I got the flat load floor with the CM I ordered yesterday. No flat load floor has actually been delivered in CT, as far as my MA knew, so they don't know exactly what it looks like. A different MA I talked to was very confident that it was something they could retrofit on any CM once the parts all came in.

If it gets "deleted" from my car, my dealer is going to have to make it right or I'll threaten to walk. (In reality, I'd hopefully get something significant knocked off the price and then do AlfaDude's mod). I have dogs, so having the flat area is really important to me.

 

Has anyone actually seen the MINI version? I suspect that for $250 (given that the tissue box rail accessory is $107) all you get is a hunk of wood or something covered with rug.

It would be nice to think there was a way to prop it open or even that it hinged, but, I think that sounds more like $500.

The one I built for $15 props up with a dowell.

Bill

 

Our parts guy says the current flat load floor is not retro-fittable, but mini is coming up with something for those of us that didn't get it due to early orders.

 

Getting a ratcheting strap from Harbor Freight pulled the seats flatter, and a thick moving blanket provided sufficient coverage to fill the entire back with stuff going to my daughter's wedding. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Yep - - - and they're coming out with a snap in phone cradle that works with MINI Connect.


Sealy - Who has a bridge for sale.

 

As I understand it from my sources, the flat load floor without a secure, frontal crash-proof mounting does not meet US safety compliance standards. That is why the one from the factory has a slide-in mounting system to prevent it from launching forward into the cabin. One can debate the potential for injury from an unsecured load floor, but not with the US authorities.

So, a retrofit would most likely be the flat load floor and additional mounting hardware to retrofit to the sidewalls of the well area. I'm figuring $300 - $500 for parts with a possible stipulation that the parts cannot be sold without MINI dealer in$tallation (compliance/liability issues).

 

For those of you who may have missed the pictures, this is what you get from the factory: CLICKY HERE

Now that Koopah mentions it, it is a rather secure install. My first impression was that it was not removable. It takes a pretty good tug to get it out of there. He may be on to something.

 

So if I ordered mine in Feb, got it in April, will this "fit" in my CM.....wondering if MINI will make it available, as I like the idea of having an option when it comes to cargo carrying....

 

I'd love to see what they come up with, the sides of the well are reinforced with plastic if you order the floor, they aren't if you don't. MINI are being bloody cheaky making this an option, it's standard on the Clubman and Coupe, and on the 1 series, so why the hell isn't it standard on the Countryman?

 

My guess would be beacause it's not a Clubman, it's not a Coupe, and it's not a 1 Series. It's a Countryman and a whole different animal.

 

Ok…Sealy I'm confused…which doesn't take much as it's in the mid 90's, humidity is pegged and everything coming off the paint line does not want to dry..it's been a long day. I clicked "clicky here" 1st picture is what I have..standard right! Then the 2nd picture has it raised, but what's covering the storage area ? 3rd shot shows it folded open ?
Was that an option or am I missing something ?

 

Ok I made it to the dealer today because they had my flat load floor. So I go home crack open the box and the posted pics is what I found. As you see on the underside it has rubber feet (lack of a better word), well as you know there is no place to stick the feet in. So I called the dealer told him about it, so they went out to a Countryman that had the floor and one that didn't. There are supports that have to be retrofitted to the sides of the well. And of course the parts are not available in the US, only Germany. So the wait continues, at least I have the first half of the problem out the way.

 

Sorry for the frustration, that's gotta be annoying.

I'm ordering the floor and now I feel a little better knowing that I'm getting more than carpeted particle board and a hinge for $250. Seems a bit steep, but it looks like there's more to it than just the floor.

 

Any chance it would work if you removed the "feet"? Looks like they are attached with screws???

 

Nope. The feets not the problem there's a split in the middle, which makes the whole thing collapse with out the support. The purpose I guess so you can just lift half of it to gain access to the well with out lifting the whole thing up.

 

OK, go back up to my post and click the link. This is what you get when you check the extra floor box on your order. Looks the same as all CMs when it is all closed up. Lift the top floor and stick it upright and you have a front-to-back barrier and a 2nd load floor over the well. (Put your valuables under and your trash on top.) You can also fold the seats and flip the main floor forward and you have a large flat surface for loading (And your valuables are still out of sight and safe.) The second floor is supported by the arms in brackets on the sides, a lip on the hatch side, and magic at the seats side. To get to your valuables, flip the front half up for access. 2nd floor can also be removed to carry taller stuff, if you need to.

Hope this helps.

Sealy - Who could shoot MINI over 2nd floors and bench seat foolishness

 

Sealy might have to stand in line for that option.

Bill

 

Very much so, Thanks Sealy. So it's the 2nd Floor (covers the well) that everyone is up in arms, looking to purchase or build? My well is full of all my flying needs, charts, headsets, flight bag etc…so that would be nice to have it all hidden and still be able to keep the top cover in the up position, even though we still have the other cover that opens when the hatch opens.

 

It's not parts to be retrofitted, go and have a look for yourself, it's an entire new well, plus if you try to retrofit the latches don't have anywhere to latch when you open it up, so you need to replace the boot sides as well. Converting is a major job, and it will cost a bomb.

I should also point out that mine has the rear bench seat so it doesn't have the divide which comes with the 4 seat option, it also looks like the boot in a 4 seat and that in one like mine with the bench is different.

 

Covering the boot well when you have the standard cover up blocking the view between the seats is an easy build. Use the existing piece as a template and cover the 3/8-inch plywood with carpet or whatever. It just comes out through the hatch on a diagonal with one side raised. I'll post a picture of what I made a bit later.

Bill

 

Here are pictures of the boot cover I made. Used the factory piece as a template and cut off to fit. I used an old blanket to glue down for a cover.

I used 3/8 plywood and it is plenty strong.

 

Jeeze, Louise! Every time I try to help on this subject, I get sucked in like a sailor walking past a gay bar.

Disclaimer – What I’m saying here applies to my Zaftig. (2011 MINI Cooper S Countryman, FWD, 4-place seating, manufactured in Austria and delivered to Baltimore by ship.) If you are reading this in a foreign country, you are on your own. (This means you, Rob. )

The Accessory 2nd floor (well cover) is a squarish flat surface in two sections. It is hinged at the center, side to side (wheel to wheel, not seat to hatch). On the underside of the forward piece (closest to the seats) are mounted two pins, at the hinge and extending beyond the edge of the assembly. Mounted to the automobile there are two plastic blocks on the right and left sides and two plastic blocks mounted at the rear (hatch side). There is a vertical plastic trim piece that runs around the opening of the hatch, inside the well. The blocks are mounted to this piece with star bolts extending into the body of the vehicle. They are not molded in or otherwise permanently attached and appear to be “add ons”. The two side blocks have “L” shaped grooves extending from the upper edge, down to the center, and then towards the front. The male pins of the floor slide into the female groove and then slide to the front to friction lock. The rear blocks are similarly attached and have no fitments. They only support. The side blocks are the only attachment to the vehicle. There are no alterations to the seats, the sidewalls, the headliner, or anything else. There are only two functions of the floor piece – lift up the rear half (through the use of a convenient cut out serving as hand hold) or complete removal (reverse of install). The rear half does not fasten in the up position to anything, but can be folded towards the front half. The whole operation is independent of the standard load floor.

Hope this helps.

 

Translation: this is the part of the design that provides US DOT compliance!

Thanks for the detailed description, Sealy! Oh, and are you sure they didn't change the front grille to accommodate this accessory?

 

Ugh!!!! I was looking at that also hoping thats not the case, this sucks royally especially since I ordered this option and was deleted. I'll hold on to the cover until whatever they got coming from Germany gets here. And the dealers have no idea what to expect. They thought the cover just clicked right in.

 

Please note that KiwiRob is in a foreign country with a bench seat. You are in Philly with buckets.

Sealy - Who's not going to say anything about comparing apples to kiwifruit.