Gaz
50 posts
Joined: 16/02/2006 16:06:42
Location: albrighton United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
re:
You can cut the actual seat base back so that you only leave a 1/2"ish over hang, i assume this is what you are refering to? you can also cut out the rear companion bins etc to give a bit more rearward clearance for the front seats. there's not really any need that i'm aware of for any strengthening if you only go this far.
If you are looking to remove the rear bulkhead on the otherhand you're in for an awefull lot of work!!
I've cut back the seat base and companion bins on my everyday car and i've had no problems at all, in fact all miglia racers etc do it as a metter of course
Posted: Feb 19, 2009 04:30 PM
taffy1967
1783 posts
Joined: 27/09/2006 18:58:07
Location: Rhondda-Cynon-Taff United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
SEAT BELT REAR INERTIA( AUTO )BLACK
No the inertia rear seat belts got fitted to later post 1996 Minis and some modification would be required to get those belts to fit to earlier models.
The inertia reels are mounted inside the rear companion boxes (door bins) for a start.
Posted: Jun 28, 2008 12:35 PM
Re:
I might be wrong, but you may get problems mounting the roll cage as the front seat belt pre-tensioners take up a fair amount of space in the rear companion bins (assuming that's where you plan on fixing it?).
Although I'm sure others have fitted such a roll cage to their Twin-Point/MPi Mini?
I'd check with your insurance company first as they may not be too happy about you fitting it, or they may put the policy price up a fair bit.
Posted: Oct 04, 2009 08:03 PM
Big bloke in a small car!
The easiest remedy for now would be to unbolt the seat fixing brackets (just needs 2 1/2" spanners?) and then move the bracket from the middle fixing hole back to the rearmost fixing hole (there are 3 positions). Then replace and tighten up the bolts.
It might not seem like much, but just moving it back a peg will provide a fair bit more leg room, at the cost of reducing the leg room in the rear. But it won't interfere with the rear companion bins.
Also ensure that the rake adjuster is set right back and after doing this you may find that you fit just right then.
Posted: Oct 15, 2007 11:23 AM
DDW
23 posts
Joined: 19/04/2005 20:41:22
Location: Pwllheli United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Paking next to a BMW
I'm all for the old mini. But how many of you have driven the new mini? properly?
With my mum and 3 mates having them. I've driven them like a grandad and drove them like a complete nut case. I'm afraid to say it is a fantastic car. A lot of power from a 1.6 and the handling is spot on. Some times due to it weighing nearly double of the old it's better for grip.
They're also pretty reliable. The early ones had some gearbox issues but that's about it.
BMW got the mini's out the crap when emissions and safety became so keen. They put a lot into the injection development. Then later fitted air bags.
The old mini was great in it's day. Was even a pretty safe car to be in a crash in. But to modern day standards it's left in the dust. People don't want to be under the bonnet every weekend ripping their hair out because it doesn't work. To be honest the money they put into developing new cars and what you pay for them. I wouldn't want to lay 1 spanner on it.
I love my old mini. Waving to other old mini drivers. All the people looking around as I tear up the street. Peoples faces when I've just over taken them on the outside of a roundabout.
There's only a few of us that enjoy the old times of driving. But the old mini just doesn't suit the new 24/7 life style.
The amazing thing about the classic mini is even though it's unreliable, unpractical and doesn't suit the 24/7 lifestyle (as you've just stated) I still love them. Even if she broke down on a cold, wet morning and left me stranded I'd still love her. It doesn'tmake one difference that they are, in actual fact, sh*t cars, because the thrill of driving them, and the thrill of looking at her every single morning makes it worth all the effort. They are full of character.
Now to the BMW - they are great cars. I've been lucky enough to have a ride in a cooper s - it was quick (very quick for a 1.6), held the road well, spacious inside, and practical. It was a fantastic car. However, that's the problem - it's just a car. Just a thing to get you from A to B. It has no character whatsoever, no feeling inside. And it's too big! The old mini could almost be called a companion, the BMW couldn't.
Anyway, that's my opinion!
Posted: May 25, 2007 09:07 AM