GP - retro fitting rear seats

[mikeythemini]

Sorry to say its a no no. Although the seatbelt mounts are there - there is a couple of big chunks of metal missing where the backrest latches should be (behind the plastic)

[Rakey]

As much as I don't want to say it..........

Told you so

[Tonyt3]

Thats a real shame, as this was a definate possibility for me in the future. I simply cant have a 2 seater car as a main mode of transport.....

No chance of welding the piece's back in place....? There are some pretty determined guys out there in 'Mini' world...

[coded2112]

Won't there be insurance issues though as it is designated a 2 seater, will you need to SVA it?

[Root Ginger]

Depends on the classification on the V5C. May still be classified as a 4 seater, depends on how BMW did it with the DVLA.

Anyone with a GP confirm if the V5C has it marked down as 2 or 4 seats?

[LMB]

Quote: Originally Posted by Root Ginger (original)

Anyone with a GP confirm if the V5C has it marked down as 2 or 4 seats?

The V5 has the GP down as a 2 seater.

[Root Ginger]

So then you would have to reregister it with the DVLA. May be as simple as a change of details, may require an SVA, unsure.

Then you'd have to insure it as a modified GP I guess. Unsure what view insurance companies would make of a two seater with two extra seats added, even on a vehicle that normally has 4 seats.

Could get complicated.

[mGP]

Even before we get into all that; the cost implications of actually fitting the seats themselves, would probablly be impractical, added to the fact that most GP owners would probablly want to maintain the car's originality.

[R1]

With all this talk of retrofitting rear seats, xenon headlights, rear speakers to GP's, wouldn't it have been better to just buy a JCW S?

Just a thought!

[LMB]

Quote: Originally Posted by R1 (original)

With all this talk of retrofitting rear seats, xenon headlights, rear speakers to GP's, wouldn't it have been better to just buy a JCW S?

Just a thought!

If you're bothered about those things.

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by mGP (original)

Even before we get into all that; the cost implications of actually fitting the seats themselves, would probablly be impractical, added to the fact that most GP owners would probablly want to maintain the car's originality.

Not at all. theres loads of people that wanted a GP, but couldnt live with just 2 seats... (we have kids dont you know, and even some friends). I'd have bought a GP if I thought it could be reletivly easily converted, and I bet the resale market for a 4 seat GP (if done pofessionally) would be 10 times the market than for a 2 seater....

In fact, i rekon there would be a market for such a conversion. Dont forget, it would be reversable for resale ideally too......

[mGP]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3 (original)

Not at all. theres loads of people that wanted a GP, but couldnt live with just 2 seats... (we have kids dont you know, and even some friends). I'd have bought a GP if I thought it could be reletivly easily converted, and I bet the resale market for a 4 seat GP (if done pofessionally) would be 10 times the market than for a 2 seater....

In fact, i rekon there would be a market for such a conversion. Dont forget, it would be reversable for resale ideally too......

...

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3 (original)

(we have kids dont you know, and even some friends)

...

[Root Ginger]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3 (original)

Not at all. theres loads of people that wanted a GP, but couldnt live with just 2 seats... (we have kids dont you know, and even some friends). I'd have bought a GP if I thought it could be reletivly easily converted, and I bet the resale market for a 4 seat GP (if done pofessionally) would be 10 times the market than for a 2 seater....

In fact, i rekon there would be a market for such a conversion. Dont forget, it would be reversable for resale ideally too......

There's only 2000 cars though and 444 in the UK. Even if you take a massive 10% of people buying that product it's only 44 people in the UK. Coupled with the registration issues it wouldn't be worth it IMO.

[mGP]

Quote: Originally Posted by Root Ginger (original)

There's only 2000 cars though and 444 in the UK. Even if you take a massive 10% of people buying that product it's only 44 people in the UK. Coupled with the registration issues it wouldn't be worth it IMO.

Couldn't agree more, well said

At the end of the day if someone has endless amount's of money to spend modding a car to their exact personal specification and taste, then fair play to them- (even though it would be a complete waste of money anyway).

My advice would be to 'look elsewhere'.....

[Mike Edwards]

Obviously, if any of you GP owners need a Mini with rear seats, I'll be happy to do a straight swap for my Works*...

(Hyper Blue, Works brakes, suspension, and leather seats, JCG Motorsport exhaust, plus an Aerokit)

* Done at JCG.