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Reviving this thread as I am thinking about doing retro style seats in my 2003 R53. They look cool and are very light, but how do these retro rally- and bucket style seats do in the comfort department? I'm leaning toward a Nurburgring-type seat right now, but shipping from the EU is 300EU (each? pair?), but classic cr seats in TX makes a very similar seat, but with slightly differently shaped headrests, but they let you mix and match the headrest style you like.
Has anyone actually put a set of retro buckets into their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd gen Mini? How do they fit? How do you fit in them? Comfort? Install headaches?
This thread was a labor of love on my part because I really really want some retro buckets eventually...
...sadly they're still on the wishlist because I keep getting sidetracked by more pressing matters which need immediate attention.
Hopefully some people will see this thread again and add some more responses.
As far as fit and comfort, the opinions are mixed on the various forums I've searched which are mostly Miata, Porsche, and Datsun for this type of seat. On those forums, many people have stated this type of seat is rather narrow and best for under 34" waist, also read reports stating that they feel as if you're sitting on them rather than in them, but regardless it is my goal to get some whenever end of the rainbow gets here and I can finally start adding final touches. The stock seats are atrocious and nearly anything would be better in my opinion. Weight savings are a bonus too.
My driver's side is shot, and so I had been looking into reupholstery from leatherseats.com - got some of their samples and the colors are all very close to the Panther color. But then I thought about how unhappy I have been with the design of the seats - they just don't seem to fit the interior. I looked at Recaro seats - most are so ugly I want to run away screaming. Same thing with most of the Bride seats, and the Cobras - except the 30th anniversary one - that is beautiful, but it is too expensive. And for the price they want - it's very heavy. They also do not have any in the US that have built in heating. I looked at Status because they would do custom, but don't care for their designs much either. And Braum has one design that I like, but they will not do the stitching I want because it deviates from their stock pattern.
So, I just asked for a quote from classiccarseats.com for their Nurburgring - though because of my size and height, might have to go with their larger version of that seat - what they call the 'Avus'. I asked for a quote for a heated pair in dark grey - graphite or charcoal leather to match the Panther Black R53 interior in a good bumpy leather (I don't care for the super soft, smooth stuff) with cobalt blue double stitching around the outside only and grey stitching everywhere else and with stainless steel grommets in the inside 'field'. I asked for the whole seat in leather, but I am considering the basketweave for the middle. It's growing on me. I am just concerned with maintenance. I think dust and grunge will get trapped in all of those little divets, and I don't think vacuuming will get it all out.
versus
Although I think the Mini sport seats are fairly comfortable (bear in mind I do no track driving), they have always struck me as not really having the same character as the rest of the car - the R cars are retro - the R50, R52, and R53 most so, but the seats just seem to be 'tacked on' - like what they could find without putting too much time into design. The rest of the car - is stunning; everything well thought out and retro-ed out. The seats - not so much. So I think that retro-style seats will be a good update to this overall very retro-feeling car. AND - there is the rather nice bonus that each seat weighs less than 20lbs. That saves 60ish lbs for the pair.
I made a few changes along the way but now it feels extremely special. The changes have been A piller's, 2nd new steering wheel but this time carbon and flat bottom. I also did all the Innovate gauges, dash covering, FL door cards and RS door pulls. I'm a very happy guy!
Looks very nice Joshua P! I did consider those seats for a bit, but am after a bit more of a retro look. I dig the fabric choice that you made though! Were those done aftermarket and reupholstered over the seats, or is that a 'bespoke' option from Corbeau? Nice looking seats for sure!
Looks very nice Joshua P! I did consider those seats for a bit, but am after a bit more of a retro look. I dig the fabric choice that you made though! Were those done aftermarket and reupholstered over the seats, or is that a 'bespoke' option from Corbeau? Nice looking seats for sure!
They were bespoke to my blind leap of faith so to speak. B_roadhuntingclub is down the street from Corbeau and thats who built them out for me. Im just glad it turned out OK.
Thanks for the compliment. It may not be some peoples taste but its mine.
I feel like I have seen this before somewhere, but does anyone know if there is a measured drawing or template of the stock first gen seat mounting points?
Great Thread !! I like the herringbone/houndstooth/plaid stuff in the Mini's... R53, PW/Black combo, with black houndstooth would look great with some in it.
The Porsche Pepita Herringbones are great looking fabrics !!
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Last edited by mountainhorse; Sep 20, 2020 at 06:41 PM.
I wanted to do houndstooth so bad and use a 996 seat but finally pulled the trigger on my Corbeau seats. I think our 8 week old Corgi in my helmet made the seats look better.
The Cobra RS-Forty seats were delivered today. Absolutely stunning looking seat. Light too - were definitely less than the 19lbs advertised.
Even threw it into the car quick to get a picture of how it might look...
But they are just about 4 inches too short to support my upper back and neck. They are a smidge on the narrow side as well. My butt and lower back fit well, but they feel quite narrow up by the shoulders (or where the shoulders should be). I'm just too tall for these seats at 6'2" - I think they'd be fine for folks shorter than 6 feet, and man they just look like they belong in the Mini.
