Forward: I have read all the threads I could find here about seats. I do not need the airbag speech.

I have had enough of my stock MCS seats that do nothing to keep my torso vertical around corners, and I'd like to get some opinions from people in the know about what the best all-around choices are for aftermarket seats. I would like a pair of seats since I don't want my passengers flopping around in the car either. My knowledge of aftermarket seats is extremely limited. What I do know from experience years ago is that good seats that hold you in place can significantly change your driving experience. Whether I am going to track the car or not, these seats would need to be for everyday use.

As much as I would like to just get racing seats, maybe something like this http://www.soloracer.com/evo2formini.html , I do, unfortunately, need to be be able to have a seat that can fold forward so that I can get at things in the back seat area.

So that probably leaves me with street seats like these:
http://www.soloracer.com/corbeaucarrera.html
http://www.piloracing.com/proddetail...d=SPARCOTORINO

FWIW, my car is an IBW with anthracite dash and black leatherette.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

I will try to help,

First of all, I do have quite a lot of experience with seats, having sold over 500 seats within the past 6 years. (recaro, sparco, momo and cobra seats.)

I agree with you, for a daily driver, you really need a seat that is adjustable,

so the choices are,

Recaro style, recaro trend or recaro sport,
these are probably the best in the business, but the price is also high, about a $1000 per seat, you also have the option to get these seats with the comfort package (heat, cooling fans and electric adjustment)
recaro is the only brand that offers a seat with those options.

the sparco torino or milano,
great seat, the only problem is if you are a big guy, you will feel the frame on the thigh bolsters.

Momo is currently changing their lines of seats.

Cobra, customer support sucks, if there is a problem with the seat you are on your own.

Corbeau, does not have a good quality and comfort reputation.

Please email or pm if you have any other questions

victor

 

i have had great expericance with recaro... they are very very comfortable, but often at a price that can be hard to swallow. If the cash is available go with these you will never regret it.

However if you don't have a money tree in the backyard...

Corbeau offers some great seats at very reasonable prices. I have put them in all different kinds of cars ranging from sport compacts to the classic shelby gt500. There website is very user friendly in regards to dimmensions since you will be working in a somewhat confined area. They are definetly worth a look. I have never had any problems with there seats...

Not all seats will fit in the mini. There are some models that are too wide and will not allow the wings on the upright of the chair will cause interfearance. definetly do some shopping on this. I would try to check with some of the guys who autox there cars in the racing section of NAM. They are likely the ones who have tried several kinds of seats in a MINI and who knows... you might make a new friend too!

Sparco torinos are pretty nice. There is a guy name UKSUV on here who has them... i sold them to him and he seems very pleased with them. You might want to try to contact him and get it handled.

Also, Sparco has good customer support from there main dealer here in AZ which is www.ultraperfomance.com Once i had a warranty claim on the seats and the claim was handled immediately with no question as to where i purchased them from. (another local AZ dealer who sold them to me broken but told me they were brand new) Ultraperformance has been very good to me.

good luck on your endevor

 

best thing you can do is try before you buy. As you know by now from your stock seats, one size does not fit all. Not sure where you are located, but we have a local shop here in NoVA that has most Sparco's mounted so you can sit in them. I tried and no Sparco fits me well (too narrow). That leaves Recaro's if you want a premium seat. A trip to your local Audi or Mitsubishi dealer will be helpful here - the EVO and S4 have Recaro's....forget which model, but how you fit in it will help your Recaro dealer determine what will fit you best (their experience is invaluable).

Good luck...I've been down this road and ended up just getting the OEM EPL seats, for better or worse.

 

I have the Sparco Torinos and love em to death....but, I am opposite of you. I want mine fixed.

 

Only have experience in Recaro Pole Positions and they are a fixed shell, I'd definitely recommend it but since you need access to the rear I don't know. Recaro is nice, I've also heard well on BRIDE seats.

 

Corbeau shells: I had a driver's side one in a 911. Sitting angle is off, though I adjusted with shims. Gripped me very tight (5'8, 170lbs med build), very very light, garish logo I sharpie'ed over.

http://www.corbeau.com/products/forza/forza.shtml

Corbeau TRS - Decent quality (much better than the recaro clones on ebay), but fabric will not last I'll bet. Garish logos. Very heavy.

http://www.corbeau.com/products/trs/trs.shtml

 

have never regretted Recaro seats in previous Porsche and BMW autos I've owned. May get some for my MINI

 

Thanks for all the replies so far.

Wow. There is a lot of garbage out there. $85.00 per pair with $150.00 shipping. I wonder what happens when you sit on them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MakeTrack=true

 

A couple years back Steet Tuner mag. ( i believe) had a Seat guide book. in which they took all the seats at the time and did Tests. Had drivers of all sizes and weights go for a spin and give the Results. Then the Published what seats worked best with what type of person. Person being like 6' tall, 62" shoulders and 40" buttocks. etc.. etc.

 

take a look at seat dimension charts... especially if your local tuner shops carry no major brands

with seats.. i can give you some advice... 1st, NEVER ever go with a cheapo brand.... i learn that the hard way when my sparco torino replicas, broke at the frame just 2 months after i got them... and the company was extremely bad about customer service...

now i got a single sparco rev... and yes it is non reclineable, but it works. It is very comfortable for me, a bit tight though, as the Rev is designed for 28-32' waist... and im at 29...

overall... if its a street seat, the sparco torino replicas were exactly the same as the real thing, it is extremely comfortable, though in terms of support.. you just can't beat a full bucket

i've also had a chance to seat in a JDM Integra Type R seat on my friend's civic, and they really are comfortable, and believe me when i say recaros are the top notch guys in seats... sparcos aren't bad either though... Bride and Cobra both are excellent, though i am not so sure about Bride on a British car..........

 

I did a back-to-back, side-by-side comparison on the Sparco, Recaro, Momo, and Corbeau seats for comfort & feel.............

Corbeau all the way. 5'8" 180 lbs. I have the CR-1 reclining and no wear in 5-years use.

http://www.corbeau.com/prod_index/pr...ex.shtml#fixed