If you are someone who is experiencing the dreaded MINI seat issues, this may help you out!! So here is my story:

I just recently purchased a 2004 MINI cooper and noticed that the seat was in full recline. I continuously tried to see if I could move it forward to an up right position, but every single time it would just pop forward until it rested on the steering wheel... SO FRUSTRATING! But, with some research I found out you can push the seat with enough force so the levers align once again and you'll be able to have the seat lock at an upright position. Problem is, I'm a very petite girl and with all my pushing and shoving it did absolutely nothing. So heres what I did.. I removed the seat completely, rails/sliders and all, and pulled both the lever on the left and the right of the chair (which is supposed to allow you to move the seat and have it lock to your liking) and I positioned the seat facing downwards on the ground (so that the rails/sliders are facing the ceiling) and applied pressure to the back of the seat. A couple funny looking push-ups against my seat and BAM a loud and slightly frightening CLICK emerged from my seat. From then on I played with the levers once more and positioned both of them back up right (because when my seat was realigned one of the levers moved down ward.) As soon as I did that my chair was fixed!! I was able to sit at a comfortable 90 degree angle instead of being looked at funny every time someone looked at me and my little "gangster lean" I had going on due to my stuck seat Well, I really hope this helps any of you who had the same problems! GOOD LUCK