Mini R53 – R56 bucket seat guide

Mini R53/R56 Bucket Seat Guide

The Mini story...

The Mini has become one of the most popular track cars we work with. The Mini R53 was one of the first new generation Mini Hatches introduced in (2000-2006), being the first model launched under the Mini marque after the original Mini was discontinued in the same year. BMW introduced an all-new, second generation of the Hardtop/Hatch Mini model in November (2006-2013). Once you start using your Mini for fast road and track use, you’ll soon realize just how much you need new bucket seats to provide more support. 

On cornering, you may find your self holding onto the steering wheel tighter than usual, tensing your thighs and legs against the central console and/or door card. You’ll probably find your weight shifting in the seat and having to re-position your self after the corner. 

None of this is correct. Your seat should provide the right level of support so that you can grip the steering wheel only for steering, your legs should be supported and your weight shouldn’t shift around. The recommendations we provide are to ensure that you feel comfortable and supported allowing you to focus on the job at hand. 

We’ve worked closely with our customers to create our Mini seat guide.
The resulting recommendations are based on previous customer car installations.

Recommended brackets: (Bucket seats)
We recommend these direct fit installation brackets to successfully install the side mounted bucket seats we suggest in our guide. No vehicle modifications are required making them a great solution. 

Bucket seat – Mini specific side mounts – Vehicle 

  • Cobra BMW Mini R56 Steel Side Mounts

    From £74.17 Excl VAT £89.00 Incl VAT
  • Cobra BMW Mini R53 Steel Side Mounts

    From £74.17 Excl VAT £89.00 Incl VAT
Recommended brackets: (Reclining seats)
We recommend these 2 frames depending which reclining seat you pick. The Sparco frames are perfect for Sparco/OMP/Corbeau seats, and the Recaro frames work perfectly with Recaro seats.  

Reclining seat – Sliding runner – Fitting frame – Vehicle 

  • Finance available

    Recaro Seats – BMW Mini R53 Direct Fit Sub-frames

    From £281.25 Excl VAT £337.50 Incl VAT
  • View In-store

    Sparco Seats – BMW Mini R53 Direct Fit Sub-frames

    From £72.00 Excl VAT £86.40 Incl VAT
  • View In-store
    Finance available

    Recaro Seats – BMW Mini R56 Direct Fit Sub-frames

    From £281.25 Excl VAT £337.50 Incl VAT
  • Sparco Seats – BMW Mini R56 Direct Fit Sub-frames

    From £78.20 Excl VAT £93.84 Incl VAT
Recommended bucket seats:
We recommend these bucket seats based on previous Mini R53/R56 customer cars.
Tried and tested, we know the narrower shoulder supports fit the cockpit constraints.
We’ve picked different styles of seats depending on the level of protection you need.
Only narrow fit seats will fit and we strongly recommend against XL or large seats due to interior restraints.
  • View In-store
    Amazing value

    Sparco Sprint FIA Motorsport Bucket Seat

    From £194.50 Excl VAT £233.40 Incl VAT
  • Finance available

    Cobra Monaco Sport Narrow Bucket Seat

    From £220.00 Excl VAT £264.00 Incl VAT
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    250+ colours
    Finance available

    Mirco GT 3D Fabric FIA Motorsport Seat

    From £324.00 Excl VAT £388.80 Incl VAT
  • Finance available

    Sparco QRT-R Fibreglass FIA Bucket Seat

    £652.80Incl VAT£544.00Excl VAT
  • Finance available

    Sparco Pilot QRT FIA Motorsport Bucket Seat

    £619.04Incl VAT£515.87Excl VAT
  • Finance available

    Sparco Pro 2000 QRT Martini Racing Bucket Seat

    From £550.00 Excl VAT £660.00 Incl VAT
  • Finance available

    Cobra Suzuka T GT RT Track Bucket Seat

    From £480.83 Excl VAT £577.00 Incl VAT
Recommended reclining seats:
We recommend these reclining sport seats based on previous Mini R53/R56 customer cars.
Tried and tested, we know the narrower shoulder supports fit the cockpit constraints.
We’ve picked different styles of seats based on 4 different budgets and styles.
Match these up with the right fitting frames to ensure a perfect and easy installation.
  • View In-store
    Finance available

    Recaro Sportster CS Reclining Sport Seat

    From £1,255.00 Excl VAT £1,506.00 Incl VAT
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    Finance available

    Auto Style Type BS5 Reclining Seat

    £354.00 £318.60Incl VAT£295.00 £265.50Excl VAT
  • Auto Style Type RS6-II Reclining Seat

    From £258.33 Excl VAT £310.00 Incl VAT
  • Top 10 product
    Finance available

    Corbeau Sportline RRS Reclining Sport Seat

    From £460.00 Excl VAT £552.00 Incl VAT
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    Finance available

    Sparco R333 Reclining Sport Seat

    From £374.56 Excl VAT £449.47 Incl VAT
  • Finance available

    Sparco R100 Martini Racing Reclining Sport Seat

    £390.00Incl VAT£325.00Excl VAT
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    Finance available

    Auto Style Type AK Reclining Seat

    From £295.00 Excl VAT £354.00 Incl VAT
Recommended roll cages:
We recommend these roll cages based on previous Mini R53/R56 customer cars.
Each roll cage is specifically designed for your Mini from each manufacturer.
We only work with trusted brands including Safety Devices and Custom cages.
  • UK Manufactured
    Finance available

    Custom Cages BMW Mini R53 Clubman 6 Point Roll Cage

    £1,087.15Incl VAT£905.96Excl VAT
  • UK Manufactured
    Finance available

    Custom Cages BMW 2nd Gen 2007 Onwards R56 Mini Multipoint CDS Roll Cage

    £1,763.14Incl VAT£1,469.28Excl VAT
  • UK Manufactured
    Finance available

    Custom Cages BMW 2nd Gen 2007 Onwards R56 Mini Multipoint T45 Roll Cage

    £2,421.90Incl VAT£2,018.25Excl VAT
  • UK Manufactured
    Finance available

    Custom Cages BMW Mini R53 2004 International CDS Roll Cage

    £1,760.99Incl VAT£1,467.49Excl VAT
  • UK Manufactured
    Finance available

    Custom Cages BMW Mini R53 2004 International T45 Roll Cage

    £2,486.47Incl VAT£2,072.06Excl VAT
  • Finance available

    OMP BMW Mini Cooper R56 Bolt In Roll Cage

    £1,602.11Incl VAT£1,335.09Excl VAT
  • Finance available

    Sparco BMW Mini R53 6 Point Bolt In Roll Cage

    £1,485.67Incl VAT£1,238.06Excl VAT
  • Finance available

    Sparco BMW Mini R56 Multipont Bolt In Roll Cage

    £1,530.47Incl VAT£1,275.39Excl VAT
Recommended harness belts:
Once you’ve picked the right bucket seats or reclining sport seats. You’ve got your roll cage set up and ready to go. It’s time to get the right harness belts. We’ve listed the 8 most popular harnesses on the market today. We’ve listed a few road and race harnesses along with some FIA harnesses depending on your requirements.
  • Amazing value

    TRS Clubman Bolt In 3 Point Harness Belt

    From £80.00 Excl VAT £96.00 Incl VAT
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    Amazing value

    TRS Clubman Clip In 4 Point Harness Belt

    From £85.00 Excl VAT £102.00 Incl VAT
  • View In-store
    Amazing value

    TRS Magnum 4 Point FIA Harness Belt

    From £205.00 Excl VAT £246.00 Incl VAT
  • Amazing value

    TRS Magnum 6 Point Superlite FIA Harness Belt

    From £245.00 Excl VAT £294.00 Incl VAT
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    Takata Drift II Snap-On Harness

    From £171.00 Excl VAT £205.20 Incl VAT
  • View In-store
    Finance available

    Takata Drift III Snap-On Harness

    From £260.00 Excl VAT £312.00 Incl VAT
  • Delays expected
    Finance available

    Schroth Profi 3×2 FIA 6 Point Harness Belt

    From £345.00 Excl VAT £414.00 Incl VAT
  • Delays expected
    Finance available

    Schroth Profi 3×3 FIA 6 Point Harness Belt

    £390.00Incl VAT£325.00Excl VAT
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Welcome from Garreth at GSM Performance

A big thanks from myself, Garreth, for visiting my e-store. My family-run, motorsport equipment showroom is based in the heart of the UK and we specialise in motorsport safety equipment for every motorsport fanatic. From track-day fans to the hardcore rally drivers.

We appreciate each and every customer that entrusts us to provide them with their new racing parts!