Driver's Seat Cover Zip Broken

I wonder if anyone has come across the problem of the zip on the seat cover for the 2019 JCW Hatch fouling the seat runners and being chopped off?

Recently there was some sticky movement when moving the driver's seat back and forwards and the flip memory did not seem to be holding the return position. Noticed that the end of the zip on original seat cover was showing some damage. The tail of the zip, which closes and holds the seat cover in place seemed to be overly long for the task it was designed to accomplish. Upshot seems to be that it became entangled in the inboard seat runner, hence the sticky movement, but now the whole end of the zip has been chopped off, meaning there is nothing holding the zip together and it is therefore able to unravel / come apart, with the slightest touch.

The zip is still holding together, but it is only a matter of time before it opens up all the way around to the outboard side of the seat and there is no way to zip it closed once more.

I stress that this is the long zip on the original leather / Alcantara seat on a new JCW Hatch, which starts at the lower outboard rear corner of the driver's seat and goes all the way around to the lower inboard corner of the driver's seat, not an aftermarket seat cover. If you tip the seat forward, the zip can be clearly seen on the rear of the back rest. Checking at the inboard lower corner of the seatback, you would find the tail of the zip complete with the zipper piece. It's that zipper piece that has been chopped off by the seat runner.

Taking it to the dealer in Aberdeen tomorrow to let them see the problem and whether it can be cured by a new zip in piece, or whether it is a whole new seat cover?

Liz M

Not something that I have come across before or hears of others suffering from ,but hopefully you get on ok at the dealers and keep us up to date on your progress :yes nod:

Just had a look at our JCW and the zip on the passenger side is quite long. its not catching on the runner but is longer than the driver side zip or those on our GP with the same seats.

Keep us posted on how you get on with the dealer

So visited the dealer in Aberdeen and after initial consternation on their part to understand the issues, they have concluded that the car needs to go back in for a few days at the end of the month so they can remove the offending seat and see what is going on. They are going to try and pre order appropriate parts to resolve what they think might be the issue.

As well as the interaction between the seat movement and the seat runner chopping off the end of the zip, meaning it is able to unravel, something has happened to the 'mechanical memory' that allows you to reposition the seat base ahead of folding the backrest back into position after sliding the seat forward. At the moment, the seat base just slides all the way to the rear without stopping at the previously 'memorised' position.

Will keep the post updated as information comes to hand.

Liz M

Pleased that its getting fixed for you, hopefully its an easy fix

Just got the JCW back from the dealer in Aberdeen, went in on Tuesday morning and back Thursday afternoon. The driver's seat was taken out and the backrest seat cover has been renewed in its entirety, plus new seat runners installed. All completed under warranty and with a loan car (A Clubman) provided for the 2 days. Good overall experience so well done to John Clark Mini in Aberdeen and the Aftersales Team.
Liz M

Great news and pleased its fixed with no issues.

Excellent news, glad it's been sorted out so properly for you.
The zip on the driver's JCW seat on my new Cooper Sport LCI2 was hanging down a bit when I collected it.
I tucked it up properly underneath the seat and it's fine since but could have been an issue if I hadn't spotted it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Liz M

So visited the dealer in Aberdeen and after initial consternation on their part to understand the issues, they have concluded that the car needs to go back in for a few days at the end of the month so they can remove the offending seat and see what is going on. They are going to try and pre order appropriate parts to resolve what they think might be the issue.

As well as the interaction between the seat movement and the seat runner chopping off the end of the zip, meaning it is able to unravel, something has happened to the 'mechanical memory' that allows you to reposition the seat base ahead of folding the backrest back into position after sliding the seat forward. At the moment, the seat base just slides all the way to the rear without stopping at the previously 'memorised' position.

Will keep the post updated as information comes to hand.

Liz M

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Good to hear a positive outcome with the main dealership of your problem