Changing the seats out will mean losing the side airbags integrated into the seatback, so I'm keeping my factory seats. However, I'd be really interested if someone comes up with a seat-mount mod. Volvos without electric seats, even from the early 1980s, have a very simple, single-lever adjustment mechanism that lets you adjust the front and back of the seat bottom separately.

Good luck. Please let us know if you come up with anything.

 

You should be able to put spacers under the front part of the seat rails (where they bolt to the floor) allowing you to raise the front of the seat and giving you back the thigh support you need. As stated before, raising the seat without this modification seems to mainly raise up the back and leaves the front down lower. This modification should tilt the seat backwards and give you the same positioning as with the seat adjusted down low without the mod.

 

I had extreme back pain with the stock seats in my last car, I ended up swapping out the stock seats in that car for APC racing seats (only 150 compared to the much more expensive recaros or sparcos, but I had to fabricate my own brackets) It took me 2-3 weeks to get used to the racing seat, and I learned to sit in not on the seat, I loved it and everbody else refused to drive my car cause it had too much support. I foiund the MINI to have the most comfortable seats at the Chicago Autoshow fours years in a row with the exception of the Lazyboy in the Jaguars, even still I find myself missing the racing seat.
In the short term you could look into the G-lock or a Scroth harness that force you body to stay upright and you back tight into the seat. And with a harness I wouldn't be worried about giving up seat airbags (personal opinion please spare me the flaming). Personally, as long as I am properly upright the MINI isn't so bad that I need an immediate replacement so I'm saving my $$ and then looking for a way to import the JCW Recaro racing seats (which depend upon model you still could get an airbag if you really wanted one just won't have a weight sensor) under the radar. Hope this helps, I doubt you'll find standard more comfortable than the S seats but I know with this pain it is worth a try, keep us updated!

 

BTW, the JCW sport seats are basically re-upholstered Sparcos (Milanos, I think) and these are not available with side air-bags. The Recaros are available with the side air-bags, but these are not the same design as the JCW ones. Neither are officially available in the US through authorized MINI dealers, but the Recaros are available directly from Recaro's US distributor.

 

I was ethier going to go the reupholstered Recaros or do these driect from JCM:
http://www.johncooper.co.uk/JohnCoop...and+Harnesses/
But alas I am a college student and still have ins. and payments to make so that is a ways down the road yet.

 

I believe the ideal seating position allows you to be able to rest your wrist on top of the steering wheel, with your arm fully stretched out. When I do that, I feel a tad closer to the dash than I'd like, so I compromise a bit. Finding the sweet spot as some have said isn't easy. THe only time I ever change my seat is when cleaning the interior. And then it's sometimes difficult to find the sweet spot again. I also find that I like the seat more upright than some, so my butt is back in the seat. While it's not overly relaxed, it's a good seated position to really feel what the car is doing underneath you. I also use the left foot rest as much as possible (when not using the clutch), and that helps keep you in a planted position.

I guess it takes a lot of trial and error to get it just right. Did for me. Wish the car had memory seats, just to be able to return to the perfect position.

 

I had lumbar support in my 99 jetta w/cloth seats. I noticed a huge difference at first: significant back pain on trips over an hour. But I seem to have gotten somewhat use to my MCS leatherettes.

But I'd still like to try the Wal*Mart solution.

Which department. Automotive or other ???

 

From reading the first post to now, I was thinking of suggesting a seat switch with an MC owner who has regular seats.

Take an MC with the standard seats for a test drive, for a few hours, if you have the time, and see what you think. They seem more padded, not bolstered and hard like the sports.

If you can switch, you both can get what you want, without loosing airbags and OEM style. Plus you can make a few bucks from your leather if you downgrade to leatherette (I can't even tell the difference, 'cept for leather stretch marks!) and get yourself a pulley or something.

I have uncomfortable back pain sometimes as well, and I can also suggest a new mattress. It really makes a difference, I mean, you spend almost half your life on one, it may as well be comfortable, right?

Good luck!

-Steve

 

FYI....none of the JCW "Motorsport" accessories are warrantied by MINI. Replacing your OEM seats for anything without the side air-bags could put you in a very sticky position with your insurance company if you ever have to claim for personal injury resulting from a side impact. You could, of course, tell them about this mod and reap the higher insurance premium, or you could keep quiet and hope for the best. I think the non-US spec MINI-authorized Recaros might be the better option (they won't be cheap though).

 

I recommend trying the opposite - move your seat further away so more of your weight is on your legs. With the seat farther forward, your knees come up and put pressure on your spine. I'm about 6' 1" and used to have the seat forward like a NASCAR driver. When I moved it back so my left leg was just slightly bent with the clutch in, everything got more comfortable. Move the wheel up some, too. Good luck.

 

So... Move the seat forward, then back, and move the wheel up then down again... You should be good now.

 

LOL - yeah, move it forward, back, up, down... how about sideways? Seriously, I really appreciate everyone's input here. Anything's worth a try, that's for sure. My dealer offered to let me come in & take a MC out for a couple hours to try the non-sport seats. Think I'll take him up on it. Sandtoast, I really like your idea of doing a trade with an MC owner who wants my seats. If the non-sports seem to do the trick, I'll look for someone in my area who might want to go to black leather heated sport. Thanks for the idea!

 

Hey folks, again, thanks so much for everyone's input. I just got back from a visit to my dealer, where I drove an MC for about an hour. The standard, non-sport seats do feel much more comfortable, oddly enough. I think it's just that my frame doesn't fit the sports too well. The dealer wasn't willing to trade seats, as he would have to trade all 4 - front and back, in order to have 4 matching seats in his car. Remember, I have leather, & the standard seats only come in leatherette. The other option was for me to order 2 leatherette standard seats at a price tag of around $3000! I think not! Besides, he did a search, and there are only 2 pairs of them in the country right now. Apparently there's not much demand to downgrade from sport to standard. So I'm pretty much on my own. For the time being, I think I'll just continue to try to adjust my body to the seat, and keep fiddling with the positioning. I may at some point try to locate an MC owner with standard seats who wants to trade, or I may look into having my seat modded by a trim shop. We'll see. KEEP ON MOTORING! -Bob

 

Have you considered the possibility that something is going on with your back that needs to be treated before you're ever going to feel comfortable in a Mini? Proper diagnosis and regular visits to the chiropractor and massage therapist have eliminated the same kind of issue for me at age 58.

 

I have two herniated discs in my neck and it doesn't take a lot to feel pain. Im 5'9, 155 lbs so I was floating so much in my mcs "captain chairs", my arms and neck where fighting G's so much that I had to do something!
So, here it is:




It's called Indy Seat Kits. It is usually used in racecars to fit multiple drivers in the same seat. Made of epoxy and styrofoam beads, it is covered in Nomex cloth. These inserts fit over original seats and airbags; they install and pop out in less than ten seconds. Since they're molded to me, they're comfortable and anchor me in my seat. And no more neck pain!

 

Not2Tall,

I'm 6'2" also and had to fiddle to find a comfortable spot. I have the standard sport seat with heat but without lumbar support. I find that, like some of the others, I use a more upright seating position (so that my wrist rest comfortably on top of the steering wheel) with the seat fairly far forward. I adjust the seat position so that I can get good support of my left leg with my foot it firmly planted on the dead pedal.

This position is much closer to the steering wheel than I would normally have selected. I have been on 5+ hour drives without any discomfort. Quite something for this 50+ year old back.

Good luck. I hope that you can find peace in your MINI

 

Those things look fantastic. Where do you get them. A link would be helpful.

 

Carbonized, the Indy seat looks real interesting, but at first glance, it looks like it further enhances the side bolstering, which is what I think is giving me trouble. And Herby74, yes, I've thought about some kind of back treatment. I've also thought that I probably could benefit from some form of exercise targeted at strengthening my lower back. As to the seat position you recommend, Bilbo-Baggins, (nice nick, by the way) that's almost where I am now. I'm having a bit of trouble getting used to being so far forward, but I'm working on that. By the way, my drive to the dealer and back today totaled about 4 hours, and my back is not nearly as sore as I expected. Of course, there were breaks, so that helped. But I'm optimistic. Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

NOT 2 TALL and Bilbo bagging

Guys I got my kit from work but a quick google search got me there:

ghttp://www.pegasusautoracing.com/gro...oupID=INDYSEAT

This things are not cheap as they have to meet impact and fire regulation but i realy wanted to keep my air bags and reclining.
The bottom part is as long as possible to support my legs as close to the knees as possible.It is tilted upward to prevent me from sliding forward under braking and the side bolsters as high as possible to keep my legs from banging the center console , lower on the door side so I can exit whithout tilting the steering. I kept a small bump between the legs so my knees dont bang each other.
The back rest has lots of kidney support (non existant in the OEM seat) but still keep the air bag area free on the left and "shifting elbow" room on the right , a tad more lombar, and shoulder pads and my upper body is totaly supported.Now I swear I don't sit in my mini, I wear it!!
This was my first attempt in a street car, over regular cushions, and just as in race car it takes quite a bit of work:shaping ,testing, shaping some more,testing again and again but you will get to that perfect position/fit that no other seat can offer . My inserts (2 pieces)covered with nomex, top the scale at 1.6 lb. I haven't eard a peep from my neck or back since I use this mod.I just whent to a trade show, 3.5 hr drive, all day on my feet, 3'5 hrs drive back, no problem. I could not have done it in the OEM seat without stopping and streching once or twice along the way and paying for it the morning after.

There is a cheaper way to do this with 2 parts poly-foam and garbage bags, but its tricky, messy, and risky for your interior.

 

Carbonized, thanks for the link. They don't give you much information, though. Do you basically just get a sack of beads, and you shape it yourself? Or does it come with a basic shape, which you then custom shape to fit your own body?

 

As a Indiana licensed Chiropractor, I concur 100% with what Herby74 said!

 

My last car I had a racing seat any time my back felt stiff just punched real good at a stop light, lined everything right up! Had a monthly to bi-monthly readjustment session.

 

Im gona try put it in words
Ok, what you get in the kit is:
-1 clear plastic bag with what looks like loose styrofoam beads inside and a valve like the one on 2gal water kegg at the super market.
-2 bottles of resin, 1 resin 1 hardener.
What you need on top of that:(most Home depot items)
-shop vac or vacuum pump.
-1 paper paint bucket
-1 mixing stick
-1 funnel
- some rags and cleaner (I use denatured alcohol) Just in case
- ax-saw blade, wood rasp, coarse sand paper, any thing to cut and shape,I even use a bread knife.
-finaly, a helper (chose well as some part of the process require very close contact ) Kidding aside, its is a lot easyer with one other person.

Now I like to use a larger kit than necessary, it's easyer to cut away than add on. Also I always do a dry run first to see where the material need to go or not, and train my helper.
Here we go, lay the bag down on a flat surface,(watch for sharp things) spraid the beads over the whole bag area, now connect the vac. to the bag's valve(you may have to come up with some reduction, see duct tape etc.. for help),
Open the valve and pull light vacuum,close valve andvac. off,The bag now should feel like a conforter. Lay bag over your mini's seat and start shaping roughly by shifting the beads from where you don't need them to where you need them. Now climb into the seat over the bag. Wiggle yourself into a confy position, now your helper gets into action as you should try to hold still, he/she will move/shift the beads around you, paying attention to the kidney area ,sholder pads, around the legs and the crotch (remenber me mentioning close contact? ) Avoid big folds in te bag by stretching it a bit, adjust vacuum level from time to time,keep trying to find the best posture, need more lombar? shift more bead under there then wiggle into it, now turn the vacuum up, you will feel the bag tightening around you ,if you like the shape the molding is done, gently get out of the car, note the areas with most bead and those with none so you can preshape it again later. by now you should be 15 to 20 minutes into it unless you have to much fun withyour helper ,turn off vac. disconect from valve, open valve and lay bag on flat surface, mix resin in paper buket (mix it very well),remove valve from bag and with you helper holding the funnel over the neck of the bag poor in the resin. Insert valve back and start mixing the resin and beads by massaging the bag (not the helper) When all beads are coated with resin(5 to10 minutes) repeat process as discribed above. After getting out of the car you can move the insert out delicatly under full vacuum, cure can take several hours.
After curing comes the tedious part, cut exess foam away sand, shape, sand again smooth, test in car, sand again.etc..:impatient .
What I do next is wrapp the insert with gaffer tape and drive it for a week , it took me 2 weeks and 3 rework to get it perfect, then cover the whole insert, backside included (Keep foam from rubbing the OEM seat) with fabric or leather of your choice!
Go enjoy your new confort on long motoring treks

 

I agree! I found my seats rather uncomfortable for awhile. I stil wish the steering wheel would telescope out. Then I wouldnt have to sit so straight up.

I was thinking about aftermarket racing seats, but somehow I dont think theyd be anymore comfortable...

I also find myself wishing there was one more notch in between two of the settings on the chair angle...

Good luck settling in, after awhile you will forget about the pain and enjoy the ride

 

Interesting thread - I, too, have lower back problems, and while the non-leather S seats aren't too bad, I took the advice I saw here and moved my seat a coulpe of notches farther forward.

I'm not sure it helped the back that much, but I now have a lot more precise control of the car when turning...