Greetings, I made the mistake of test driving a Mini a few days ago and now I can't get interested in any other car. Before I order one, I'm trying to decide on seats. Are the base units OK or is it worth it to get the sport seats? How's the leatherette as opposed to the real thing? I'm sure my wife is going to insist on the heated seat options, so does that limit some choices? Appreciate any advice or recommendations you might have. And yes, money is a factor, if this thing doesn't kill our budget, it will at least put it in traction.

 

This has been discussed here lots of times before - do a search and you'll find many many opinions.

Want mine? Best combination: Base seats, leatherette, with the seat heaters.

The base seats are very comfy, don't need the "Sport" option. Leatherette is very nice, not at all like the crappy and cheap feeling vinyl of years gone by. You can live with the leatherette perfectly well, no need for leather or cloth (unless you want it, of course). Plus, the leatherette is darn near indestructible, in my experience (just over 1 year, and I'm a dog owner).

The clincher for me was the fact that the base leatherette seats were a no-cost standard feature. Add the heaters (necessary if you have cold winter weather, IMHO) and you're good to go.

I've never once wished I had any other upholstery option in the year I've driven my MINI.


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I spent ten minutes jumping in and out of cars in the showroom to decide whether the extra for the cloth sports seats was worth it - and decided it was, just. However I will warn you that the cloth sports seat has not just got the adjustable lumbar support missing - it doesn't have anything there instead, so there is a serious lack of lumbar support that gives me and others backache.

All sports seats with leather have the adjustable lumbar support but I can't comment on the leatherette - leatherettes are a protected species here in England and so no-one has them plastered over their seats. Indeed little old ladies knit rag dolls of leatherette-shooters and stick voodoo pins in them - which explains some more back pain, eh?

However the good news on the sports seats is that I spent yesterday retro-fitting the adjustable lumbar support and it's an easy, cheap and quick mod, so if the lack of lumbar support caused a problem, there is a cure. I am in the process of writing up a "How to..." on the lumbar support and will post it here in the next week or two - by which time I should know if my back thinks the lumbar support is a good mod.

Andrew

 

what are you using to retrofit the adjustable lumbar support?

 

My favorite is heated sport seats with the cloth/leather combo!

 

There was NO cost difference between Letherette and Cloth seats when i ordered my mini with the sports package. I like the sport seats as they hold you in the seat better. I am not a big guy and the sport seats hold me like a custom fitted seat.

I also got the cloth seats as i ordered a set of wet okole seat covers. They are 1/2" thick neoprene and i like the extra comfort and durability i get from them, not to mention the extra styling and color selections.

I hope this assists you in your choice making?

 

Just the parts ('spring mat' and handwheel) on the parts diagram for a sports seat with lumbar support - just $65 of parts per seat over here (England) but $105 for you guys, according to realoem.com. And no upholstery skills required - nothing more than the use of a screwdriver.

Andrew

 

Andrew:

It would be great if you could provide a "Noob Guide" for your DIY project installing the lumbar supports! (or help me find the proper thread if it's already been done) You've really got my attention with this retro-fit! I would love the lumbar support!

BTW, I have an 08 Clubman S with the cloth seats.

Rich

 

I'm writing it right now - fitting the parts took me an hour longer than it should have, as not only was I taking photos for the "How to...", but I had to clean the kitchen floor before I could use it as my 'photo studio'.....

Andrew

 

My favorite seats are the leather/cloth sport seats. Heated of course. I would have gotten them if they were available in all black, which they are not.

 

Thanks, the Wet Okole covers look great, the perfect way to islandize the Mini! (We lived in Hawaii for a few years). They don't seem to discriminate between sport and base seats, I can't imagine the same cover would fit both. Am I wrong?

And does the mini have two power oultets to accomdodate two of Okole's heaters? Angib's lumbar mod sounds awesome. Thanks all for the input!

 

You can always tap off the wires that go to the back for that purpose, but i would get that from the factory, factory heated seats.

I think its one cover fits all, but you will still get the conforms from the seat below. I'll let you know in a few weeks when the covers come in.

 

LOVE my Wet Okole's; the material has a HUGE amount of stretch in it, look in my Gallery to see where I added four inches additional Memory Foam for comfort.

No doubt that they are 'cut to fit' the MINI, as they came with bound cutouts to accomodate the Air Bags, Head Rests and Seat Back Release Levers.

I did order the Wet Okole's Lumbar Supports but since my Standard Leatherette seats already had a lot of 'fixed' lumbar support, I have only used the 'extra' support a few times.

 

I think the sports seats are well worth getting. They seem alright if you've never tried the sports seats, but after getting the second MINI with sports seats, the plain ones just felt flat and benchlike.

Leather seats are worth getting for the lumbar adjustment, if it weren't for that, I'd be quite happy with the cloth seats. The Cloth/leather seats are slightly wider than the cloth seats so fit my rear end better. We got the cloth/leather on the latest 2 MINIs are are very happy with them.

 

I like the idea of the Memory Foam but 4" would put my head right up against the roof....wouldn't it? My seating position now, with the standard "leatherette" sports seats, is 3 pulls up from the bottom position.

As far as the seat options are concerned, whether or not they are comfortable has a lot to do with the drivers "individual" ergonomics/size. The bolsters on the standard leatherette sport seats are too confining my tastes...but they are standard equipment on the MCS.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^The point of the Memory Foam is that you just sink down into it, I doubt that the 4" adds more than an inch to your seated height.

A caution for cold climate, I have noticed on my aircraft seat that it takes a few minutes to 'sink' after a cold night's storage.

The ancient Oldsmobile and Chrysler in my Gallery (as well as 11 years of Memory Foam in my Pilot Seat) had spoiled me for any 'modern' auto seating, so I just modified my MINI to suit my seating desire.

 

i also have cloth sport seats and would love lumbar support! please post the link here once you're done with the how to thank you in advance!

 

+1

 

If you get a moment can you post the part numbers you used? I see some part numbers on Realoem but I want to verify before ordering. TIA

 

there is no right answer.

what's important to you is the question.

for me full black solid leather on the sport seats is a must have. I love the way they feel. Many would argue that cloth is way better for keeping you put in the seat and not sliding around ...especially if you autocross your car.

 

+2

 

+3!

 

Lounge Leather is the only way to go! Once you sit in the real thing, nothing else will do.

 

I struggled with whether or not to get the lounge leather until I sat in a car with the redwood lounge. The color was nice, but the leather itself was definitely not worth 2k...no offense to anyone who has it.

The leather seems similar to the 3 series in that it's of lower grade and is quite a bit stiffer than some other manufacturers use. I wonder why since the R53 leather was very supple.

I ended up going with cloth and after I get the lumbar I'll be 100% content with my choice :D

 

Life is short got to love the leather... I have the Redwood Lounge. I like the look and the feel.