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Having chosen the leather option for our MINI seats, we have inevitable concerns about wear and tear, drink spills, animal claws, and pokey things. Those fears evolve into thoughts of covers for those seats. Additionally, this is our "shop car"-our guys drive it when they need it and we use it to deliver customers and pick up parts. So seat covers seem like a good investment, so what's the big deal?
AIR BAGS IN THE SEATS!?! We noticed that there were a few aftermarket options out there for both the regular MINI seats and the Cooper S sport seats, but both seat designs have AIR BAGS integrated in the seat construction, and special "blow-apart" seams in the seat covers allow the bag to inflate (i.e., literally blow through the seat upholstery) in case of emergency. Therefore, seat covers must be designed in the same fashion-i.e., offer seams that will give appropriately if needed. In checking aftermarket options, particularly thick sheepskins, we could not find a set that recognized this need. So if you are thinking about covers, do some careful research-if those blow-aways are out there, we couldn't find them. In the end, we decided that the MINI dealer seat covers were the safest bet at this time.
So, we contacted our dealer parts department and found that covers were indeed available for both seat designs, but there are not many of options. For the Cooper S, the only colors available are black and gray. We chose black, and they are not drop dead beautiful, but not ugly either. They have a very nice personality, in my opinion (but not Terry's!)
INSTALLATION: Each front sport seat has three parts: separate covers for the headrest, seat back, and seat bottom. There are literally NO directions, but installation is pretty straightforward and took me about an hour for each side. Rear seat covers are available as well, but I did not opt for them at this time.
Cost is approximately $125.00 per front cover, the rear closer to $175.00.
 I
started with the headrest, as this was the smallest piece
and seemed the most installer-friendly. The headrest connects
into the seat backs at the top, and a little bezel ring
encircles the round headrest support. On the outside ring,
you will notice a small button. You will have to tilt the
seat forward (as if you are getting in the back seat) to
remove the headrest. When you press that button-magic!!---you
can completely remove the headrest from the seat body. The
headrest cover is one piece, with Velcro all the way around.
I slipped the cover over the headrest, and put the headrest
between my knees to compress it to the point the Velcro
would close elegantly. It's easy. Don't put the headrests
back on the seat just yet.
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