will need to fit 2 stage 0 and 1 stage 1 car seat in to the Mercedes. Apparently all across the back seats is not an issue (not space and Mercedes claims child seat in middle is 'unsafe'). Ordinarily the simple answer would be to put one of the seats in the front passenger seat. Mercedes, in their infinite wisdom, though, have made it impossible to manually turn off those airbags, meaning the only carseat you can put in their is their stage 1 model, which is over £500. So here are my questions and I really would appreciate some input: 1) Has anyone else had this issue and how did they get round it? 2) Anyone got a second-hand stage 1 Mercedes child seat which they'd be prepared to sell? 3) Are Mercedes just being cagey with their advice do you think? ie in anyone's specific or general experience, could 2 stage 0 and 1 stage 1 seat across the back work? This would probably work better for me if workable, since otherwise my wife is going to have to sit in the middle at the back wedged between two car seats. 4) Anyone aware of any other solution to disable the front passenger airbags, without affecting other airbags, other than buying the £500 Mercedes car seat? OR 5) Is it time to go and get the VW Sharan/Transporter, whatever the MPV is called? I'm not dead keen really. Thanks very much in advance - and sorry for the slightly boring/sensible type post. Any assistance/advice very much appreciated. Ta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rincewind Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 Buy a coach ready for next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyBoy Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 have you looked up a Mercedes G-wagon? There like the landrover defender but better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexikokopops Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 It's time to invested in the people carrier. Less than five years ago you were giving me lifts in your MR2 while we listened to Hefner. HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN. Jokes obvs. I think it's more telling that I am basically still the shambles I was in the summer of 2007. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The People's Hero Posted 17 January 2013 Author Share Posted 17 January 2013 have you looked up a Mercedes G-wagon? There like the landrover defender but better Do you have one? I've not started actually considering MPVs yet, but now realise I probably need to. I had an idea in my mind to go either Merc (I like Mercs) or failing that budget wise a VW equivalent (is it Sharan?) and failing that budget wise a Ford Galaxy or Seat Alhambra (which is a Sharan in cr ap clothes effectively) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilo Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 The SEAT Alhambra is mechanically a VW Sharan with a less prestigious badge unless I'm mistaken. I think it's cheaper and better equipped than the VW as well. What about the Ford S-Max? It's more attractive to look at and Fords have a good reputation in terms of their driving dynamics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexikokopops Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 The SEAT Alhambra is mechanically a VW Sharan with a less prestigious badge unless I'm mistaken. I think it's cheaper and better equipped than the VW as well. What about the Ford S-Max? It's more attractive to look at and Fords have a good reputation in terms of their driving dynamics. Plus they have a heated front windscreen which is frickin' MAGIC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilo Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 Plus they have a heated front windscreen which is frickin' MAGIC! It can't be a good thing that a heated windscreen is on my wishlist for my next car. The one on the Signum has been an absolute boon this winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The People's Hero Posted 17 January 2013 Author Share Posted 17 January 2013 It is very good - but have you noticed in the S-Max how visible that is at pretty much all times? I have owned several fords and always found that technology to be a godsend. The SEAT Alhambra is mechanically a VW Sharan with a less prestigious badge unless I'm mistaken. I think it's cheaper and better equipped than the VW as well. What about the Ford S-Max? It's more attractive to look at and Fords have a good reputation in terms of their driving dynamics. You're spot on re the Sharan/Alhambra. I'm taking a look at a S-Max at the weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon the Hat Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 S max or Landrover Discovery are your only options if you want a driving experience. S max cheaper to run. Seriously the titanium 163 is a nice drive, I was impressed. Take one for a spin. S max 2010 or later has three isofix across the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saxondale Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 Mercedes, in their infinite wisdom, though, have made it impossible to manually turn off those airbags Are you sure the passenger airbag can't be disabled? The only way would be to see if it's on separate circuit to the rest of them and whip the fuse out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The People's Hero Posted 17 January 2013 Author Share Posted 17 January 2013 Are you sure the passenger airbag can't be disabled? The only way would be to see if it's on separate circuit to the rest of them and whip the fuse out. I've taken advice on it and the short answer really is that MB have over-engineered this in such a way as to make it not worthwhile. All in an effort to sell £500 car seats is seems. As per JtH's comments, I came to the conclusion the S Max might be the way to go. Probably the 163 Diesel engine, in an automatic. Bit annoyed that the standard colour is white and they want another £500 (!) for any other colour, but there we are. It'll be for the wife anyway. Any horror stories on the S-Max before I start haggling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Walsh5 Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 Depending on your budget, motorpoint of derby have got a ford s max. Black, 2.0 TDCI 140, automatic, 19,000 miles, on a 60 plate. £16,999. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The People's Hero Posted 17 January 2013 Author Share Posted 17 January 2013 Depending on your budget, motorpoint of derby have got a ford s max. Black, 2.0 TDCI 140, automatic, 19,000 miles, on a 60 plate. £16,999. I'm in Maidstone mate, but have spotted quite a few about, good spec, low mileage, main dealer around £20,000. I've been advised to avoid the 140 and go for the 163. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilo Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 I'm in Maidstone mate, but have spotted quite a few about, good spec, low mileage, main dealer around £20,000. I've been advised to avoid the 140 and go for the 163. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The People's Hero Posted 17 January 2013 Author Share Posted 17 January 2013 At least I'm not eyeing up the 2.2 litre. At the moment. The other half wants a Galaxy. Any advice folks? The S-Max should be big enough right? And its a much better drive... and cheaper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THEBIGJOHNSTEADER; Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 It's time to invested in the people carrier. Less than five years ago you were giving me lifts in your MR2 while we listened to Hefner. HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN. Jokes obvs. I think it's more telling that I am basically still the shambles I was in the summer of 2007. You're not a shambles, you are my muse, my flame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The People's Hero Posted 17 January 2013 Author Share Posted 17 January 2013 S max or Landrover Discovery are your only options if you want a driving experience. S max cheaper to run. Seriously the titanium 163 is a nice drive, I was impressed. Take one for a spin. S max 2010 or later has three isofix across the back. Would you say the S Max is a better call than a Galaxy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon the Hat Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 The Galaxy is considerably more expensive and didn't seem to offer as much performance. Plus it's a ****ing taxi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 Could work as a good family runaround? How big is your driveway? On a serious note - what about a Qashqai + 2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sphericalfox Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 buy yourself a taxi car. Octavia, Vectra, Passat. The Octavia the cheapest to run and the most boot space. then you don't have an ugly soccer-mom car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saxondale Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 Telephone a local independent Merc specialist (NOT a main dealer) and speak to them. They must have the STAR diagnostics system. I believe they may be able to re-programme it. The Merc dealer will tell you it's impossible so that you'll buy their seat with the little transponder in it that overrides the airbag! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AoWW Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 Telephone a local independent Merc specialist (NOT a main dealer) and speak to them. They must have the STAR diagnostics system. I believe they may be able to re-programme it. The Merc dealer will tell you it's impossible so that you'll buy their seat with the little transponder in it that overrides the airbag! This. The Merc genuine car seats have a transponder that deactivates the airbag. I have vague recollections from when I worked at Mercedes that Mothercare actually did a car seat with the transponder in too, but I could be wrong. You might find a local Merc expert (non-dealership) who knows how to turn off the airbag - could be worth trying a couple of Merc forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AoWW Posted 17 January 2013 Share Posted 17 January 2013 Would these do the trick? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Transponders-deactivate-airbag-baby-car-seat-/140905171682?pt=UK_Baby_BabyCarSeatAccessories_SM&hash=item20ce9a4ae2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The People's Hero Posted 18 January 2013 Author Share Posted 18 January 2013 AOWW - probably, but the problem is the Merc is just going to be a squeeze. My wife would have to sit in the back between 2 stage 0 seats - and thats IF you can have a stage 0 seat behind the passenger seat, which I don't think you can as the front passenger seat is meant to be fully back to accomodate the stage 1 seat. I've had some good feedback on the S-Max. I actually can't believe I have to buy such a large car. I didn't have any kids 11 months ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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