Element's great because it has only four seats. This means you don't have to drive with people you don't like.

__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

RT - Don't sweat it too much, either car should be fine. Like everything else when kids arrive, you'll be learning to adapt continuously and compromise.

I've driven my two boys around in my Mercedes since Day 1. First the 300E, now the E430. Both had plenty of room. The W210 is especially roomy, it's been a great commuter/all around sedan.

My wife has an older Jetta III, and we also fit two car seats in there. I'm 6'1" and I can squeeze into the front passenger seat with a forward-facing car seat behind me. Rear-facing is too tight though.

The W123 should have plenty of room.

Only caveat I would add is that if you are driving the kids around in an older car like a W123, I would make sure it is kept tip-top with the best snow tires you can get. I've owned a W123 and while it was definitely built like a tank, it didn't always track like one in the snow.

All the best to you both!

P.S. When it comes time to install the car seats, especially if it is your first time, I heartily recommend a stiff shot of scotch beforehand.

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Buy an E320, 4Matic. 2000-02's are the ones to get, and they are dirt cheap now.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

This is an old post I found, but I'm in the process of considering a 300TD w/out the 3rd seat in the back...but NEED one since we have 4kids!

How is/was the search for a 3rd seat/bolts/seatbelts and installation?? Very interested in doing this soon.

thanks,
todd

I had been keeping an eye out for one for a couple years, but not actively searching. I don't have it yet but found one from a member here who was parting out a TD with Blue MBTex so it would match. I can't speak for installation yet either. There is a company that does make aftermarket 3rd row seats but I think they are over $1K.

I've got 4 now myself. (well youngest is 2.5yo so it's been awhile)

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

We've had to three car seats. Actually two, one baby carrier, one convertible, and one Graco Nautilus which you can use with the five point harness until the kid is 65 lbs. I thought we were just going to use a booster seat as soon as the law allowed... until I saw this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Hey Chad. Quick question if you have a moment. I've got a 300tdt and a kid on the way (April '09), and the same beige Graco seat base installed the same way in the same place.

The installation was done two days ago by a public safety officer at the local police station, and was rock solid. This morning, it's a bit loose again, sliding a bit more from side to side than when it was installed -- have you got any tips for making the shoulder belt stay put? Looks like you have a towel under the base -- is that to protect the seat?

Much obliged.

Congratulations on the upcoming baby!

One of these should have come with your seat, but if not you can buy one at Babies R Us for about $5. It's called a locking "H" clip and it keeps the seat belt from slipping.

I had to kneel in the base and bounce my weight in it to get the buckle to click shut, but it held firm for as long as I used it.



I just removed that car seat and added a second black 5-point harness Alpha Omega seat since both my kids are now forward facing.


The towel is just for protecting the seat from any permanent marks from the base.

EDIT: I put the H clip about an inch from the buckle.

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys