Park Lane seats in earlier model Cooper S?

[mini_fanatic]

I have been wondering if it would be possible to fit seats out of a Park Lane into a pre-upgrade MINI (i.e. 2002/2003/2004)?

Not only physically bolt in, but will the connections go together and the airbag etc. work as it should?

Of course, there’s the problem of finding a set, and actually having a car to fit them in!

Thanks,
Evan.

[mab01uk]

All R50/53 seats hould fit with no problems, ........only the later R56 Mk2/Gen 2 MINI's have different underseat wiring connectors but even these can be fitted to earlier MINI's with some mods detailed on various Mini forums.

[mini_fanatic]

Fantastic! Thanks for the reply.

I just wasn't sure about the mid-04 upgrade if anything changed, thanks for confirming.

Evan.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Be sure to disconnect the battery before undoing the wiring connectors though! If you won't, you will need to pay the dealer to reset warning lights on the dash afterwards....

[drozd]

The park lane seats are also heated (in the uk model anyway) i don't know how cold it gets where you live, but if your car doesn't have that option it might be worth wiring it up,
the BMW retro fitting kit is a fortune I made my own for under £30, and no programing needed.

[mab01uk]

Yes......don't re-connect the battery or switch on the ignition until the replacement seats wiring is reconnected for the airbags (Yellow connectors) and seatbelt pre-tensioners (blue connectors). Heated seat wiring can be left unconnected if not used on your car as it will not be programmed to expect it.

[mab01uk]

Quote: Originally Posted by drozd (original)

The park lane seats are also heated (in the uk model anyway) i don't know how cold it gets where you live, but if your car doesn't have that option it might be worth wiring it up,
the BMW retro fitting kit is a fortune I made my own for under £30, and no programing needed.

How did you make your own kit....please tell us more?

[drozd]

Quote: Originally Posted by mab01uk (original)

How did you make your own kit....please tell us more?

bought two of these VM137

Velleman Thermostat Module 5º - 30ºC

and two small black boxes from the same company, i fitted it next to the airbag plug under the seat, I extended the 2 wires from the little blue sensor and tucked it in between the foam and heated pad about 2" in at the rear of the seat affixed with cloth tape, the wires that come out of the stock heater pad seat are brown=earth black=sensor (we have bypassed that with our own one) green= 12v+

The seat+ connects to the N/O of the circuit board, power comes from the heated seat fuse of the fusebox through switches in the stock position all earth join together and connect to car body

There is only one heat position but it is adjustable via the circuit board I only like it warm not too hot,

[mini_fanatic]

Thanks for all the replies.

In regards to disconnecting the airbags, I read somewhere when looking at changing steering wheels that you leave disconnected for a minimum of 15 minutes before doing anything. Is this correct?

[mab01uk]

Yes, 15-20 minutes with all airbag related components to allow any capacitors in the firing circuits (which hold their charge for a while) to discharge before you start work.