Uncomfortable Seats - Lumbar issue

[Ramplin]

Hello - I am a newbie to this forum and the Mini. I have a 2002 Cooper S with the chilli pack seats with lumbar support. My issue is that I think there is a problem with my seats. Even with the lumbar support knob on it's lowest position the seat digs into my back. It seams the support is too high up. I hadn't noticed this at all whilst test driving several cars before purchasing mine. I had a lovely 160 mile drive home after collecting the car when it became an issue. Both drivers seat and passengers are the same.
I can't find any information on the we about a known problem. The car still has warranty for 1 month with I intend to extend and is booked into the Mini dealers in Sunningdale Berkshire this friday for them to check out.
Please let me know of any similar problems and advice you can give. I find myself reaching for the key's of my Audi S3 more then the Cooper at present especially if it is going to be a long journey. However apart from the seats the rest is fine. I owned an original Mini when I was younger and the new one is a great modern interpretation.
Look forward to the replies!

[martyn*w]

When I first got my MCS I had the same problem. However I've now done 3300 miles in 2 months and don't seem to have the problem at all, without really doing anything about it, infact I don't even have the lumber support at its lowest anymore.

I'm not sure whether the lumber has softened up or I just got used to the position?

Not sure whether that will help you, but its what happened with mine!

[Ramplin]

Cheers. Perhaps I just need to get used to it The car has done 13k since Sept 2002 so I would have thought the seats are bedded in. I've not experienced this problem in other cars. It just seems like the lumbar is too high up. Or perhaps I just need to replace them with the JCW seats!?
Now how do I get that one by the wife

[rakh1]

Hi,

I know *exaclty* what you are talking about. I found this very same issue when I was looking to buy a new Mini. In then end I managed to get one overnight and drove it around for 180 miles. I found that I could get the lumbar comfortable but it involved a few changes to my usually comfortable seating position. I moved the seat a little higher than usual, a little further from the steering wheel than usual and moved the backrest back one more notch than usual. It resulted in a more relaxed stance and at this point the lumbar became comfortable rather than annoying.

I put it down to the Meganne I have been driving for a few years now - it has very soft seats and as a result I have adopted an upright but 'slouching' seating position (incompatible with the Mini).

Hope it works for you...

Rich

[Ramplin]

I will try to spend sometime playing with the position. However i have owned several cars with different sport seats- Golf GTI Mk1 - BMW 325i Coupe - BMW M3 - Lancia Delta Evo1 - Corrado VR6 - Mk4 Golf GTI TDI 150 - Audi S3. The most comfortable seats for me out of the lot?? The Mk4 Golfs! They where recaros and felt wonderfull. I did over 20k miles in a year and could get out of a 100mile + drive and feel fresh as a daisy. No problems with the others either. The thing is evening my wife complains so I don't believe it is just me. The stealers have it friday so will try some of the other MCS when I am there. Didn't notice it in any other MCS whilst testing. Having said that I suppose you are never with them long enough on a test drive.
Again thank you for the opinions, it's interesting to here others points of view.

[martyn*w]

JCW seats sound good!

Getting it past the wife...

...thats your problem!!

[Nev]

My seats are not that good either. It's a pity because BMW are normally good at these sorts of things.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I have read of people complaining of this problem with the lumbar adjustable sports seats before.

Just a thought, if you liked the Recaros in the golf, you can contact Recaro as they do a range of seats for the MINI

Assuming that you live in the UK, then you can get them on 01926 484111

Hope that helps.

Tigger.

[Ramplin]

Cheers Tigger! Ah child hood memories come "Bouncing Back" I still can't resist playing pooh sticks whenever I am near a river.

Good advice on the Recarros. I'll give them a buzz. In at the stealers tomorrow to have them look at the seats. Will also try there MCS's and a Works demo car they have.
So not only do I need to get some new seats past the MRS but after tomorrow I will need to get a Works upgrade past her aswell........................