Isofix Car Seat in 2012 Golf GTD?

[gfish]

Hi all,

Just bought an MY12.5 GTD. Now have to buy a car seat for our newborn.

We've been hoping to get an ISOFIX seat and wondering if anyone knows if there are ISOFIX points for the middle rear seat? I read that they were only for the side seats in the Golf.

Thanks for any help.

[Umai Naa!!]

Not sure about the middle, but definitely the sides.

[Guest001]

A great idea for the wee ones but make sure you buy a certified one and not an illegal import.

Good info here

https://www.childcarseats.com.au/faqs

[jamesatfish]

I can't confirm for the Mk7 but definitely Mk5, Mk6, Tiguan and Beetle only have ISOFIX points on the two outside seats in the back.

If you're looking at ISOFIX seats I'd recommend the solid latch type that is commonly used in Europe, not the 'connector on a belt' type I've seen here. Having a seatbelt setup with ISOFIX latches seems a half-baked implementation - if you're looking at the safety of ISOFIX then having the seat physically linked to the chassis is the way to go.

If considering an overseas seat do your own research above and beyond what's on the Aust Govt site linked above - it implies that European ISOFIX seats are unsafe compared to the new Australian standard but I'd read the EU regs for yourself before making that assumption.

[gfish]

Thanks all. Much appreciated.

I'm leaning towards buying an ISOFIX seat (AU Standard, bought in Au), just for the option of being able to use Isofix. I think I'll be standard AU-tethering in the centre rear, to be safe (It is recommended infants ride in the middle, for obvious reasons).

jamesatfish, I agree with you regarding ISOFIX debacle in Australia. I have been living in the Netherlands for the past 2 years and they have some decent seats over here. It is just illegal to use them in Au.

Thanks all for the confirmation and suggestions. Much appreciated.

Now, I'm looking forward to picking up the car (2012 GTD!!) on Saturday. Well, wife picks it up. I'm still overseas.

[2muchcoffeeman]

I imported 2 Isofix seats in 2010 and never regretted the decision- standards or not. Purchased tethers for them, but can't really see what they achieve.

Loved it every time I had to move one to another car and was reassured by it being impossible to get it wrong. They really are a no brainer.

[minke]

I agree ISOFIX is great, especially when you cannot get the installation wrong (well, on the balance of things, less likely)

Be aware that using a non ADR compliant modification on your car (and non AS stickered child seats are included) will make your insurance null and void regardless of who is at fault. (if discovered by the investigative crash unit).

In the cycling world, similar problem. Helmets without the Australian Standards sticker (ie bought overseas) even if the same model is available here, you're deemed to be not wearing a helmet.

[gfish]

I am also concerned that ISOFIX in the Golf is only on the outer seats, not the middle safest seat. Although, I have read that you can use the innermost ISOFIX points on either side to attach a middle car seat. Not sure if this is 100% possible, though. Either way, I'll be buying an ISOFIX Australian car seat (Britax Platinum SICT ISOFIX, for anyone that is also looking). I think you can use ISOFIX and/or standard tether and seat belt installs, so your warranty/legally isn't null and void. And, hopefully, best of both worlds.

[jamesatfish]

Be aware that using a non ADR compliant modification on your car (and non AS stickered child seats are included) will make your insurance null and void regardless of who is at fault. (if discovered by the investigative crash unit

Again, I recommend doing your own research in this regard. Check your insurance policy PDS for such clauses - I know that my insurer does not list any such exclusions.

Also consider whether your belief in the improved safety of an overseas spec seat is worth more than the monetary value of your insurance policy. Personally I'd chose the safest option for my kids as the only concern, rather than picking a less safe option because I might be less out of pocket in case of an accident.

Anyway, to gfish - if you're using an Aussie seat with ISOFIX clips on the end of a seatbelt strap then the middle seat should be OK, as the straps are connected and then tightened as per the top tether. If you're using a rigid ISOFIX connector then it'd be a fluke that the inner connectors were the standard ISOFIX distance apart, as the spacing will depend on the width of the car itself.

[minke]

Read your insurance policy again. If there are non ADR approved modifications to the vehicle, you're excluded.

[Guest001]

Again, I recommend doing your own research in this regard. Check your insurance policy PDS for such clauses - I know that my insurer does not list any such exclusions.

Also consider whether your belief in the improved safety of an overseas spec seat is worth more than the monetary value of your insurance policy. Personally I'd chose the safest option for my kids as the only concern, rather than picking a less safe option because I might be less out of pocket in case of an accident.

Anyway, to gfish - if you're using an Aussie seat with ISOFIX clips on the end of a seatbelt strap then the middle seat should be OK, as the straps are connected and then tightened as per the top tether. If you're using a rigid ISOFIX connector then it'd be a fluke that the inner connectors were the standard ISOFIX distance apart, as the spacing will depend on the width of the car itself.

Why do people continually try to circumvent the ADR rules to save a few dollars

Are you and your childrens lives worth it.

Maybe the rules seem to be restrictive but never the less they are the rules and for whatever reason they should be adhered to.

Maybe the seats overseas look the same Maybe they are, maybe they are not. To the Op's credit he said he is going to buy an Aus approved one so why are others suggesting he should look at alternatives.

Always some one who has a "better" way.

i believe that Aus insists on a top tether strap, which to me can only be sensible rather than leave it loose.

[jamesatfish]

Read your insurance policy again. If there are non ADR approved modifications to the vehicle, you're excluded.

Thanks - I have checked.

Our policies are specific that non 'legal' modifications are not themselves insured but should they be present on a vehicle that does not preclude insurance cover for that vehicle.

This is the advice given to us by our insurance broker's lawyers for vehicles on our company policies and may or may not be the same for anyone else's policy - hence the recommendation for everyone to do their own research into their own policies.

[jamesatfish]

Why do people continually try to circumvent the ADR rules to save a few dollars

Are you and your childrens lives worth it.

Maybe the rules seem to be restrictive but never the less they are the rules and for whatever reason they should be adhered to.

I've had my eldest daughter in an ISOFIX seat since she grew out of her forward-facing toddler seat, a decision made purely on safety despite the fact that it actually cost more to source a suitable quality ISOFIX seat from overseas than buy a seat locally.

I chose not to blindly adhere to the rules just because they are the rules.

I did my own research, read the relevant standards, considered the insurance aspect and concluded that a rigid-connector ISOFIX booster-style seat was safer than a locally sourced booster-style seat that uses the seatbelt to secure both seat base and child at the same time.

Note: That decision was made prior to there being a local ISOFIX implementation. My own personal decision stands however others should consider what's available on the local market at this point in time in making their own choice.

[2muchcoffeeman]

Why do people continually try to circumvent the ADR rules to save a few dollars

I also read the relevant standards and made a decision based in 2010 on safety, overseas standards and grey matter. I spent more to do it and have no regrets.

If it was today, I'd purchase Isofix and do so locally.

[gfish]

I applaud people who do their own research and agree that the standards here in Aus have been lacking, particularly in regards to rear-facing car seats and Isofix tether. Initially, I was going to import an EU seat, however, there are now a few extended rear-facing, Isofix tether seats here in Australia. I am not completely sure that they are as good/better than some EU seats, however, they have the advantage of complying with Au standards (which are still quite high) and you can both Isofix and top tether, whilst not being 'illegal' and potentially voiding insurance.

I'm looking at the Britax Platinum SICT Isofix and the Infa-Secure Kompressor 2, in case anyone else is also searching. My research has indicated that the Britax might be a better choice (potentially can have your kid in rear-facing for longer than in the Kompressor 2).

Also, there are occasionally recalls on seats and it would be much harder to keep informed of any recalls (let alone utilise warranty) if a seat is purchased from overseas.

This is just my opinion based on a bunch of research. I am not saying that the AU seats are now better/as good than EU seats (I have a strong suspicion that they are not, but are getting close).

Its just a shame that the VW's don't have Isofix points for the centre seat. I am going to do some more reading about whether I can use side ISOFX points as well as seatbelt/top tether for the middle. Could change the world as we know it!

EDIT: Looks like it is not recommended to use both ISOFIX and seatbelt together as the seats have never been tested this way and *may* compromise safety.