Which Bucket Seats Fit The Cobra Mini R53/56 Side Mounts?
Seat fitting guide, Mini R53 and R56
Cobra make steel side mounts specifically for the Mini R53 and R56. They bolt into the Mini's own floor mounting points, need no drilling, and put a side mounted bucket seat low in the car, which matters in a Mini where headroom with a helmet on is tight.
The question we get is which seats they take. We measured the seats in our showroom and checked Cobra's own compatibility table, and this guide sets out what fits, what does not, and two things to know before you order the mounts.
- Cobra make vehicle specific steel side mounts for the Mini R53 and R56
- They use the car's original bolt points, so nothing needs modifying
- They are for stripped out cars only: they cannot be fitted with the carpet in place
- Side mounted seats only, not base mounted seats
- Cobra's table lists the standard Imola and Suzuka Pro-Fit, the Sebring Pro-Fit LP and the Ultralite
- Cobra strongly recommend using them with Cobra seats
What is on this page
What the Cobra Mini side mounts are
These are 4mm steel side mounts made for the Mini, and our listings show them as FIA approved. The key points:
- They use the factory bolt points. They line up with the Mini’s own floor mounting points, so no drilling or fabrication is needed.
- They sit the seat low. That is the reason most people buy them: more helmet clearance for taller drivers.
- Side mount seats only. They bolt to seats with mounting holes through their sides. A base mounted seat, with holes underneath, needs a frame instead.
- They are fixed. There is no height or angle adjustment, which keeps the seat solid in one position.
Check which Mini you have. Our listings show a set for the R53 and a two pair set that covers the R53 and R56, and the floors of the two cars are not the same, so do not assume parts carry over.
Know this first: stripped out cars only
According to our listings, these mounts cannot be fitted with the carpet in place, so they are currently only suitable for stripped out cars. That rules out most road going Minis. If your car still has its interior in, tell us what you are trying to do and we will look at what else will work, such as the floor mounted set up in our guide to mounting a bucket seat super low in a Mini R53.
If you are fitting two seats, the two pair set means both sides end up at the same height, which is much easier than matching them later by eye.
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Which Cobra seats fit
The Mini side mounts are Cobra part SUBFR30. When we measured seats in the showroom, the ones that sat well were between 400mm and 430mm wide at the base. Cobra’s own seat to side mount table gives the full answer for their range:
| Cobra seat | Fits the Mini side mounts (SUBFR30)? |
|---|---|
| Monaco Sport | No |
| Monaco Pro | No |
| Imola Pro-Fit Standard | Yes |
| Imola Pro-Fit GT | No |
| Suzuka Pro-Fit Standard | Yes |
| Suzuka Pro-Fit GT | No |
| Sebring Pro-Fit LP Standard | Yes |
| Sebring Pro-Fit LP GT | No |
| Sebring Pro-Fit (not LP), Standard and GT | No |
| Evolution Pro-Fit, Standard and GT | No |
| Ultralite | Yes |
| Nogaro Ultralow | No |
In short, the standard width versions of the Imola and Suzuka, the low profile Sebring and the Ultralite fit. The wider GT versions do not. When you order, check the seat’s version against the table, and if you are unsure which one a listing is, ask us before you buy.
- Cobra Imola Pro-Fit. A light fibreglass bucket with deep sides for lateral support.
- Cobra Suzuka Pro-Fit. Higher side bolsters and a tighter shape.
- Cobra Sebring Pro-Fit LP. The most supportive of the three, with head protection built in.
The Imola, Suzuka and Sebring come in FIA approved versions and in track day versions, and we have them on display so you can sit in them before you choose.
What about Sparco and OMP seats?
When we measured other brands in the showroom, some Sparco and OMP buckets, including the Sparco Rev QRT, Grid Q and Evo QRT and the OMP RT and ARS-R, came within the same 400mm to 430mm base width.
However, the mounts are made to take Cobra's motorsport seats, and our listing strongly recommends using them only with Cobra seats for correct fitment. So our advice is to pair them with a Cobra seat from the table. If you have your heart set on another brand, talk to us first and we will look at a different mounting route.
Choosing a seat for the Cobra Mini side mounts
- The mounts are for side mounted seats only.
- They suit stripped out cars, as they cannot go in with the carpet fitted.
- Choose from Cobra’s table: the standard Imola and Suzuka Pro-Fit, the Sebring Pro-Fit LP or the Ultralite.
- GT versions and wider seats will not fit.
Garreth’s advice is to send us the car, the seat you like and your height before ordering anything, so we can confirm the full set up.
Do the Cobra Mini side mounts need drilling?
No. They use the Mini’s original floor bolt points.
Can I fit them with the carpet in?
No. Our listings say they cannot be fitted with the carpet in place, so they suit stripped out cars.
Which Cobra seats fit the Mini R53/R56 side mounts?
Cobra’s table lists the Imola Pro-Fit Standard, Suzuka Pro-Fit Standard, Sebring Pro-Fit LP Standard and the Ultralite.
Will a Cobra GT version seat fit?
No. The wider GT versions are not compatible with the Mini side mounts.
Can I use a Sparco or OMP seat on them?
Some measure within range, but the listing strongly recommends Cobra seats only, so we suggest a Cobra seat.
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The easy matchCobra Imola or Suzuka Pro-Fit
Standard width versions bolt straight onto the Cobra Mini side mounts.
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