English Leather Seats Changed for US Market

mike Sep 7th, 2005 Link

could just be the photos but are they black or grey? they look grey while the euro spec looks black.

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John Sep 7th, 2005 Link

Any word on whether or not these will make it to the convertible?

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revwillie Sep 7th, 2005 Link

apart from the stitching, is there anything really different about these seats as opposed to the 1300 dollar panther black leather seats? Is the extra 400 dollars for stitching and piping or is the leather any different?

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Scott Brown Sep 7th, 2005 Link

I don’t care for the US seats as much. The large flat “panels” of leather tend to stretch and lose their tight fit, as they have on my 03. Yet another (albeit small) disappointment which trickles down from the US’s obsession with “safety” and the high percentage of us that have the phone number of a personal injury attorney in our cell phone.

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Gabe Sep 7th, 2005 Link

could just be the photos but are they black or grey? they look grey while the euro spec looks black.

Yes it’s just the photos. There should be no color difference.

Any word on whether or not these will make it to the convertible?

They will not.

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Tom Sep 7th, 2005 Link

It’s a decision factor I think towards going traditional in the interior or keeping the comtemporary interior intact. With those seats I’d have to install a wood-grain dash and take it from there with other traditional upgrades.

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David Bunting Sep 7th, 2005 Link

While it’s unfortunate that some of the character was lost in the process, it is still nice to see MINI working to find a way to make these seats available while working with U.S. regulations.

That said, it’s a shame they didn’t do the same thing for the Recaro seats to allow them to be offered in the U.S.

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05DSMCS Sep 7th, 2005 Link

It now makes more sense as to the appearance of the seats in the 06 configurator. I just thought it was a limitation of the software they updated, but the seats have appeared this way since the new configurator came out.

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RB Sep 7th, 2005 Link

For my money……..way too 1960’s looking. They look like something the upholstery shops in Tijuana used to offer to low riders. Nothing wrong with that, and I’m sure the english seat are fabulous, just looks too old fashion, for my taste.

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RB Sep 7th, 2005 Link

Actually the more I look at them the more ridiculous they look in the industrial looking interior of the MINI! Maybe if MINI offered a more classic interior option they would work but not with what they have now.

UGH!

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Geno Sep 7th, 2005 Link

Along with John, will these ever happen for the Cabrio? And as a retrofit? I doubt it but you never know…

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Micah Sep 7th, 2005 Link

If you go the gallery, check out the photos of the hyper blue/white JCW MCS! I must admit that the carbon fiber hood scoop and mirrors combined with those new wheels looks outstanding! Almost makes me want to change the color choice on the ‘06 MCS I just ordered four days ago…

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Micah Sep 7th, 2005 Link

Sorry i didn’t mean to “jack” this thread — I just had to commment about the new wheels.

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MINIAC Sep 7th, 2005 Link

could just be the photos but are they black or grey? they look grey while the euro spec looks black.

MINI uses the term “Panther Black” for their “black” seats. Perhaps “Charcoal Grey” would be more appropriate ;)

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renaultf1 Sep 7th, 2005 Link

That small change makes a huge difference in the way they look. Don’t care for the US version at all…the seat bottom doesn’t seem to go with the top very well.

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Paul Sep 7th, 2005 Link

I’m disappointed they will not be an options for convertibles.

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mataku Sep 7th, 2005 Link

they still look awesome to me. I really like the classic look of things and it is one of the things that got me into the mini in the first place.

i do agree though, more classic looking parts should be offered, it would really make the car unique in this day and age.

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xplode Sep 7th, 2005 Link

can someone explain -why- it had to be changed? i understand it had something to do with airbag sensors, but why the bottom cushion, and what’s inherently better in using flat panels for the seat bottoms? i don’t get it…

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David Bunting Sep 7th, 2005 Link

[speculation]

I would imagine that they have one style of sensor to determine occupant weight, and that sensor works most accurately when you have even pressure across the sensor. Thus, the smooth/flat bottom of the cushion would be better for the sensor than the rippled bottom of the Euro spec seats, which may cause inaccurate readings when used in conjunction with the sensor due to the less uniform pressure distribution.

[/speculation]

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Paul Sep 7th, 2005 Link

“Solar Red” ?? Where’s that an option, I only see Chilli Red in the configurator … SR looks much nicer … kind of classy!

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Gabe Sep 7th, 2005 Link

Paul – do a search for solar red in the search bar at the top right. You’ll find out more than you ever wanted to know about the color!

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Paul Sep 7th, 2005 Link

Gabe – thanks … that’s what I get for always spec’ing an MCS in the configurator :-) They’re really not kidding with this million different options thing …

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Z4MINI Sep 7th, 2005 Link

Nice! Very nice!

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Mark Smith Sep 7th, 2005 Link

Solar Red is only available on the Hardtop ‘06 Cooper and not the S.

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mike Sep 7th, 2005 Link

ive looked at the picture again and the leather on these seats really appear to be grey. if you look at the lever below, that plastic is black… that leather is not. hmmmmm….

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GMINI Sep 7th, 2005 Link

[opinion]

big mistake ^

[/opinion] ;=)

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GMINI Sep 7th, 2005 Link

oh. look who beat me to the post.

mike: having seen the very same seats, i assure you the seats are quite washed out. nowhere near the rich dark sumptuous color i had seen here and on mini2.com. softer, finer leather, but not worth $1600 imho. crap color choice.

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GMINI Sep 7th, 2005 Link

let me reiterate:

the english leather seats pictured above are indeed putty grey.

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Dave Sep 7th, 2005 Link

The English Leather seats are a standalone option in the US that, on the face of it, seam to be taken straight out of the special edition ‘Park Lane’ Cooper

“seam”–haha–you’re a clever one, Gabe!

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Gabe Sep 7th, 2005 Link

I can’t believe it took that long for someone to catch that ;-)

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CraigE Sep 8th, 2005 Link

If you compare the leather samples for the panther black leather and the “English” leather the panther black is much darker than the “English” leather. Most MINI dealers should have the new seat materials displayed.

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RB Sep 8th, 2005 Link

another thought……MGTD seats

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MINIAC Sep 8th, 2005 Link

If you compare the leather samples for the panther black leather and the “English” leather the panther black is much darker than the “English” leather.

I was at a dealership today and looked at the swatches … the English and Gravity Leathers had a different grain but were almost identical in color.

The grey cloth on the Checkmate upholstery is lighter than that on the Space cloth.

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kaelaria Sep 9th, 2005 Link

Ew – those are hideous!

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Gary Smith Apr 9th, 2008 Link

Is there anywhere the English Panther Leather seats may be purchased to replace my ‘06 MCS JCW sport seats? From an English supplier or U.S. supplier (I’m, in the U.S.).

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