I originally answered the question posted after researching the information.
I am a MINI enthusiast, Motoring Advisor, a MINI owner for six years, and a 10 month owner of an ALL 4. I participate in the forums to offer assistance and also to learn from other owners. I learned something new today!

 

Do I need to put you two boys on a time out?

This debate is interesting because of the inconsistencies between the information we as consumers are getting from one dealer to the next. Good thing the early adopters of the bench seat have signed locked down orders and hopefully there will not be any nasty surprises with a "no cost option" adding $250 to our signed orders.

Anyone from outside the US with a bench that can tell us how the flat load floor is configured / post pix? It would at least solve the debate of what it will look like. Whether MINI will charge $250 for the no cost option in the US will still be part of the discovery process for those of us with cars being built.

 

According to KiwiRob, outside the US the bench seat CM doesn't come with ANY flat floor over the boot, single panel or otherwise. I'd be interested to see the configuration, though, if any non-US CM owners bought the flat-load floor with their bench seat...

I'm told this will NOT be the case with the US bench seat CMs. It will come with a tri-fold floor like the Clubman, but you can still order the second, optional flat-load floor to go with it.

 

hey, people shouldn't be getting mad at each other on this forum...get mad at bmw/mini. i found that mini does a very poor job at marketing communications, whether it's a promotional discount or changes to options, there is a lack of detailed information, thus lack of clarity. and then if you call mini, (which one time the person i spoke with answered BMW) they know nothing and always refer you to the dealership. then the dealership doesn't know, creating more of an issue. (if mini is reading this, you need to hire me to run your marketing communications area) yes, i am the guy who attended motor-tober fest and still did not receive my certificate for reasons unknown....but the dealer is honoring it anyway.

 

I am so looking forward to seeing a photo of the boot in a US CM with bench seat option, I seriously doubt there will be a floor unless you take the flat floor option, I can't see it being any different in the US than the rest of the world. I had a look at a four seater in my dealers this weekend, this car had the flat floor and the standard divider, when you look at how this setup is attached it's just not possible to have both in the bench seat model, the rear floor and boot liner are completely different.

But until we see one in the wild I guess none of us will know, it certainly appears that the MA in the US don't have much of a clue either.

 

Here you go, I don't see what the ROTW gets and what the US gets being eny different.

With flat load floor



Without flat load floor. You will never see an official photo from MINI without it. Also note that the photos below don't show the jack and firstaid kit, with the flat load floor they are hidden awy, without it they sit on the well and take up space.

 

Actually, that happens quite often. I don't know about Mini specifically, and obviously I can't speak to the CM yet, but I know it happens with German cars and cupholders, for example. The US specs are often different than the rest of the world, because stereotypical US and, say, European car buyers have different priorities, and because the governing bodies for car safety and so forth have different requirements. So I don't really see why in this case the specs couldn't differ.

Also, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the bench seat actually had to be reconfigured for the US market, which was why we couldn't get it as an option on the 2011s. The seat had to be reconfigured slightly to meet US specs, and didn't get approval until sometime this past summer, I think.

 

Thanks for posting. That setup will work for me. Hope it's similar in US.

 

Spoke to my MA today. It turns out I have had a production number for a few days now, although I still don't know it. I am scheduled for week 49 production and was required by the system to have the additional $250 flat load floor. Oh well, guess it is what it is, at least I am finally getting my mini!

 

Im with kiwirob on this one!

 

Cupholders are one thing but completely re-engineering the product is another, hence the reason why you won't be getting the diesels because MINI aren't going to re-engineer the platform to ad adblue.

That's not true, initially MINI didn't certify the bench seat because they didn't think the US market would want it, however you lot proved them wrong so they had to certify it, hence the delay in getting in into the market.

 

i believe that i read somewhere that the DOT finally approved the config. as is, so it was neither a reconfig nor was it because mini didn't think it would sell (in fact, the two seats in the rear is more of a marketing leap of faith than the standard US rear bench) my question is...when is the countryman going to offer a front bench seat??? i'm kidding

 

Actually, THAT'S not true. MINI sought DOT (a MOT-like government agency) certification in the US but was denied because as a three-place seat, it did not meet minimum width requirements for certification. This last spring, the DOT changed its minimum width requirements thus allowing certification of the CM bench.

Frankly, my rear seat passenger doesn't care as long as he can stand in the center and lick the ears of the front seat occupants!

 

Awwwww! He's SO CUTE!

We should start a Countryman Co-Pilots thread for pictures of our pets. And kids and spouses, I suppose.

 

I went into OL today and saw that Flat Load Floor was added to my order details, not to my knowledge...so it appears required. I emailed my MA and haven't heard back. Those with bench orders who haven't looked at the order details may want to check that out....

 

Interesting... I just went and looked, and it's on mine now, too. It wasn't as recently as last night, though.

Well, looks like I don't need to worry about not having a flat floor over my boot space! That's really all I care about. Although I'll probably have a chat with my MA if that shows up as a $250 charge when I take delivery...

 

Sounds like it is a required option via MINI production, but not updated on mini configuration at the dealer level or consumer level. Regardless, my MA assured me either MINI will pay for it or he'll throw it in, so I'm happy either way.

 

Same with mine (I have 2...) and they're glad they won't have to worry about breaking their legs on the silly center rail.

 

I wonder how that will work out if you ordered a flat load floor like I did. I guess I'll have to have a chat with my MA.

 

I swapped emails with my MA today and he said that load-flat floors were now required AND that I would have to pony up the $250. He said he would 'work on it' for me, but I don't have a lot of confidence.

 

I told mine (who is AWESOME) that I signed the order sheet and placed the order already...he completely agreed.

 

MINI dealers received a bulletin today that confirms the flat load floor is being added to all vehicles with rear bench seat at an additional cost of $250.00.

 

I suspect there are going to be quite a few people who did not order the FLF and are going to be pissed and are going to argue to try to get out of paying it (or make their dealer pay for it). I ordered it, but I think Mini either has to either charge EVERYONE for it, or charge NO ONE for it. Charging no one for it is the good PR move.

 

I agree.... Especially since Mini previously stated that the bench seat would be a no-cost option. Oh well. At least I don't have to worry about not having a floor over my boot space!

 

whichever you chose, at least you know now what the "right" choice is
and you don't have to decide, and the pain and suffering is over