mk1-forum.net

Hi guys,

I've put the original seats back in my mini. The rubber diaphragms were split so I replaced them with some used ones from a local shop. The drivers one has been used since April with no problems but the passenger one split again almost straight away. I'm looking to replace both with some new ones. I've seen the wire and rubber types:
Wire
http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... 508MS.aspx
Rubber
http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... H3508.aspx
So the question is which one will last better and be more comfortable? An old picture for reference...

Cheers, Tim

I've replaced the rubber diaphragm on two set of seat in the last couple of years with the ones supplied by Newton Commercial. Both sets have performed well with no splitting, even with my weight on them.

http://www.newtoncomm.co.uk/cars/classi ... 3-mk4-mk5/

I think the wire ones are meant for the seat backs, if used for the base the wire can cut into the cushion foam.

I've just realised I must have forgotten I'd signed up using my old username.

Going from this site it says the seat back is C708:
http://www.minispares.com/catalogues/cl ... x?3~22~220

Back squab:
http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... 0catalogue

I'm hoping to keep all the parts from minispares as I want to bundle the postage on a few other bits at the same time (to Australia)

I can just recomend to change the seat base foam too. As this is usually pretty tired after 40 years plus.
You don't even need the ones from Newton Commercial. With a simple cardboard template your local upholsterer will be able to supply the correct foam for very little money. Together with an exchange rubber diaphragm or the wire version your personel rear end will highly appreciate it every day.

The wire strapping is usable for the seat base too. And it won't cut the foam. Take a look under the typical 80s seats. They all have the more reliable wire strapping with the seat base foam directly on top. Just the very old and tired foams tend to show wire pattern cuts on the underside.

so long
the doc

I would check with MiniSpares befor placing that order.

As stated above a wire diaphram can be used for the bottom, but those are usually a very thick guage spring type diaphram. This type is very thin and would easly cut through the foam. You would need some sort of thick material (like burlap) to protect the foam, if you were going to use this for the bottom.

On a very early car you should use Pirelli belting, the rubber diaphrams are a decent alternative & can be made to fit, but are wrong for an early car. As has already been stated, a replacement seat cushion would also be well worth investing in. If I was you, I would take your seats to a local Auto seat trimmer who would be able to sort them out as good (if not better) than new.