Can you explain what this means? (Sorry, I'm not a car aficianado)

 

It means that there are no worries about the center seatbelt. It has no connections to the SRS (airbag) ECU, so it can be added to or subtracted from a car without issue.

 

Thanks so much for your post, CTScott. After getting your replies, i've done some reading on seatbelts - very interesting, and I am much reassured that if I put in a middle rear seatbelt, as long as it is anchored well (which seems to be the only safety mechanism in the middle rear - no airbag, no pretensioner), it will work as well as if it came off the factory line.

I'll be sure to post again on any other details I find out about this issue, and certainly if I decide to make the change.

BTW, if I do this, it well be MINI service (or possibly a local body shop) who does the actual work. They quoted me an estimate of $2500-$5000 to do it (parts and labor). For my needs (a third child on the way), this seems like a better financial option than trade in. Plus I get to keep the MINI that I designed!

 

I have a complete set of light coffee lounge leather buckets (all four) if anyone is interested....$2000. Perfect and non smoker car.

 

Any final word on this?

We are deciding between a 2011 CMS with All4 and a 2015 base. Rest of the family wants the bench but the 2011 it too good a deal to pass up. But if I could swap the buckets out....

 

Anyone want to sell or rent me your rear bench? Id also be interested in trading my rear buckets for your rear bench seat. I have black leather with grey trim.
I'm located in Portland or. Anyone close by or even far?

 

I really need a bench. I have black leather buckets if you are interested.

 

Hi...I just bought a used 2012 mini countryman ALL4 with bucket back seats and the kids are upset that there won't be room for a third passenger back there. Is anyone out there still looking to swap a rear bench for buckets?...or sell a bench?

 

My wife also wanted the Bench over the Buckets. The dealer I bought the Countryman had the Pure Red with Buckets and the Lemon Yellow with the Bench.

The Dealer was willing to make that trade, but the work would out weigh the price.

Here is what was involved:
Seat Swap
Headliner Swap
Center Rail Swap
Need to Weld the nuts on the roof before reinstalling the headliner for the Middle Seatbealt since mine did not come with this option.

The back of the bench and the buckets are identical so nothing else needs to be done. Just make sure you remove the base for the rail thats between the buckets and give that up with the swap

The rear seats do not have Seatbelt sensors as far as I saw, so no programming needed and the tensioners are mechanically driven.

 

Late to the party...but if you havent done this already I want to swap buckets for bench... If you still have the car... Vroom vroom.

 

I'd be interested. My bench is black and is the base material. Do your buckets match?

 

And I guess more importantly, where are you at? Shipping these is going to be expensive. I'm in the Minneapolis area.

 

Would anyone want to trade a rear bench seat for buckets and half rail? My seats are Black Leather with Black Stitching.

 

DItto..
Light coffee Buckets - looking for light coffee bench
Located in Vermont, but will travel if needed.