Interior/Exterior Interior and exterior modifications for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Interior/Exterior Anyone have experience with a loose seat?

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Old 01-16-2014, 02:40 PM
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Anyone have experience with a loose seat?

My drivers seat now shift a bit when turning or breaking, sometime during acceleration. Seems to shift a bit (maybe a mm or two) on the right side. It's not happening where it bolts to the rails, it's above that.

Has anyone had it and been able to resolve it?
 
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Old 01-17-2014, 08:50 AM
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Mine seems a little loose too and makes a single pop sound when I get in. I've just had the car 2 months so I'm still getting to know it.
 
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Old 01-17-2014, 08:59 AM
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Should be solid....
sounds like something is broken...
maybe the frame is fatigued? You might be able to disassemble the seat, weld it...BUT...
Maybe a upgrade to a gen2 front seats (there a a few diy's) with less miles will be the simplest fix...so many gen2 are paerted out due to engine issues...
You can sometimes get gen1 seats out of a gen1 CVT that match, but the foam is still going to be hitting 10 years old...so the gen2's fit and work fine with minimal changes...are newer...and most say they are more comfortable.
 
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Old 01-17-2014, 09:18 AM
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I've found that the seat's height adjustment gets some play in it over the years.
I had it fixed under warranty when the car was only a few years old. I'm
trying to remember if they replaced the rail or the lower seat frame - I think
it was the rail. It's returning gradually, but I just keep the seat at full height
which keeps it from shifting. Only happened on the driver's side, probably
because I drive alone so much of the time.
 
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Old 01-17-2014, 04:48 PM
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Last edited by davisflyer; 02-12-2014 at 11:46 AM.
  #6  
Old 01-17-2014, 05:51 PM
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My Gen1 has this bizarre behavior where I can adjust the seat and have it feel solid in every direction for twenty minutes of driving.... then I'll pull to a stop and feel it move and "click" into a different position. Once this has happened, it will be fine until I adjust it again.

Someone, perhaps on this forum, took the seat fore/aft adjusters apart and discovered some subtle issue. The fix was more trouble than I wanted to deal with, but I do recall the problem was something very weird and unusual.

- Mark
 
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Old 01-17-2014, 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by markjenn
My Gen1 has this bizarre behavior where I can adjust the seat and have it feel solid in every direction for twenty minutes of driving.... then I'll pull to a stop and feel it move and "click" into a different position. Once this has happened, it will be fine until I adjust it again.
yup, mine does exactly the same thing.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using NAMotoring
 
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Old 02-12-2014, 11:48 AM
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Mine isn't shifting into a new position. It appears that the problem is the rivets in the frame. mechanic said I need a new frame. Parts and labor about $900+.

So now I'm looking for a used replacement seat......
 
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Old 02-13-2014, 05:45 AM
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A new bottom frame looks like this. Play in the seat height adjust are control with this unit.

Bottom Seat Frame - Left ( Driver Side ) Part #52107138469

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/52107138469/



&

Bottom Seat Frame - Right ( Passenger Side )

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/52107138470/



-------------------------------------------------

Play is the seat backing tilt function is controlled by the joint ( pivot ) on the seat backing frame.

Backrest Frame - Left ( Driver Side ) Part #52107124053

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/52107124053/




&

Backrest Frame - Passenger Side ( Right ) Part # 52107124054

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/52107124054/

------------------------------------------------

For problems with rail tracks. ( Forwards and reverse ) make sure your seat rails are parallel and the the distance from the front rails to the rear is the same. It one rail is damaged of more forward/ back then the other rail, then you will lock the seat into place on one side , then when you hit the brakes you get that click with the seats flexing and locking on the other side with the weight of the driver.

Seat Tracks - Left - Pair Driver side Part # 52109152079


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/52109152079/





&

Seat Tracks - Right - Pair Part #52109152080

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/52109152080/

 
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Last edited by ECSTuning; 12-21-2017 at 01:11 PM.
  #10  
Old 04-20-2014, 05:37 AM
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Yeah, I've also been having this issue with my driver's seat in my 2006 R53 for approximately a year and a half. I hasn't worsened, but it's definitely become an annoyance. Thanks for sharing your findings; now I have a idea as to what to look for when I check it out to see if I can repair it myself.
 
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Old 04-20-2014, 05:55 AM
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Yea my 05 does this I kinda ignore it
 
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Old 12-23-2014, 06:46 PM
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Anyone ever figure out a solution to this problem?

I have same issue in a 2005 R53
 
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Old 12-23-2014, 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by markjenn
My Gen1 has this bizarre behavior where I can adjust the seat and have it feel solid in every direction for twenty minutes of driving.... then I'll pull to a stop and feel it move and "click" into a different position. Once this has happened, it will be fine until I adjust it again.

Someone, perhaps on this forum, took the seat fore/aft adjusters apart and discovered some subtle issue. The fix was more trouble than I wanted to deal with, but I do recall the problem was something very weird and unusual.

- Mark
Mine does this too, but only once in a blue moon.
 
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