Well, I thought the 8 week wait for my first MINI was obnoxious... This one has me questioning if I can wait it out.

Dealer confirms that orders for the bench seat won't be taken until November for a December build and a February delivery. Looks like my R56 is going to be in rotation a lot longer than I thought it would. But, the whole point was to have a more family friendly car, which means three seat belts in the back. ::sigh::

If I didn't love the brand so much, I'd be heading to a Hyundai dealer...

 

While it may not affect your delivery date by much, a little clarification may be in order.

Orders for CM w/bench can be put in the system as soon as now. However, production numbers won't be given until closer to November; theoretically this will be a first-in/first-out queue. In November, production will include the fitment of the bench on so ordered CM. That means CM-bench production will start a bit earlier than your MA seems to indicate...but not by much.

Right now, the holdup on the 2012 CM ordering is actually the introduction of the new/reconfigured packages. The order codes for some of them are not "live" right now, so my MA has configured my Tech Pkg (and Nav) option a la carte. This will get my order into the system while they straighten-out the order codes.

Of course, one of the other things that may affect production is the ongoing availability issues with the Automatic Transmission and the Connected/Nav options. In fact, it appears that MINI is severely limiting dealer's orders for 2012 stock with auto-trans in order to assure supplies exist at the production line for customer orders. As the suppliers (in Japan) of these items begin to increase their production, this problem will slowly get better.

While it is an emotional let-down, waiting is not such a bad thing. Figure that it is more time for MINI to iron-out the wrinkles uncovered over the last year! Perhaps, by then, an iPhone 5 snap-in armrest connector will be available!!!

 

Who do you plan on sitting in the middle? There won't be enough room for a car seat or even a teenager

 

 

The dog. He's small. The goal is to be able to do two car seats/car seat and a booster and put the dog in the middle. I have to deliver a dissertation before I plan on having another kid, but I want the flexibility. The center rail doesn't do anything for me and I just envision dog hair and cheerios stuck in it. I love my Cooper, but we're getting rid of our Jeep Liberty (where I also wouldn't put three adults) and we were hoping that the CM would be the family car. I don't need or want a minivan, but do need the three (small) seat option. We'll see how it goes.

Basically, just confirming the 11/11 start of production for the bench. I'd hoped it was wrong, but it isn't.

 

There's always the boot.

[ducking and running for cover]

 

This pic just taken. And, no. They do not stay back there - just a shot for the calendar.

 

The bench would be nice, and I cringe at the thought of gunk and cheerios in the rail that I have to dig out every weekend; the seats are quite nice and comfortable... and it is a rare feature making it kind of nice.

Still on the fence about the bench vs. buckets, but leaning to the bucket option and no more waiting to place the order... unless i change my mind again

 

Koopah is right...put your order in as soon as your ready. The sooner the better to get a slot. You'll be ahead of the pack once it starts, and then they go fast. I put $$ down last summer even before I saw the CM. Once they came around for showing and confirmed and I finalized the order. Build didn't start till later in the year but I had a slot. You have had the opportunity to see and hear everything about them, as long as they not have not started the build you still have options to change. I did twice and never lost my spot.
Good luck

 

FWIW,

MINIUSA have just released a bulletin to their dealers regarding additional details about the new rear bench seat:

1. Confirmation of the seat availability during SOP in November;
2. Visually similar to the Euro version;
3. Seat is split 40/20/40 (this differs from the '11 Euro 60/40 version)
4. Seat bases/backs slide and recline;
5. Center shoulder belt stores in headliner;
6. New rear cargo partition -- similar to Clubman.

I'm not sure of the difference between the Clubman and Countryman rear partition...anyone want to clarify?

 

Here's a couple pics I found of the bench option..

Euro

 

Oh, now I wish I had waited, and got the bench seat. I ordered my CM in March and recieved it in May. We like it the way it is, but---- the bench looks so much nicer. I am not a big fan of the "rails". In the back seat with kids its just a dirt and clutter catcher. And the dog gets her paws in there.

I wonder if the bench can be installed "after market" ????

 

To each his own, but that pic above of the bench looks like any econobox... The backseat bucket seats are unique and I think complete the "look"...

 

+100 on that I hate the bench, just ruins the sweet look of the back. My daughter (4) loves it, she feels like she actually has her own seat.

As for those with pets there is a solution out there that puts a booster cushion over the rail, forget who makes it though.

 

I don't tend to make judgements about other people's choices unless it involves danger to life and limb. I guess that comes from 60+ years of being on the planet!

However, the designer in me appreciates the four-place seating and full rail. I really think it is one of the iconic design elements of the Countryman. But it is not only a work of "art"; the Countryman has to double as a vehicle that can be adapted for for many functions in our family. So, concessions to artistic value need to be made in my situation. The 3-place seating is one of the concessions we need to make. Simple as that.

We are all fortunate that MINI have created a product that can be so varied in its "you-ification". That variance allows their products to cleverly address specific needs/desires among a wider market than most manufacturers. I am proof of that.

And, frankly, I don't care how you have "you-ified" your Countryman. I'm just glad we are all members of a welcoming community of individuals, each of us satisfied with the choices we have made for ourselves!!!

 

Well stated Koopah.. just to have the option to get the rear bench makes the CM much more marketable and practical especially for those with families/pets/etc..

 

Got an email from my SA this morning that Bench Seat option is now available when ordering a 2012 Countryman.

 

Are you serious? No one tell my wife! Not having a bench option was almost a dealbreaker for her, but I convinced her we couldn't wait since we've been down to one car for a while now. (I prefer the nonbench).

 

Yes, that was announced in late June. BUT... The bench seat won't go into the production line until November! We've ordered...we're waiting patiently...

 

I went to my dealer yesterday, talked with a MA and the sales manager and was told they couldn't even take orders for the 2012 with the bench until mid-September. Weirdest thing, I was standing there with my checkbook in hand, and they wouldn't sell me a car. Didn't even try to sell me one of the 2011s on the lot. I would go to the other local dealer but I have heard horror stories about them and would rather purchase from the same place I plan to take it for service.

Guess I will call them again later this week to see if they change their tune or wait til mid-Sept. Either way I don't expect to get it until Jan or Feb.

 

There isn't even enough room for three 6 year olds, the rear bench is next to useless, I would have gone with the individual buckets if they had been available when I ordered mine, the CM like all MINI's is a 4 seater, I never worked out why they gave my 5 seatbelts in my Clubman I could never fit 5 people in it.

I have 2 MAXI COSI Rodi children's boosters seats in the back, I hope you dog is really really small, Jack Russel sized or smaller, even something the size of a Bichon isn't going to fit in the gap, you can't even pull down the armrest. There is no way you'll ever fit 2 car seats and a booster in the CM back seat, it physically can't be done, it's a 4 seater.

 

+1, I have just one Britax Diplomat, and although the other passenger seat has plenty of room, there would not be enough space for a pooch. Really just enough for a drink holder or arm rest.

 

Two car seats in the back of mine - One rear facing - Only room for the rail in the middle

 

One kids seat facing forward, one facing rear, no room in between.. dog goes in trunk and pokes her head through the seat gaps when she wants attention. Who wants dog hair up front anyway. Bench seating will be useless.

 

Aren't rear facing child seats safest in the center?
Plus there is more room as opposed to behind the front seats. Even our Audi A3 or Infiniti FX35 doesn't really have enough room behind the seats for our Britax Chaperone so it has to go in the middle in both those cars. So bench seat required I assume.