I have been waiting for a production number for my bench seat ALL4. I just heard from my MA and was told that BMW/MINI are now requiring the flat load floor to be purchased with the bench.
I know there are benches being built but has anyone else been told this? I stalk these forums fairly regularly and don't recall ever seeing this mentioned. Thanks a bunch!

 

Not sure how or why, considering with the seats up it makes its own divider

 

+1
The flat load floor was not required when I placed my order a month ago.

 

My MA specifically told me that the flat load floor was NOT necessary with the bench and not to order one. Now, there is (supposedly) a flat floor that comes with the bench seat cars (just like the one in the 4-seater) that covers the boot well, but the optional second flat-load floor is not a required part.

 

like I mentioned in an earlier thread, my MA gave me a demo of the flat load floor on a standard CM (with the non bench seats). It certainly looks like we bench seaters really don't need it since the rear bench seat has carpeting on its back that provides the same benefit of the flat load floor. She agreed that it is redundant for our option and that it doesn't make it any less/more useful.

 

I've been a MINI owner for 6 years, researched them for 2 years before I bought my first, read everything I can get my hands on about MINI's...

Going through my second ordering process (which hasn't improved much in 6 years)....

The more MINI MA's I speak to, the more I am convinced the average poster on this board knows MUCH more about the product than the average MA....

 

I agree, Runningman.
The email I got this morning said that the flat load floor is now a requirement for the bench seats. I also think it is not needed and a tad bit silly but at this point, I just want my car. I ordered it the end of July and don't even have a production number yet.

 

Not just MINIs, similar with all brands. Last 4 cars I bought I knew things that the salesperson did not.

 

I don't want to state the obvious, but when you have the seats folded down for the dog, or something and want to keep the boot area separate you need the original folding boot cover to flip up.

Bill

 

The flat load floor is really a poorly named option and it could be what is leading to the confusion.

It consists of two panels with a piano hinge instead of the standard single panel setup. With the two panels, you can cover the storage well with one of the panels AND have the second panel placed against the rear seats to cover the hole in between the buckets. It basically gives the option of having a permanent flat floor on top of the storage well regardless of whether the hole between the seats is covered or not.
Without that option, the four seat cars are come with a single panel cover. With only one panel, either the storage well is covered or the back of the seats is covered so you can't always have a flat load floor.

According to my and Ann's MAs, the bench seat cars are still going to be delivered with the single panel shelf. Since there is no gap between the rear seats with the bench configuration, that second shelf really would serve no purpose other than extra protection - maybe...
The uncertainty comes from not knowing exactly if the bench cars will truly be delivered with that single panel like the rear bucket versions. If our MAs are wrong, then we get no flat floor at all unless we checked the box.
Time will tell, but I played with various configurations before placing my order and the flat load floor option code on the summary sheet is the same whether bench or bucket seats are chosen. Since the option code is identical, I think it represents the two panel system. Based on that and what my MA told me, I did not select the option for my bench seat config. If it's not there when the car shows up I won't be heartbroken, and it can be ordered through the parts department later on anyway.

It will be interesting to see what the first cars come with...

 

Agreed! I'm waiting with baited breath for the first pics of a US CM with bench seats so I can finally rest easy (or possibly freak out) about not ordering the flat-load floor!

 

If you order 4UK 3 rear seats the option 4UL Flat Load floor is automatically added at a cost of $250.00. According to a bulletin from MINI the flat load floor will be a tri-fold similar to the Clubman.

When you configure the vehicle on miniusa.com it does not specify that you need to order the flat load floor. When the dealer orders it automatically pops up with an asterisk that bench seats require the flat load floor.

When I print out the specification it details the $250.00 for flat load floor.

 

That is not true. Or at least it hasn't been true up to this point.

I just went to configurator and no such thing happens when bench seats are selected.

I also just reviewed my already placed order for CM-S with bench seat which goes into production with the GM of my MINI dealership this past weekend, there was no such charge.

 

I agree. I'm looking at my order breakdown on the OL right now, and there is no flat-load floor option added.

HOWEVER, My MA told me that the boot floor cover that comes with the bench seat Countryman (not the second, optional flat-load floor) will be a tri-fold like the Clubman.

 

I just did a nationwide locate of all Countryman/S Countryman and ALL4 models on order with 4UK Rear Bench Seat - there are 655 cars on order.
I then did a locate with 4UK and excluded flat load floor - there are 0 on order.

 

Now do a search and see how many of those cars have a $250 surcharge for the "flat load floor". Bench seat was billed as a N/C option and I won't be paying for it, my dealer can.

 

Cars are still "on order" and I can't print specifications with prices shown until a production number is assigned. However when we ordered cars it shows as a $250.00 charge on our production confirmation.

According to a product bulletin published back in July for MINI dealers

"rear cargo partition feature is no longer available (rear seat backrests serve as the partition"

The load floor is the same design as the Clubman (folds over as a trifold)

center seatbelt can be decoupled and stored in the roof

If you have a car on order ask your MA to print out your specification sheet and see what is shown. The Owners Lounge doesn't always show all the options especially if you have quite a few.

 

I have the specification sheet, there is nothing concerning a flat load floor or a $250 charge.

I think you are mistaken

 

No mention of this "requirement" from my MA when we placed our order this past Saturday.

 

Oh, think there is a "trifold cover for the boot" which has been discussed many times on this board.

I also know there is "flat load floor" option as shown in the configurator for the CM that costs $250.00.

I just don't think the two items are one and the same.

There is certainly no $250.00 charge ringing up for the bench seat the way it does for adaptive xenons where you HAVE to order the rain sensor windshield and auto lights.

File this under proof of what I had said about enthusiasts knowing more than MA's

 

I deleted the spec sheet showing the charge for flat load floor.

There have been several times in the past that the miniusa.com was incorrect on new models and model changes. We will just have to see when the first ones arrive at the dealerships.

 

I'm sorry, this is snarky, but all I can think of is my high school science teacher:

"Correlation does not equal causation."

I don't know if the bench seat ones force the flat-load floor or not. All I know is that as long as I have a floor over my boot space, I don't really care. Although I'd try to get my MA to take off the $250 charge, because it's supposed to be a no-cost option to get the bench seat.

 

Convenient that you "deleted" that spec sheet.

I didn't delete my spec sheet, the one without a flat load floor or charge for same...and I'm not relying on what miniusa says for my info.

There is no flat load floor charge.

 

I did a search, found your production order and posted it so you could see the $250.00 charge shown for flat load floor. Then I had second thoughts about posting that information and deleted it.

 

I found your dealership, wrote an email to your GM telling him you are incompetent, had second thoughts and then deleted it.