I have had a heck of a time with the standard leatherette seats in my mini. There is a lumbar support that is way too big and too low for me, and the upper part of the seat is cupped forward at the top and pushes my neck and shoulders forward-- in short, the seat is not comfortable for me. I can drive for an hour at best, and although it is softening some, but it it is far from comfortable.

I have sat in the sports seat and the design is much more comfortable, and the fabric seats are by far the best for me. In a perfect world, I would have had the foresight to order these seats (in a perfect world, I would have had an opportunty to drive several minis).

I went to the Columbus dealer, who would let me sit in a cooper with fabric seats but not drive it (it was definately more comfortable). I called Cincinnati, and they said they would certainly make one available for me to drive (as well as an S-- which Columbus would not let people drive). Today I drove with the fabric seats for over a half hour and didn't even think to adjust it-- very comfortable for me.

So I am seriously thinking of selling my otherwise perfect MC, and ordering another (I didn't like the MCS as much) with the better seats (I will definately order from Cincinnati-- great people-- free car wash on Sat with coffee and home-baked cookies!!).

My question is: How would you go about selling your cooper? The dealer could/would only give me auction value for trade in (about 16K, with no adjustment for all additional options). I'm sure I could get a much better price for a car with 3900 miles on it. I thought of the local newspaper, which in the past has been very successful. I know there are some online sites. I haven't tried this before.

I would appreciate any ideas or suggestions. It's a little radical for me to change cars for a seat, but it's the difference between driving a perfect car uncomforable and fully enjoying it-- well, this time, I'm worth it.

Thanks,
Steve

 

What about selling the seats on Ebay that you currently have, and buying new seats from MINI?

R

 

How would I sell my MINI? Well, it would involve my dead body, and the money passing over it...

Rocketboy_X

 

Steve, Buy new seats! I've seen some folks customize their MINIs, including putting in racing seats. Why don't you see what the cloth sport seats will run you, if you otherwise love your MINI? You don't want to go through the waiting game again, do you? Let us know what you decide... :smile:

Cheers!
Clover

 

>>What about selling the seats on Ebay that you currently have, and buying new seats from MINI?
>>
>>R

I have spoken with several mini reps and had them research changing seats. I was told it can't be done. Each seat type has a different weight, different runners in the floor, and must be built in from the frame up. Then with the three air bags, each seat must be programmed into the computer in a different way. So to change seats, they estimate would be well over 6000$ minumum (per the sales manager), to switch out on my own would void the warrenty and be a safety issue. It would be cheaper to sell and purchase a new one.

Oh well, the old days of switching out seats may be gone...

 

>>How would I sell my MINI? Well, it would involve my dead body, and the money passing over it...
>>
>>Rocketboy_X

I would have agreed with you at a younger age, seat comfort wasn't even a blip on my radar screen. I think as I get older, having a sore back, leg, shoulder, and neck after sitting in a poorly designed seat makes a difference, and finding something that allows me to sit comfortably is an attractive alternative.

I was intensively (7-8 x week) practicing Aikido (a martial art), and in fact had given up my private practice to study Aikido (I have always been athletic, but I have never done anything so physically, mentally, spiritually, and intimately satisfying and humbling). About 6 months ago, a was working with a beginner who threw me wrong (wasn't his fault) and I landed and injured my back-- after slowly recuperating (I had never had a major injury in my life), I've decided to take a year off the mat and give my body a chance to heal and strengthen. In fact, if I hadn't been off the mat, I would never have considered buying another car.

So this is a long way of explaining that if I can trade into another mini that is more comfortable, and have the fun of driving one, and continue to heal and be back on the mat in 6 months, it would be a win-win.

I'm glad that you got a good fit the first time!
Steve

 

>>Steve, Buy new seats! I've seen some folks customize their MINIs, including putting in racing seats. Why don't you see what the cloth sport seats will run you, if you otherwise love your MINI? You don't want to go through the waiting game again, do you? Let us know what you decide... :smile:
>>
>>Cheers!
>>Clover

Clover,
I have heard that some folks have installed custom seats, but my understanding is that this voids the warrenty and is a significant safety issue. If so, this would bug me both when I drive it, and for the next person when I would eventually sell it or trade it in. I have tried some cushions and supports, but I have a long torso, and the standard seat doesn't fit very well. When I sat in the sports seat it was better, and the fabric/sport was really comfortable for me. I thought that maybe selling mine, and ordering another (maybe with the HK stereo) would be the cleanest switch. Then I could consider this as a daily driver and not keep it as a second car.

If you have any other ideas or info let me know-- Your thoughts have always been helpful.

Steve

 

>>I was intensively (7-8 x week) practicing Aikido (a martial art), and in fact had given up my private practice to study Aikido (I have always been athletic, but I have never done anything so physically, mentally, spiritually, and intimately satisfying and humbling). About 6 months ago, a was working with a beginner who threw me wrong (wasn't his fault) and I landed and injured my back-- after slowly recuperating (I had never had a major injury in my life), I've decided to take a year off the mat and give my body a chance to heal and strengthen. In fact, if I hadn't been off the mat, I would never have considered buying another car.

That sucks.. My wife's dad has chronic back problems and he's having to sell his truck and his motorcycle.. (and Aikido has always been the martial art that I would learn if I ever hand the money and time... Kendo would be cool to, and there's a local place that teaches it.. but that's a discussion for off topic :&gt..

But i can really see how if you had chronic back problems, the standard MINI seats would be a huge issue... hell, i'm suprised the bumps dont get you... but as far as voiding warantees, unless the modification you made DIRECTLY causes THE damage that needs the work, you're in the clear... I'd call around to the next closest dealer for info about swaping out the seats... some dealer just don't want to do things like that, so they will make it sound as un-attractive as possible...

Rocketboy_X
(Oh, and PS, when it comes to seating, I like as little lumbar support as possible... it's never in the right place for me, and there's nothing worse then a lumbar support poking you in the back...)

 

Rocketboy X,

Thanks for your support and helpful suggestions. I will check into seat options. It may also be that this seat will slowly break in, with weekly conditioner, and all the large frame friends who I can get to sit in it. If I reach my patience saturation point, I may go ahead and get the more comfortable one and be done with it.

It helped me to write out my intent to get back to Aikido. I was surprised to find that after I wrote the email, I felt more ready to go back than I had thought. This afternoon, I went back to the mat to do some light stretches. I'm going to take it a small step at a time. I wouldn't have done it, had I not responded to your message.

I think you, since you have an interest, you would enjoy watching and/or participating in an Aikido class. There is a site that lists dojos by location. Let me know if I can be of help.

Take care,
Steve

 

Steve,

Well, first of all, call around! I think your sales manager is full of "it!" Talk to the parts department and a service advisor, too. Sometimes the sales guys really don't know what they're talking about. If you can't swap out your seats, then by all means order another MINI with the things you want.

However, do NOT trade your current MINI in, unless you want to take a financial bath! Sell it yourself...you may get more than you paid for it!

I'm sorry about your back injury...that's definitely an unavoidable issue. Hope you take your healing nice and slow. I think time & rest are always best for spinal injuries. Feel better!

Cheers!
Clover :smile:

 

drstevenj - I'm not sure about you, but the minimum offer for my MINI would be a million bucks!

And even then I'd really have to think hard about it.

 

Two weeks ago a saw on TV the record for the most expensive 2003 Mini Cooper S sold in Mexico.
Some guy that was just taking his Mini Cooper S out from the dealer, when another person came to talk to him and told him that he wanted a Mini Copper S for his son’s 21 Birthday...
The deal came close to $35000 dollars, this shows why the prices of the Mini’s is getting out of hand at the dealers.

 

Steve if you like the rest of your car why not just replace the seats? I have a 'S' with black leather that if I had it to do over I would have spent the $1200 on a good pair of aftermarket seats for the front and who cares about the back seats as they will almost never get used. I really think you you could by one hell of a pair of seats for less than you'll spend getting into another MINI.

 

>>Thanks for your support and helpful suggestions. I will check into seat options. It may also be that this seat will slowly break in, with weekly conditioner, and all the large frame friends who I can get to sit in it. If I reach my patience saturation point, I may go ahead and get the more comfortable one and be done with it.

The seats really do break in quite a bit... and don't forget, the hight adjustment also tilts the seat foward a little bit... Whenever my back is feeling a bit sore, I usually crank it up a knotch or two, and tilt the seat back... that usually does the trick...

>>It helped me to write out my intent to get back to Aikido. I was surprised to find that after I wrote the email, I felt more ready to go back than I had thought. This afternoon, I went back to the mat to do some light stretches. I'm going to take it a small step at a time. I wouldn't have done it, had I not responded to your message.

Glad I could help!

>>I think you, since you have an interest, you would enjoy watching and/or participating in an Aikido class. There is a site that lists dojos by location. Let me know if I can be of help.

It's really a cash and time issue, but that's a topic for another forum...

Rocketboy_X

 

Definitly look into the EBAY thing- I know soooo many people that have gotten really good deals off of there- another way might be to put an add in auto trader if you are still considering selling the whole thing- ( I would just get rid of the seats though) Good luck


Jeanna

 

I know a guy here in South Florida that changed both seats in his car. It looks sharpe and he did it himself. So it can be done without a problem. He also used the factory brackets.

 

>>I know a guy here in South Florida that changed both seats in his car. It looks sharpe and he did it himself. So it can be done without a problem. He also used the factory brackets

(((Thx! Do you know where/how he ordered them? Is there a website for the company. Did he install them himself or was there a company that did it for him --if so, I can call them.)))

Thx,
Steve

 

>>Rocketboy X,
>>
>>Thanks for your support and helpful suggestions. >>
>>It helped me to write out my intent to get back to Aikido. I was surprised to find that after I wrote the email, I felt more ready to go back than I had thought. This afternoon, I went back to the mat to do some light stretches. I'm going to take it a small step at a time. I wouldn't have done it, had I not responded to your message.

(((update: and now I've been to three classes; taking it slow; there really is nothing like it, nothing! Thx for your encouragement!!))

Steve

 

>>(((update: and now I've been to three classes; taking it slow; there really is nothing like it, nothing! Thx for your encouragement!!))
>>


See.. there you go again, putting me in a better mood...

To think, 'lil old me can actually have a positive impact on someone... shocking...

Rocketboy_X