25 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

I always like the Rover 220 coupe seats. never tried them in a Mini though

[inim_repooc]

They do look nice! - a few things come to mind with seats for me.... Currently my interior is creame (balmoral) and well I quite like like the colour, but I would really want leather - but I'm open to any tried and tested mini certified seats (that can have covers for the back also) as let's face it - who doesn't want a matching interior!

[timmy850]

I found a huge improvement in changing from 10" steel wheels to 10" alloys. They are much lighter and the ride is much nicer now. 

 

I've also put a new base on the bottom of the seat and put some new foam too and it's much nicer to sit in. 

 

That said it's still very stiff as it's on the original 52 year old cones 

[Mini Manannán]

I see that there is a trend towards comfy seats.... what would anyone recommend? 

 

Mk2 Fiat Punto seats are lush   Someone has Ferrari seat, another load have Alfa seats, there's a massive thread on seats that fit in Styling.  As Ben said, Rover seats are popular...

[pierres]

I got ford puma seats nice and comfy

[jamesquintin]

But before you muck about changing seats, surely you should update/renew the suspension anyway...? The smootha ride kit has had positive reviews form what I can tell (I don't have it myself)

[Blatherskite]

A careful greaseround will smooth things a bit.

[jaydee]

A fresh set of rubber cones and new dampers will help a lot, fit hilos along with the new cones

Keep note of your current ride height and after fitting the hilos increase it by 1cm so you'll get more suspension travel and the cones will work in a slightly more progressive way. Remember that cones will settle over time.

Forget about coil springs and other werid stuff, they have the wrong spring rate.

To improve comfornt even more you might switch to smaller diameter wheels as the taller tyre wall will help, at the cost of loosing car originality.

[minisilverbullet]

Forget changing the seats, (if I am not mistaken you should have pretty decent seats in your Balmoral). 

 

Change the cones as a start and see how the car feels afterwards. 

[Cooperman]

A 'smooth ride in a Mini' is an oxymoron. You don't buy a classic Mini for comfort, you expect the retro-type harsh ride and enjoy it for that. If you want comfort from a classic car buy a Rover 2000 or similar  .

However, as above the poor ride quality can be improved by fitting 10" wheels/tyres with the deeper tyre sidewalls to help soak up some of the bumps. Make sure the suspension is in good order with original type rubber cone springs and adjustable dampers which can be set to suit.

[idlethumbs]

I've recently done the suspension on mine and it felt like a new car. New cones, gas dampers and hilos. Standard right height and with the gas set soft the difference was amazing.
Then adjust the gas up a bit for spirited driving.