See attached. Anyone know what FS is? Also, if I reading this correctly it appears FSGY (red cloth/leather seats) does not require the red door panels as it did in 2012.

 

Looks like the dealer that claimed the flat load floor (4UL) was an extra cost option was lying...

 

Also, it does NOT say all season tires are not available for 18 inch wheels (which was not the case in 2012). Can anyone confirm that all season 18 inch tires can now be factory specified?

 

Well, the MINIUSA website is down as usual, So I went on the MINI UK site and their build configurator is up and running showing all of the updates. The packages are really different though... Still at least you can see what the new 2013 changes look like on something other than the plain countryman photos they released to the public a few days ago.

The 2013 looks much more bland with the all carbon black and no matte silver trim around the air vents, speedometer, tack, center of wheel, etc... I wish I had known that before when I ordered and I would've gotten the chrome interior trim to give it a litle more "Flava"... Anyone ever added OEM chrome interior trim themselves?

Still looks cool, but definitely a bit more bland than what a MINI should be IMO.

 

Based on the UK website, it appears FS is "all black" cloth/leather seats. One dealer here claims they are not available, but based on the attached spreadsheet it seems pretty obvious they are available.

 

When I was at my dealer and did a mock build on a CM JCW, it had an option for all-season tires, and I'm pretty sure those are 18" standard.

 

My dealer also told me there is a charge for the flat load floor!

 

I was told the same thing. I wanted the buckets in the rear, but he aid that was 250 extra because the 3 seat bench was standard. So I told him I would save the 250 and just get the rear bench seats but then he said that if I did that I HAD TO pay 250 to get the flat load floor also... You pay 250 bucks more either way.. So I just got the dual rear buckets that I wanted initially.

Sucks because You have to spend 250 bucks more either way....

 

Your dealer lied to you also. As you can see in the attached pricing guide, published by BMW, both the flat floor and bucket seats are no-cost options for model year 2013.

 

Anyone have any luck figuring out the flat load floor/ bench seat dilemma?

According to the posted pricing sheet flat load floor is a no cost option, while on the Miniusa build flat load floor is $250 but NOT required with the bench seat as many dealers have told me.

This is what I was told back in October before the specs/pricing was out:

 

It was a required add on on 2012 models and it looks like it's no longer required with the 2013 configurator. Dealers are probably going with what they're used to and telling folks it's required until they are sure that it's not. Having ordered a 2012 bench before they went into production over a year ago, I can tell you that there was similar confusion last year and some unhappiness with being asked to spend an extra $250 for the flat load floor after the fact.

Mine is in the garage almost permanently so I would advise skipping it unless you have a need for a somewhat flat floor when rear seats folded down.

 

the configurator for the 2013 countryman is up finally!!

 

Hmm hopefully i'll be able to have the dealer take it out (the $250) when I take delivery next month, now that 2013 pricing is finally out. Although event their own website/ configurator is giving conflicting info. *sigh*

To clarify, since you have one Fredoin, the "optional" flat load floor in a bench model is in ADDITION to a standard boot floor right?

 

i just checked and it is an option in the config. make them remove it or give it to you...

 

Yes, the standard configuration on the 2013 I assume does not have the flat load floor.
Without it, you end up with a loading level that comes below the tailgate level by maybe 8 inches or so.
Wth it, you get a folding flat contraption that goes over that "well" sort of space, but the floor looks level when you open the rear tailgate. That piece is removable so you can have either standard or flat version.

I don't know if I made myself very clear, but that's the best I can think of describing it right now. I would take pictures but like I said the darn thing is in my garage in SF and I'm in Reno right now.

I usually remove the flat load floor piece for several reasons:
- Easier to wedge groceries and keep them from rock and rolling in the boot.
- The flat load floor surface is slippery so what is on it will get tossed around. I put a kitchen mat on mine to increase friction.
- The material attracts dog hair and it's a PITA to vacuum it out.
- Easier to arrange large amount of junk in the boot which happens often when you have two humand and two dogs plus their stuff doing the back and forth between SF and Reno.

 

This post has a picture of it with bucket seats.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...723-post1.html

Wonder what it looks like with bench seats. I paid for it, but it didn't come with the car. My MA has been notified. Thanks for bringing the Flatload Floor to my attention.