Our 2012 CM-S-2 on order is currently spec'd with leatherette and a rear bench. Euro CM postings indicate that there may be a restriction on lounge leather for the 5-seat option. Barring that, the more intelligent half and I have been thinking of upgrading our order to include lounge leather, but were wondering about the difference in seating comfort. Unfortunately, our area has a dearth of Countryman with lounge leather.

Being less than svelte, we find that the leather/cloth and the gravity leather seat design tend to be a bit narrow in the area across the seat's side bolsters. Better put, the side bolsters seem a bit uncomfortable (and unyielding, as per purpose) for our back "span". The cloth sport seats in our R53 do not cause this problem; we like the way they hold us in place.

The leatherette covered seats seem to fit us better as the material is a bit softer. However, there still is a little too much pressure. I noticed that the lounge leather covered seats seem to have been designed to be somewhat "flatter"; perhaps this is the better fit for us. So, we were wondering if folks could share their thoughts about the following:

1. Have other folks experienced this fit issue?
2. Do the seat backs and bolsters "break-in" and become less stiff?
3. Are the lounge leather seats more accommodating in the seat back width and/or are they more yielding (softer)?

Two thousand clams is quite a bit to drop on this option but there are other advantages (lumbar adjustment, perhaps more breathable with the additional seams, etc.) that might make this an important change. Until we can "test sit" in a CM with lounge leather, we'd be interested in any knowledge/experience that would help our decision!

TIA,

 

As a larger critter I highly recommend the lounge leather, it was a deciding factor in my purchase, there were 2 CMs available one with leatherette and one with lounge, and I literally spent an hour sitting in one, then the other... while the MA waited patiently... and realizing that there really is a huge difference in fit and support as well as having adjustable lumbar support, my bad back really appreciates it, maybe its not such a big deal for other folks. The break-in with the leather seats has been the biggest pleasant surprise, they just seem to get more comfy and feel like a custom fit!

 

I gotta agree; the lounge leather seats were disappointing to me initially, but now much better after a couple thousand miles. I'm not a leatherette fan and much prefer the real thing (no matter how processed) in my cars.

 

Lounge leather is the only way to go. We got my wife's Mini first without Lounge leather and it killed me. If I had not changed my order to Lounge leather I would not own that Mini now. If you have any girth on the middle section Lounge is the only way to go. I have a right leg that has circulation problems and the normal seat was un-sittable for me. I'm not that huge, 6'1" at 230. My weight is in my gut not my butt. (Boy that is not a pretty picture.) Nevertheless without lounge leather even without the circulation problem I would not be able to keep the car.

It's a lot more money but worth every penny and more if you ask me!! Even my wife who is 5'8' at 125 or so thinks the seats in her Mini are HARD. The seat bolsters on the bottom portion are too hard. They don't give enough.

So If you want my advice go with the Lounge leather. It looks better too in my opinion.

Regards,

Pat

 

Thanks for all the input so far. Your responses are encouraging!

We've exhausted our search in the northeast US to find a lounge leather Countryman on the lot in which we can "test-sit". Our MA tells us there are two 2012 CMs with LL that have finished production and are starting the crawl toward the US. Looks like we'll have to wait until September for our decision.

In the meantime, it appears that there is some interesting info for anyone ordering LL. This comes from the dealer ordering system after our MA ran a number of ordering configurations through it.

1. For the US, you CAN order LL with a rear bench seat. I believe this was not possible in Europe during 2011.

2. For the carbon black LL, you are restricted to the carbon black or polar beige color lines. For the light coffee LL, your only "choice" is the carbon black color line. This is unchanged from 2011.

Any additional feedback on the comfort/fit of the lounge leather seats would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

Hi, does anyone knowwhere I can get real factory mini lounge leather replacements for my CM?
I dont know about the comfort factor, as I like my leatherette, but I really want a different color and I think leather in general is just nicer.

 

yeah i got the leatherette, bad choice....i need to get a lumbar support pillow for it.

 

Can't go wrong with Katzkin.

 

so far I'm luvin the leatherette seats/ Very supportive & unusually good bolsters for an entry level seat. I've been in sports cars w/ less support. Good job MINI!

 

That's how we handled it...

 

Got gravity beige leather because I didn't custom order. If I had I would have opted for the cloth/leather seats. They have seemed the most comfortable of all of them to me but I only weigh 160 at 5'10". First time my gf rode in the gravity beige she said the seats seem too hard. Second time she rode in them she said, I'm getting used to them. Really helped when I put the headrest all the way down too, it just felt better. Didn't like the leatherette at all - for some reason it felt too tight and yet I think the gravity leather is the same size seat. It just felt different.

Bottom line for me is if I was ordering I would get the leather with cloth inserts and the tobacco stitching.

 

We got the leather/cloth parallel lines red/carbon. My wife is 110 lbs, 5' 1" and I'm 220 5' 11". The seats are comfortable for both of us. We opted to not get the lounge leather. The cloth holds you better, in a turn
Of course, nothing beats the multi contour seats in the X5

 

^
I luv those seats & prefer cloth as well. Unfortunately they were not in my budget

 

As the OP, I'm updating this thread as we did opt for the LL and now have 6500 miles on the CMS.

The seats started out offering us the best comfort for two "zaftig" (props to Sealy) physiques but, after 500 miles, felt a bit flat. The lumbar support, however, was to die for and has finally been adjusted to a position that works for both of us.

A curious transition has been taking place in the last 3000 miles, though. The seat bottoms are now becoming more "sculpted" which is obviously due to the influence of, well, our seat bottoms. The fit is quite nice and is enhanced by the same compression-sculpting process happening to the seat back. We have actually had to fiddle with the lumbar support since, with the seat back compression, it's effect is more pronounced.

At 6500 miles, the seats are extremely comfortable for the "touring" style of driving we do. A recent trip up to the Maine coast and over to the White Mountains confirmed our choice of LL. We spent many consecutive hours cradled in the LL and are extremely pleased with our choice!

Caution: we do not drive the CMS aggressively; it has been set up as a long distance cruiser with mountain road capabilities. Were one to configure the car for a more aggressive driving style (like our R53 JCW), s/he would be wise to choose a seating option with better back, seat, and thigh bolsters. IMHO, the leather/cloth combination would do a good job of providing ventilation with excellent lateral support.

YMMV,

 

I had lounge leather in my 08 Cooper S, and now have leatherette in my 2012 CM All4, and find the leatherette to be very comfortable.