20 replies to this topic

[Mini Waco]

I recently noticed a driver's side air bag in one of the mini's (2001 model).  Is there a kit that will allow the installation of an air bag into an older mini (previous to 1990)?  Then too, do they make passenger side air bags?

[robminibcy]

I've not seen a kit and never seen a passenger air bag in a mini. My mini is far to old to have airbags although from what I can gather mini airbags are worse than useless anyway often causing injuries to the face and neck that would have otherwise been fine.

[Gadgets]

I would be worried the air bag would just go off going over fast bumps and potholes!

[evansisgreat]

You CANNOT retrofit airbags.
The airbag on an MPI is designed to work with pre tensioning seats belts and side impact bars and even if you had all these bits I still think it'd be safer not to put them in a car that wasn't designed for them.
Remember an airbag is a small explosive.

[Carlos W]

You CANNOT retrofit airbags.
The airbag on an MPI is designed to work with pre tensioning seats belts and side impact bars and even if you had all these bits I still think it'd be safer not to put them in a car that wasn't designed for them.
Remember an airbag is a small explosive.

 

A small explosive which is now at it's youngest 13 years old.

 

I completely agree with the above

[Cooperman]

If I was concerned that I owned a classic car of any type and that it didn't have air bags, I would stop driving classic cars and only drive modern cars.

[MrBounce]

Go to about 2:45 in. These things are not toys....

 

 

 

[Tamworthbay]

The problem is that, as mentioned above, they are installed as a package of safety measures. As far as I am aware there aren't any retro fits kits for any model of mini, and you can't get generic airbag kits. The mini is a surprisingly tough little car, I survived being T. boned by an idiot in a mk3 escort who overtook me as I turned right. He was doing approx 45mph according to the police. I walked away with a cut on my hand, whiplash and shock. The car was written off (his indicator ended up my mini!). Obviously it's best not to crash in them but there are always risks in life, just enjoy the pleasure of driving it.

[murgy1979]

No agree with above answers,I was a bit doubtful about a group 1,2,3 age 3 to 12 years car seat in our mini to be far though it sits a lot sturdyer than he did it seat,you can't even move it at all,,, just enjoy ur toy that's what minis are all about

[Mini Waco]

Good information everyone, thank you.  I understand and appreciate the wisdom here, but I had to ask.  Here in the Texas USA,  the mini is wonderfully small by comparison to the average large SUV / trucks.  We are beginning to see the small smart cars and others, but they are still few on the roads.  Again, thanks all

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

The 'drivers side' airbag as mentioned is almost certainly the referring to the steering wheel air bag and nothing else. There is no reason that couldn't retro fit everything into an earlier Mini. I have fitted everything to have a working drivers airbag in my Metro which originally did not have one. You'd need an MPI column and all related SRS sensors and wiring but it is possible. I don't actually have an airbag fitted in my steering wheel center.

 

As mentioned there is no reason why you couldn't fit everything into an older Mini to make one work, but I don't see a reason to do so personally. When we had a crash in our MPI the airbag didn't go off and it was a fairly high speed frontal impact with a curb which completely twisted the shell. I've not seen many that have actually gone off in crashes.

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 13 November 2014 - 12:34 AM.

[Ethel]

You probably could fit one, but as everyone else has said there's more than just the airbag in the system. I believe the windscreen is the most critical related structural upgrade. It's not permitted to retrofit airbags, in the UK at least, also the recognised service life is ten years so all the original Mini ones are technically out of date, though I also understand it's the same one as fitted to MGF's.

 

Better seats are a practical option, and you could consider harnesses, a collapsible steering column...

[dprac1ng]

Anyone notice that rally cars don't have airbags? Yeah they have the harnesses, but an old mini seatbelt is more or less a 3-point harness isn't it?

 

Also, Top Gear's rocket powered ski jumping mini crashed with considerable speed into a fairly sizable wall and was more or less repairable.

My uncle wrote of a truck by rear ending it once. He walked away from that. The Mini didn't.

 

So no. The mini is tough and sturdy. It's not a car that requires airbags.

[mab01uk]

So no. The mini is tough and sturdy. It's not a car that requires airbags.

 

A tough sturdy car actually transmits all the impact forces and energy to the drivers and passengers body and internal organs during an impact which is what often kills and is why modern cars tend to be larger to include crush zones to absorb and disipate some of this energy to safer levels.

Edited by mab01uk, 13 November 2014 - 07:04 AM.

[dprac1ng]

 

So no. The mini is tough and sturdy. It's not a car that requires airbags.

 

A tough sturdy car actually transmits all the impact forces and energy to the drivers and passengers body and internal organs during an impact which is what often kills and is why modern cars tend to be larger to include crush zones to absorb and disipate some of this energy to safer levels.

 

 

It's also why Formula 1 Cars are designed to fall apart quite spectacularly upon impact with a wall or similar. It's also why a little Suzuki Swift is safer in a crash than a big old swedish tank. Still, a Mini does not require airbags.