I still find the sport seats uncomfortable. I've followed a lot of helpful hints on making them less uncomfortable, but getting no where. My sweetie won't hardly ride with me anymore, I know more single time for me and the MINI, and I'm not going to replace her anytime soon. I wouldn't even consider taking it on a long trip. I would hate to get rid of a MINI Cabrio with less than 5k on it because of the seats. Has anyone replaced the seats with more comfortable after market seats, not racing seats? Help please.

 

Recaro makes seats that would probably fit. And they are not racing seats, just a little more aggressive than a stock seat would be. Audi/Volkswagen use them a lot. Just go to http://www.recaro.com/ and see what they have to offer.

 

Sparco now offers some custom colored sport seats. They look pretty nice. Worth a look at, I stumbled across these looking for helmets.

http://www.sparcostitched.com/?referrer=sparcousa.com

 

Thanks folks. I would hate to give up the side seat airbags, but. Wonder what the MINI computer will do if it sees no air bag. Shut down!!

 

We have installed many Recaro seats in minis, like the Sport, Style and trend,

Would you like some pictures of the seats installed?

Victor

 

I'd like to see pics, please!

Also, how much money is involved over the cost of the seat itself?

 

All right, here is one



First option,
Recaro Sport seats,
these are available in manual seats or electric (adjustment with heat).
They are available in cloth, cloth/suede, leather, leather/cloth or leather/suede.(different colors)
These seats require a special Recaro adapter to work with the factory slider, and a resistor for the airbag light.
The adapter is $140, the seats start at $900 each


More to come.....

 

Sparco - US offices in Irvine. The general manager there used to have a mini. Their seats drop straight in with brackets they provide. great fit and in my mind (I used to work for a world rally car team) Sparco's seats are second to none.

 

Oh yes, I'd like to see more pics. Are they bolt in, or mods needed to fit. What does the resistor do, replace the airbag reading, and is it a "plug and play?" I need comfort not racing seats!!

 

Sube carries a few different brands. they are the importer/sole US distributor for Cobra seats. http://www.subesports.com/products/cat/Seats
good people to deal with as well. talk to ashley. they don't, however, have those nice looking recaro's...

 

On the subject of replacement seats, does anyone know if Recaro, Sparco, or any of the other manufacturers allow their seats to be adjusted lower than stock? I'm tall and so any headroom I can gain would be terrific.

 

Info on replacement seats:

Recaro is the only seat that will bolt on directly to your factory seat slider/mount. (not the cobras, not the sparco, not momo......)

Also, Recaro is the only aftermarket seat that is also available with power (electric adjustments, heat, and cooling fans).

The following 3 Recaro seats fit right in your Mini
(they look great and are an improvement over the stock seats)
Recaro Sport, Recaro Style, Recaro trend.

We already posted the picture of the Sport in a Mini,

I will post the pictures of the style and trend later today

thanks

Victor

 

So it retains the stock height adjustments?

 

Your getting me close here Victor. Will you tell me how the resister works to shut off the air bag light? The flat bottom of the MINI seat is 12" wide before the side bolsters start to taper up. Of course the side bolsters are has hard as rocks. Victor, I don't have a Recaro rep local, can you tell me how wide the flat part of the Trend seat is and are the side bolsters as stiff/hard as the MINI's. Remember I'm looking for cruising comfort and an sporty driving every now and then. I would hate to have a pair of seats shipped in and they be no better than the OEM seats.

 

Having some dificulties uploading pictures, will try again tomorrow.

And will have more info, including dimensions.

Thanks,
Victor

 

Finally, here are the pics,

First, dimensions are 11" beetween bolsters,

The Recaro bolsters are very soft, just made with foam.
no metal frames on the bolsters like the sparco or some other seats.
When installing an aftermarket seat (without airbag) a resistor has to be connected to the harness plug, in order to avoid the aibag light to come on. Also, if you remove the factory seat, all the other airbag will STILL WORK.




Picture of the Recaro style



And the Recaro Trend