So dont know which rail to go with the long one from front to back or go with the split? I was thinking about this the other day if i get the split i can place things in the middle of the floor or someone is stitting in the back they can place things there too, if you have the long rail you cant really put anything there so you loose so extra room. JW what everyone thinks of this, which one did you go with in your mini hows it working out. thanks

 

We went with the split. Our CM is not here yet but our thought is that we sometimes lay things across the back leg area.

 

IMHO - - - this is one of the goofier things MINI did on this one. Someone in design thought it was cool, but never checked to see if it was practical.

Things of Note -

• You want connected, you have to get an armrest - which eats up most of the rail in front.
• You have limited rail to begin with, they put the big goofy hand brake in to take up the rest of the space.
• You have space in the back, but no way to get to it.
• People with kids are hating the division - makes curbside de-kidding difficult.

If you go with two-section -

• Comment from a MINI person was that the front mount sticks out into the rear footwell and gets in the way.
• You have limited space in back for the two cupholders, the glasses case, and the phone mount.

Mostly it's a first week chance to say "Look at this neat feature." Then you forget about it and learn to live around it.

 

With kids I think it has to be the split.

 

This was my thought that's why i was leaning towards the split.

 

Sealy you always have good pts i will have to look at one alittle closer at the DS, you know i wonder if you can take out the hand brake and replace it with one from the MCS ust the straight handle one, what do you think about that idea?

 

I would go with the split, just because I haven't found the rail accessories to be very useful. I've got the sunglass holder under the center arm rest, and that's really the only one I use.

The cup holders, while really solid, are uselessly small for actual beverages. The phone/mp3 player dock, while a great idea, doesn't work with the included iPod cable (the USB connector doesn't fit through the hole in the base).

Honestly, the best thing about the rail is the accent lighting.

 

Unless they come out with some REALLY cool snap-ins for the rail get the split, otherwise it's wasted space.

 

It's been discussed on here somewhere. Thought is that we're going to have to wait for aftermarket to catch up. Retrofit from MINI is most likely a long way off.

 

Mine came with the full rail. I agree with pretty much everything that has already been mentioned, however, I'll also add that I could use a little more storage space in the car. I'm hoping for some type of aftermarket armrest or a box of some sort that can make use of the rail for small stuff - wallet, extra keys, pen, checkbook, etc. Maybe, if such an item comes to market, it could make some use of the extra rail length?

Otherwise, I might have gotten the split rail, but it's not a big deal either way IMHO.

 

Are you ready. I know this is wrong. I can't help it. I got to do it.


Cram it in the boot!

 

split

I have kids and a full rail would be a pain

Also when carrying stuff will limit shoving stuff in front of rear seats and I was convinced it would get damaged if carrying heavy stuff

Also I reasoned that IF I changed my mind I can to go full rail it would be a less costly option to retrofit a long section than try to install intermediate caps on for the split. On the long rail with arm rest you would not be able to access the extra length anyway (p.s I assume most folks get arm rest???)

But in the end as someone else said rail was a week long curiosity at best - maybe after market will turn up some cools stuff

now where is the bloody snap in adapter for an iphone4...

 

I, for one, appreciate the creativity of designers. Also the options of full/split/and upcoming bench provide choices for people with different needs.

The lighting itself will be definitely worth it. It creates such a cool ambiance with full lid lighting. It definitely looks quite cool as well. Also, there are many possibilities with accessories. The car is new, thus they aren't much stuff just yet, but I can see many creative usage of the rail.

Of course, if you need extra versatility and practicality, and especially have kids, you should go with split. If you are worried about possible "What If" type scenario, you should go with split.

If all we needed was practicality, imagine how boring this world would be!! No design at all and the car will just be a box (well will be aerodynamic box) And with only practicality in mind, and if you have kids, why are you buying Countryman in the first place? Go get Mazda 5, upcoming Ford C-Max, or other fine Minivans out there!

I am single with no kids. I'd get the full rail for the 'cool' factor!

 

Split here too and have kids, plus I like to put a guitar case behind the front seats. I maybe the only one that did not get the arm rest, I refuse out of principal to pay $250 for something that should have come standard, along with allot of other things. I'll wait for the aftermarket or fab something myself.

 

Dear MINI -

We have located your target demographic.

Sincerely,

Sealy

 

 

Alright then thanks for info

 

thats funny i dont care who you are.

 

Yeah i agree with moving stuff around and having kids would be a pain to cross through without tripping over it or stepping on it, and im not going for the arm rest it kept getting in the way of my shifting

 

Does the light still light up both parts of the split rail? anyone know

 

For someone who hates that ad as much as you do, you sure bring it up alot on here...

 

Yes

 

I need a way to figure out how to REMOVE the armrest, the front coffee holder are a waste. They should have moved them BACK about 1" , the coffee cup keeps hitting the center switches.

 

I ordered the one-piece rail, but I wondered about this.

 

Indeed!