What's that on the front bumper?

 

No front plates in PA. Appears to be some kind of a bumper protector, maybe?

 

Winch fairlead......

 

Here's a TrueBlue...

 

Nice, first I have seen I think.

 

thanks. I thought of some stripes on it but in the configurations, it was too distracting or too much attention getter with the stripes. I thought so anyway. So I thought it's best to subdue it a bit coz don't want to attract the wrong ones, u know what I mean...

 

I know what you mean we kept ours on the mild side too.

 

Hi chrunck,

It's a BumpShox license plate frame (http://www.bumpshox.com/). I live in center city Philadelphia and parallel park on the street. It's certainly not the prettiest thing but when I'm trying to get out of a tight space I don't have to be afraid of bumping the car in front of me and putting another scratch in my bumper.

I also have a Bumper Bully for the back bumper that I hang out of the hatch and leave it on to get out of a space if it's tight.

 

Right on...makes perfect sence. I love that show parking wars!!!

 

Some winter Instagrams...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/bentyyc/6495294097/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bentyyc/6495302965/

 

We've had the car for almost a week, but didn't get the photos taken until yesterday. While the bench seat is not for everyone, we love the flexibility it offers. But the feature I really am impressed with is the voice activation system!

Outside Shots:







Bench Seat Shots:

Seat pushed forward all the way:


Seat pushed back all the way:


With center seat back down:


Wayback Shots (parcel shelf removed):

With all seat backs up:


With center seat back down:


With all seat backs down:


Note: the bench seat ordering configuration DOES NOT include the privacy seat back panel included with the bucket seat model. The lower mounts are present for a retrofit, but the upper mounts have been changed.


After living with the bench seat for almost a week, there are three suggestions I'll pass along:

1) Ditch the center seat back headrest and stow it by the toolkit. Rearward vision (center) is much improved and it's a much tidier package when the center setback is being used as a center armrest.

2) Make sure you use both buttons on the plastic headrest release plate to let the headrests go down all the way until they are flush with the top of the setback. This also improves rearward vision toward the sides.

3) High rear quarters and the small window make rear corner vision a bit of a challenge. Do yourself a HUGE FAVOR! Adjust your side view mirrors PROPERLY! See THIS link for how to do it.

 

Great photos, Koopah! And a great looking Countryman, too! Damn, every time I see the tunnel spoke wheels I regret not getting them...

Love the pics of the different bench seat configurations, and that's a great tip about the center headrest! How often is anyone going to use it, anyway?

Love your car, and so glad to hear that you're loving it!

 

Thanks very much!

You'll love yours and let me know how you like the voice recognition system!

 

Well done Koopah! My car will be very similar except for a different stripe configuration. Did you install the mirror caps/brake ducts yourself or did the dealership do that?

 

Your CM looks fantastic Theo. Thanks for posting pictures.

White with black and tunnels was my first choice but I was talked out of it by the SO. The things we have to do to keep peace!

 

Congrats Koopah! Looks great!

Now, be honest... Realistically, how many North American rear ends fit across the backseat?

 

I had to wait to get home to see the pictures. Looks quite spiffy.

Sealy - Who hasn't seen that many back seat positions since his drive in days.

 

Wow, there's a lot more room behind the rear seats than I thought!

 

Looks great!! I really love this color combination!!! Reminds me a lot of another MINI I've seen before for some reason...



Nice job!

 

I had it done at the VDC. Labor was an additional $35 over the cost of the parts but it was delivered without ME having to do the work!

Interesting. I was my SO who talked me into them! She also designed the look of the car as I was madly Photoshopping. I really like her idea of the thin red side stripe above the rocker panel. With the black rocker and the thin red stripe, it's a visual quote from one side of the bonnet/boot stripes.



Two. While I am losing weight, I'm still a 42" waist but fit very comfortably in either side with the center seat back down. Of course, that leaves about 12" for a third derrière. Unfortunately, that's only enough room for our 65 lb GoldenDoodle -- for whom we chose the bench seat.

You see, Cooper likes to "periscope" through the sunroof as we drive. He stands on the center of the back seat, puts his front paws on the front seat arm rest, and pops his noggin into the breeze.



It turns out that the Countryman dogonomics are such that he can actually put his head up higher into the breeze than in the MCS JCW! Now, if could only get him to keep his goggles on...

OMG! I'm NEVER showing my SO your CM! She would be heartbroken to know there was a fraternal twin. Well, it only goes to show that CM owners share great taste!

 

You know, for some reason I either missed or had forgotten about the voice recognition system, but now I'm super excited to check it out!

 

Indeed! At least our respective Doppelgangers are on opposite sides of the Mississippi River! I see another CM maybe once every 2 months around here. I don't think your SO needs to worry! (my kiddos believe theirs is the only one around - I'll let them continue with that thought!)

BTW, I was toying with a side stripe when I originally had the stripes cut, but didn't have anything jump at me. I like the red line you've got. Enjoy it!

 

KARAY is in the house! Delivery completed this morning.

 

Congrats.... Let's see the inside....

 

Congratulations! What a great looking Countryman! And good call on the chrome line exterior--looks great with the silver (and hopefully will look good with Surf Blue, too ).