installing in 1980 Benz

[Kelly KD]

i am nearly ready to purchase a BV and i want to know if anyone has any comments about installing it in an older vehicle with no latch system and only a lap belt for the middle. the back seat is flat. it's a 1980 Mercedes Benz - my new family car!

i would consider the Marathon if it would make a difference.

[Judi]

The lap belt is the easier istall, usually, in my opinion. I haven't been in an '80 Benz in awhile though. My only question is are the seat belts in the bight of the seat, or forward?

[cpsaddict]

The BLVD and the MA will install exactly the same, since they are the same, except the TSIP wings. I find them to be super easy to install with just a lap belt, especially if the seat is flat.

[Melizerd]

I install my Marathon in almost all cars with seatbelts. My 98 doesn't have LATCH either just lap belt in the center and it's my favorite installation.

[Kelly KD]

great. thanks for the help. yes, i think the the seatbelts are in the bight of the seat. i'll double check. i'm psyched to make my purchase and my little pumkin boy can ride safely in style and comfort. my last concern is the fit. some people on this forum seemed to prefer the MA vs BLVD for comfort for their little ones. if it's the same shell, i don't see what's the difference. the BLVD has the extra pad thing for infants that, i believe, is removable. my boy is is a chunker. what do you say about the fit?
thanks!

kelly kd
mama of Gabriel (15 April 2008)
8 months, 19.5 lbs, 27 inches.
ready to graduate from his Graco infant car seat
to the Britax BLVD

[cpsaddict]

The fit problems are mainly because some kids don't care for the wings on the Blvd. The newest Blvd's have wider wings, though. The extra padding is nice, but honestly, all Britax seats are nicely padded without extra pads. The Marathon is just a more basic(if you can call a Britax basic). I personally love my Marathon, but the Boulevard is very nice, too.

[Melizerd]

*I* didn't like the headwings on the Blvd (older version when I bought mine) and the MA had better cover options (lol). My son was 14lbs and 25.5 inches tall when I put him in the MA at 4 months and he fit well.