Ok so my MA let me place an "order" for a 2012 with the bench seat. I really have no desire for the rail and if I'm spending $30k+ on a new car, I am going to get exactly what I want.

Anyone know any more details regarding production schedules for the bench? My MA stated that speaking with the rep left him with little answers other than most likely a November order/December build and was unsure of the cost...

The actual car is as follows:

2012 All4
6-Speed Stick
Cosmic Blue w/ White top
Pano roof
Piano Black inside
Beige color line
Connected
Heated Seats
White Stripes
Armrest
Xenons
Tunnel Spokes

I think that pretty much sums it up...

Its going to be a long wait for December..........

 

My MA provided me with the order sheet back in June & bench didn't start production until Nov 2011. The other delayed option was for blacked out headlights starting sometime in Sep.

I considered the bench too, but 1. Didn't want it (wife was interested) & 2. Didn't want to wait till Jan to get here! Oh, & bench is no additional charge.

Good luck & here's the link to the attachment

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...54-post10.html

 

I ordered my CM today with the bench rear seat, I was told delivery would be December at "earliest"

 

x2
Wife considering a Countryman and is looking for bench seat as well.

 

I was told by my MA that January was likely to be the first delivery of the bench.

I went with the buckets, simply because the only people small enough to fit three across still need a car seat.

 

I too have placed an order for a 2012 with the bench seat. I can't wait to get it and take pictures of three people sitting back there to show how much room there really is. When I have test driven the bucket seat models with two adults in the back, there appears to be plenty of room to put a child in between if there was only a seat and not a rail. Now I agree that the buckets are "cooler" but I need to occasionally bring an extra friend along with my two boys, age 5 and 9. Two 9 year olds and a 5 year old in a booster will fit with room to spare. Now in 5-7 years, who knows...

As for delivery, I have resigned myself to January. In fact I tell myself it will be February so that I am not disappointed when its late. I have been told that official orders can be placed in the system in September; orders can be taken by the dealer now but dealer allocations for 2012s with the bench seat won't go into the system until mid-September. Production will start in November and a quick scan of normal delivery is about 8 weeks from start of production to driveway.

FWIW, I chose Oxford Green, black roof with panoramic, gloss black 18s, black bonnet stripes and blacked out headlights.

 

I ordered my 2012 CM with a bench seat in late August, after reading a post about them on this forum. Not sure if my MA actually placed the order yet, but she took a deposit, and invited me to a MINI customer appreciation party this week, so it seems legit. She expected the car to arrive sometime in January or February. Hope my 1996 Toyota will last until then!

 

Its official, the bench is a no cost option. My MA called today and was actually able to place the order!! Production date to be assigned mid to early october...but it is a 3 passenger bench seat that has no added cost...

Looks like a Christmas delivery!

 

You know, a good aftermarket idea for the bucket seats would be to make a soft cover to go over the center rail in between the seats so someone could sit on top of it. Of course, there won't be a seat belt available. Maybe a pillow would work in a pinch. I can't imagine three people sitting back there for any extended length of time.