Be carefull with adding to the left side foot rest. It is lower so that you won't break your leg in an accident. If you raise the pedal you can brace yourself just before you crash and that causes extra loading on the left leg!

I cured my back problem by using an inflatable lumbar support that I position in the correct spot for my back. I have had this problem in all the cars I have owned except for my motor coach with "Flexsteel" seats. I can drive it 700 mile per day with no back problems.

 

I also had a similar problem. Couldn't figure out what it was. The lumbar support seemed to be in the wrong place. What finally worked was adjusting the seat height and seat back angle.. I usually like the seat fairly high for visibility, but with the seat height reduced and the seat actually tilted a bit fwd the seats suddenly started to work for me.

This was also the only way I could get the lumbar support not to hit me wrong in the back...by tilting the seat forward I got more pressure on my shoulders and upper back and less pressure from the lumbar support....it feels like the lumbar support even at its weakest position still feels like a hard ball hitting me in the lower back..feels like I need to relax it, but it is already relaxed all the way....I wished they would have just left that feature out...oh well.....guess you just have to experiment......those ricaro seats I had in my old 3 series bimmer were blissful, no lumbar support, hardly any cushoning, great lateral support and an adjustment to extend the bottom of the seat for your hams....I could drive for hours pain free...

 

steve

>>You might want to call and then fax this to MINIUSA, so they can have it to share with others (if you don't I will be happy to). Again, thanks!


i'm glad it worked. i was worried my desire for the car had overcome my sense of reality and i had conned myself into believing that the seat felt good.

if you want to send it, be my guest. i'd like to know what MINIUSA/BMW has to say about the mini seat design though. if you hear back from them let me know. i'd like to make the whole assembly go lower. even if it's just a little. however, i was told by bmw at the drivers school, "vhen ve schtudy ze zeats dezighn ve realize zat uhl of ze race car driverz keep ze zeats up high vor maximun controhl und visability. zo ve buildt dem zdis vay zaht you schould uze. jah."