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General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
I took the driver’s seat out of my ‘05 R53 last night and brought it over to the upholstery shop today. The guy told me the vinyl/leather is glued/molded to the foam on the back rest so there’s not much he can do.
He recommended trying to find an entire aftermarket cover. Anyone still making these?
Otherwise I guess he can just tie to repair the bottom but he said it wasn’t black, it’s more of a dark gray. Not sure if he has anything that will match.
Circling back to your seat question - Your seat color is "Panther Black".
I had the same problem as you in hopes to have my seat re-upholstered. In addition, some quotes I received were pretty steep for my modest budget.
My seats are the sport version and interior color is also factory panther black. My driver seat is in worse condition than yours but my passenger seat is near flawless with no tears, splits or cracks.
I was fortunate to come across a perfect sport seat, panther black, in leather, from an '05 R52 while I was at a salvage yard.
I simply "skinned" the seats: bottom, backrest and headrest and went home with the leather for $15 or $25(?).
The bottom seat cover was not glued to the foam cushion. Just retained by a series of small rods and barbs. But yes - the leather on the backrest is glued to the foam. Easy enough to remove and replace as a whole backrest without trying to remove the leather alone.
My current job requires me to get dirtier than my previous profession. I have yet to install/re-cover my driver seat until my lifestyle/job changes.
Perhaps as an option; you might consider sourcing a salvage yard or better yet; a place like AllMag.com in your area for either the "skins" or an entire good/used seat?...(preferably leather).
If you don't mind doing the work or finding a pro that can do it for you.
Circling back to your seat question - Your seat color is "Panther Black".
Perhaps as an option; you might consider sourcing a salvage yard or better yet; a place like AllMag.com in your area for either the "skins" or an entire good/used seat?...(preferably leather).
If you don't mind doing the work or finding a pro that can do it for you.
Best of luck!
Yes, I did check AllMag earlier today. Didn't look like they had anything. The LKQ salvage yards around here usually have some really rough around the edges R53's and I mean rough.
Any chance you want to sell the skin?
I told the upholstery guy to go ahead and just do the bottom. Hopefully it comes out reasonably good.
Seems like whenever I find any MINI parts they are in SoCal. Have you tried searching on car-parts.com? Many salvage yards list their cars there. Or better yet, what about Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist in your area?
Are your seats heated? I had the seam on my '06 unheated leather seat backrest repaired a few years ago and it wasn't glued, so it was more easily fixed. My son's '02 heated seats were glued and the guy wouldn't work on them.
I also saw an error on your website that lists the MINI part# 52107130128 which is the K7TV SILVERGREY incorrectly in your item listing as the "Seat Cover - Panther Black Leatherette K7PN Sport Seat" which is actually the 52107130127, the one that I need.
Seems like whenever I find any MINI parts they are in SoCal. Have you tried searching on car-parts.com? Many salvage yards list their cars there. Or better yet, what about Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist in your area?
Are your seats heated? I had the seam on my '06 unheated leather seat backrest repaired a few years ago and it wasn't glued, so it was more easily fixed. My son's '02 heated seats were glued and the guy wouldn't work on them.
I'll check that site. I have heated seats. By feeling the fake leather on the seatback he could tell it was glued and said there's not much that can be done for that.
Yes, I did check AllMag earlier today. Didn't look like they had anything. The LKQ salvage yards around here usually have some really rough around the edges R53's and I mean rough.
Any chance you want to sell the skin?
I told the upholstery guy to go ahead and just do the bottom. Hopefully it comes out reasonably good.
I wish I could say "yes" to selling you mine but I should have emphasized how fortunate/lucky I was at scoring these at a salvage yard when I did.
As you'd previously mentioned; the 1st gen R53's aren't often found in salvage yards these days. Not like they were 10 years ago. Those that are, had been less than cared for, wrecked or completely cannibalized not long after landing the yard.
I recently moved away from the city. Unfortunately, for me the closest salvage yard is now approx 89mi away. The best ones that I great luck at finding salvaged R53's are now 150mi away....Still worth the drive if I can get out there before the vultures descend.
It may not be of much help, but to Rock's comment/point - I have fond memories of hitting the salvage yards when I move/lived out in LA. They were veritable gold mines for scoring any kind of part imaginable (genuine or aftermarket) in pristine condition.
I was amazed...Of course, then again,... that was 30years ago. I'm sorry to hear that's no longer the case. I lament how times have changed.
With regard/respect to your upholstery guy; I still insist that "if there is a will there is a way"...
I have to wonder if steam might work in removing/detaching the glued pleather from foam cushion (?)
He's the expert. I am not.
EDIT: BTW the left (driver) and right (passenger) side back rests are identical/interchangeable (unless equipped with lumbar support). If you can find a decent right (passenger side) back rest and don't mind swapping out the entire backrest - that is an option.
Chances are you are most likely to find a pre-owned, perfect condition passenger side back rest opposed to a good/perfect driver side.
I believe the bottom seat covers are also identical and interchangeable... At east the ones I've scored prove to be so.
Why not search the FB market place in California, there’s a ton of cars being parted there, sometimes just seats also. Also cal MINI world in Sun Valley.
Two ideas since your in southern California. First, when I was poor, I took my seats to Tijuana as there are many leather shops and the upholstery was always perfect. Cheap(er) and fast. I didn't see that you had contacted MINI directly for new seat covers. Have you tried that?
Two ideas since your in southern California. First, when I was poor, I took my seats to Tijuana as there are many leather shops and the upholstery was always perfect. Cheap(er) and fast. I didn't see that you had contacted MINI directly for new seat covers. Have you tried that?
Yes, called local dealer. They checked all of US and Germany. NLA
Good news is the upholstery shop did the bottom portion for me and it came out great! They made all new pieces and stitched it together and used the foam piece.
...Still worth the drive if I can get out there before the vultures descend.
