Bad back caused by 'standard' seats?

[Dogger]

I've been driving a MINI ONE with standard seats for almost a year now and since day 1, the seats have given me pains down my left leg and are uncomfortable to say the least. Thinking it was just my unfamiliarity with the car I put up with it for a while but as it got worse I eventually asked the dealers to change the seat. When the new seat arrived the problem was just as bad - it even continued when I had the entire car replaced (due to other unrelated issues).

The problem has eventually got so bad that I'm now regularly seeing a Chiropracter to sort it out. He reckons my pelvis has been thrown out of whack, trapping nerves in my back and legs which is causing the pain. As my lifestyle has had no significant changes other than the car, the only cause he can think of is that in order to relieve my discomfort when driving the car I was subconsciously placing more weight on the right side of my body and over time this has 'trained' my muscles to eventually pull my pelvis out of whack..

I've since heard from a friend of a friend who's had a ONE since April that the same thing has happened to him. For the record we're both around 5'9" and 73kg (32" inseam)

I'm now looking to replace the car as it seems to be the only way I'll be able to correct this problem. I have considered getting some Sports seats, but am reluctant to shell out £170 as the root of the problem could well be the softer suspension in the ONE.

There seem to be all manner of seat related back problems within this forum, but has anyone else managed to possitively attribute their problems directly to the seats in this way?

[Marsh]

Hi Dogger,
I don't own a MINI, but have a history of back problems, prolapsed disc etc. I do find both the standard and sports seats in the MINI uncomfortable. Last week I had a use of a Cooper for two days and drove the car as much as I could. The car had leather sports seats in the black/pimple finish. It wasn't the first time by a long chalk that I had been in and driven the car, but it was the longest period I have had use of one.I loved the car, as before, but found the seats to be awful. Whoever designed the lumbar support should be taken out and shot - along with the clown responsible for the seat recline mechanism.

It was a huge relief to get back to the sports seats in our Pug 306, which after 52,000 miles are in near perfect condition, unlike those on the MINI which appeared to be falling to bits with 4,000 miles on the clock. I think the poor quality of the seats will rule out purchase of the MINI, a shame.
cheers
Marsh

[willibobs]

I have a Cooper with the standard seats and find they lack side support which often leads to me straining when cornering. I have a loaner at the moment which has the sports seats which I find far more comfortable, they give plenty of support and hold me firmly in place. I think the standard seat design in general is quite poor from the lack of lateral support to the hopeless mechanism it fails to impress.

[IDONEY]

when i first got my ONE i had pain in my left leg just the same.i now have the seat at max height adjustment and since then had no problems.i think in my case it was the weight of my legs on the seat where now it rests more on my foot with the back of my thighs slightly clear of the seat.
i'm 5'10 by the way

[AidenL]

I think the standard seats offer pretty bad back support too.....the sports seats should be a better option for support, but the lumbar adjustment has come in for severe criticism in this forum.....

I find keeping the seat in any car in the lowest possible position, and hence pushing the pedals inwards rather than downwards can cause back pain, maybe try raising the seat position a little if possible ?

Traditionally, the french makes, and Saab and Volvo in general have had very supportive seats, from the point of view of anyone with a bad back.......

[timlowden771]

My first Mini one ahd the standard seats and I found like a lot on here that the seats did not offer a lot of support. My Mini mark 2 has now got the sports seats and they are much better. Te support you more in normal driving but more so when cornering. Heres a picture of mine.

[DITCH]

Each person is different, so what fits you might not fit me, but make sure you're sitting correctly and not like the local ricers with the backrest most of the way down.

To adjust your seat properly:
-Raise or lower the seat cushion until you are comfortable. (Even pressure on your arse and hamstrings.)
-Move the seatcushion fore/aft until your knee is slightly bent when the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
-Move the backrest forward until you can place your wrist on top of the steering wheel with your elbow slightly bent. Don't cheat: make sure your back is touching the seatback.
-Adjust lumbar support until you feel even pressure on the small of your back.
-Adjust headrest up until the top is at the level of the top of your ears. (This has nothing to do with your back, but may prevent whiplash.)
-Grip the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock.
-Imagine you're driving a rally car.

If you're used to driving with the seatback way aft, this position will feel like you're too close to the steering wheel. Don't worry, you'll get used to it over time. You'll be amazed how comfortable it is when driving, though.

Hope this helps,
Ditch

[Dogger]

Cheers peeps..

I suspect over the last year of driving, that I've tried every conceivable driving position but to no avail. It seems from the comments above that the Sports seats will help, but I can't justify the extra expense when it's not guranteed that it'll work for me..

I'll give the 'intructions' a go though - I've never seen any before that were quite so comprehensive!

If it doesn't work, there'll be another MINI owner defecting to the Smart side fairly soon..

[lightbody]

I find the standard seats to be the most comfortable of any car I've ever driven. I'm 5'11. Have driven 12,000 miles in it including full days of driving and weeks where I've driven it a long way every day. if they didnt squeak, I'd be quite happy with them!