I would bet that's the smell of the flooded car the seats came out of.  Look for rust under the seats, not sure how best to remove the smell.

Bought the seats off eBay, local pickup in NJ. Any tips on cleaning or airing out  the vinyl seats?  I can't tell if it's just am odor from the storage place they were at, my allergies are acting up so I can't tell right now.  I'm going to move them into my house for now and see if that helps. 

keep us posted!

Ken

Thanks Dan, I appreciate your advice!  I've had several friends suggest seat covers, which just makes me shudder.  I'm going to pick up those used seats this week and see about swapping them out over the weekend. 

Link works.
Looks like the vinyl has dried out and cracked and stitching along the top is beginning to pull apart or the vinyl is shrinking back from the stitch line. Any form of tape will just make it worse looking in my opinion.
Just about all plastics include chemicals (plasticizers) to make them flexible and/or softer. Over time, these chemicals dissipate, leaving the plastic stiffer and more brittle. Sunlight (even through glass), heat and airborne chemicals accelerate the process. Regular use of treatments such as some Armorall products may 'replenish' or slow down the loss of the plasticizers, but won't repair cracking.

Could some of you take a look at my seat pic here and tell me if you think some auto seat repair tape or some kind of amateur solution might work?  I was really going to just buy some used seats for $200, good condition seats, but now I feel like that's the lazy option and I should try to fix it first.  What do you think?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/24529459@N06/shares/H3V2hF

Hopefully that link works, if not let me know 

Try Northamericanmotoring they are Bini friendly.

The logical thing to do would be to recover what you have. Ideal opportunity to do some nice diamond stitching. Google leather trim kits and there are some good options. Surely things can't be that bad in US? Kevin in Oz.

EvilKoala, your doing fine, I often get a big wave from Bimi owners, in my mini, I have no problem waving back. I often wave at other british marks on the road, have yet to get a response, go figure. Buy a service manual for your car, you would be surprised what you can repair on your own, or at least better understand what your being charged for.

Yes, I saw that when I was looking at seats online.  I def don't want aftermarket seats with no airbags, but I know there are some other R56 seats I can pick from. I think the standard seats stand up better than they leather OEM from what I've read, so I'll probably stick with those.  Easier to find locally too.

I'm not good with fixing cars and I don't have a lot of money to pay a mechanic to maintain an old auto so I don't see myself being a "true Mini" owner. I appreciate the body style which is why I like my Bimi. I would not consider myself a BMW owner although I know I technically am.

Unfortunately, since the MINI front seats have built-in airbags, you are limited on the replacement.  If one airbag is missing, the system will detect a fault and disable the entire airbag system...  Be careful with your replacement....

Ken

Yes, it's a Bimi   Is there a better Mini site to post at since most of you are classic Mini owners? Not for this question, I appreciate all of your replies
I'll be smart and add my car to my signature or something for future posts...

Neither do I, Bill? When they first came out, someone asked me what I thought of them. I said "might be OK as a winter beater."

Dan.. I do NOT speak.. BIMI-ese. or even NEW mini..  sorry. Better chance of me learning FARSI.. than to deal with BIMI owner..   bc

There were a couple of (very) subtle implications in the original post - 'pleather seats' which I take to mean 'plastic fake leather' and 'chili red clubman'. I don't think any classic Minis came that way.

Evilkoala: check out used parts via body shops or junk yards. They have a network where they can source rare parts from other yards across the continent.
Or check out having the seats recovered/reupholstered in your area.

well DUH?? how would I know  that. since this is almost 99 % classic mini posts?/  thanks bc

He has a new MINI Bill.

evil.. where are you in the USA/ canada?/ shipping seats would be major Dinero...  I have several good sets. and I am in NC.. sure other members here all over the USA also have spare seats.. later bc 1.704.487.6797

My used Mini has the pleather seats, which honestly seem like they're very good quality, but the driver seat has cracks in it and the plastic is hard. I don't k.ow if it was sitting in the sun, or someone tries to clean it, but I want to replace the seat.  Other than getting OEM black seats off eBay, does anyone have recommendations for where to buy seats or kids of seats that would be even more comfortable than the standard seats?  I have a chili red clubman.