This is not a rant, just a plea for help. Sorry for the long story but I've been looking for a set of English Panther Leather Seats for my '06 MCS JCW and have run into a brick wall. I have e-mailed dealers with no replies. I inquired at MINIAssistance@askMINIUSA.com and they told me to call dealer service departments directly. I did and some don't know what I'm talking about and all had no interest in helping me! I offered to fax or e-mail a photo of the seats so they could follow up on it and one dealer actually said, "Why would I want to do that?" I've also taken NAM member suggestions to go to various sites including the BMW oem parts site. That site does not list the seats as a replacement part- you'd think they would have them as replacement parts--many were installed as options. And you'd think some dealer somewhere would have a set but MINI Assist offered no help in that regard. I have once again contacted MINI Assist with this latest development and we'll see what they say. In the mean time I'm still scouring every corner I can. If anyone out there has helpful information or insight it would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'd be curious as well. English Panther is hard to find! Best bet would be to ask around at local body shops or some junk yards with newer cars. Or maybe even look on line for salvage vehicles??? I dunno....I've been everywhere with no luck.

 

You could try contacting a local body shop. They should be able to track down OEM seats.

 

You mean these!:






Sorry about the tease but I luv 'em! Buttery soft. I bought the car used but the orginal owner bought them as an upgrade option, I'm sure glad he did, good luck in your search!!!

 

Order parts from Mini is like pulling teeth : (

 

I've tried local body shops, clubs, and how'd I miss them on e-bay? I employed a national website (name escapes me at the moment) that says they look at "over 100 sources" new and used. I got a reply from them that siad they had a set but when I asked for photos they never replied! Don't worry about the tease, 20works4me, I've got a photo staring me in the face here on my desk-- I'm going to get them one way or another. Maybe I should just buy a car with them in it, swap out the seats, then sell it!

 

Why take the picture to a custom shop and have them make them for you?

 

FWIW-- The english panther leather in my '06 is VASTLY better than the basic leather in my previoius '03. ('03 side bolsters began showing significant wear/scuffing at 5K) EPL wears better, but after 21K, there is now a distinctive imprint of my butt in the seat cushion. I snicker everytime I get in the car--kinda like a retina scan or finger print ID, if the butt matches, the car starts (kidding). In the photo in #4 post above, it appears that 20wrksforme might be developing the same phenom...

 

I think you're on to something, dimini. You could sell the butt print idea to the FBI and make a million $!. And, STLMINI, I contacted Katzkinz with exactly that question- "can you custom make the seats?" and they said no, just recover. But I think I'll take the same question to a good local custom shop and ask them. I'm trying to cover all the bases and I appreciate all your ideas out there. Keep 'em coming- thanks.
P.S. No word back from MINI Assist yet, probably Monday.

 

According to my ETK, there is a note in there about ordering complete seats...
"ORDERING OF COMPLETE SEATS ONLY WITH INDICATION OF CHASSIS NUMBER ORDERING ONLY UPON REQUEST"
...whatever that means, but I didn't see the English Leather listed for a complete seat anyway.

But, you can buy the covers and have a upholstery shop do your seats up...

Part #52 10 6 971 136...drivers seat cushion
Part #52 10 6 972 302...pass seat cushion
Part #52 10 6 971 133...drivers seat back
Part #52 10 6 971 134...pass seat back
Part #52 10 6 966 412...headrests(2)

...you better be sitting when you get the pricing from your dealer.

 

Thanks Partsman for your help. I've got to leave town for a week so I'll get back to you with some questions later.

 

After having written to Mini Assistance I was out of town for more than a week. They responded on April 15 only to say they would be researching my inquiry and would be contacting me shortly with further information-- they haven't. I will be following up in the next couple of days.

 

PetersDad,

Not to cast doom and gloom on your mission, but my three attempts to communicate to MINIusa last year resulted in no response whatsoever. Good luck!

 

Why don't you inquire about a custom job....Minspeed coachworks does fantastic work...the pics don't do it justice...Just call or email Pete Foglia, see what he can do..
http://www.minspeed.net/minspeedCoachworks.php

 

I assume you've called Morristown MINI's parts dept, already?

They are nice seats, but a stupidly expensive option. I know because I have them in my 06. I still can't believe I checked that box on the option list!

 

JCW Driver-
I also grimmaced when I selected the Panther option box when configuring my '06. However, I have found it to be worth the extra $1,300 (I think that was the premium). These seats are much more durable than the standard leather seats I had in my '03 MCS--plus, I really like the retro looks of the English Panthers.

 

I will continue to hunt these things down. JCW Driver gave me some good info and I will look into Partsman's idea listed above. I'll continue watching NAM and ebay and what ever other lead I can find, plus I will start inquiries with upholstery shops. I've fired off a note to Mini Assist to follow up on my earlier inquiry with them (and their non-response). Wow, this has turned out to be much harder than I thought. I don't mind paying some bucks but won't pay outrageously. But I do like that retro look and everyone seems to agree they are a very nice seat. I'll keep this site posted of my progress.

 

Man, I can't imagine how hard it would be to find the EPL seats. I'm trying to find a set of Lapis Blue/Panther black leather heated seats, and just like you - I've hit a brick wall. The dealer I talked to says I can get new backrest and bottom cushions, but can't tell if they have the heater elements in them or not.

Good luck with your search! Looking forward to hearing what you end up finding!

 

I believe there is some for sale on www.takeforum.com/size/

 

Many thanks for the lead. I went and looked it up. It's the same guy (cudason) who had listed the seats on NAM. Several people had asked for details and photos and I sent him a personal message asking for details but did not hear back. He said he wanted to sell to someone in Canada so maybe he's not interested in selling to the Yanks at all. I live less than two hours from him and offered to meet halfway but... nothin' yet.

 

Peters Dad-
Sounds like you are so close-yet so far. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that your Canadian neighbor will check his PM's and give you a call. If I were selling them and you offered to meet me halfway--- only a hours drive-- I'd be on the phone really fast.

good luck

 

Hurray! Jase at Mini Assist got back to me- he actually phoned. He was very friendly and eager to help. He tracked down the part numbers for the front seats (same as Partsman had listed here previously) but said there are no numbers for the rear seats. Don't know why but that's the way it is. So the front seats are orderable but extremely expensive. I'll probably keep looking for a set of nice used ones. If anyone hears of a set, let me know, and if anyone has a part number for the rear seats, let me know- Thanks!

 

Out of curiosity, how much are a set of new EPL seats?

 

I still have mine for sale. They'll only fit 07 to present minis. To make them fit in my 03 would require an airbag transplant, and a tensioner swap at the very least. Everytime I look at these seats it makes me cringe. They truly are the nicest seats mini produces.

 

just found this. I'm selling my 06 JCW Space Blue 6 speed with EPL. 34k miles. Car is absolutely mint. PM if any interest