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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:05 pm 
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848cc
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Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 8:34 pm
Posts: 140
Location: Canberra, Australia
Hey guys, just signed up for the forums today. I'm a previous owner of a Mini K, and now the owner of a '71 Cooper S.

I'm just wondering if there are any other tallish Mini owners (i'm 6'1) and how they get around the small proportions of the Mini?

Being taller, i have to push my seat back a little further than usual in order to have my legs at a comfortable distance. But if I push it back too far then i can no longer reach the wheel or the gear stick.

After doing some reseach (and eventually being led here) i came across the steering extension bracket and it looks like it could definately help me out. The only problem is that if i lower the wheel it will end up sitting on my knees, which will make lifting my foot to hit the brake incredibly difficult. So i'm wondering if you can also buy adjustable seat brackets that allow the seat to raise and lower (even if it is just an inch or so) aswell as go forwards and backwards?
I really don't want to have to replace my wheel, which is a top notch 15" Moto Lita.

There's no way I will give up driving Mini's because of discomfort, I drove my K for 3 years before switching to the S. However now that i know comfort specific modifications exist, it would just be nicer to atleast not have to hunch forward as much to reach the wheel anymore.


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:10 pm 
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Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 8:34 pm
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Location: Canberra, Australia
Sorry, I meant a 14" Moto Lita.


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 Post subject: mm1275
PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:13 pm 
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Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 10:07 pm
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Location: melbourne australia
im 186cm or so and i have always had a mini. They wernt made for midgets like people think. I have heard so many times, "i would get a mini if i wasn't so tall, this coming from people around 5.11" They think the car was designed for children.

The back seats are actually more roomy than a number of other modern cars, SILVLIA, e30BMW etc.

As for mods, not necessary in my opinion, but you can put together some seat bracket extensions "or buy them" i don't think the drop bracket is going to make things any better foryou.

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Last edited by clubmn on Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:16 pm 
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1360cc
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Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2004 8:55 am
Posts: 11264
Location: Geelong, Victoria
You'll find that there are many tall Mini drivers! (i'm not one of them, i'm very much a shortass!)

You can certainly get seat brackets, or make them up yourself. I'll look for pix for ya.

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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:20 pm 
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Location: Northern NSW
Where's siclad when you need him , he's 6'8 or so from memory (not sure of his height but I'm about 6' and he's taller ) and has no drama's with his mini .

The old combo most people do is a lowering bracket on the steering collumn , a deluxe (I think , it's slightly longer ??) steering collumn , deeper dished steering wheel and seat brackets to put the seat further back (Like poeee said) .

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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:26 pm 
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848cc
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Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 8:34 pm
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Location: Canberra, Australia
Thanks guys, I actually tried looking for information on the deluxe steering column, but came up with nothing.

I also noticed this chair bracket on Mini Mania ( http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/SEAT1 ... Detail.cfm ). Am i mistaken or is there height adjustment on there aswell? Too bad it's post '91 :(


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:51 pm 
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Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 5:15 pm
Posts: 730
Location: Melbourne
I've got a '94 import and a Mini K. The front "hinge" brackets are almost identical, and the captive mounting points and the square box cross-member are the same.

Only difference is that the '94 has a bracket on the floor for the seat to clip under to stop it going forward - but these were about before '91.

I think the floor pan pressing may of changed slightly around '91 in the UK which may effect the rear mounting of this bracket - but I'm sure it could be made to fit without too many problems.


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:52 pm 
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Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:22 am
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Location: Somewhere...... over the rainbow
My grandfather who was 6"4 give or take had a original 850, he my grandmother mum and her sister used to take it on family trips all over UK. Not once was the a comfort issue 4 people plus luggage.


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 2:02 pm 
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848cc
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Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2005 4:09 pm
Posts: 418
Location: Rooty hill
i thought i would have trouble fitting in a mini and my mates still laugh everytime i get in and out being around 6 ft and not the smallest of build u wouldnt think so but i am actually more comfortable in the mini then i am in the single cab hilux ute at work
i have the seat all the way back so theres no room behind for anyone to sit but its not too often u hav alot of passengers

cheers bob

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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 2:50 pm 
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Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 11:32 am
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Location: Sthrn HiLoLands, NSW, Australia
Drewus wrote:
Hey guys, just signed up for the forums today. I'm a previous owner of a Mini K, and now the owner of a '71 Cooper S.

I'm just wondering if there are any other tallish Mini owners (i'm 6'1) and how they get around the small proportions of the Mini?

Being taller, i have to push my seat back a little further than usual in order to have my legs at a comfortable distance. But if I push it back too far then i can no longer reach the wheel or the gear stick.

After doing some reseach (and eventually being led here) i came across the steering extension bracket and it looks like it could definately help me out. The only problem is that if i lower the wheel it will end up sitting on my knees, which will make lifting my foot to hit the brake incredibly difficult. So i'm wondering if you can also buy adjustable seat brackets that allow the seat to raise and lower (even if it is just an inch or so) aswell as go forwards and backwards?
I really don't want to have to replace my wheel, which is a top notch 15" Moto Lita.

There's no way I will give up driving Mini's because of discomfort, I drove my K for 3 years before switching to the S. However now that i know comfort specific modifications exist, it would just be nicer to at least not have to hunch forward as much to reach the wheel anymore.


Welcome Drewus,

I am taller than you and drive Minis OK...they can be uncomfortable for the talls but the smile factor is the same for everyone

Only way to get into the position you seek is probably go after market seat or a seat conversion (eg Honda Legend. MX5 etc).

Good to hear of another Cooper S in Canberra.

A bunch of us here are in the ACTMCC....check out the details here http://www.actminicarclub.org/

Cheers Mick

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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:13 pm 
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848cc
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Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2005 4:55 pm
Posts: 76
Location: Victoria
Hey all

I am 6ft 3" and have had 5 mini's now.
Love em and can drive em all day every day.
My first was my only car. I am fortunate enough to have a
late model Verada as a daily, however the mini is always the weekend
favourite.... No modifications to seating or steering on any of my cars

Cheers all. :)

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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:47 pm 
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Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2006 4:10 pm
Posts: 6337
Location: Ipswich Qld
Hi

I'm 6'2" and haven't had to do any mods to seats or position. I have a sports steering wheel of "normal" size and the rest is standard. It's not a problem.

Cheers
Steve


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:49 pm 
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848cc
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Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 8:34 pm
Posts: 140
Location: Canberra, Australia
Bob, with the seat so far back how do you manage to reach the steering and gears ?


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 5:03 pm 
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Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2005 4:09 pm
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Location: Rooty hill
pretty easilyactually its just the right driving position for me but u got to realise im a large bloke like if i have a mate in the passenger seat i gott opne the window to put my arm out so where not shoulder to shoulder i guess mayb u got shorter arms than myself
cheers bob

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 Post subject: Re: mm1275
PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 5:13 pm 
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clubmn wrote:
The back seats are actually more roomy than a number of other modern cars, SILVLIA, e30BMW etc.


you can add honda crv to that aswell..

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