MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring

bode61 · #1 07-30-2010, 04:08 AM

I am 5'8" tall and in my new to me mini i have the nice black leather seats with white piping. when i sit in the seat my head barely reaches the head rest and the seat is several inches taller than me. i have never had this problem in my bmw 3 series or in my land rover. is it me or do these seats just have a much taller upright section?

Sidewalksam · #2 07-30-2010, 04:41 AM

I am a few inches taller and I have not noticed this but I have a sidewalk and the seats are different.

5spoke · #3 07-30-2010, 05:59 AM

yes the seats are taller than most I believe. I am 6'5" tall and my shoulders come nicely to the top of the seat. Usually the headrest is in my upper back.

Porthos · #4 07-30-2010, 07:23 AM

I am 5'9" and I never have had that problem. Maybe it is the way you are sitting in the seat. Do you have it jacked up high or is it as low as it will go. I have mine all the way down because it does not feel comfortable with the seat height raise at all.

**schatzy62** · #5 07-30-2010, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porthos

I am 5'9" and I never have had that problem. Maybe it is the way you are sitting in the seat. Do you have it jacked up high or is it as low as it will go. I have mine all the way down because it does not feel comfortable with the seat height raise at all.

But adjusting the hiegh of the seat base does not affect the seat bottom to headrest distance (at least it does not in my car)

I am only 5'6" and when I sit in my seat I actually need to adjust the headrest up 2 notches to have it in the correct position. Now I have the leather and cloth soprt seats but i would not think that there is that much difference between the seat back heights.

Porthos · #6 07-30-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schatzy62

But adjusting the hiegh of the seat base does not affect the seat bottom to headrest distance (at least it does not in my car)

I am only 5'6" and when I sit in my seat I actually need to adjust the headrest up 2 notches to have it in the correct position. Now I have the leather and cloth soprt seats but i would not think that there is that much difference between the seat back heights.

When you lower the seat height it actually brings the front half of the seat up and the back half down. Try it just to see what I am talking about. I like mine all the way down because it give the seat a bucket feel and to me it kind of feels like I am firmly planted.

BensMini · #7 07-31-2010, 12:14 AM

I'm 5-11 and it is just right for me.

WillM · #8 08-03-2010, 03:17 PM

I'm 5'1".....is there a headrest on the seat?

devlynaskurt · #9 08-12-2010, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BensMini

I'm 5-11 and it is just right for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillM

I'm 5'1".....is there a headrest on the seat?

i'm 4'11' & i'm just glad i can adjust the seat enough so i can press the clutch in all the way AND see over the steering wheel.

dannyhavok · #10 08-12-2010, 08:47 PM

I'm 5'9 and the headrest height is fine. However, I have to sit closer than I'd like to comfortably depress the clutch, where my right knee is almost touching the dash. It's a little weird but once I get rolling it's not a big deal.

Does anyone else hate the position of the tach? I can't quite see the top of it because the steering wheel is in the way. Maybe it's my weird body geometry or perhaps I need to tweak the seat around a bit more.

DrewN · #11 08-12-2010, 08:59 PM

You're not alone, I'm also 5'9" and I think I have the steering wheel all the way down and all the way in. I only need to raise my right thigh an eighth of an inch to touch the steering wheel, and I definitely can't see the top of the tach.

I can probably adjust the seats and get into a more comfy position, but I'm happy where it is right now.

SunnySkies · #12 08-12-2010, 10:40 PM

Also 5'9" here (I feel a trend coming on!), and the back of my head hits square in the centre of the headrest. I wish I could eliminate the headrest completely, but somehow, I don't feel that would be very clever of me! Plus, I have to keep my ponytails high on the crown of my head, lest it puts my head on an angle! Oh what I do for the joy of the MINI!

Bigjoeski08 · #13 08-13-2010, 01:27 AM

I'm 6'8'' and I fit prefect.

WillM · #14 08-13-2010, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devlynaskurt

i'm 4'11' & i'm just glad i can adjust the seat enough so i can press the clutch in all the way AND see over the steering wheel.

Our youngest daughter (31 yrs old) drives a mini...she's 4'9". I guess MINI's fit just about anyone.

devlynaskurt · #15 08-13-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnySkies

Plus, I have to keep my ponytails high on the crown of my head, lest it puts my head on an angle! Oh what I do for the joy of the MINI!

Despite the vast difference in our heights, this is a problem for me too. Luckily, high and low side-ponies are on trend now. I suffer from vanity and am sometimes overly makeup/hair conscious so it says quite a lot that I joyfully give up a fashion/beauty option for my car.

I test drove a 2008 MINI prior to putting in my order for my 09 and I remember the headrest of the 08 being more comfortable. IIRC, some safety-related change was made to the headrest in the 09. It seems fuller on the bottom than I remember the 08 version being.

nickminir56 · #16 08-14-2010, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devlynaskurt

Despite the vast difference in our heights, this is a problem for me too. Luckily, high and low side-ponies are on trend now. I suffer from vanity and am sometimes overly makeup/hair conscious so it says quite a lot that I joyfully give up a fashion/beauty option for my car.

I test drove a 2008 MINI prior to putting in my order for my 09 and I remember the headrest of the 08 being more comfortable. IIRC, some safety-related change was made to the headrest in the 09. It seems fuller on the bottom than I remember the 08 version being.

Just drove a 09 MCS loaner two days ago - my neck can't stand that super safety headrest for more than 1 hour.

SunnySkies · #17 08-14-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devlynaskurt

Despite the vast difference in our heights, this is a problem for me too. Luckily, high and low side-ponies are on trend now. I suffer from vanity and am sometimes overly makeup/hair conscious so it says quite a lot that I joyfully give up a fashion/beauty option for my car.

Ooh! Side ponytails are trending now (where have I been?)? Super chouette! I have a cabrio (top HAS to be down 99% of the time-it's MINI convertible canon!), so ponies/buns/knots are a must. Currently, I'm looking for an all season newsboy/driving cap that I can pop on, tuck in the hair and forget about the fuss. Oh dear. It seems we might have to create a MINI fashion forum on this subject alone devlynaskurt!!

I can just hear the men getting all excited just thinking about it. Ha!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickminir56

Just drove a 09 MCS loaner two days ago - my neck can't stand that super safety headrest for more than 1 hour.

Tell me about it, it can be quite vexing on the neck muscles. I've been tempted just to take them off, but like I said, I know it would be unwise! I know a number of friends who have similar headrest problems all with various types of vehicles. It seems like there would have been an easy solution by now.