Member Since: 28 Jan 2005
Location: Central Beds
Posts: 67
Disco with 4 children
We have another baby en route, which makes 4 ...
We've struggled a bit with 3 car seats across the back, had to have 2 non ISOFIX to make buckling up easier, something I'm not especially comfortable with. Lack of ISOFIX in the centre seat and 33/33/33 split is a massive oversight for the Disco 5, something the Q7 has
Anyway, eldest is now out of her seat, so she can squeeze in the middle and 2nd eldest can go in the boot on a non ISOFIX. I guess he is going to have to climb in the boot as the middle row seats can't tip forward with a massive baby seat
Question is, is this livable? Anyone lived the dream?
I've been looking at Peugeot Traveller (cheap, huge spec, massive boot on the LWB) and Caravelle (expensive, poverty spec, small boot) but I'd like to keep the Disco. I'm not sure a normal MPV is going to be any better than the Disco. Resigned to the fact we'll need a roof box as a double buggy is going to take up the non occupied space in the boot2003 Discovery 2 V8 GS
2005 Discovery 3 V8 HSE
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 AMG-Line
10th Jul 2018 10:28 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23337
I had a similar situation years ago, but thankfully only for a day
We had one of the rearmost seats up and my youngest nephew was happy enough to access it several times via the rear tailgate. I think I lowered the suspension.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography
10th Jul 2018 10:56 am
carroll493d
Member Since: 27 Jun 2017
Location: Alderton
Posts: 235
Google multimac car seats.
If your felling particularly flush with cash, they seem like a good idea.
As far as I can see it fixes by isofix and can give you up top 4 seats.
The accessories include baby seats and other things that attach to the base.
I've included a pic of the 4 seat base
Click image to enlarge
10th Jul 2018 12:32 pm
dadof7kids
Member Since: 23 Aug 2011
Location: sunny Doncaster
Posts: 1303
Similar situation but more kids
Had a Chrysler Voyager for 9 years that was great for having kids in and out.
kids a bit older now so booster seats are ok in Disco
We have 4 (2x11, 10 & 8). Both SWMBO & I have D4’s, when kids were younger we had a Caravelle (great to use with kids, ours involved in a bad shunt, stood up well but never felt the same again after repairs).
Both lovable on a day to day basis & both stand up well to being hit which was a major consideration for us.Paul.
06 Java Black HSE - gone
12 Baltic Blue HSE - gone
15 Fuji HSE Lux
Club Biscuits, mmmm nice!
Traxide/Luna hybrid & Yellow top
Some Prospeed bits
+ some other stuff
Club N.E.R.D.s.
10th Jul 2018 5:38 pm
Triplet3
Member Since: 26 Nov 2016
Location: Southampton
Posts: 320
My rents still have the T4 caravelle from my childhood. There are four of us kids (triplets + a younger sister) and even as adults we can all pile in comfortably. Can't fault it. They didn't bother splashing out on a T5 as there was no reason too. You can also get full size sheets of plasterboard in the back laying down if you fold the seats flat 1995 Discovery 1 300TDI
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 - Gone
1979 Series 3 109" - Gone
10th Jul 2018 8:35 pm
hgrimmett
Member Since: 11 Oct 2009
Location: Bledlow
Posts: 901
We have 4 kids and use an Isofix Group 1 in one outer seat (before that a Group 0 isofix) and 2 Maxicosi Group 2/3 seats in the middle and outer seats (non-isofix).
I assume the isofix is only beneficial in a side impact to stop the seats flying sideways. In a front or rear impact the seatbelt does all the work with the seat guiding the belt appropriately? Which is not to say that it's not an issue but since the seats have significant side protection and they are all wedged together I've never worried.
I just chucked number 4 in through the tailgate which was fine on the few occasions that we had 6 of us in the car, normally it's just my wife with them in which case one went in the front.
I have the choice between a roofbox or trailer depending on how much the wife wants to take away, I've always hankered after a hitch box - they look 8)-------------------------------------------------------------------
D4 '15 (64) Se Tech Indus Silver
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Last edited by hgrimmett on 11th Jul 2018 12:02 pm. Edited 2 times in total
11th Jul 2018 11:53 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72775
Ah, the joys of not having any LDs, only need 2 seats in the D4.
I feel for you - I think the market for proper large family cars is dire, and usually involves a compromise somewhere.
I started off with a Renault Grand Espace. The best thing about this car was you could lose a whole seat, and have the car in a 2 + 2 + 2 format, all the same size, and big enough for child seats etc, with very easy access to the rear 2. you also still had a reasonable boot for all the pram/luggage.
unfortunately, it was a Renault Espace, so I have to get rid of it after 7 years when the huge bills started coming in on a regular basis. I then went to a Ford Galaxy (cheap to maintain, but not the sexiest of cars), and then to my D4.
I would say the D4 is great if you kids are older, and only need boosters etc, and can get into the rear seats without help, but I don't think its the most practical car when you have a youngster in kiddie seats.
I'd say the large van/caravelle will be more useful day to day, and you just have to accept it ain't sexy!
11th Jul 2018 12:58 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6568
We have three normally in the D3. Youngest has a Britax 18-36 kg booster with back and sides (4), the older ones (8, 10) sit normally. Compared to the V70 we have, the D3 does have more space per seat and the kids seem to be happier as they don’t rub elbows.... makes for a more relaxed road trip for the parents up front, too. At most, in the V70, we had two Isofix seats and the oldest one had to sit between them in the middle when the whole family was going somewhere.
When transporting the older ones & their friends it is very handy to fit 6 “almost teens” in the vehicle with still some room to spare. The height of the cabin in the back and the seating space in the third row always amazes their friends.
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