I recall listening to that podcast now, and you're right, it would explain why no Recaros for the convertible. On the other hand it means developing a separate Recaro airbag module for only the Coupé/Roadster, and that's a problem with numbers to justify it as well.

I just don't buy the reasoning about shortage of parts. I think there must be a technical reason. It is not unusual for MINI to announce an option but also state that it won't be available until a certain date (months in advance). They could have told buyers that they could change their order or wait. It is extreme to completely cancel the option and tell buyers that they must choose a different seat.

 

Johnf36

Thank you for getting the full statement on this.

I was truly shocked when my MA said I had to choose another Seat.

To me, the Recaros were the perfect addition to the coupe. I would say though I am glad this occurred before production and not after the car reached the dealer! I wonder if they will leave the ones that exist alone or will they change them out?

Hopefully now my car can go to production.

 

Lil Maky, BTW: nice choice of coupes, your lucky because I guess the silver challenge spokes are also getting limited.

No problem, I am glad you let us know what was going on. It still seems to be some confusion with some dealers as the computer is still letting them order the option. They are looking in to getting me a reason why this is going on.

 

We ordered the coupe with the jcw package on 2/29. I am hoping that we get to see the challenge wheels. not sure we made the cutoff. I thought for sure my MA was going to say we needed to change wheels not seats. If we end up having to choose other wheels. I think we may need to reconsider the whole order

 

If they do maybe they would sub the black ones?

 

Why would they need to change them out?

It sounds like a supply issue. My JCW Roadster has the Recaro seats and I sure will not let them change mine out. I hate minis standard seats because they are too short.

 

Hello All,

I just got off the phone with my MA, regarding the delay in getting my JCW Roadster into production. I had ordered the Recaros. He told me the delay was indeed related to the Recaros. They are put on an indefinite hold. The reason supplied from Mini was there is a safety issue with the seatbelt and the Recaro seat. He could not tell me if the cars already built will be recalled or retrofitted. They have a couple of cars at the dealer with Recaros, and confused as to what is the outcome. He offered to hold my order and see if the Recaros do become available at a later date, which could happen. I opted to move on and go with Toffee Lounge Leather. Hope this sheds a little more light on the issue.

-Steven

 

Thanks BlueToy,

Appreciate the info.

My JCW Roadster with Recaros should be here in a couple of weeks, I'll have to ask the dealer how they intend to handle the seat belt issue before I drive it home. I live 330 miles from the dealer.

 

No problem. I know you are awaiting delivery of yours. Lean on your MA to get some info on what happens to the Recaro equipped cars. I really hope it will be some sort of retro fit and you will be one of those "rare" first builds with the awesome seats. I'm still a little put out after actually sampling the Recaros and fitting so well in them...oh well.

-Steven

 

Thanks Steven for the up date. But you might ask your MA if it's a safety issue the why just the coupe and the roadster and no other models?

John

 

John-

He said it was some sort of safety issue regarding the way the seatbelt works with the Recaro seats. That was relayed to him from his GM who had spoken with the Mini rep. I'm thinking that perhaps it might have something to do with attachment points that are specific to the Coupe and Roadster. This is purely my speculation though. What I would like to see is something official come from Mini. Those who have Recaro equipped cars are left in a bit of confusion about it all. That is not right. Maybe we will have more info soon on motoringfile.

-Steven

 

Okay Thanks Steven, that could make since because the belt retainer/ loop looks attached to the seat and the other seats do not have that. Now if the shoulder attchment point has changed and the loop does not break away there could possible be an issue going on. Dang first seat you don't have to chase the belt and they take it away.

I wonder how they will solve this with current owners.

John

 

I think you are right John, I did notice that on the Recaros. I thought the same about having the seatbelt moved up in easy reach. By the way, do you work at a Mini dealership?

-Steven

 

Nope I don't work at or for Mini, LOLOLOL, why do you asked.

 

Yeah, after examining several photos it appears that the difference is that for a Roadster and Coupe the shoulder strap comes out of the retainer in the side pillar and up through a loop attached near the headrest. My guess is that this elevated position disables the auto lock mechanism.

Normally if a vehicle hits a bump or jolts suddenly the seat belt retainer locks. But if the belt is held up above the retainer, by the higher shouldered recaros and retaining loop it might be interfering with the retainers ability to lock. The normal seats have lower shoulders and the shoulder strap comes down from the side belt retainer to the lap.

With all other Minis the shoulder belt retainer is higher up in the side pillar and comes down from the shoulder strap retainer to the shoulder position, so the higher shouldered Recaros are not a problem.

 

I need to send my Wife to the dealer to test this idea, if there is anyone that can get a shoulder strap to lock when you don't want it locked my Wife has this down to a science in any car.

John

 

That happened to me. I ordered the JCW package with the Challenge wheels on 2/27. They said that day that the wheels were on hold. Only actual JCWs were allowed to add them. They wouldn't let me do the black Challenge. It made me rethink my build and I ended up dropping the whole JCW package and going with the Sport package. I tried the Web Spoke wheels and those were out too. Ended up with the Conical Spoke and I'll probably get rid of those and go aftermarket.

I'm still a little torn since I love the JCW side skirts and front bumper and the Challenge wheels. However I was able to do the Sport package, add Auto AC and still have a lower total build cost than before. Plus I prefer the non JCW rear bumper.

It's a little annoying but I'm still going to love it when it comes in. I'm extremely excited. Another 3-4 weeks I think...

 

Sorensilk you didn't want to add the aero/ JCW body kit?

 

Not for the cost. It's a great deal as part of the JCW package, especially with the Challenge wheels (only $2k for all that and the JCW interior pieces). But I didn't want to pay for the Aero kit separate ($2111), plus have it painted (+$) and installed(++$).

I like it but not quite enough to pay all that.

 

You should have to have it painted it's a factory option now.

 

As mentioned elsewhere, Lil Maky made it to Status 150 yesterday with no further changes. So it looks like the JCW Pkg with the Silver Challenge Wheels will be on the car. We are jazzed! Now I can spend the next 6 weeks tracking it!

 

Cool that is great

 

Here is a good picture from RECARO they are showing the seats for the Coupe and Roadster http://www.recaro-automotive.com/us/...dster-r59.html

 

So, MotoringFile has a short article on the Recaro seat delay. http://www.motoringfile.com/ It looks like good news in that they will redesign the pivot point to alleviate a wear issue. That sounds like an easy update/retrofit to the seats that have already been shipped. Yeah

-Steven

 

Sounds like we were close to what the problem was about. Should be an easy fix, I wonder if it will mean new seats or seat backs?