The Countryman Rail & Split Rear Seat Option is Dead
Buried in the 2014 pricing update MINI USA has announced that it will no longer be offering the full length rail option for the Countryman. Additionally the only available rear seating will also be the bench killing the once standard split rear seating. As some MF readers may remember we had the option on our longterm Countryman test car. After 12 months and 12,000 miles we had to admit that the split seat and full length rail weren’t a practical options for those who plan on actually using the rear seating often.
Other changes include the Paceman getting the comfort suspension standard and the sport suspension as a no cost option. This is reversed from 2013 cars.
Here are the full details straight from MINI:
Countryman and Paceman
The Center Rail in Countryman and Paceman vehicles will be replaced by standard double cup holders in the rear seats. – Countryman’s cup holder will include a 12V charging / power outlet. – cup holder will also include a 12V outlet as well as an iPod holder.
Countryman’s rear doors will have a padded arm rest and a bench seat will be standard (a bench seat is the only rear seat configuration available for Countryman).
Paceman will be equipped with Comfort Suspension as standard, and the Sport Suspension will be a no-charge option.
Beginning in MY 2014, MINI will offer both interior and exterior John Cooper Works Packages for Paceman and Countryman models, so Cooper and Cooper S owners can opt for the sportier design cues and color combinations, even if they don’t choose to upgrade the performance.
<p>Good ridance. I always thought it was a cheesy idea.</p>
<p>Good Ridance, I always thought it was a cheesy idea.</p>
<p>That was a really unique feature among cars in this class. I liked it.</p>
<p>So no more bucket seats in the back of the Countryman? That’s disappointing, they were far more comfortable than any bench seat. The split rail setup made the most sense to me.</p>
<p>Gabe needs to make some clarifications in the article.The wording is confusing and ambiguous. I interpreted it to mean that merely the full length rail has been deleted, and bucket seats are still available with split rail..</p>
<p>I think Gabe states it clearly:</p>
<p>Additionally the only available rear seating will also be the bench killing the once standard split rear seating.</p>
<p>From the 2014 pricing article:</p>
<p>Countryman’s rear doors will have a padded arm rest and a bench seat
will be standard (a bench seat is the only rear seat configuration
available for Countryman).</p>
<p>“Additionally the only available rear seating will also be the bench killing the once standard split rear seating.”</p>
<p>Stated clearly in the article.</p>
<p>OK, lhe article has been edited since earlier today. Originally it didn’t say that only bench-only seating will be offered.</p>
<p>I edited the article. You are not crazy.</p>
<p>I never liked the Rail either but I hope they keep the rear bucket seats.</p>
<p>ac power in the back? Now you can put a wii u in your car</p>
<p>Will the useless center rail be removed from the front as well? I hope it will be replaced with a decent center console of some sort. .</p>
<p>The Comfort suspension is already standard on the Paceman with the optional free Sport. At least for the US. My Paceman I had to opt for the Sport and they accidentally ordered it with standard. Which honestly still feels better then the stock Countryman Suspension even though it is most likely the same setup. Very disappointed to see the Center rail go. Looked SO much better at night then the 2 parter and is actually more usable then the 2 parter. : (</p>
<p>Thank god we got our 2013 with the bucket seats and full rail option. We love it. Will never have 5 people in our car so having the buckets is unique. Plus, not like somebody can really sit in that middle.</p>
<p>Boo…. We love split rear seat…and that is how we ordered her.
Do you really think 3 adults can seat comfy back there?</p>
<p>Really? I expected outrage over the cosmetic JCW option. You know, diluting the JCW brand, et all….?</p>
<p>Honestly as a JCW owner (several times over) have to say broadly that
JCW is mainly a cash cow so a few cosmetic changes will not change that.
Then can also put the JCW logo on to whatever parts and cars without
damaging my personal view of JCW. Kept hoping to see JCW turn into
something special like ///M, but instead have seen BMW prostitute ///M
so far beyond Motorsports that it once stood for and start dragging it
into the vast gray area that is JCW. Totally indifferent to the rail changes since for the R60 its the least questionable item I have with the car. :)</p>
<p>The JCW brand was so diluted such a long time ago nobody even cares about it anymore. MINI can pretty much do what they want with it, if it makes more money, great.</p>
<p>We’re all looking at what BMW is going to from a performance standpoint above and beyond the JCW offerings, which are relatively minuscule upgrades at this point anyway, at least for the price.</p>
<p>I professed this as a bad decision early on. It should have always been a split- ench seat with room for 3.</p>