Starting to plan my mods for 2004, and the thought of getting more contoured and supportive seats has once again perked my interest. The weight-savings to be had is also a consideration...

I remember the Cobra Sidewinders, at 35lbs each, being about the lightest reclining, multi-adjustables I could find. Our factory seats are around 50 to 55lbs each...

If you have installed seats, please share which ones, install experiences (special bracket needed, belts, air bag deactivation, etc), and the weight, if you know.

Thanks a bunch!

 

Do a search in Interior and Exterior mods, and post this there as well, since it really is an interior mod. Several have done it so far.

 

contact minicoop78 - he's got some verrrry supportive seats!

 

I was contemplating the interior forum, but the driving force behind this mod, at least for me, is that of peformance: better driver stability, and weight loss. Either way, I do agree, and will do some searching and inquiring in the interior section as well...

The Cobra Misano is only 23 lbs, and also reclines. It runs around $1,300 though Thanks for the input. I'll see if I can track down minicoop78.

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2003 IB MCS

 

I put in Sparco Milanos, with the recline and lumbar support and love them. They weigh almost the same as the factory sport seats, but are much more comfortable, better fabric (Alcantra), both for comfort and traction, great side support. They do not tilt forward as much as the stockers (for entering the rear), but it is workable.

 

Those Sparcos do look nice! With no back seats in my MCS, forward tilt is not a major concern... I will re-visit the Sparcos now. Thanks John.

 

I picked up the December issue of Sport Compact Car in which they do a huge write-up on all available aftermarket seats. A quick flip through says the lightest recliner is the MOMO RS GT @ 21.2 pounds for approx. $529. The best part of the article is they test the seats with people of different waist sizes and then describe the fit. For intance, this MOMO seat is as follows:

Waist.....Fit.................Support

28........OK.................Minimal but OK
30........Just right........Good lat, bad hip/thigh
32........Loose............Bad bottom, good back, loose shoulders
34........Just right........Bad bottom, not enough on top
36........Just right........Bad back, tight shoulders

Obvouisly, its subject to the interpetation of the "sitter." But I thought it was extremely helpful.

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-goin440 IB/IB MC

 

Hey, thanks for sharing! Good find. It appears that the reclining one is the RS 2 GT though:

http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk/fra...momo-seats.htm

I'm going to try to find that article. I have a 30" waist, and I like the idea that they scrutinize the various dimensions...

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2003 IB MCS

 

If you're just autoXing a reclining seat should be fine.
If doing serious roadracing think about a one piece seat.
There was a guy killed two years ago at Watkins Glen when
he went off course. Basically, his Jag factory recliner snapped at the pivot
point and his belts no longer held him in place~ An ugly way to go....

If anyone is thinking of selling their factory seats let me know.
I'm thinking of upgrading another car & MINI seats would be a big
improvement over the factory recaros (of 1978).

 

Thanks for the input Cris. I'm actually considering a fixed as well. Does fixed also mean that it won't slide forward/back, or just not recline? I can part without the reclining or tilting forward, but sliding up and back is something I find imperative. I suppose that depends on the mounting bracket though...

To help finance whatever I get, I will indeed be selling my Lapis blue leather seats. If that would interest you, we can talk later...

Thanks.

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2003 IB MCS

 

Hey there Tony, no sweat~
By the pivot point I meant where the seat would bend to allow ingress/egress
to the rear.
I've had good luck in the past with those "metal" seats. Couldn't see spending 500+ for something that could be handled for under 300.oo. Word of experience here though. "They are not made for cross country driving!" My butt felt like it was going to bleed.
I'd think they'd be lighter too as they don't have all that padding etc., just a alloy shell with minimalist padding. Available with a variety of layback (straight back or 10-20 degree layback) & can be made compatible with factory brackets....
Just my dos centavos.
Take a look at I/O racing for a look at metal seats
Cris
ps. lapis blue eh??? I'll have to do a search

 

I just tried on a bunch of Sparco's at OGRacing in Northern Va. and I strongly suggest anyone thinking of getting a seat do the same. TRY IT before you BUY IT! I went up there with the intention of buying either the Speed or the Roadster after seeing the Sport Compact Car seat issue. I'm 6'3 with a 36" waist a little wide in the hip area and weigh 198 lbs. The "Speed" for me FORGET IT! I'm not sure I got my butt all the way in it and it was painfully tight in the hip area. The "Roadster" I'm sorry but for a seat that was "designed for the street" I felt like I was sitting on a thinly padded bar stool with a back. NOW the GOOD seats! They had an old EVO demo seat which they said was a little streched. Next up the Pro 2000, just a little tight in the hip and the tops of the Harness pass through holes were 2 or so inches below my shoulder. This seat is considered to be between the EVO and EVO 2 in width. So, next up, the EVO 2 which is said to be 3 cm, 1.25", wider than the EVO. PERFECT! harness holes at least 1" higher than any of the other seats I tried, very comfortable in every way, 16.6 lbs by SCC and FIA approved should I ever need that for a track event. Now sit down if you aren't already, total cost and weight with all the mounting brackets, hardware and MINI specific base. $850 and 33-34 lbs. for 1 seat. $40 of this was for shipping as black was not in stock at that time and includes our 4.5% sales tax. And Yes, I did get it.

This seat is a side mount which allows the seat to be mounted at 5 different heights and/or adjusted for rake by say mounting it in the 3rd hole in the front and the 2nd hole in the rear. The holes are apx. .75" center to center. Also, part of the hardware I got is a slider so the seat can go back and forth. I did not get the optional tilt adapter which lets the whole seat tilt forward, not just the back, which is fixed.

_________________
2001 & 2002 SCCA, STS, Pro Solo National Champion

 

I'm all ears. Indeed, I will plant my butt in a few before I pull the trigger. I have 30" waist, and all legs (short torso), so I have my share of considerations...

Are you saying that with the bracket and hardware, the seat weight more than doubled (16 or so to 34)?

Thanks for the words of wisdom!

 

These are the seats I'm planning on getting in the future...Sparco Torinos

They're very comfy and supportive...about $500-$600 a seat.

Racing Seat Talk

 

>>
>>Are you saying that with the bracket and hardware, the seat weight more than doubled (16 or so to 34)?
>>
>>Thanks for the words of wisdom!

Yes! From 16.6 lbs. seat only to 33-34 lbs. for everything. The seats that do not require a side mount (bottom mount type) would save the weight of the side mounts, apx. 5 lbs. So, take the weight of any of the Sparco's from SCC and add apx. 12-13 lbs. to get your actual installed weight. I am told by others that this is typical of all after market seats. There seems to be a few seats that can reuse the O.E. sliders, not the MINI, but that would just be taking the weight off one seat and adding it to the other.

At least the weight is probably lower in the car and it's rated for 15 G's.

 

>>These are the seats I'm planning on getting in the future...Sparco Torinos
>>They're very comfy and supportive...about $500-$600 a seat.
>>
These are what I have...fits perfectly, 6' 1", 34-2....excellent support, very comfortable, can't have much in your wallet.

If you are a bit more challenged in the lower half try the Milano's.

Torino's were $499, free shipping, free slider, free Cooper Bracket here:

http://www.performancepartsstore.com/

Don't know if they still have the same deal.

 

Thats a great deal!

 

Good stuff!

I realize that some guys will mount the seat directly to the floor and avoid the excess weight of the bracket for sliding purposes. I don't view this as desirable, for a few reasons:

1. ride height would be too low, at least for me, I feel...
2. the inability to slide the seat can make projects, like working under the dash quite difficult...
3. having someone else drive my MCS, like a friend or instructor at a track day would be become problematic...

So, as far as weight is concerned, for a sliding seat, it appears that the best one can do with a weight delta is maybe 20 lbs, vs. the stock seat, which is said to be about 50 lbs. And as you said (gowest), the weight that is added, is done lower, which is always nice...

As far as losing the those side airbags, I read something (I think on MINI2) that has me feeling a little better about such a loss. A European safety/crash test revealed that the MINI scored equally well without these. And, since they are there to protect the rib cage area, a good aftermkt wrap-around seat has a design that will offer protection there as well.

With that said, for a fixed one, I'm leaning toward the Cobra Suzuka that uses kevlar:

http://www.motorsportseats.com/cobra/suzuka.html

And for a more adjustable one(tilt), the Cobra Misanos are quite impressive, and only 23 lbs:

http://www.subesports.com/products/?...amp;prodID=204

I'm gussing that some fabrication will be needed to mount these though, and I'd like to avoid the drilling into the pan. The research continues...

2003 IB MCS

 

Yep, the MOMO recliner is the RS2 GT... :smile:

At 6'2 there isn't any room behind me for a passenger. So an adjustable seat just isn't that high of a priority. For me it was between the fixed-backed Sparco Fighter, Pro2000, and Corsa. After trying them all, I'm going to go for the Corsa.

SSC on the 16.8lb Cobra Suzuka fixed-back:

Waist.......Fit.............Support

28......Just right.........Perfect
30......Just right.........Good all around
32......Tight...............Excellant, too much lumbar
34.......Tight..............Can't breathe
36........Tight.............Suzuka GT is excellant, though
Retail: starts @ $649 for polyester

on the 31.2lb Misano recliner:

28......Loose.........Loose everywhere, slick
30......Just right.....Good shoulder and back, poor hip
32......Just right.....Good shoulder, loose hip
34.......Loose.........Good shoulder, loose hip
36......Just right......Shoulder wing tight, otherwise good
Retail: starts @ $1,049 for polyester

 

In my car, I installed Corbeau TRS seats from SoloRacer.com. They came with sliders built for the MINI, the install was pretty quick and painless other than developing the resistor loop for the side-impact airbags (see this link for information on how to go about doing this)

I like these seats alot as they provide good hip support as well as agressive shoulder support...support which helps promote really good steering wheel/arm position. The price is really nice as well as they come in a pair for $640.

Be sure to give Bret at Soloracer a call

Mark

 

goin440, thanks for info on those 2 seats! Did the article state what the provided weight figures entail/include? I see quite different figures elsewhere, so maybe they are not apples to apples-like comparisons...

The Suzuka seems to be ideal for me. My waist ranges from 28 to 31 depending if I'm in running season, or I'm mountaineering (a bit bulkier build)... The price is also doable, but those Misanos are getting a bit pricey though, and not the best for my build, so it appears. And with no rear seats, the reclining functionality is not something I find essential, not to metion the added cost and weight over a fixed type...

Mark, thanks for chiming-in also. The fact that the Corbeau TRS comes darn near plug & play is very appealing. And the price is tough to beat! I need to start sitting in some of these now. Are there any other seats out there tailored for our MINIs, like the Corbeau TRS? I just bookmarked soloracer.com, and I will contact Bret if I have any inquiries...

 

Got any pics of the seats in your mini mark? :smile:

 

I just spent some time scouring the offerings from Cobra and Sparco, and the ones of interest seem to gravitate around 600 bucks:

Cobra Suzuka (15lbs at $650), Sparco Evo (16lbs at $579), Corsa (17.5lbs at $599) and Rev (15.75lbs at $549)

Of the Sparcos, the Rev appears to be most desirable for those with a smaller stature. Again, the Cobra has kevlar in it, and I just read that they have a MINI specific/custom sliding bracket... well, at least the Subesports website shows such with their drop-down menus:

http://www.subesports.com/products/?...amp;prodID=208



_________________
2003 IB MCS

 

I'm considering ordering the JCW seats to go w/ my JCW S coming next year, but the thought that I won't be able to sit in them ahead of time is a big consideration. However, unlike many others, I have no problem whatsoever w/ the stock MINI sports seats. I like them fine in all aspects- comfort and support, so if the JCW models are equally as comfortable or better, then things should be fine. Price is another matter entirely. Anyone heard any word on actual US pricing for these yet, or better still, had a chance to try them out?