Convertible A4 Rear third belt.

[Ebaymick]

Hi All,

Considering purchasing a 2004 A4 convertible BUT......
I really need the rear seat to be able to accomodate
3 child passengers which means adding a third middle
lap belt to the back seat.

Has anyone attempted this conversion or heard of
anyone else doing/attempting it?

I dont want to compromise on safety in any way but
having studied the back seat area it doesnt seem an
impossible task.

I would be grateful for any feedback.

Thanks.
Mick

[wmccann]

Under EU law this would be illegal (assuming you are in the EU). note you would probably not be insured - you insurance covers you for the number of passengers that the car was designed to carry and for a convertible this is 4 (2 in the front and 2 in the back).

Even if you did it the rear seats belt catches are so close together the middle person would have them up the posterior!!! Plus you would need 3 very small children again illegal in the EU as they are supposed to have booster seats - note there is an exception that Ireland, Portugal and Spain among others signed up for until 2011 (could be 2012) children in the back do not have to be tethered if there are not enough seatbelts - but this would not mitigate the insurance issue.

Also, seatbelts are anchored into the subframe of the car very very securely (forces the have to withstand in a crash) you probably would not be able to find the correct spot to do it that would give enough strength.

Finally if you want to do a 3 point belt, you have the roof mechanism behind so no-where for the belt to go.

I have 3 kids and solve it as follows:

2 in the back and one in the front. What the new EU rules changed is that you can have kids in the front of the car IF they are in a suitable child seat (my 6 yearold uses a booster) Don't forget to switch off the airbag - if the there is no keyhole inside the glove box for this it can be easily fitted as a retrofit.

I always say to myself in things of such importance to safety, if I did have a crash and God forbid someone was injured could I live with myself?

Anyway good luck,

Walter.

[Ebaymick]

Walter,

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I was guessing this was probably going to be the answer.

I guess now i will have to consider a seat in the boot

Thanks anyway.

Mick