so i was on the MINI site and saw something new. a grocery bag holder that attaches to the back of one of the back seats. has anyone seen one of these in aftermarket? or has anyone ordered from the dealer and installed? i realize this probably isn't that popular of an item, but it appeals to me, i hate having that stuff rumble around in the back!!

 

Any chance you could provide a link? I couldn't find anything like that.

 

I saw it too. I was just 5 minutes ago talking to my wife about it.

I may talk to my dealer about it when I go pick up my car next month.

BTW: I doubt a link can be provided. It is on the last page of the configurator.

 

The grocery bag holder looks like an oversized comb. It's $24.95 in the accessories catalog, but my dealer quoted about $75 installed.

I'll let you know how easy it is to install it yourself early next week. Sounds like a great idea, but I'm a bit hesitant to pay that much labor to have it installed.

 

When I first saw it in the 2005 Accessories catalog I thought it was a clever idea. I wonder if it's screwed in the back or held in place by velcro? I have the cargo net and rubber mats and find that my grocery doesn't move around. You can fit a surprising amount in the boot including a 25 pound bag of dog food.

 

I've got the boot box and it works great too. If the wife buys the usual amount (3 teens at home) we fold down the rears and park the boot box against the front seat. It holds the small fragile stuff and keeps stuff from sliding fwd too.

 

Saw this on miniusa.com yesterday - click on "Build your own MINI," click through all the "Next" steps until you get to the final "accessories" page, and it should be there.

Funny how things disappear and reappear on that site.

 

Funny to see this thread, I just had a carton of milk bust on me in the trunk. I drive way too hard.

Got milk? Yup all over the back of my car

 

Installed the grocery bag holder this past weekend. Took about 20 minutes. You need a 1/8" drill bit, a drill, a phillips screwdriver, and a tape measure. The instructions are very clear and specific about where it goes.

One tip, as you're drilling the holes in the back of the rear seat, you need to make sure you don't exceed 3/4" depth. Either set the length of the drill bit to 3/4" or mark it very clearly. When you finally get through the metal layer, there will be significantly less resistance.

I have to say, I really like it. It's a great help when you're bringing back a few bags of groceries and you don't feel like putting all the stuff back into bags when you get home. It's well worth the $25. I'll probably get another one for the other side in a couple of weeks.

 

Pics? :smile:

 

Ya, can someone post pics of this thing in action? :smile:

 

I believe I saw it on the MINI USA site. Look for it when you build a car. Hope that helps. The piece itself looks very simple to install.

 

Try having the grocery clerk that packs the bags tie each one...Then each bag will not be over filled and the contents dumped out on the ride back to the house....Also gives you an extra supply of doggie bags for his walk...Works for me...

 

Doesn't show it in use. Can barely tell what it is from that pic.

 

Nobody that owns one is piping up so I'll take a stab at it. It looks like a piece of plastic with fingers pointing up. Kinda like the head of a garden rake. This is attached to the back of the rear seat and you hook your grocery bags (the plastic ones with handle holes) over the fingers thus keeping them from sliding around and falling over. A very simple design...that's why it works....

 

That is an excellent description. Now I understand what it does. Thanks, jaxmini.

 

Seems like a great gimmick, but why don't drivers of other cars need it?

Are MINI drivers missing the Grocery Mode driving gene? Perhaps a career counselor on NAM can provide a step by step guide to acquiring this valuable trait through self-actualization and rigorous practice regimen.

Or it could become a VERY popular autocross event at the next major MINI round up (is that Vegas?). NAM might make arrangements to use a genuine A&P parking lot outfitted with grocery clerks, blue haired ladies, petitioners, jumping kids, errant shopping carts and spilt ice cream.

Just a notion--it's a rainy Saturday morning here.

 

Mini Vans (excuse the pun) have had these for a few years along the back edge of the back seat. Look in the back of a '98+ Chrysler or Dodge Caravan and they have small paddles pointing upward every 5 inches or so. They work pretty well. :smile:

 

They are an asset in out '03 Honda Pilot as well. I would like to have them in the MINI

 

My A4 had them. They folded down from the trunk ceiling. Very convenient.

 

Ya know it's much easier to request paper...and then 16 year old Tommy doesn't place one or two items in 50 plastic bags...drives me insane. Paper keeps everything upright and dandy

 

Looks cool. I would be interested. Attached is the image!

But I wonder, when you put the seats down, now you don't have a flat surface. Or can it be easily removed from the mount or something?

 

Naaaaaa.....it sticks up far enough that you rip it off the back seat when folded down and trying to carry a heavy object! Also make sliding things over it a real challange when laying down.....Yup....a really neat design until you want to lay the seat down!

 

Thanks for the pic. I'm embarrassed to say that I wasn't getting what this thing looked like until I saw the pic. Now, I know I won't get it.

 

My solution to the grocery bag problem is having two bungee cords forming an "X" in the boot. They are hooked on to the metal hooks/rings near the floor of the boot. I stick the grocery bags underneath the bungees and they keep them in place for the most part. Just have to be careful and not place the loaf of bread right underneath a cord