Has anyone ever used COBRA seats in their Mini or any other car?
Here are the two that I am looking at...
http://www.cobraseats.com/suzukas.htm
http://www.cobraseats.com/evolutions.htm
And here is my third...
http://www.cobraseats.com/misano.htm

Thanks guys.

 

Phil RedFury has them in his car.

 

Sweet, Thanks.

 

i don't have them yet, but i've been working w/ Ashley at Sube Sports (the US distributor for Cobra Seats). i've seen them in a car. it is i tight fit and install isn't totally straightforward. one bracket might have to be custom made to be able to move the seat inboard as far as possible to have the width required at the shoulder. beautiful and comfortable seats. i waas trying to get black leather, w/ body color (royal gray) ostrich inserts. Cobra could do the ostrich w/ no problems, but i couldn't get a color sample i liked. i'll just get the leather and let my local upholsterer do the ostrich inserts.

 

Which ones did you go with bean?

 

Cobra makes a nice seat for the price. If the budget allows a Sparco, Momo or Recaro offers slightly better quality.

I see that the 1st and 2nd choices are both race seats. I would recommend that you sit in these before purchasing to be sure you fit and the the seatback angle is comfortable.

I'd steer away from your 2nd choice. Those upper wings hinder visibility even with the cutouts. The depth of the side bolsters can be very constricting on a long drive depending on your build. Those tall sides may also render the OEM 3 point belt useless.

 

Thanks Nate. I plan on buying some harnesses at the time of seat purchase. So how does the Suzuka compare to the Corsa by Sparco? I was going to go with the Sparco, but a few buddies told me that Cobra was a better seat. So is the Corsa or Suzuka better?

 

i haven't ordered yet. i'm thinking Suzuka GT tech's. i love the look of the Misano, but as i keep getting quicker on the track, i want my wide butt planted. i'll be doing a roll bar at the same time and eliminating the stock belts. my car has become way more of a track toy than i ever imagined when i bought it. i'm sure i'm not the lone ranger on this one.

nate: IMHO, Cobra and Sparco are pretty even in quality. i like the split front pad on the Cobras. i have MOMO as a slight step down. Recaro makes a nice product, but doesn't have a seat that i really want.

i echo nate's statement to sit in the seat before purchase if at all possible. this is a significant investment and a huge safety issue. "if it doesn't fit, you must quit". (sorry that was out of context). this is more important than buying a new Lazy-Boy. Unfortunately there aren't many custom seat showrooms. best bet it to go to the track, where race cars exist and ask to sit in as many seats as possible.

 

Thanks bean. Where are you located?

 

i'm in sunny south florida. i can often be found at Sebring, Homestead or Moroso. there are many things i dislike about florida, but track access is not one of them!

any racing seat will be a PIA as a daily driver......i'm old, out of shape and i still want a seat that will hold me in place on the track. i'll greatfully suffer through the daily grind to feel good on open track days. your tolerance may vary.

 

That's cool. I think that I am going to get a hold of Red Fury. He is up here in Ohio. Thanks for everything.

 

I was thinking of that other brand with a C, Corbeau. Dang I hate when these companies create names that are sorta close.

Since you plan on harnesses does that men you are looking at roll bars or cages too? Do you intend on keeping the OEM seat belts? Harnesses are not street legal since they are not DOT approved. Yeah, I know they are safer, but they also limit movement so much unless you have incredibly long arms you change the radio station, roll down a window or adjust the HVAC.

 

Don't want to get off topic but what roll bars are you guys using. Not looking for a cage. Just a roll bar. Nate what bar do you have?

 

Ok guys so what are your opinions on these three seats with out me sitting in them yet to decide (pretend they all fit me-6'0" 180lbs.)
http://www.cobraseats.com/suzukas.htm
http://www.statusracing.com/featuring.asp?id=ringa
http://www.sparcousa.com/pseats_comp.asp?id=471
1.) quality
2.) comfort
3.) fit in the mini.
Thanks a lot guys.

 

Yes, I have an AutoPower roll cage on its way. And harnesses, I have not decided on which brand to use. Yes, I am keeping OEM seat belts for legal purposes. Thanks again nate.
So what do you think of my final three choices?

 

I've been taking a long hard look at the Status seats. Randy T (at M7) has these in his car. They're pretty pricey though from what I recall, especially if you go Kevlar/Carbon. Good luck on your seat project.

 

Thanks. I am kind of wanting to see what is the best and to find out where I can sit in them.(NW, Ohio)

 

yeah....Cobra = topnotch. Corbeau, notsomuch but is still a good value vs. the eBay 'Type R' specials yo!

 

here is a link to discussion of roll bars and harnesses....https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=115114

 

Randy is the same reason i wanted status. he took me for a ride through the canyons and they were awesome. FYI, Status are great quality seats, just be sure you are ready to wait 4-8 weeks to get them. I was looking around everywhere to get one and everyone said that status is a great seat, but the service isnt so hot. But if you get lucky, they might just have them ready to ship. haha oh well.

 

while searching "roll bars", i ran across this old thread. i went w/ the Cobra Evolution GT's. i fit in the seat and the seats fit in the car. the side mounts are currently at the machinist, being modified to fit the factory sliders. they should be done tomorrow. then i'm off to Race Car Builders of South Florida for a custom roll bar and harness installation. i'm removing the factory seat belts as they will be totally useless w/ these seats. pics here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=139088

 

i used to run cobra misano seats i really enjoyed them comfy and a hell of alot lighter than the factory seats.

 

those seats look great. i was originally going to go w/ the Misano's, but w/ more track time, i decided to go w/ fixed back seats w/ more support and hans capability. i just got my passenger side seat fitted on the modified cobra brackets. i hope to get the drivers side in later today. my buddy, a MINI tech, is getting my old seats and will be coming by later. he has a low profile socket set that makes removing the seat from the slider much easier. pics will be posted eventually.

 

Great seats m444ssy I have seen that car somewhere before but don't know where...it was not in person though...
Bean, can't wait for an update