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Original poster

E3 buggy owners - update please

107 replies

Gem13 · 20/01/2004 20:13

Due to a change in circumstances (moved to the country, need to drive everywhere then walk, DS has decided walking is more fun, looming c-section, etc.) I am very tempted to change my double buggy plans from a double Mountain Buggy to an E3.

So, I'm interested to learn how all those new E3 owners are getting on with their E3s now that several months have passed since the original debate and siblings have arrived.

Any niggles? Any must-have extras? All information gratefully received.

OP posts:
bobthebaby · 17/02/2004 22:17

bbbh - read this on preview and thought your daughter was 27 metres tall.

BearintheBigBlueHous · 17/02/2004 22:32

she is - we can't get any Age 2-3 clothes to fit her

BUSTERTHEDOG · 17/02/2004 23:53

E3 EXPLORER vs EASYLIFE SPORT vs MOUUNTAIN BUGGY - SOMEONE HELP ME CHOOSE!

My son is 2.5 years old and I want a suitable buggy for walking the dog etc, that will last til he's about 5 if poss.

Which is lightest / best out of these - has anyone pushed them all?

Bagpuss30 · 18/02/2004 12:33

Thanks Elliott and Bear for your helpful comments. DH is now swaying too and says I can replace our current 3 wheeler if I sell some stuff on Ebay I am stressing over the import duties though, I had an e-mail fron Rodney this morning and it looks like my savings are not going to be that great after tax The only up side is that the package he is selling includes a parcel tray pack cell and buggy bunny which will effectively be free based on the price he's given. Does anyone have these accessories and are they worth the hassle? Bear, have you tried a specialist shop for your tall dd's clothing?

BearintheBigBlueHous · 18/02/2004 14:57

We've got a buggy bunny - not using it at the mo because we've got the buggy bag in. I guess it does add comfort, but dd has never been discerning enough to let me know if she prefers travelling with or without - so long as she has two "monies" (a couple of coins) or a big bit and a little bit of bread keeping her hands occupied she's happy.

She's always been in the nineties centiles, but I never thought she'd get this tall, I blame her early diet - "you can't over-feed a breast-fed baby" - boll**ks

kiwisbird · 19/02/2004 11:48

E3 spot on for serious offroading as was the other P+T and as is the MB as well.
But the E3 is supremely padded and comfy in comparison to others now I feel.
I'm in love
I also had to sell all other pram carcasses to buy the E3
I even made a profit - well not technically as Dh pointed out but hey he's a guy!

BUSTERTHEDOG · 20/02/2004 12:02

have you lot purchased yours from Rodney? if so, how long did it take to get to you, and would you recommend?

kiwisbird · 20/02/2004 12:17

ordered on friday had it on monday great service and back up too.
highly recommend I've dealth with Phil and Teds direct in NZ for my old pram and they too were fabulous
xx J

BUSTERTHEDOG · 20/02/2004 15:05

Hello Kiwisbird

Are you in UK? If so, did you pay shipping and tax when the buggy came through?

Is it cheaper to go straight to Phil and Ted?
Do you have the doubles kit?

How old is your child / children?

Is it light and easy to push?

Would you say the seat is wide?

Cheers !

Bagpuss30 · 20/02/2004 15:20

Buster, it may be an idea to e-mail Rodney for a quote, I did and he said $100 for shipping to the UK and tax is usually around 20% of price of buggy etc. I had a look at P&T's site and the buggy was more expensive there. I expect that's down to the good exchange rate with the US at the mo. Don't know about your other q's as I don't actually own one yet but may be going to Daisy and Tom at the weekend to try one out

kiwisbird · 20/02/2004 16:03

Yes in uk, paid shipping, customs charges are luck of draw. Paid it when buggy came from NZ but not from US. Would have worked out cheaper with customs, but without the charges was a steal!
With the Uk/US exchange rate comp to NZ it is far cheaper to get from US,
I don't have doubles as only one toddler at the moment!
Very easy to push and assemble, dead easy to fold, looks fab, seat is narrow some say but I don' find that, get yourself out to try one first, ask someone on here who lives near you, or go to daisy and tom etc..
I'm in Fleet Hants if thats any help! DD is 15 mths and little with it, she adores the buggy first one she has ever fallen asleep in!
Happy to trot it out for anyone!
xx J

eyelash · 21/02/2004 09:56

I have been googling to try to find the kiwidad website. Can anybody give it to me please so I can have a look?

Thanks

BUSTERTHEDOG · 21/02/2004 10:44

you need to go to \link www.kiwi-kid.com\this{} Good luck! I am still trying to decide what to do. He advertises on e:bay.com, search under e3

Original poster
Gem13 · 21/02/2004 12:17

Just to add that we took the children (!) out yesterday in the e3 and it was great. Freezing day but DD (1 week) was very snug and DS(19 months) looked very happy with the ride. As a recovering c-section mother, it was a breeze to push.

DH even congratulated me on buying it. And he took a lot of convincing

OP posts:
eyelash · 22/02/2004 08:03

Thanks for the information. Will let you know if i purchase.

jenthehen · 22/02/2004 18:13

Does anyone in Derbyshire have an e3 that I could take a look at before ordering?
2nd Baby due in 2 weeks

zippy539 · 22/02/2004 19:10

arwen - sorry only just spotted this thread. I never had any trouble with tipping when using the newborn position with toddler in/out of front seat.. Now we've graduated to sibling position I felt it was getting a bit tippy esp as dd (7 months) is a total heffer (sp?). But I got some flat circular gym weights from asda and I've put them under the front seat (I wrapped them in the foam from an old moses basket mattress so ds would still be comfy). Now ds jumps in and out and because the front is weighted it feels really stable.

Ellaroo · 24/02/2004 19:59

Can anyone tell me if you can use the backpack X hung on the back of the main seat when its in newborn/toddler or toddler/toddler mode or if this would dangle in their faces????? Also, has anyone tried attaching a buggy board to the E3 when it's in singles mode?

Thanks

kiwisbird · 24/02/2004 20:18

It is adaptable as to where you hang it, when my dd is laying flat mine sits underneath or inthe tray depending on how much else I need to stick on...

Bagpuss30 · 25/02/2004 12:33

Kiwisbird, did yours really come that quick? That is impressive. I'm still waiting for dh to make up his mind Have resorted to bombarding him with e-mails at work now Also, has anyone got the red one? I'm really taken with it but not sure how clean it would keep. Bear, thanks for your comments about the buggy bunny btw.

Ellaroo · 25/02/2004 18:10

Also, could anyone tell me at what age it is suitable to put the younger child in the top seat and have the toddler in the bottom seat. I want to do this so toddler can hop in and out without worrying about it tipping over the pram, and baby will have a good view. Does putting the younger child in the top cause a tipping problem while they're both in it. Also I read that the bottom seat is only suitable up to 30lbs - is this true???

Thanks

Noodleboo · 11/03/2004 11:58

After taking M to see the E3, he know is convincing me that it is the best option when baby no 2 comes along. But for all those seasoned E3'ers out there could you answer a few questions...?

Has anyone had a puncture - can't imagine if I did with two in tow! and do you have to pump the wheels a lot?
Do you really not walk into the lower seat when its on - it just seems a little close to legs?
Has anyone bought the sun cover (double) and is it OK - I suppose you can't use two sun umbrellas else you'd look a bit silly!
Does everyone use the top seat for the new baby/toddler and the bottom seat for the toddler???
Do I need the cocoon- baby 2 coming in early July so might be quite hot...?

Have you all bought from the US and was it cheaper - cheapest price I can find here is £374. Thanks, lots of questions but am almost converted..!

mumbojumbo · 11/03/2004 13:15

Hi

Ansas to questions below:

Has anyone had a puncture - No

Do you have to pump the wheels a lot - Not a lot but I've got one of those small bike pumps which I keep either in the changing bag or in the car.

Do you really not walk into the lower seat when its on - Surprisingly no. I wasn't sure of the arrangement at first but it's absolutely fine.

Has anyone bought the sun cover (double) and is it OK - I have a sun cover but not had the opportunity to use it yet (!) Used the double storm cover and it works a treat.

Does everyone use the top seat for the new baby/toddler and the bottom seat for the toddler - No - toddler (heavier one) goes in the top seat and bubba goes underneath either in newborn mode or now in the lower seat.

Do I need the cocoon- baby 2 coming in early July - I had the cocoon for ds2 and used it for about 9 weeks after which he was too big in the buggy. Can use it as a travel "cot" but he is deffo too big now at 18 weeks. Does give a bit more padding to the newborn seat, but I think you could use a blanket instead as padding.

Have you all bought from the US and was it cheaper - I bought via Kiwidad in the US. I emailed Jenna at Phil and Teds a few weeks ago and she sent me a list of all the stockists in the UK (there are quite a few now). I was in Windsor last week and actually saw one in the flesh in one of the shops for sale at 279quid (if my memory serves me right). Not sure exactly what was included for that tho'. Practical Pushchairs are quite reasonable I think and will ship to you fairly quickly within the UK. Saves the aggro of customs and VAT costs etc

HTH

jenthehen · 11/03/2004 14:19

Mumbojumbo, if you've still got the list of Uk stockists could you let me know if anybody in derby/notts/staffs area stocks them?

kiwisbird · 11/03/2004 14:25

yes it really came that quick, I was well impressed, the pram I sold to get the E3 took 11 days to get to Cheshire from Hants!!!
Not had puncture ever, you can get stuff called slime from Halfords that auto fixes puncrure if you do get one though, loads swear by it, like others I carry bike pumpxx