Hello and thanks for reading!

My wifes 2011 Base Cooper has 133k on it already (long commute) and has held up very well. There are two areas starting to show wear -- the buttons on the steering wheel (which are probably hopeless causes or expensive) and the classic 'butt friction' spot on the drivers seat. Thankfully, Mini has put textured fabric on that part of the seat, and even though it is cracking it is not readily visible.

My question -- is there anything out there that can be used to treat/reinforce/coat this textured fabric to repair/arrest the cracking process?

Thanks in advance!

 

I'm confused

cracking fabric?

maybe a picture would help

in general to prevent cracking you don't want the substance to dry out ... what to use to prevent dry out depends on the substance (you use different stuff on leather versus vinyl.) Altho cloth is a different story .... when a cloth has deteriorated to the point of splitting <aka the fabric is splitting> I dunno much that can be done besides a) recover the seats or b) install seat covers.

 

You might see if you have a local upholstery shop, I had a problem with the leather side bolster on my drivers seat cracking, I took it to the upholstery shop and they replaced that panel for like $50. Maybe they can do the same thing with yours.

 

 

Just do what I did. Got some sweet seat covers.


Got them on ebay.

 

How do the seat covers work with the airbags? Is the stitching friable enough to permit inflation? Presuming the Mini logo tag says 'Airbag' on the rear.

 

Velcro on the side.

 

Shrevemini, could you tell me where you purchased your seat covers? We just got a 08 Cooper s and drivers seat leather is cracking.

In the process of rebuilding motor (have another thread sort of going) and everything else🤣 and was wondering about what to do with the seat and yours looks pretty good.

 

Got them on Ebay. Easy to install an they look great
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F180801048316