After trying (at last count) 52 separate seating settings I have come to the conclusion that the Mini seat is just not shaped the way that I am. The darn thing just makes my back hurt. And just to be clear, I have no back problems and I own three other cars that I can drive just fine, though they are not as fun...

I kept a notebook of different seating positions to see if I could find one that helped. After about three weeks of this it became pretty clear that it was the padding in the lower part of the seat that was at fault. So I have decided to have the lumbar support removed from the seat and I have found an auto seat place that will do it for me. They assure me that they will be able to remove the padding and sew the seat back up removing any excess material. It will be such a relief to get rid of that mountain of padding.

In the future if I need additional lumbar support I can always get a driving pad like the one my wife uses in her Subaru. I know that this may seem drastic to some, but I am very tired of having a sore back every time I drive the Mini for more than an hour. And like I said, this is the only car that I experience this discomfort in. We'll see how it goes!

 

David, which seats do you have? Keep us updated!

 

I have an MCS with whatever seats came with it. I didn't do any upgrades on the seats when I bought the car, they are the what, 6-way adjustable ones?

 

edit: I don't know what I'm talking about.

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<img src="http://my.athenet.net/~mtr/mini/minirowsm.jpg">
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04 Blk/Blk/Anthraccite MCS

 

>>If you've got the lumbar adjustment they are the sport seats. If not, they are standard seats.

Lumbar adjustment is only available on either Sport or Standard seats with leather upholstery.


My '04 MCS has Leatherette sports seats with no lumbar adjustment. If you get Kaleido/Space cloth upholstery, you won't get Lumbar support either.

 

Also, Sport Seats are std equipment on the MCS and optional on the Cooper model.

 

Instead of having the upholstery shop do it, you might be able to advertise for someone with a regular cooper to switch seats with you. The Cooper seats might be a LOT more comfortable and there is even a chance that someone might PAY you something for your "better" seats with lumbar support!

It's worth a try anyway!



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SE Regional, BAMA Club Moderator: PM me

 

Sorry to hear about your sore back
I have some back pain and my regular
leatherette MC seats always make it go away :smile:
I,m 5'-8" 160 lbs.
Look forward to the 1 hour commute
And my right knee is fine with the post
Seems some folk are not

 

>>Instead of having the upholstery shop do it, you might be able to advertise for someone with a regular cooper to switch seats with you. The Cooper seats might be a LOT more comfortable and there is even a chance that someone might PAY you something for your "better" seats with lumbar support!
>>
>>It's worth a try anyway!
>>
I have an 04 cooper that came with non-sport seats. I recently replaced them with stock sport seats that fit me very well. I would be willing to sell you my Black leatherette non-sport seats if you are interested. If so PM me.
>>
>>
>>_________________
>>SE Regional, BAMA Club Moderator: PM me

 

I have the leather sport seats in my MCS, and you can adjust the lumbar support to make it go pretty much totally away, which has served some of my passengers well. I'm assuming that if you have that same round ****, adjusting it was included in your 52 trials? I'm sorry to hear about this, no one should have a car with an uncomfortable seat.

Have you considered switching to aftermarket seats?

 

Moving to aftermarket seats often implies losing your side airbags.

 

>>edit: I don't know what I'm talking about.

 

Hi there -

I had the same p[roblem in my MCS with Leather Sport seats and just remove dthe lumbar springs - made all the diff in the world and easy to do. I'll just put them back when I go to sell the car (I left them tie-wrapped inside the seat).

 

Edm,

How did you remove the lumbar springs? I am not scheduled to get the work done until the week of the 15th and maybe I can so this in the interim and try it out before the 'surgery'. Let me know when you can.

David

 

I also have a set of standard seats,which offer less lumbar and side support,for sale (s. fla). JR

 

I'd be happy to trade your sport seats for my standard seats. Let me know if your interested.

 

Hi David -

Removing the springs involves popping off the back of the seat. It is held on by four internal plastic clips built into the seat back. Placing your fingers inside the seat on either side of the headrest and then sharply pulling backwards a short distance will pop the top ones. Then placing your hands on the side of the seat about 1/3 of the way down will allow you to pop off the final 2.

Once the seat "guts" are exposed, you will see plastic ribs connected to a metal frame. This frame will move as you rotate the lumbar adjustment. At the bottom of the metal frame is a spring on each side connecting this system to the seat frame. Grasp the spring firmly with pliers and remove it by extension. Do this to the other side. You can now test your new seat.

If you wish to leave the springs off, I recommend tie-wrapping them inside the seat so you will always know where they are located.

When finished, place the seat back approximately in position and whack with the side of your fist where the lower retention clips are located. Repeat for the top retention clips.

I hope this helps!

-Ed in Seattle

 

Hi,

I also did this spring removal a year ago after suffering your same discomfort. The lumbar was just in the wrong position for my back and too pronounced. Removing the springs really does make a big difference and I still have enough lumbar adjustment left even with the springs gone. The whole job takes 30 minutes or so. You will just need a pair of pliers to pull off the springs.

Cheers,
OzMini

 

Actually thats not true.. both seat have teh lumbar support.. I ahve regular seats that have teh lumbar support.. I do have leather with the premium package that might make the difference, but even so the regular seat do have teh support.. nwo then that said.. I can't even feel the support in the regular seats, tho my finacee can. hey if you have the leather tan sports seats I'll trade ya? I've got the seat warmers too. BTW, I had to get a seat worked on awhile ago, a braket was bent, and they took apart and put it all back together, so it is deffintly possible to do without any problems.