As far as I know, they will not be available from US MINI dealers due to lack of side airbags and subsquent safety issues. However, when there's a will, there's a way. After countless hours of searching, my relentless effort has paid off. Here's the cost per seat for me to get them in the US: red cloth is $1240 and black leather is $1360. Is it worth it? The seats do come with heating elements, but no side airbags.



_________________
04 IB/W JCW MCS

 

I know JCW seat is very similar to Sparco Milano, which costs $1200+ in leather without mounting hardware or heating capability.

I have to find out if I need to purchase additional mounting hardware for JCW seats.

 

Man, those are some nice seats, but unless I'm racing, there's no way I'm buying 1200.00 seats

 

This whole seat issue is confusing. Rumors and miss information has led to much of this confusion. Also, parts departments at different dealers are not singing the same toon, odd they don't seem to know what is going on. I find MINI owners to be much more informed than our dealers on issues regarding seats, door sills etc. I always feel like I have to educate my parts guy instead of him knowing what is available or in the pipe line.

On 12/8/03, I was informed by Paul Cooper at JCW that the seats are available worldwide. He was only able to quote a price in England of 502.13 pounds plus VAT and fitting. My dealer knew nothing of the seats and was suprised when I asked about them. As of today, they still don't have pricing but do show them in "their system".

With regard to the airbag issue, it is my understanding a release/waiver must be signed buy owners installing the seats. Also, my dealer said seats were available in Red or Black. This differs from the JCW site which says colors are available.

Is the cost worth it. For me yes.

 

From what I understand, JCW seats are made to order. Lapis blue will be available later this Spring, which is when I'll be placing the order. :smile:

 

WOW, a pair of JCW seats cost as much as my first new car, (64 Corvair Spyder). Even after factoring in inflation that's downright amazing.


R.E.

 

Davecsumini

Strange that the seats are in the MINI parts system yet your contact says they will not be sold in the U.S.

I hope this is not true, I too will be ordering mine in Lapis blue. This goes back to what I said earlier.... why do we seem to get conflicting info on the seats.

Maybe someone from MINI USA could chime in and address this. Are you going to order your seats from JCW in England?

 

Any MINI/BMW dealership can pull up any valid MINI part number. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean the part is available in that market. When I tried to order a part that is available for the European market from Steve @ Classic, the part # is in his computer system. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to get the part, even after he called MINIUSA directly. Bottom line is that US MINI dealership can only get what MINIUSA brings into US. Special order wasn't an option either.

_________________
Terminally infected with the epidemic MINI MOD BUG that's going around NAM

 

Well isn't that stupid, parts in the system, sorry we can't get them.

Are you going to order from England?

Yes I understand colored "inserts" take 4-6 weeks (or whatever) for delivery.

 

with that kinda price, it better come with a Shiatsu massaging system.

 

>>with that kinda price, it better come with a Shiatsu massaging system.
>>
>>
lol... I concur :smile:

Peace,
D