I searched, honest. I'll probably (eventually) end up with a '13-on CTM, but some of the used ones I've seen are earlier models with rear bucket seats. I say "seen," but by that I mean I've looked at them in online ads. It's been a long time since I've seen one in the flesh, and I can't remember: Is the boot isolated from the passenger compartment, or is there a gap between the two rear buckets in cars so equipped? Meaning, can you reach through to the luggage area from the back seat or is there a structural barrier. Thx!

 

There's a gap, though you can fold up the boot well cover to block the gap.

 

I just saw this rear bucket seat set up today....not surfeit this is. Paceman or Countryman.....but I like the way the a back panel covered the "gap and also how the leather wraps around.....NICE mod!!

 

Oops here's the pic!

 

That's the Paceman interior. You can see that there are no rear doors in the pic. The Paceman is slightly narrower in back, from what I've heard. The rear seats do have the "filler" you noticed in the pic. The Countryman has (well, had for 2011, 2012, and optional in 2013) true, separated bucket seats, just like in the front. I have them on my 2012. In the boot, there is a carpeted panel that covers the well in the floor. This can be lifted up and attached so that it covers the gap between the rear seats. I don't ever use it that way, as I prefer a flat floor in the back.

 

My 2013 Countryman has 2 seats with a narrow "3rd" seat in between. I don't think they offer the split seat with rail in this year's model.

It separates the cabin from the boot, but you can drop that middle seat (or the other seats) to gain entry into the boot.



Some older models had a gap between the seats, and there was a cover that attached to the back of the seats that, in effect, kept the 2 separate.

 

You (used to?) be able to order the flat load floor with the bucket seats, so that you could fill in the gap, and have the boot well covered. From what I have read on this site, it's not real clear if you can still get that option on 13'/14' models.

 

You can get the flat load floor; it's a $250 option. Feels a little like stealin'.

 

if your hauling stuff u will need flat load floor. ( when u put down your back seats the, ,floor and seats are the same hight )
I had an 2013 loaner without the flat floor I had a hard time putting bags cause of the dip

 

I have the flat load, so I'll see what it look like to put the panel between the back bucket seats. Thanks for the info!

 

Buckets no longer available. :-(

 

It's a shame. I love our buckets. A bench in such narrow car seems odd...

 

There's room for 3 kids on the rear bench, not so with the bucket seats.

 

+1 for the buckets and wait until those 3 kids grow.........

 

Yup. One of the primary reasons I got a CM was because of the buckets. Unless you want to drive a big SUV or minivan, there are few other choices that offer a comfortable ride for a teenage passenger in the backseat, and it makes a 300 mile road trip very tolerable.

 

Exactly!

 

The buckets are one of the features that makes it unique. Any car can have a bench seat in back. Interestingly, I had originally ordered a 2013 Countryman with the rear bench. The deal fell through the day of delivery and I was heartbroken. I searched around and found a 2012 "brass hat" Countryman (a car that was driven by a MINI executive for a few months) back in March. It has the rear buckets and full center rail. I was able to score a great deal on it, and in the end, I'm glad I have the rear buckets. Friends and family love having their own seats.

 

My car is destined to be a museum piece of options that used to be, since it both has bucket seats AND is the discontinued Pure Red color.

The car comes with one 'barrier' that you'll most likely leave 'up', which makes it a barrier between the seats and the trunk. If you put it down you get a flatter, but smaller trunk. You'd need a fairly good reason to want to do that, I haven't done it in the year that I've had it except when putting a seat down during an IKEA run.

As far as the buckets themselves, I love them. It's really comfortable back there having seats that are essentially just as comfortable as the front and everyone feels like they have their own space.

 

I'm the exact opposite: I always have it down. I keep my essentials underneath: lawn chair, racquetball gear, cargo straps, shovel/ice scraper in the winter, jack (doubt I'd ever need a jack with no spare but I can't bring myself to take it out), and first aid kit. Sometimes a volleyball or other sports equipment.

The museum comment amused me. I'm also in a Pure Red with buckets, plus I have the full rail.