Ummm aren't sport seats standard?

 

Sport seats are standard on the S. I have leatherette and do not have the lumbar adjustment.

 

So sport seats do not mean lumbar adjustment when leatherette, correct?

 

Correct!

 

You don't have a dial on the inner side of the seatback facing the rail? We have it on the cloth/leather option. I'm surprised that the Sport seat leatherette wouldn't have it.

 

Learn/Features page on MINIUSA indicates that on the CM S A4 - sport seats are standard. Two position lumbar support is optional with cloth/leather or leather. No mention of leatherette.

(Disclaimer - things change, web pages don't.)

 

nope, no dial. I am happy with the support of the seats though... and would not add it for $1500 unless you really wanted the cloth /leather combo

 

I got a 2010 MCS and it camee with the Leatherette seats with heaters.
Didn't think too much about the heaters til winter arrived and they're the best thing about the car in the winter.
Had some back pain on longer drives so bought the Lumbar back spring parts from Way Motors and now they're awesome seats.
Had people with VW's, Honda's & Toyota's say the seating and view in the Cooper is better than their cars. Case closed.

 

Just talked to our MA, who has been selling MINIs for at least 6 years that I know of. Here's what he said. The leatherette seats have fixed lumbar support, but no adjustment option. So there is support there, which is fine with us. We opted not to change since my husband realized his current vehicle has adjustable lumbar support and he has NEVER used it, so apparently it didn't mean much to him. Kind of strange, though, since I am someone who might enjoy having that, but I absolutely hate leather seats. Makes me feel like a red-headed stepchild in MINIs eyes . If you don't opt for leather you're not worthy of adjustable lumber support?
Annette

 

I'll add my $0.02... we have the Lounge leather seats which of course come with the adjustable lumbar support. I also have a creaky back and good lumbar support is essential for me on long drives.

I find the Countryman seat to be very comfortable and sporty. Holds you tight without being too firm or having overly bolstered sides or thigh area cushions. However, I find the lumbar adjustment dial to be difficult to turn and the range of adjustment really isn't all that much compared to other vehicles I have owned. Frankly,I don't think we'll be adjusting the lumbar all that often as it does not make that much of a difference.

If in fact the leatherette has a "fixed" lumbar position, then you'd better make sure it is fixed in a comfortable position for all of your drivers. I am considerably taller than my wife and my lumbar is not is the same position as hers.

 

Speaking of seats.....
I had this idea. We have 5 people. The Countryman holds 4.
I was thinking of taking 3 of these type seats (NOTE: grabbed at random
I don't mean those exact ones so no need to flame)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PAIR-...Q5fAccessories
So the idea would be to secure 3 of those type seats where the
old two seats used to be.
What do you think?

 

I don't rely on the configurator because it has a lot to be desired. The best answers will come from the dealer.
Besides, I've never heard of two position lumbar support. Not sure where that came from. There isn't such a thing as two position lumbar support in a MINI. You have a dial on the side of the seat to adjust it, and by no means position 1(none) and position 2 (full)....also the same as my '03.

 

I found that the most knowledgeable source of info for me was not my MA but this forum.

 

I don't know about the logistics/mechanics of attaching three bucket seats when the car may have been conceptualized for two or a bench, ie: how easy is it to add the necessary tracks etc.

But as someone who has spent a lot of time helping parents out with car seats, getting three car seats designed for the narrower hips of the under 8 set across the back seat of a full sized sedan is a near impossibility. Most mid-sized SUVs are barely up to the task either. So I would doubt that you would be able to find three seats narrow enough.

 

A. Nobody ain't said nothing about the configurator.
B. My dealer(s) is/are suprised by 86.5% of what I tell them.
C. Check my post - it's in the information section on MINIUSA.
D. Also check the disclaimer.
E. Configurator is still listing Pure Red when we all know it isn't - but that has nothing to do with seats.

Anything else, let me know.

 

I'm not necessarily saying ask an MA because I know how clueless some are...the service department could give better answers. If the MA doesn't know then I would ask them to talk to the service or parts department. They are the most knowledgeable when it comes to the cars since they work on them and deal with shop manuals and schematics.

 

Yeah I agree the service or parts guys are usually more knowledgable as they are in the details all the time dealing with things. Although I did get a laugh when I was at the dealer last week and asked the parts guy what all season 18" tires he could get me for the CM. He had no clue. Couldn't even figure out how to look it up. Took my name and number and said he would figure it out and call me the next day. That was a week ago and still no call.

 

I'm not doing it this year. But, when it gets warmer I think I'll go
and measure the inside. I would not use rails I would just attach
them to the car in one spot. (I mean securly and at the right height
I might have to fabricate some supports do some welding under
the car, etc etc)
We would have two (small) teenagers, and a todler by the time
I would do this. Obviously, the todler would have the seat within
the seat.

I got this idea first because we are not all fitting so great in my
wife's SX4. I might try it on that one first. I'm still thinking it
through. I wanted to get an initial like......test the waters on
if people think it is just stupid, or really stupid hahahahahahahahahaa

 

That is a fact for sure. If not for this forum I would be expecting my mini connect to be a touch screen...my MA said so and the service department confirmed it. That would have really annoyed me on arrival to be sure.

There are also no differences between the "s" and the base countryman outside of the engine...none whatsoever....according to them, lol.

I take it all in stride and do my own research so no biggie... but wow, it isnt like they have 35 different vehicle models to get up to speed on. Come on, man!

 

Annette:
If you'll buy the adjustable seat insert & ***** ($200 for both or $100 for one I'll install them for u guys. It's worth it but I live in SW IN and your near Atlanta. Maybe someone else in your area would volunteer if you buy the beer & chicken.
Lee

 

The cloth/leather combo seats are more cloth than leather - I never have liked leather much myself but I'm getting the cloth/leather seat options (since I also like cloth more than leatherette and want the adjustable lumbar support).

 

From an airbag/safety perspective I would probably wait for the bench..

 

I'd go for leatherette or pleather (puh-leather). It's hands down the most reliable part on the whole car. If BMW commits the same quality to the rest of the car, they can start the base price at $50k and people would sell their wives and children to buy Minis.

 

I have about $20k worth of platinum on my teeth!!!

But any Mini over invoice is a rip-off and I'm unanimous on that.

 

Wait!

Are you saying a 3 person option in the back seat is coming?