http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-MINI-JCW-J...QQcmdZViewItem

Anyone ever seen these seats before? This is the first time I have seen them. $$$, but look nice and they recline.

 

Ya they are JCW seats made by Sparco.

 

Ya! And while not cheap, they are priced at a big discount. Converting from British pounds to USD, it's about $820 dollars.

 

Too bad he won't ship. Although I would guess the shipping to be $$$.

 

I'm fairly sure they are made by recaro....

 

You are both correct.
First Gen: Sparco Demon
Sec Gen : Recaro

 

So are these first or second? And whats the story with them, were they a dealer option when you bought the car, or something you picked up at the parts counter or ?

 

I believe those seats were only available in Euro.

 

Predictions on how much they will go for?

 

These are seats offered directly by JCW and are/were not offered as an option or accessory by BMW/MINI in the US.

 

They are the JCW seats in Europe, and are NOT offered in the US (from BMW/MINI) because they are not compatible with the USA's airbag laws/system (they block the side air bags) and don't have the electrical systems in them to acivate/deactivate the passengers airbag. They can technically be fit in US MINIs, but you need to by pass the airbag sensor with a resistor, and you need to tinker to mount them correctly.

 

AND
Where there is a will, there is a way.

 

Found this, but no prices. http://www.carrsmini.co.uk/accessories/jcw.html

 

Sorry, missed this question before.
These are Gen One Seats, made by Sparco, available in various forms(cloth, leather, heated etc.) and multiple colors, through European dealers. The Sparco Demon is the same seat and can be purchased on this side of the pond for around $2000 ea. The seats on Ebay cost around $1600 ea. in Europe when new.

 

....sure do look nice!