22 replies to this topic

[mike.]

ok originally i was planning on getting some cobra monaco seats with harnesses and doing away with the back seats (as i rendered them pretty much useless as there so small) but after sitting in the back whilst i took a car for a test drive i'v changed my mind about that.

So now i want some cobra classics and am planning on buying the F+R seat pakage from minisport. Now i want to know what the subframes are like? Will i still be able to use my back seats if i have the classi buckets?

Also i'd like some simple 3 point harnesses to go with them, is there anyway i can mount these so i can still get people in the back but still get the car through an MOT?

[Retro_10s]

If you're buying harnesses anda ll the stuff to do this job properly, don't Buy Cobra seats.

Get corbeau, the build is much sturdier, the materials are MUCH tougher and the Overall appearance is a lot nicer. They will last much longer than the Cheap Cobra equivalent when you exert them to the pressures of more 'spirited' driving. Which Is what i assume you're doing as you're buying a harness etc.

Subframes,... you can buy normal bolt down rails that slide,... but for this you'd have to take out the rear squab and back so that the rear seats are totoally unusable, But if you want to fit them so that you can still Tilt and slide the seats (as per std mini seats) you will need subframes that allow this, they have a shaft that's sprung into place to hook under the anchor loops too work in a similar fashion as the original mini seats.

If you're having harnesses... and still want the back seat operational... how are you going to ensure your passengers are safe?... the Harness anchor points will protrude throught the rear seat in the way of passengers... not ideal really.

Mike.

(p.s. i'm not doubting you or anything mate, just a few things that sprung to my mind )

[mike.]

Cobeau dont do a classic bucket seat though do they? I dont really want the other bucket seats as i think they'll look a bit OTT.

So if i did get the cobra classics without headrests and with tilting subframes i should still be able to use the back seats right? Maybe even with normal sliding subframes it'd give enough room to get somebody in.

Yeah i didn't think i'd be able to have harnesses and still use the back seats, i just sort of thought i could somehow bolt them somewhere like the heal board so they wouldn't be in the way of the back seats, then use snap hooks so i can realease them when i need to slide the seat foward for getting passengers in.

Harnesses weren't a big deal but the classic buckets and still being able to get people in the back is.

[ian]

Corbeau do do classics, ive just got a pair of the Alpine ones.

http://www.corbeau-s...oad Classic.htm

[alexcrosse]

ive had no problems with my cobra classics. Brilliant quality, looks great, fit to subframes perfectly, subframes bolt in perfectly, hold you really well. How can u say there rubbish? just because u hav a different make.

[ian]

also i dont think you can bolt the harness to the heel board, they have to be fitted so the webbing is at certain angles, i cant remember of the top of my head but im sure when you buy them it tells you on the paper work.

it has something to do with in the event of an accident if they aren't fitted right it can damage your spine. could be wrong on that and i'm sure someone will put me right......

[mike.]

yeah i think it has to be a 45 degree angle. Harnesses aren't really that important but the access to the back seats is so i just wanted to know if you can with the classic seats

[Dan]

I've had Cobra seats for some time now and I must say they are awful. I ordered the set of front and rears seats in black/blue that Mini Sport now sell long before they started doing it. At the time I hadn't seen another Mini like it anywhere, there is an estate that was built at roughly the same time and one of the two of us was first with this seat design. My rear bench is properly retrimmed (by Cobra) and not just fitted with one of the slip covers that comes in the Mini Sport set.

The holes in the bases of lots (but not all, they are very homemade) of sets of classics don't line up properly with the holes in (Cobra's own) subframes and so they need a bit of fettling. Then you have to decide what angle you want your seats at and hacksaw the end of the subframe mounting pegs off to suit, especially if you want the rear bench to be anywhere near useable. Once you've done that you can't go back on it. The fabric fades, really fast. In about two years they will be nowhere near the original colour. In that same amount of time of daily use the seat bases and sides will collapse and the seats will end up being uncomfortable and unsupportive. They twist a lot as you drive around because the frames are very weak. The headrestraints are pointless, they come just short of your neck when fully extended and would probably make whiplash worse rather than prevent it.

I would never buy them again, and will be swapping them out when I can get around to it.

That's my story but buy them if you want to.

[alexcrosse]

i think if ur having classic seats its more about having yourself held it so you can relax and drive better. because they are about the least safe things you can sit in. neck wise

[The Matt]

I've got a brand new set of Cobra classics. I liked the idea of using them because Cobra are a fairly local firm to me.

Anyway, I sold the Corbeau Forzas that were in my mini to make way for the Cobras, in comparison the Cobras are (insert necessary swearword here) awful!

I'm seriously considering going back to Corbeau Forzas now.

Everything Dan said that he experienced seems par for the course with Cobra seats!

[Dan]

i think if ur having classic seats its more about having yourself held it so you can relax and drive better

But they don't hold you. They don't after six months to a year of use anyhow. And the subframes never really hold the seat well in the car. The standard Mini seat holds pretty still using just the two front mounting hinges so why can't the Cobra?

Edited by Dan, 22 July 2007 - 08:52 PM.

[Retro_10s]

ive had no problems with my cobra classics. Brilliant quality, looks great, fit to subframes perfectly, subframes bolt in perfectly, hold you really well. How can u say there rubbish? just because u hav a different make.

No mate... that would be a terrible assumption on your behalf that i would slate one product simply because i have a a different one.

My ex liked cobra seats, until 5months in the seams started to split and the stitching snapped... she was petite so there were no weight issues and she drove the mini like an old woman doing the shopping lol.

I also had some cobra buckets,... same happend,.. the ribbed simply pulled apart, also the headrests came loose, not very safe you'd agree.

So i bought corbeau seats.... from advice on here and from previous experience in a mates ol mini Rio,.. they were fantastic, noticeably tougher (thicker) Vinyl used, and thicker stitching
also the foam used was considerably firmer and more supportive, great for driving posture on longer journeys.

Perhaps Cobra a smartening up their act, You'll find a lot of people Have had bad experience with them (see posts above) some people have had good,.. like yourself, I'm simply offering up my experience.

Edited by Retro_10s, 22 July 2007 - 09:44 PM.

[m1n1]

I've had cobra classic's for about 5 years now, in blue without headrests. Bought them with the sliding subframes which bolt onto the origional seat brackets; they are not bad at all, yea so the stitching is going slightly in the same place on both seats, other than that i like them being skinny they hold me in quite well.

[mike.]

So where can i get the cobeau classics with mini frames from then?

I still need to know if i can still use the back seats with them in?

[Daveuk]

i've just recieved my seats on fri they are the cobra classic cs, these have holes in the side to put harnesses through instead of rubbin over the top on the sides...

i'm gutted now ive found out they wont last long!!

ah well they are still going in