33 replies to this topic

[tobycatlin]

Hello everybody,

I have a pair of Cobra Monaco front seats. While they look the part for sure they almost instantly cause me neck pain and over long journeys are a slow form of torture. I was looking at some Corbeau GTB recliners (http://www.minispeed...liner-seat-grey) which look very nice, but are expensive (especially in light of my recent MOT)
Anyone got any recommendations for a sporty looking fast road seats? Around £100 per seat is more in my price range.

I would be happy to put in a pair reclaimed from a scrapped car. Are there any common donor vehicles i should look out for? I heard people lifting seats from Toyota MR2's and the like.

I am of course keeping an eye on the classified forum board here.

thanks all

[GTIAlex06]

I dont know but im after a set of bucket seats

[JakeJakeJake]

Lotus elise seats? Only problem is mounting them

[valve bounce]

recaro's out of something like an rs turbo fiesta/escort or rs2000 etc are VERY coumfy

[MiniMan65]

I'm using the Cobra versions of those Mini Spares seats, Le Mans I think they are called. Most comfortable seats I've ever sat in and if I have my way I'll never swap them out of the car, get them recovered whatever but they are EXCELLENT. Totally worth the money.

I think the cheaper alternative is Rover Coupe front seats which fit with modified subframes, if you can find them.

[minimadaidan]

someone i know has an mr2 and he took me for a spin in it - going mental - and i didnt move an inch in the seat and when he took me to oulton park witch is about a 2 hour drive, when we got their i didnt want to get out!!! so comfortouble.



aidan

[mab01uk]

recaro's out of something like an rs turbo fiesta/escort or rs2000 etc are VERY coumfy

I'd agree with that, I have always used Ford RS Turbo or Vauxhall GSi type Recaros VERY comfy, supportive and reasonably priced secondhand, also available in leather if required. Also better quality than many aftermarket seats.

This is how I fitted mine using the Mk4 Escort RS Turbo Recaro subframes but they are probably similar to other Ford based Recaros.
Unbolt the subframe /runners from the Recaros. The Ford front mounting brackets are riveted to the the runners. Drill these rivets out or grind off their heads carefully with a small angle grinder and discard the brackets. (Alternatively you could use the Ford mounting brackets in a Mini if you don't normally have the seat too far back).
The two L shaped rear feet are also riveted in position, you need to retain these. However, to suit the narrower Mini, the feet nearest the centre of the car need to be turned round to face inwards and so clear the Minis centre floor tunnel. Remove the rivets as before (remember only the inside foot bracket on each seat) turn foot bracket around and refit with suitable bolts and nyloc nuts. Refit the subframes to the Recaros. Remove your standard Mini seats and the mounting brackets on the floor cross member but retain the the 8 fixing bolts and washers. Now place the Recaros inside your Mini to suit your driving position. (You will also have the runners to further adjust final seat position as normal). Check they just clear the the rear side pockets when fully reclined. Measure up and fabricate two pairs of steel L shaped angle brackets to bolt through the existing rivet holes in the front of the Recaro runners one end and into the original threaded seat fixings on the Mini cross member at the other.
Finally bolt the rear feet through holes drillled in the floorpan using large washers or plates each side. (The back rests tilt forward rather than the whole seat for rear access).

The difficulty of bolting elsewhere to the cross member is in gaining access to the other side of any fixing bolts unless you wish to fabricate some welded brackets or buy a purpose made aftermarket Mini seat subframe.

Edited by mab01uk, 04 May 2010 - 07:03 PM.

[mk1leg]

get hold of a set of mk1 S recliners .......



very comfy...................

[Team Loxley Racing]

Metro GTA seats are really nice... They have lumber support too! =D Its what I'm currently sitting on... well I would be if I had my car, its in the body shop. Going over to some sparcos when I get it back though.

[sweetser]

I had seats out of a astra gte in my mini.. my gosh they were comfortable!

[mymini007]

Rover 220 coupe seats re-trimmed in Jaguar leather to match my car.



I had 2 sets that I picked up, one set was in a coupe I bought for £200 kept the seats, scrapped the car

The Rover 220 has a head gasket problem so there should be plenty in the scrappies

Edited by mymini007, 05 May 2010 - 08:29 AM.

[Carlien]

In my mini we have cobra classics! (buckets?)



And in Peter his mini we have original mini seats, '93 spi!
I will make some pictures!

Edited by Carlien, 05 May 2010 - 08:44 AM.

[minibazzer]

I must agree with the posts about Recaro's. I have a set of them out of the BMW Mini and they are totally awesome. Sat in the traffic for hours for the IMM last year and didnt ache at all. I suffer with chronic back problems too but the Recaro's never cause me a problem!

[mini-man-dan]

recaro's out of something like an rs turbo fiesta/escort or rs2000 etc are VERY coumfy

I'd agree with that, I have always used Ford RS Turbo or Vauxhall GSi type Recaros VERY comfy, supportive and reasonably priced secondhand, also available in leather if required. Also better quality than many aftermarket seats.

This is how I fitted mine using the Mk4 Escort RS Turbo Recaro subframes but they are probably similar to other Ford based Recaros.
Unbolt the subframe /runners from the Recaros. The Ford front mounting brackets are riveted to the the runners. Drill these rivets out or grind off their heads carefully with a small angle grinder and discard the brackets. (Alternatively you could use the Ford mounting brackets in a Mini if you don't normally have the seat too far back).
The two L shaped rear feet are also riveted in position, you need to retain these. However, to suit the narrower Mini, the feet nearest the centre of the car need to be turned round to face inwards and so clear the Minis centre floor tunnel. Remove the rivets as before (remember only the inside foot bracket on each seat) turn foot bracket around and refit with suitable bolts and nyloc nuts. Refit the subframes to the Recaros. Remove your standard Mini seats and the mounting brackets on the floor cross member but retain the the 8 fixing bolts and washers. Now place the Recaros inside your Mini to suit your driving position. (You will also have the runners to further adjust final seat position as normal). Check they just clear the the rear side pockets when fully reclined. Measure up and fabricate two pairs of steel L shaped angle brackets to bolt through the existing rivet holes in the front of the Recaro runners one end and into the original threaded seat fixings on the Mini cross member at the other.
Finally bolt the rear feet through holes drillled in the floorpan using large washers or plates each side. (The back rests tilt forward rather than the whole seat for rear access).

The difficulty of bolting elsewhere to the cross member is in gaining access to the other side of any fixing bolts unless you wish to fabricate some welded brackets or buy a purpose made aftermarket Mini seat subframe.

Jut about to put a set of these in mine Will the universal Mini runners fit these? Reason I ask is I haven't picked the seats up yet but want to get the runners on order if they will fit

Edited by mini-man-dan, 05 May 2010 - 09:00 AM.

[bcjames]

I took my monacos out and replaced them with cooper spi seats. Very comfortable, I think I prefer them over my mpi seats, and they are cheap and plentiful too.