Hi Guys:

Took delivery of 08 MCS about a month ago, and have only just recently noticed some puckering on the passenger side seat, about halfway up on the side (facing in to the seat). It looks as if the manufacturer didn't pull all the material taut, so it's got a semi-fold/ridge to it.

My husband has been the only passenger, and here in CA we've had some warmer weather already. (i.e. can warm sweat pucker leatherette? - seriously!) I don't recall seeing the puckering/ridging when I took delivery of the car (but I may just have not noticed in my excitement).

Now every time I glance happily around my car, I notice it and it bugs me - it looks like the seat is worn and aged, when it's pretty much brand new (still under 1200 miles).

Thoughts? Why'd it happen? Fixes? Or, is it a case of "you're WAAAY too OCD, live with it, fool"?

 

My 06 MCS has the same passenger seat pucker you describe, same location. Non - heated seats. Its been there since new. The wife's 06 has heated seats, but no wrinkle. Not just an R56 issue. The OCD hasnt quite gotten bad enough yet to complain about it, but I notice it all the time.

 

bummer

 

pics please?

(I also have leatherette in my 3 week old Clubman S)

 

working on posting piccys right now...camera uploading etc etc.

 

Here are some piccys

 

And some more...

 

Same thing happened to Gordon, of MY/B R56. Noticed about a week after took delivery. Took it to My MA. He advised me we could try 3 things. Trying to pull the cover tighter. Replace the cushion and the cover, or lastly replace the whole seat. I advised him I really did not care as long as it looked good. They ended up replacing the cushion and the seat cover. Looks perfect now.

 

surlycat, if it is any consolation, mine is like that also. I picked mine up in late Jan of this year and it was like that from day one. I think it is fairly common and passes MINI's quality control. If you can't stand it, I'd take it to your dealer and ask them to fix it.

 

NOT acceptable IMO!! This is a Dealer must fix issue, again IMO. You've paid good $$ for your MINI...not to mention that WAIT!! I'm waiting on Molly now and would immediately make the dealer aware of an issue like this, or any others that may arise. My sanity is already in question!!

 

I have some of the same creases in my leatherette seats. Honestly, it doesn't bother me. But if it gets worse, I'll definitely have the dealer take care of it under warranty. Thank you for the detailed photos.

 

Sorry to hear I'm not the only one.

Hey sailorliz, what's an MA?

 

MA = Motoring Advisor SA = Service Advisor The leatherette seats in the first gen cars never had this problem because the entire seat, including the upper and lower bolsters were covered in the same material as the seating areas. It seems to me the areas that are sagging in the new seats are made of a cloth material, that looks nice, but may be more difficult to tension along with the true leatherette surfaces. I was watching a video of how the seats in the second gen MINI are made by their supplier and the manufacturing methods appear to be very strict. MINI even rejects seats that have small wrinkles and imperfections from ever reaching the assembly line. It seems to me this problem is happening after the seats are installed in the cars at the factory.

 

is a warranty reapair, no questions about it. the dealer needs to take care of it.

 

Anyone ideas as to how long repair would take? And, I just call up the dealer and say there's a fault with the cushion? They're not going to give me a "no-deal lady, you accepted the car and you've had it for a month now..." ??

 

Call the SA and let him know about the problem. Offer to send him some pics of the seats to better describe the problem.

If the dealer doesn't have the leatherette seat covers in stock, they would have to order them and that can take 1-3 weeks.

I don't see why the dealer will give you a hard time with this. That's what the warranty is for. In some instances the "Shop Foreman" inspects the seats and he will make the call as to whether this is a defect that warrants repair/replacement.

If the dealer is in close proximity, drive the car there, have the SA note the problem and if they agree to change the covers, then they can order them. Ask to find out how many days will the car spend in the service department once the new covers arrive. Also ask to see if you will be provided with a loaner vehicle for the time your MINI will be in for repairs.

Personally, if I were you, I would leave it alone and wait to see if it gets worse. You have 4 years left in your warranty. Would hate to take a brand new car for overnight repairs at the dealer. But if this bothers you a lot, then get it fixed by all means.

 

1 to 3 weeks??? if they are available at the warehouse it shouldn't take more than 3 days(not counting weekends) to get it. it will take about 1hr. to remove/replace the cover. at least thats about how much time i take...

good luck!

 

Thanks for the advice: NAM members rock!

 

True, but sometimes parts have to be ordered to Germany and takes longer. Hopefully not the case with her seat covers.

 

Hi all:

Took the 08 MCS in for
a) a break-in miles oil change - at my own expense
b) stress crack in the windshield
c) check out the puckered upholstery

The dealer is going to repair/replace the seat with the puckered upholstery, and the windshield. They gave me a loaner car while the windshield is being replaced (today), and have ordered the parts for the seat (approximately 2 weeks out).

Dealer was quick to take care of the problem under warranty, no hassles. All as it should be . I guess I'd heard such horror stories here about dealers etc. that I was fearing the worst.

So, hopefully soon all will be perfect with my MINI, but it's already had it's share of problems:

1. Door scratch upon delivery (body shop 8 days).
2. Puckered upholstery.
3. Cracked windshield.
4. The license plate holder "Let's Motor" bit me.

 

Thanks for the update surlycat...good to know that the seat was covered under warranty. Was it the driver's side or passenger's? Mine is the passenger's side, but I haven't bothered to take it in for replacement.

 

my firlfriends had the same issue but the crease was smaller they took the seat cover off and redid it and it looks pretty good now, all under warranty.