Found this bulge on the bottom cushion by the door of the passenger seat a few days after I got my car and it has not gone away in the first month. I have MC with sport seats in leatherette. I live a 4 hour drive from the dealer so can not go and look at other cars to see if it is normal. Anyone else have experience with something like this?

 

I have the exact same bulge. Same location, everything. I noticed it a few days after I took delivery. It doesn't bother me much. Maybe I'll bring it up when I take it in for the service.

 

Same with our MCS. I had always assumed that it's the heating element for the heaters.....

 

Heated seats or airbag were my guesses. Anyone get rid of it with the dealer?

 

I had a similar "bump" under the fabric on the inside bolster of my seatback. (Space grey fabric interior.) I showed it to my SA when I took the car in for its first checkup. He said he'd never seen that before, but they took the seat out, reached in from the bottom, and removed a stray piece of foam from in there. Now it's good as - no, wait a minute - better than new.

I would definitely get it fixed. Otherwise, that spot is going to wear extra fast and your fabric/leather/leatherette is going to look really crappy in a short time.

Edit: FWIW, I have an '05 with sport seats, and they are NOT heated.

 

This is a known problem with recent cars. It is caused by a non-removable wrinkle in the seat pressure sensor that tells the car whether someone is sitting there. My August `05 build has the same issue.

Rasmussen Mini replaced my seat cushion twice before conceding that they couldn't fix it without factory assistance, and they have escalated this to the Mini factory rep. This was four months ago on mine, and they know it is a warrantee issue that has to be fixed.

I'm not sure whether they have permanent fix yet, but you could contact Ann Fry, SA at Rasmussen in Portland, to see if there is a fix available yet. She is annf@rasmussenmini.com

 

Same with Monty.

 

I dont have the bump, but on the drivers side the leather is wearing BAD. Its down towards were the small (Sp.) of your back is. I have a 03 with 24000 miles. Anybody else have this problem? If I take it to the dealer, I know they will say is a wear item and not covered under warranty.

 

I don't have this -- but then again, I have an '03, so apparently I wouldn't. I do think it's funny, though, that you expected it to go away after a week

GOod luck getting it taken care of!

 

I have the same bulge... I'm thinking I'll bring it up at my first service. hopefully it's something they find a fix for.

 

I had a seat bulge but I lost 50 pounds and it went away.

 

Please do update this thread if you get a factory or dealer fix as it will be about 8,700 miles till I'm at the dealership again.

OmToast, I didn't expect it to go away in a week, just noted that it was still around after the first month, nor moved.

 

Is it the air bag butt sensor?

 

Yes - the airbag sensor is the culprit - it is a flat plastic piece that is placed around the edge of the bolsters, where it has to wrinkle to fit the dished-in bolsters. Just simple bad engineering.

I spoke to Rasmussen today - no fix yet, and we'll probably have to wait for MINI's supplier to redesign and manufacture the modified sensor before the problem can really be corrected.

 

As if I needed another reason to hate that stupid airbag sensor... I have the same bulge in my leatherette passenger seat, and it WILL be fixed at 10k miles, I don't care if they have to replace the seat.

 

In today for the same issue, two bumps in the seat and also some sagging vinyl....

I will keep in touch....

 

Maybe your Mini's just happy to see you......
Hey big guy is that an airbag sensor in your seat or are you just happy to see me

 

Well, I didn't find a lump in the front seat, but a rear passenger complained of something sharp sticking them, and pulled out a sewing needle from the seam of the leather seat! Guess they're sewn by hand...

 

is that the mushroom effect everyone's talking about?

 

Has anyone gotten their seat fixed by the dealership. Did the bulge come back? I am really annoyed by this, but if they replace it with the same piece, I am sure it will come right back.

 

I just picked up 06 MC with sports package. The driver's side seat (and to a lesser extent the front passenger seat) is uncomfortable for me to sit in because of a rigid , metal? object that presses against my right thigh through seat cushion (the outside portion that wraps slightly upward). Does this sound familiar?

Does anyone have a suggested fix?

 

 

I have to admit....I have the same bulge as well in my sport seats. Have not said anything as of yet but probably will the next time I am downtown Portland during the week. So far I have not been too concerned with it but its good to know that Rasmussen is already aware that there is definately a problem

 

OldRickYes - the airbag sensor is the culprit - it is a flat plastic piece that is placed around the edge of the bolsters, where it has to wrinkle to fit the dished-in bolsters. Just simple bad engineering.

I spoke to Rasmussen today - no fix yet, and we'll probably have to wait for MINI's supplier to redesign and manufacture the modified sensor before the problem can really be corrected.

Same problem here. I asked the salesman about it when taking delivery of the car. He told me it was the airbag sensor. Hadn't really thought about it much since then. Ridden in the passenger seat a couple times and didn't feel any discomfort. After reading the post, I am a bit concerned about the sensor prematurely wearing through the seat cover. Please keep everyone informed if Mini plans addressing the problem.

 

I wonder if this will be a problem with the Parklane English Panther Stitched seats? They are a different shape and feel than the sport seats, but my mini is on order so I can't go out an "look" yet.