Hi,
So i just got my first mini, a 2011 white MC and i love it! I have never owned a car that I like to drive or customize so much! Now for the other dog owners out there, I have two dogs who will be riding in my new mini. One is a 45 lb dalmatian and the other one is a 55 lb mutt. I am curious do most people have their larger dogs in their MC with the seats folded or just in the back seat? Also what are most people using for seat protectors from the dogs? i have seen a few products on the internet but they are $200 plus! looking for something cheaper, or if anyone has made their own solution too? Thanks! I have posted some pictures of my new baby too!!

 

Congrats on your Cooper ! looks sweet !
Motor On !
El Tiger

 

Congrats! Looks nice!

Sorry I cannot help you with the dog question.

 

I take our 2 Golden Retrivers out quite a bunch.
Hugo, 125 lbs. goes in the back with seats down.
Piper sits in passenger seat.
I just have a couple of blankets to cover everything.
Have fun with your car.
The dogs will love it.
Happy Motoring!

 

Personally I'd go seats down for sure with dogs that big. As far as protecting your interior from your dogs I thing this is really a question of how well you want to protect it and what you want to protect your interior from? I think you really get what you pay for. If you look at the ones offered by MINI and PoochStyle, it's easy to see what you are paying for. You aren't just buying a glorified blanket. From the photos it looks like you get some coverage for the for the front seat backs as well as some coverage for the sides of the cargo area as well.

But you're right, it sure isn't cheap.

I'd say maybe the next best alternative would be some heavy canvas drop cloth like a painter might used. If you could find some plastic backed, that would be even better. If you're super handy you could sew on some velcro straps to attach to your driver/passenger headrests to help keep it in place.

Good luck. Let us know what you find.

 

Congrats on your MINI and welcome.

I have a 103 lb English Lab that loves to go. He'd love it more if the back windows rolled down but because he likes to sit up and look between the front seats I put folded towels in the rear seats and then a blanket to cover the seatbelt receivers and then a queen size fitted sheet tucks nicely around the package tray, you can pull it behind the sides of the seatback and lock the seat back into place. and then wedge it down beside the seat-bottom.

 

I have a golden lab -- I bought a boot box, turned it upside down to make the back surface flat, bought a hunter's SUV protector & put a furniture pad on top of that. I also got the rear 'seat for bumper' from one of our traders-his daughter makes them. Padded seat & velcro on back so it just folds right over your bumper to protect the boot/bumper from doggie paws/nail scratching it. Great investment! Check it out-click on my 'trader' icon

 

Congratulations on your new MINI

 

Our Corgis are only about 30 lbs, but they love the seats down.
We bought a seat protector for less than $20 a few years ago at WallyWorld I think, and it works fine. Just be aware if they shed, like our little fluffballs do, a vacuum job will be in order.
This was from last week from Orlando to Atlanta. They did great as always.
Enjoy the new MINI!!!