This is unofficial of course, but I just got off the phone with BMW Of Nashville, the MINI dealer here, and he says they think they will start taking pre-spec orders for the Cooper S around July with a month turnaround for shipping + production. That is totally in line with everything they have told me, expecting S's to arrive in Nashville sometime around Sept/Aug.
They do NOT have a building for the MINI's yet, which might be why they are behind everyone else from what I've read.
That gives me 6 more months to raise $$$ and change my mind about the color I want.
Sure wish Velvet Red came as an option....