R60 Rear Bench Seat?
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Source: http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/10/...h-seat-option/
MINI USA: Show me a bench seat and a factory JCW option, and I'll show you a check
Last edited by JackMac; 12-08-2010 at 11:12 AM.
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Just FYI, I was informed yesterday by one of the MAs at my dealership that the bench seat will not be available as an option until the 2012 models begin production.
Now, as with everything - always check with your own sources. I wanted to let everyone know because for some of us it does make a difference - whether it's about dogs, children or whatever.
Now, as with everything - always check with your own sources. I wanted to let everyone know because for some of us it does make a difference - whether it's about dogs, children or whatever.
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It's possible that my MA was giving me a line, but he's already sold his allocation of the Countryman, and he had 20 to sell, which is apparently more than most dealers. We don't need the bench now, but if we have another kid in several years, it sure will make life easier so I'm willing to wait.
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Thanks to Motoringfile and their awesome amount of information, I have a wealth of knowledge on the Countryman. I find I know more info about the vehicle than many MA's.
I had mentioned to our MA, prior to ordering our car, that I had the price sheet for all of the options. She didn't believe it was legit at first. I told her it had been released from BMW that day and it had written on the bottom pages: 2010 MINI Division of BMW of North America, LLC.
It seems like the dealers are clueless when it comes to the bench option. I can't figure out how Motoringfile gets their info and the dealers are in la la land.
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We ordered the 2 piece rail system so that once the seat option is available I can remove the rail. Then I would order the bench option and install it myself. It appears the 2 bucket bottoms are also different on the bench option, so the seat bases will need to be ordered too.
Article below from Motoringfile:
This just in! We’ve received word from Gabe at the MINI 2011 Launch Event that the rear bench seat for the Countryman will be an available option for the US market. This means that a 5-seater Countryman is now an option if the rear buckets aren’t enough for your people-moving needs. Previous NHTSA regulations mandated a minimum seat width for rear seat passengers that the Countryman bench seat didn’t meet, albeit just barely. Rather than re-engineer a US-only rear bench seat, MINI opted to wait for a probable change in the regulations.
The wait paid off. Our sources are telling us that back in March, the NHTSA updated the minimum width regulation and the OEM Countryman bench seat is now compliant. While the rear bucket seats will remain the R60’s standard equipment, expect the bench option to become available in the next 6-8 months.
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We did the same thing--ordered the split rail, just in case the bench option could be installed later. Again, everyone has to try and comb through the rumors, info, and mis-information the best they can and make the best decision for themselves. At this point, it was better for us to have a 4-door, 4-seat, 4-wheel drive MINI ASAP since we have a little one on the way
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Time will tell. I hope you are correct and that the dealership where I have bought my last three MINIs is wrong. But remember the 2012 models come out well before the year 2012. I'm not sure if it's September 2011 when the 2012 are going into production or earlier. I have an '09 but it was a September '08 build.
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The 2012 thing is just absurd.
Motoringfile has had a pretty darn good track record and some reliable insiders give them news on upcoming things.
That said, the seat configuration has been approved for use here in the states. So that is not the issue anymore. The question is, is it something that's in short supply and they fear the U.S. will deplete it?
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