I just noiced that the the leatherette on the my seat is starting to tear! It's tearing on the door side edge of the seat bottom near the seatback hinge. Looks like a poorly designed stress point to me. Anybody else dealing with this problem? :???:

 

Went and looked at mine - no wear and tear yet. It could be a seat that was not made right and not all seats that were made.

 

>>I just noiced that the the leatherette on the my seat is starting to tear! It's tearing on the door side edge of the seat bottom near the seatback hinge. Looks like a poorly designed stress point to me. Anybody else dealing with this problem? :???:

Take it to the dealer it is most likely covered by the warranty. I had the same problem on a Dodge Avenger, It took some time but they did change out the drivers seat.

 

Johnna: I would be fascinated to see a pic of the tearing, can you post one? Is there anything more to the story; i.e. abusive ingress/egress patterns, rodents chewing? or anything weird that would possibly explain it other than manufacturing defect? I think almost regardless it should be covered under warranty!

 

A little more info and a pic (if it works).

It is a leatherette sport seat with about 12,000 miles on it since July. I am about 6' 190 lbs. and I don't think I've been abusing the seat in any way - no bounding in and out of the car. The leatherette is tearing at the point where it is bound between two hard plastic pieces of the seat frame.





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Pepper: 2002 MC Chili Red/White with Sport package

 

Johnna: that's a mean looking tear indeed! I wish you the best getting a replacement, keep us posted definitely. I'm very worried if this is a materials issue (just the leatherette) or if all the seats will do this over time. The MCS I have on order has leatherette, just wondering if anyone else has this issue or if this is a fluke deal, albiet unfortunate.

 

Anybody else have this problem?

 

That's a new one to me! I've never seen that before on leatherette. I saw the seam of a Kaleido Cloth seat of a base Cooper split partially one time. I guess there's a first time for everything.That's covered under the warranty. Your MINI dealer would have to order another seat cover.



rex@keeler.com

 

John,
Looks like the work of the dreaded Niwot Naugahyde Nibbler. The best remedy is to disguise your MINI to look like an Aztek or park it overnight in Hygiene.
Ken(smini)
Good Luck w/ Warranty claim.

 

There are other posts about this subject, but if I remember most of them report seam seperation and not actual tears. Take it in and make'em replace it.

 

That is definetely a separation of the leatherette material not a tear. Take it back to the dealer, this is indeed an upholstery repair covered under warranty.

I have the standard black leatherette seats and have had no problems with them. So far very impressed and pleased with the material quality. We have almost 3,500 miles on our August 2002 build Cooper CVT.

 

Johanna: It also looks like the material was cut too short around that area of the seat seam. It is a defect in workmanship. Take it back to the dealer and have them order a new seat cover for you.

 

Resolution. The leatherette seat cover is being replaced today :smile: . I still don't know how or why it happened but if nobody else has had a problem with it, I'll assume it's a fluke problem.