Hi,

I am planning to rebuild my R53 space cloth seats with leather and replace some foam.

I can find instructions and all the material I need for a DIY however I don't know where to go for foam ? And is it possible to replace the side bolster foam without to much fuss ?

Thanks !

 

Just had another chat with ECS Tuning who informed me the foam for the back rest for my R53 is sold together / attached with the space cloth, $730 ! However you can purchase the bottom seat foam separately for $108. It sounds like one part is assembled and cannot be separated while the bottom seat is available as two parts, foam + cloth.

Meanwhile Canada seatskins sells replacement leather for both bottom seat and back rest and headrest.

???

 

Okay. Looks like you can remove the cloth on your own but you cannot purchase replacement foam separately for the seat back. MINI only sell it assembled. for $750.

Seatskins leather install is a "bond down" process so professional installation is suggested / required. Therefore this would be the right time to have the foam repaired before installing the leather.

They have some really nice packages and I like the double white stitched or piping option on graphite color premium leather.

 

If it was cloth seats, its pretty easy to do yourself (unless Minis have some weird upholstery method), but if the leather ones require a special method, I wouldn't take the chance. I've done a bunch at work (Toyota dealer), but they were all either cloth or leatherette, which is all held down by small rods and the usual hog rings.

 

I received an instruction sheet from Seatskins Canada and the application of new leather is a "glue down" process for my MINI R53 seats.

Whether or not the old space cloth is removed from the foam does not matter. In the instructions you must slice channels into the verticle seams of the seat and spray in some glue and wait until tacky. There is a bunch of other instructions on where to spray glue before you start tucking the new cover into the sliced seams and fitting over the seat back.

Anyway, it's a job for a professional so it looks like if I want new leather on my R53 sport seats There will be an added installation process.

 

Sounds like used gen2 seats might be a better option....
Done right it seems like a nice upgrade.....
There is some minior modifications needed to make the plugs fit to ensure the airbags work and no lights....but a better overall design...most seem to think they are more comfy...
There are a few GOOD how-to threads....

 

Yes I have been thinking that one over as well. The Seatskins option is very high grade and works with airbags but the R56 seats looks equally nice. I guess it comes down to the best way to get leather and a well bolstered seat.

There is also a third option called Sparco R333 but it's not leather and comes with no airbags.

Awesome race / street seat for the R53 at $600 ! Price includes R53 specific sliding fitment rails.

http://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/sparco...prod_1218.html

 

The seat back covers are glued to the foam - not too hard to remove, but a challenge to replace. That would explain why the back foam is not available separately. The seat bottom covers are held down by hog rings and are not too challenging to replace.