I just got my Mini S Yesterday ( Dark Silver with black and Nav).. I love the car but after a few hours of driving, my back is killing me. I have never had any back problems and believe it or not my wife is a Chiropractor.

The Lumbar is sticking out way to much. There is no way to adjust this on the Leatherette seats.. I really need a fix.. I can't drive the car...

HELP !!

Thanks

email me please if you have a fix
craig@shumer.com

 

>>I just got my Mini S Yesterday ( Dark Silver with black and Nav).. I love the car but after a few hours of driving, my back is killing me. I have never had any back problems and believe it or not my wife is a Chiropractor.

Uh, first, speak to your wife. Aftermarket seats are available.

 

I personally do not like the sport seats. I have tried every adjustment possible.

The lumbar is not in the right place nor can you adjust the bottom cushion angle separate from the height adjustment.

I think the problem is more evident to people with back problems (like myself). Others I have talked to like the seats but all are in agreement that it is difficult to find the "right" spot for perfect comfort.

Mess around with it a while you might get lucky!

As for me new after market seats will be a must.

 

>>I just got my Mini S Yesterday ( Dark Silver with black and Nav).. I love the car but after a few hours of driving, my back is killing me. I have never had any back problems and believe it or not my wife is a Chiropractor.
>>
>>The Lumbar is sticking out way to much. There is no way to adjust this on the Leatherette seats.. I really need a fix.. I can't drive the car...
>>
>>HELP !!
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>email me please if you have a fix
>>craig@shumer.com


Hey there, I had the same problem. I have the sport seats and they were killing me. You know what though, they don't anymore, I got used to them after about a week or so. In fact they seem to help my back. I go to a chiropractor about once a month - maybe you should try them right after an adjustment. Maybe they're right and our backs were wrong!

Hope this helps,

Lee

 

>>I personally do not like the sport seats. I have tried every adjustment possible.
>>
>>The lumbar is not in the right place nor can you adjust the bottom cushion angle separate from the height adjustment.
>>
>>I think the problem is more evident to people with back problems (like myself). Others I have talked to like the seats but all are in agreement that it is difficult to find the "right" spot for perfect comfort.
>>
>>Mess around with it a while you might get lucky!
>>
>>As for me new after market seats will be a must.

Hey ficcion, now you've got me worried. I've got two herniated disks in my lower back from playing way to hard (but that's another story). I THOUGHT the leather sport seats were comfortable during my two relatively short (test) drives that I've taken thus far. Usually for me it's the lack of substantial lumbar support that I find to be the killer during a long time in the seated position.

Are there back issues that people have found with the leather sport seat? I thought they were supposed to have a decent lumbar adjustment.

Good luck to craig and all. I'd love to hear any solutions people come up with.

 

It is your back that is the problem.
Not the car or the seat

Take up Yoga and I bet it will solve the problem.
I did and I know longer have back pain of any kind.
No mirganes either.

Plus it is another place to drive the Mini!
Lincoln's are nice cars if you have a bad back.

Bill

 

>>>>I think the problem is more evident to people with back problems (like myself). Others I have talked to like the seats but all are in agreement that it is difficult to find the "right" spot for perfect comfort.
>>Hey ficcion, now you've got me worried. I've got two herniated disks in my lower back from playing way to hard (but that's another story). I THOUGHT the leather sport seats were comfortable during my two relatively short (test) drives that I've taken thus far. Usually for me it's the lack of substantial lumbar support that I find to be the killer during a long time in the seated position.
>>
>>Are there back issues that people have found with the leather sport seat? I thought they were supposed to have a decent lumbar adjustment.

I've got the sport seats. I've got a weak back.....I got it about a week back :smile: . Back is now fine.
The runflats are nice but tough on a weak back...

 

>>Lincoln's are nice cars if you have a bad back.
>>
>>Bill

That's it!! Get the vintage with the big old bench seat and just stretch out when necessary!

 

>>I've got the sport seats. I've got a weak back.....I got it about a week back :smile: . Back is now fine.
>>The runflats are nice but tough on a weak back...

Did you go 15" or 16" wheels?? BTW, my back is stronger now than a year ago (lots o' rehab), but the disks are still an issue...sigh

 

>>Did you go 15" or 16" wheels?? BTW, my back is stronger now than a year ago (lots o' rehab), but the disks are still an issue...sigh

I have 17s. Another piece of advice for backs. Whenever I go to the gym I hang around. Literally. I find a bar and just hang for as long as I can with hands on the bar, 3 sets. I started doing this because of my back and when I realized I am 'shrinking.'
I am 53 and am about 1/2" shorter than I was when I was nineteen. I honestly think it helps...

 

>>I have the sport seats and they were killing me.

I have the standard seats and I find them to be uncomfortable. I'd love to have the mini sport seats if anyone in denver decides to upgrade to sparcos! :smile:

 

2Minis, I'm 52 and also have shrunk about a 1/2 inch. But it seems to be settling around my waist. Think if I hang upside down it will redistribute back to more height??

I got the sports seats in my 2003 MC and (IMO) the MINI sports seats are more comfortable than my wifes Lexus ES300. We've had the ES for almost a year and I've yet to find the right position.

 

I have sports seat and I love them. I have my seat almost upright. If you have the seat leaning back it may make you slouch and cause a pain in your back. Maybe just get a bicycle. I must get some of those mirganes! Do they come in yellow? :evil: No really, I'm sorry about your bad back.

_________________
LTL YELO, 17'' x 8'' Alessios with Yokohamas --Wiiide!

 

>>2Minis, I'm 52 and also have shrunk about a 1/2 inch. But it seems to be settling around my waist. Think if I hang upside down it will redistribute back to more height??
>>
>>I got the sports seats in my 2003 MC and (IMO) the MINI sports seats are more comfortable than my wifes Lexus ES300. We've had the ES for almost a year and I've yet to find the right position.

They showed the right position yesterday. Oh, but that was in a MINI.

 

The nice thing about the leather seats is that you can adjust the lumbar. I really like that. However, I do know the lumbar is not in the right spot for some people (my sister for one).

 

>They showed the right position yesterday. Oh, but that was in a MINI.
>>


Is there a RIGHT positition!?!? LOL In a MINI, maybe there is! And, I intend to find it!

OH, my MINI is at the distribution center. I can't wait!!

Barb

 

I too had back pains after my first week of MCS ownership! But now it is all gone. Because of the new seating position your back muscles need to adjust to the change. Hang in there it will get better.

 

>>>>Did you go 15" or 16" wheels?? BTW, my back is stronger now than a year ago (lots o' rehab), but the disks are still an issue...sigh
>>
>>I have 17s. Another piece of advice for backs. Whenever I go to the gym I hang around. Literally. I find a bar and just hang for as long as I can with hands on the bar, 3 sets. I started doing this because of my back and when I realized I am 'shrinking.'
>>I am 53 and am about 1/2" shorter than I was when I was nineteen. I honestly think it helps...
>>

2minis, I'm with ya! I've got an inversion board (hook your feet in and flip upside-down). Works great for stretching out! Combined with exercise and things are improving daily. I don't think I'll never be doing any hardcore windsurfing again, but I'm getting back to grinding on my bikes (the kind you pedal) again.

So if you aren't using the run flats any longer, what tires are you using and what'd you do with the spare? I know it's not a full size!

 

The seats have been my one complaint in an otherwise perfect car. While it is difficult to make a perfect car seat (our backs complain because our bodies are not designed to sit with our knees higher than our hips for hours on end, while our arms are suspended out in front of us and our head is pushed forward. There is no naturally occuring movement even remotely like this outside of a car (and desk/computer work)-- gee ya wonder if this is why the US has one of the highest incidents of back problems-- it's not our backs, they are honestly saying driving and sitting are tough on us. So while no seat is perfect some are better than others.

I have the standard leatherette and I think they are very uncomfortable. Several passengers have commented that BMW did a terrible job with the seats. I think the sports seat is better designed, and I have found the fabric seats are by far the most comfortable, with the panther leather the second.

In the standard leatherette, the lumbar is set way too far out digging into the middle of your back, the cushion is too short for thigh support, and the top of the seat is is shaped in a shell so it pushes your shoulders forward. I spoke with the dealer, with miniusa, and the regional rep about possible solutions. Aftermarket seats void the warrenty, in particular the air bags-- with a car so small I don't want to interfere with the safety features, or potentially be personally liable in the event of an accident. The cost of switching out seats is prohibitive (estimated 6K) per mini, because each of the seats have different runners and supports from the frame up, and must be rebuilt from the frame up, and then the computer must be completely reprogrammed. I have decided to drive mine for a couple of more months and if it doesn't break in, then i'm selling mine and ordering a 2003 with the fabric sports seats (and the HK to boot).

I wish mini had some suggestions and possible options for the seat problems. I drove a VW beetle today-- the seats were excellent. Now for some ideas on how to make the mini a little more comfortable. There was a previous thread on seats where someone described the steps to setting the seat the way BMW intended-- I have used this to find a base setting and then fine tuned from there. I told it to miniusa, and they said they would have it available if you ask when you call. Another help has been a self inflating lumbar support from Relax The Back-- I can vary the amount of support and the location as my back muscles tire. Also on the good side, I have found the seats become a little more comfortable over time. I have used conditioner, keep the seat heaters on, and have several friends who are much bigger framed than I am who have helped me break in the seats. After 10 weeks and over 5k miles, it is a little better.

Hope some of these ideas help!!

Steve

 

It may be a height thing, I am 5'6" and I could sit in the sport seats forever, then again I had a rabbit GTI, and those seats ruined my spine.

 

>>It may be a height thing, I am 5'6" and I could sit in the sport seats forever, then again I had a rabbit GTI, and those seats ruined my spine.

I think you're right. Height is an issue. My understanding is that most car seats are designed for the "average" body, which as a friend of mine who is a physical therapist said, is 5'6" for most seats. I'm 5' 9" and about 130 lbs, and I find seat backs a little short for my torso, and that I sink too deep in the middle of the seat which over time compresses my hips against my tailbone.
I'm glad you have found the right seat for you in the sports seat. I may order them. I also found no problem sitting in them, and didn't even adjust them on three test drives.

 

I have the fabric sport seats (space cloth)and find them comfortable but it is true that the lower part of the seat should be adjustable in some way for a car of that price. I beleive that BMW seats, even on entry level models are much better and the price should not matter.

I'm 52, last week I drove the car for 5 hours the same day with no problem, I must admit that I drive with the back part more upright that I would like but it helps a lot on the long run because the lower part does not have enough slope backwards.(sorry for the wording, i'm french)

Try to drive with the backrest more upward, I guess you will find an improvement in comfort within a few days

I hope it helps

 

Perhaps you should trade it for a Jag.

Of course I'm sure your wife has told you, depending on where the injury is on your torso, how severe it is, your sitting position in the vehicle, your physical stature, your physical state of conditioning, the angle of the steering wheel, the seat distance away from the wheel and pedals etc. those conditions most likely have a pronounced effect on you rather than the car seat lumbar support.

I have two herniated discs [L4 and L5] since Vietnam and I crossed path's and the support according to MY Chiropractor is just in the right spot for me, and at the right projection from the seat, but as I say, thats me.

His take on the seating is that for most folks, it wouldn't do them any harm, or exasserbate a current condition.

Anyway, I hope you find a cure for the seating issue. It would be extremely unfortunate if you had to go to aftermarket seats, they're pretty spendy. But at least that way you could continue to Motor On.

LBC1

 

Thanks for all the feedback..

The most important thing to note here is that I have Zero Back problems thank god and I hope to stay that way. The seats in this Mini are making me suffer and I mean actually suffer. I have pain in the area of my back that the Lumbar is sticking into. I am 6' tall and yes maybe shorter people suffer less, but everyone who has driven it complains.

The other thing to note is that I have four cars currently including a Benz, Acura MDX and a Nissan truck and I can drive all of them with no back pain.

This car is so much fun and to have a problem like this is very upsetting. I am going to call them tomorrow and file a formal complaint. They have to fix this or for sure they are going to lose alot of customers quickly. It's easy for the word to get out with web sites like this..

It seems to me that they should be able to remove or add foam it the lumbar region to fix this. If I can get enough people together to lodge this complaint, I am sure they will fix this quickly.

Thanks guys
Craig

 

Craig,
Count me in.
Steve