I picked the Chevy Nomad as @F14Scott's MINI's big brother because it was the only 2-door station-wagon, AFAIK.
In high school my friend had an Opel Kadett Caravan. I had no idea the 2-door "estate" (better term than "station wagon" imo) was so unique – I like my Clubman even more!
Hang on to it for a couple more years and I think it's likely there will be a lot more ICE conversion services for people who want to keep driving their favorite cars. It's already a thing but definitely cost prohibitive at this point due to supply of components (mostly batteries) for everyone but large OEMs.
Mine has 100,000 miles on it, I should keep my eye out for a replacement with lower miles. I hadn't considered the EV conversion, I like that idea.
Addendum: I added this cargo carrier, and it fits perfectly between the passenger seat and the slight notch in the floor where the aft seats fold. It even has a grommet in the right place to zip tie it to the seat bracket that is also in just the right place. Size "Regular." $40. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B077MC2WH3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_A9VV2Y0G8N1JMM0CJ3YS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Bumping up an old thread to see if anyone has any alternate solutions? And @F14Scott have you stuck with this since July or have you made any tweaks since? I'm waiting for my SE to arrive but I'm thinking I'd need to do a limo tint on the 3 rear windows for security.
For occasional use, I still like my perfect-fit Canvasback cargo liner. It fits well and the Velcro on the back keeps it in place. Also, when folded up it stores compactly under the hatch floor so it's always with me when I need it. I had an embarrassing experience with my cargo liner a month ago when I went to the tire store. I had ordered the optional flap that flips down over the rear bumper to protect it. It attaches to the main liner with a strip of Velcro. As I was driving home from the tire store, I spotted another MINI Cooper SE a few cars ahead of me! It took me nearly a mile to get around the cars between us maneuver myself ahead and to the right of the other SE so I could wave out the window. I was so happy--for a few moments anyway. When I got home, I found that the tire-store employee who put my summer wheels back in my SE didn't flip the bumper-protection flap back into the car before closing the hatch, grrrr. So while I was waving at the other MINI Cooper SE behind me, my SE had a strange piece of canvas hanging out the back flapping in the wind! When I got home, I found that when the hatch was closed the latch had made two cuts in the canvas. It's really not a big deal--the punctured flap will still protect the bumper from scratches.
I did that to mine too! My own fault, within the first month. I leave my Canvasback installed all the time, it doesn't get in the way whether I have the seats up or down. I also have an EVA foam pad that I cut to the interior contour to provide padding (and less slip) for my dogs.
So weird that you would invoke my post a day after this happened. I was taking my sick son a quart of French onion soup, took a turn too fast, and the Rubbermaid bowl tipped and lost its lid. The good news: the lip held it all. 5 minutes and a half roll of paper towels later, and I was clean enough to make it home for the hose and a new bowl.
This is why I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to secure all cargo before takeoff. It's WAY too easy to do this!
How much did you manage to pour back into the Rubbermaid bowl before applying the paper towels? The 5-second rule is extended for soups that are planning to be reheated. My Canvasback cargo liner wouldn't pass this test.
I store things like soup on the passenger floor, since the Unauthorized Owner's Manual suggests that (for pizza, anyway): Additional storage information Pizza Capacity: The passenger’s side floor accommodates four large pies stacked.
I'm thinking about Canvasback as well but was hoping for something rubbery like @F14Scott, just with a more custom fit to MINIs. Does anyone know how this will fit from the R series? It mentions it fits R50/53/55/56 https://www.outmotoring.com/82110147394-MINI-Cooper-Boot-Trunk-Liner-Extension-Rubber-Mat.html That's unfortunate but gave me a good laugh, thank you haha!
I am looking for something rubbery, too. But a slight twist might be that I like to have the rear boot space cover in the slot that makes it level with the folded-down rear seats. Anyone have an idea where to get a "rubbery Canvasback" liner that will fit the entire rear space when level (like @F14Scott's homemade solution)?
The one I posted above should do what you're looking for as you can see that it extends into the trunk - covering the gap between the seats and the trunk. It's not a one piece seamless may, but it's supposed to work in conjunction with a rear trunk tray.
Yes, thank you for the quick reply. I read the detail of MINI models on the (great) website you posted, and alas, it seems to say that virtually nothing from MINI Gen 2 (R56) will fit a MINI Gen 3 (F56), and they don't seem to offer anything similar for the Gen 3 F56 (only the smallish trunk tray for the very back when rear seats are up). The website says, "We cluster MINI models into 3 basic generations describing the major design changes and major model upgrades. Each cluster is listed below referenced by Generation 1, Generation 2 and Generation 3. With few exceptions NOTHING from a Gen 1 MINI will work on a Gen 2 MINI so forth." Unless we hear more from forum members it would seem that the $30 F14Scott solution originally posted some months ago is "it" for rubber-type full coverage mats for the cargo area of SE's with the rear seats down.
Dated advice. Put pizza boxes on the seat and turn one the heated seat to keep them warm. Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
True. But the seat can be slid forward to help secure the boxes, plus the seat belt can be used as well. Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
Thanks to Tomcat Bro, I got the same mat. I actually found that it fit well in the reverse setting, just made a couple slits for the cargo rings. No smell, and perfectly functional!