Countryman Rear Bench for 2012

When typically does Mini begin taking orders for the next model year? July/August or not until September?

Not MINI’s fault….it actually had to do with crash safety laws here. They just revised the laws, and the Countryman measured in within less than a 1/2 inch to get the bench seat.

So now we will get it….Im hearing a Sept. build this year for 2012 models. Should be Sept. or Dec. production when we get it.

I have not heard a lot of negative feedback, just the folks that have 3 little kiddos to put in the back. Be patient, and it will come!

I think the 4 bucket seats really gives the CM a sporty looking interior but I can see the bench being better for others, good to have choices. As with any subcompact car, actually fitting 5 people in it is another story.

**I heard this last week also, looks like 2012 or sooner, maybe end of this month we will hear more. Because of demand for extra room and the ability to load in more people, some people just don’t like the 2 + 2 config.

I find the suppliers pushing for half bench half buckets. It give more configuring and thus more selection.

The center of the bench gives room for a little more stuff not really a full size adult, but i have seen smaller in a larger car and suv.

Huuuuuge blunder to not offer the bench out of the gate! Lost revenue…

I heard end of June ordering, which probably means August build and September arrival, based on a 6wk time turnover. This is really great news!

While I ceed that the back would be tight for 3 across on a routine basis, so is my E90 and that is only up 3in on shoulder room with similar leg and head room compared to the R60. It’s the option of having that extra person when needed that really matters. Plus, with the bench upright, there’s no gap to the interior as with the buckets and the load floor can be removed leaving the well and a good size cargo compartment.

This also makes me wonder when the JCW engine upgrade will become available… I might have to save up for that extra get up and go. A manual Countryman S All4 witht the bench will be on order as soon as allowed!

I wrote to MINI’s public relations contact inquiring about the bench seat earlier this week. According to Nathalie Bauters with MINI Communications, “we were initially not able to offer the rear bench seat in the US due to homologation issues related to the seatbelts. Meanwhile, we have been able to resolve the issue and will be able to offer the rear bench starting with our 2012MY. This means that you should be able to order this late summer/early fall.”

Does anybody have a link to a photo of a rearbench from a European Countryman?

Im thinking there wont be a retrofit for the Bench Seat. How are they going to add a third seat belt….out of the roof….think about that. Seatbelt assembly, new headliner!, bench seat, labor…….I dont see this happening.

Dunno, Rixter, I’ve never seen the bucket seats folded.

Putting a straight-edge over the full length shows a gap of about 1 inch to the surface of the flat load floor and 2 to the bottom of the folded seat.

BTW, it’s not obvious from my pic but the rear seat backs are adjustable to give greater room in the load space at the expense of seat comfort, as well as splitting 40/20/40.

(I didn’t even give serious consideration to the 4-seat option and have no regrets!)

Sure, but it’s too late tonight and the weather forecast isn’t good for tomorrow. I’ll do my best ASAP though.

@ David Ling,

Thanks for the pictures. Looks like an absolute tangle of seat belts if you are going to transport 3 in the back. Also, what keeps the shoulder belt in the middle seat from moving about? It looks like it is just behind the headrest.