I know that there are a ton of rear seat delet kits for the first Generation MINI. But what about the R56, Second Generaton MINI?

We have a new Member to NorthWest Indiana MINIacs and he wants to take the rear seats out of his R56.

Thanks in advance.

Dean

 

Calling Robin Casaday

 

I did it with cardboard and a box cutter. Worked at the cardboard until I got the curve on one side. Took measurements and applied the curve to plywood. Flipped the cardboard over and applied the curve to the other side of the plywood. Never made a full size template.

 

My R56 MCS serves as a 2 person car & I really want a nice looking rear seat delete make-over. I need the added rear storage space. Any other interest in this? Vendors?
-Also since I have non-runflats I want a seat kit that will let me carry the standard Cooper compact spare out of sight.
Ideas? Thanks

 

I know that Helix makes a rear seat delete kit, but it is for the R53. I don't know if it would work for the R56 or not. It says on their web site that it is for '02-06 cars.

Here's the link, (you have to scroll down the page to find the rear seat delete kit):
http://www.helix13.com/mini/products/interior-exterior

 

Howdy- I made a rear seat delete by taking the rear seats out and making a template out of cardboard to get the size and fit right. Then cut out of 1/4 birch plywood with 2 coats of flat black spray paint. Using the 2 loops that hold the front of the seat bottom sticking up thru holes in the pky- my large bungy net holds small stuff from sliding around and yet releases quickly to access the storage below. Lined the bottom with bubble wrap to cut road noise- It was amasing how much the seat weighs! Quick satisfying afternoon job. Don

 

Are you saying the seat is heavy or light?

 

Here is my rear seat delete kit. Available for $3,000,000.00 plus shipping.


More photos and description here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=117453

 

Everytime I see that photo Robin at first glance I think you have one of those old reel-to-reel tape decks in your car!

 

Naw, I'm up-to-date with an 8-track...

 

Tissues included?

 

I've heard it's pretty light, like right around the 30-40lb range. If it were heavier I'd give further consideration to the delete. But given that cargo space isn't a big issue for me, it's not really worth it. Plus I like the look of my carbon lounge leather back seats. Paid enough for them!

If I were to do one it'd definitely be like the Helix kit which totally opens up the cargo area. Robin's is really cool as well though. Much more aesthetically pleasing.

 

To be able to carry a tire UNDER the RSD it will need to be quite tall.

What about standing it up behind the drivers seat ???

I did make a bracket that atteched to the seat "clamp" that a spare could be bolted to ...

I have made for R50 / 53 and even a cabrio ..

I have a post up in Norcal minis to find a '07

My friendly Mini SA has me on a hot list to call me if he can get a '07 for about 2 hours !

 

I'd love to see the delete kit have a pocket of sorts to hold the spare tire upright off to the one side where the back seat was. Get ahold of an extra seat belt buckle to put on the front and use the rear seat belt to buckle it in against the side....

 

So i have made the decision to do the rear seat delete. I saw a friends GTI the other night that had it done and just figured ***** it i can always put it back in if i need to or don't like it. I can't seem to find a right up on the R56 for this. Has anyone done it and can they give advice. Mostly what i am looking for is the measurements on the covering for it. My plan is to plywood and carpet it. I don't want to cover up the very back that is the traditional trunk.

Now for the interesting part. My roommate who is one of me best friends is trying to tell me that doing this is actually going to add way more waight than what the rear seats weigh themselves. Is he right or just not thinking clearly.

 

well even if he's wrong its not by much. If your doing it for weight savings, its probably not worth the effort IMO

 

Well I'm not fully doing for the weight savings. I do a lot of outside events for my restaurant and kinda need the space(at least for the next few months as it is busy season for that sorta thing). but i also wouldn't mind shaving a few pounds. He is just one of those people that thinks he knows everything about every car. He is also trying to tell me i can just slap any size intercooler on my car. Even a top mounted on from a first gen mini.

 

lol. well in that case you might as well give it a go

 

i plan on it. if tomorrow is nice i'm might tackle it. just depends if the girl friend allows it.

 

may be wrong but i think i read somewhere that the seats weighed in about 70 pounds...

there are kits already out there if you dont want to go the diy route

 

yeah i know there are kits but i'm more in the mood to do this on my own. plus the kit is 180 and i don't have that for this right now. that is for the M7 STB

 

so i did it today. My girlfriend was very happy to jump in and help. It was much easier having two people. I also pulled the tape off my belt line on the hatch and taped it all off and sprayed it with PlastiDip and it now looks a lot better, what was bothign me about the tape was the way the ends looked. I will have pictures up of everything in a day or two.

 

Awesome! Yeah I would like to see both end products

 

+1 for the plastidipped beltline. I wasn't happy with the tape and i'd like to see your end result.

 

The plastidip belt line looks amazing. It is just very time consuming as you have to do a lot of taping off. I'm at work again today so i don't have my pictures here i'll get them up tomorrow hopefully.

As for the back seat I just need to build a shelf for it to cancel out some of the extra road noise. My butt dyno says the car is a little bit quicker now.