does anybody else use their S3/A3 sportback as a baby carrier?

[s3forthemrs]

I bought the S3 SB as a baby car and I've found that it's a good car with plenty of room in the back seats for one of my mrs or I to sit in the back alongside our baby in the baby car seat. But I'm finding that the boot is too small!! We can fit everything we need for a trip out in the boot, but it is a tight squeeze! And we certainly can't fit much shopping in the boot once the pushchair, pushchair seat and baby bag is in the boot.

We've got a quinny buzz pushchair which is quite heavy and bulky - but it does feel really solid and absorbs the bumpy pavements around here really well. It's also good that the maxi cosi carseat fits on the quinny frame so for short trips we can just keep the baby in the car seat and move her between the car and the pushchair (frame) without needing to disturb her.

Does anybody have any recommendations for an alternative more compact but still solidly built push chair? Our baby is 1 month old.

At the moment I'm contemplating selling the S3 and getting an A4 avant or an A6. We've only had the S3 for a few months!

Does anyone else use their A3/S3 as a baby car?

 

[Lee_R]

Jut put the extra stuff on the back seat......or take less stuff!

my sister has used a new beetle (which has a tiny boot) as a "baby car" so to speak for the first 7 years of my nephews life. He has grown use to the coilovers now ;-)

 

[b19ctr]

All i can say is live with it as it will get easier my daughters 22 months now and we don't have to take half the stuff we used to.

We have a icandy cherry stroller its quite big and rugged but i managed to get that a suitcase two over night bags and some other bits and pieces in the boot and on the parcel shelf no issue.

 

[NHN]

My kid is imminent & I have an SB for the missus & the same setup as you as in Quinny Buzz 3, maxi cosi car seat & using familyfix base, will update you next week no doubt as it only takes me 5 mins to know if something works for me or not mate.

PS. The maxi cosi seat seems a little loose in the familyfix base which I advised them of & they said its supposed to be & the weight of the kid would help that, yeah okkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

 

[dragon]

Having used our SB since 2005 with one and then two young kids we've never really had a problem. All it takes it a bit of careful packing. Used it on several week long holidays with no trouble as long as the wife rations which shoes she takes. I always try and only use the boot as i dont want luggage flying around inside the car just in case we are in a smash.

 

[NHN]

as long as the wife rations which shoes she takes.

LMFAO challange numero 1 lmfao

 

[PaulAr]

You boys carry toooo much stuff!

I had a Corrado up until the nipper was 6months, then various 3 door hatchbacks since then!
9 years later and managed just nicely without the comprimise of any daft MPV/Chelsea tractor nonsense.

In the event the odd weekend away did mean a wagon was needed (never happened yet, hate the idea of camping etc) then I would just hire one.
Much cheaper and it means your not driving around in a big car full of empty space for the other 50 weeks of the year.

My 2p

cheers
Paul

 

[audicruiser]

I use mine to ferry around my niece and she has a Quinny Buzz and Maxi Cozy seat. It is a squeeze in my SB due to the raised floor due to the Quattro. My parents (Nan and Gramp!!) have a TDi 170 S-Line SB and the boot is deeper and so things aren't such a squeeze. With their new A3 we can get three suitcases in the boot where as with mine it's two in the boot and one on the back seat much to my annoyance!!

 

[scottie123]

No problems with space with us. We have 2 boys,eldest is 5 and youngest is 16mnths. Had the car a couple of years, and have had no problems with space if everything is arranged carefully when needed.

 

[dean_watford]

RS4 Avant should fix your problems.

 

[s3forthemrs]

All i can say is live with it as it will get easier my daughters 22 months now and we don't have to take half the stuff we used to.

We have a icandy cherry stroller its quite big and rugged but i managed to get that a suitcase two over night bags and some other bits and pieces in the boot and on the parcel shelf no issue.

hmmmm... i think i can just about squeeze a small suitcase in the boot! I know that we can fold the backseat down and/or put stuff on the back seat, but ideally i'd like to have everything secure in the boot just in case we are involved in an accident and stuff goes flying around inside the car.

It's good to hear that you've found the car to be adequate for space with a child.

 

[matt_white88]

Not sure how your struggling with a SB I have a 3door and my daughter is now 1 we have had the car nearly a year and no problems.

 

[s3forthemrs]

My kid is imminent & I have an SB for the missus & the same setup as you as in Quinny Buzz 3, maxi cosi car seat & using familyfix base, will update you next week no doubt as it only takes me 5 mins to know if something works for me or not mate.

PS. The maxi cosi seat seems a little loose in the familyfix base which I advised them of & they said its supposed to be & the weight of the kid would help that, yeah okkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

I think we have the same setup mate! we've got the base that has the tilting mechanism with the green lights to indicate that the seat is locked in properly - i'm pretty sure thats the family fix??! the seat we have is the pebble - i think the cabrio and the pebble are pretty much the same. i've not found the seat to be loose in the family fix base. there were some issues with the family fix base - but if you bought yours recently, it should be ok. i can't find the link to the safety recall page, but if you PM me your email address I can send you the PDF i downloaded.

The quinny buzz frame is quite chunky so does take up a lot of space in the boot.

 

[s3forthemrs]

Having used our SB since 2005 with one and then two young kids we've never really had a problem. All it takes it a bit of careful packing. Used it on several week long holidays with no trouble as long as the wife rations which shoes she takes. I always try and only use the boot as i dont want luggage flying around inside the car just in case we are in a smash.

we've not taken a holiday with the baby yet! I hear you on the wifes packing part... we will definitely need some improvement in that department! ;-)

I definitely agree about keeping everything in the boot as much as possible from the safety aspect.

 

[s3forthemrs]

You boys carry toooo much stuff!

I had a Corrado up until the nipper was 6months, then various 3 door hatchbacks since then!
9 years later and managed just nicely without the comprimise of any daft MPV/Chelsea tractor nonsense.

In the event the odd weekend away did mean a wagon was needed (never happened yet, hate the idea of camping etc) then I would just hire one.
Much cheaper and it means your not driving around in a big car full of empty space for the other 50 weeks of the year.

My 2p

cheers
Paul

good point paul... we won't need the extra space that often... perhaps when we have more than 1 child we'll go for a bigger car! although I do take note that dragon has found it fine with 2 kids!

 

[s3forthemrs]

No problems with space with us. We have 2 boys,eldest is 5 and youngest is 16mnths. Had the car a couple of years, and have had no problems with space if everything is arranged carefully when needed.

i think "arranged carefully" is indeed the key!!

 

[s3forthemrs]

RS4 Avant should fix your problems.

that is indeed a great suggestion... my other car is a porsche so perhaps my solution is to sell both the S3 and the porsche and replace with an RS4!!

i'm not ready to sell my porsche yet though... but the RS4 solution is something to keep in the back of my mind.

 

[NHN]

You boys carry toooo much stuff!

I had a Corrado up until the nipper was 6months, then various 3 door hatchbacks since then!
9 years later and managed just nicely without the comprimise of any daft MPV/Chelsea tractor nonsense.

In the event the odd weekend away did mean a wagon was needed (never happened yet, hate the idea of camping etc) then I would just hire one.
Much cheaper and it means your not driving around in a big car full of empty space for the other 50 weeks of the year.

As long as you were able to fit the mankini in the car then no problems hey Paul, saved space on your luggage requirements or do you drive with it on?

I think we have the same setup mate! we've got the base that has the tilting mechanism with the green lights to indicate that the seat is locked in properly - i'm pretty sure thats the family fix??! the seat we have is the pebble - i think the cabrio and the pebble are pretty much the same. i've not found the seat to be loose in the family fix base. there were some issues with the family fix base - but if you bought yours recently, it should be ok. i can't find the link to the safety recall page, but if you PM me your email address I can send you the PDF i downloaded.

The quinny buzz frame is quite chunky so does take up a lot of space in the boot.

Yeap same setup, familyfix it is & yes I was aware of the recall, tested ours & it appears to be fine, although I dont like the slight movement when its locked into position, but an NHN mod will fix that for sure, just some light cushioning each side of the unit stops it moving & still locks perfectly in position.

I'll find out next week what its like to use properly as little one due out then or in 3-4 days.

we've not taken a holiday with the baby yet! I hear you on the wifes packing part... we will definitely need some improvement in that department! ;-)

Yeah I hear that, I can pack a suitcase like Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets in usually 10-20 minutes, she as much as I love her is useless in that area lmfao.

I do take note that dragon has found it fine with 2 kids!

lmfao the dragon lmfao

i'm not ready to sell my porsche yet though... but the RS4 solution is something to keep in the back of my mind.

You're not a kid anymore , get rid of your porsche already, get something else bigger with power & job done, the less stress will make up for the loss of your toy

Not sure an RS4 would suffice your power needs but hey, lookwise & space for sure will be perfect, the avant is nothing short of stunning.

 

[jimbo_50001]

Hi, yes I deliberated for ages but finally went for the S3 SB which i've had 6 months now. My son was 15 months old when I got it and he is now coming up to 2 years old. In that time frame the amout of stuff to carry around has dropped drastically. I have to say it really does change and now a faimily trip with my Wife for a weekend or few days away is simple with the single seat folded down.

However we do have the luxury of a RAV4 in case of grandparents tagging along.

Stick with it mate - if you love the S3 that is. If not what have you got to lose by changing?

J

 

[s3forthemrs]

I'll find out next week what its like to use properly as little one due out then or in 3-4 days.

Good luck to you and your mrs mate! Our little one is a month old now and it's been an amazing journey so far! It's definitely been very challenging but it's all worth it to just get the little gurgles and smiles!

 

[s3forthemrs]

Hi, yes I deliberated for ages but finally went for the S3 SB which i've had 6 months now. My son was 15 months old when I got it and he is now coming up to 2 years old. In that time frame the amout of stuff to carry around has dropped drastically. I have to say it really does change and now a faimily trip with my Wife for a weekend or few days away is simple with the single seat folded down.

However we do have the luxury of a RAV4 in case of grandparents tagging along.

Stick with it mate - if you love the S3 that is. If not what have you got to lose by changing?

J

i think that's a good point about the reduction in stuff required as our baby gets older. and we'll probably need a different type of buggy/stroller - will definitely need to shop around for something light weight, compact and sturdy.

 

[frothey]

Blimey, I managed with two kids with a MK4 Golf GTi...... the A3 SB's boots not really any bigger but we still go away camping with it - use a roofbox for the overspill.

Funny thing is that people used to get 4 kids and enough stuff for 2 weeks away in the back of an allegro - we just carry a lot more unnecessary s**t around these days - especially when it comes to kids!

 

[PaulAr]

Blimey, I managed with two kids with a MK4 Golf GTi...... the A3 SB's boots not really any bigger but we still go away camping with it - use a roofbox for the overspill.

Funny thing is that people used to get 4 kids and enough stuff for 2 weeks away in the back of an allegro - we just carry a lot more unnecessary s**t around these days - especially when it comes to kids!

spot on

 

[ianspibs]

Probably depends on how your pram folds down. We had a Mamas and Papas Pliko P3 pramette. Tried it in the boot before we bought and it just fits between the trim surrounding the wheel arches.
For holidays I bought some roofbars and borrowed a mates roofbox.