OK, it's my Mini's first winter. Gotta protect those carpets from the snow and the wet. Off I go to my friendly Canadian Tire for some winter rubber floor mats. Rubbermaid makes some that can be cut down to size to fit the floor area so I buy them. After cutting them down they fit pretty good. So the next time I'm out (with the heater on), the smell off these things is TOXIC. I mean stong enough to give you an instant headache. I read soaking in a vinegar and water mix will remove the smell. Not for me. A friend of mine who manufactures rubber hose advised to spray them with oven cleaner and let sit for a few hours then rince and repeat one more time. Worked!! Beats spending the $100 Mini wants for the front mats alone. (But Mini's do look better).

 

If the dealer is charging you a 100 for just the front mats they're ripping you off. I got mine for 55 from the dealer.

 

I got fronts and backs for $70.00 us when I bought the car. $100 is crazy high price.

But if the Rubbermaid ones can be cut down to size how can they hold water, sand and snow. I do on to understand.

 

Regarding the price of the mats.......don't forget, I live in Canada, the land of "pay more than the U.S. for everything from cars to toilet paper." And the $100 I mentioned was in Canadian dollars.
Cutting the mats down to size was done without cutting into the last ridge which keeps the water in the inner mat. I had to look hard to find a mat that would allow me to cut it without compromising the ability to contain any water.

 

Thanks for letting me know how that works with cutting the mats, NOt that i need them just curious.

Good luck with the de-smelling process.

 

My mats were thrown in when I picked her up. Helped with my argument that it was pouring rain that day...