I spoke with MINIUSA, trying to figure out the production code in regards to where in the production process my car might be. They told me they just updated their software and will no longer use production codes to designate the produciton process. Can anyone confirm this? And why? :confused:

Well, supposedly, there's a plant shut down this month to retool for the next generation MINI. I have an 06 Cooper on order. It seems the whole system may be getting changed for the new model. '06 may be a great year to own, short production year, as the turn over will happen this summer, plus the January shut down and all the bugs are long worked out on this version, for a very reliable car.

This will be my second Cooper, I love my '04, but I'm taking advantage of the resale to get the last model year with more goodies than my current MINI.

You'll love your Cooper!

I have a 2006 MCS, it was worth the wait & I think 2006 will be a great year model to own as well. Having seen some of the concept pics of the 2007 model and the "predicted" body changes, I think the '06 model will be more & more desired if they make some definitive statements about the body lines definitely changing in '07.

As far as the wait & tracking your new MINI....watching it everyday online will drive you crazy, It's like watching your investment portfolio or stocks change hour by hour, except it doesn't change even day to day. When mine WAS updated it wasn't in real time.

I actually received my MINI before it showed up as "At your Dealer" on the site tracking system! It was right at 6 weeks, and then a few days before I could leave to go to the dealer to get it, since we did not have one locally...those few days were more painful than the 6 weeks waiting period.

I know what you're all talking about. I've been through the tracking process once, as this is my second MINI. In the past, there were production codes to indicate what part of the process your MINI was at (such as paint shop, waiting for transport, etc). Now, according to MINIUSA, they no longer use these codes and it seems their information is much more generic than in the past.

I ordered my 2006 MCSa right before Christmas from Mini of Murray. The Owner's Lounge showed my car was "On Order" shortly after and still reads the same today. I called 866-ASK-MINI yesterday and they said it was scheduled for production but had no production date. Today I called and the recording told me the car is in production with a completion date of January 27th.

I'm not sure about factory closures, retooling, or Mini changing the way we can track our cars being built. From the message I just got they must be building cars and changing the info available on the toll free number to reflect production. I'm one happy guy!!!!!

My experience has also been that the 1-866-ASK-MINI is now far more up-to-date and detailed than the online Owner's Lounge.

Perhaps with the record production levels and the factory retooling, they've cut some corners in the communications with the team that posts the Owner's Lounge updates, but whatever the reason, the hotline is deifnitely the best authority right now.

My experience has also been that the 1-866-ASK-MINI is now far more up-to-date and detailed than the online Owner's Lounge.

Perhaps with the record production levels and the factory retooling, they've cut some corners in the communications with the team that posts the Owner's Lounge updates, but whatever the reason, the hotline is deifnitely the best authority right now.

Actually, according to the person I spoke with at MINIUSA, once the car reaches the docks, they no longer track it and it is up to your MA. Your MA will have information in regards to shipping, arrival, and delivery.

Actually, according to the person I spoke with at MINIUSA, once the car reaches the docks, they no longer track it and it is up to your MA. Your MA will have information in regards to shipping, arrival, and delivery.

Right, that's true, but up to that point the phone line apparently has better info than the owner's lounge.

After that, your MA is the best resource.

You can also get additional information by tracking the boat your MINI is on. Details of that are in the FAQ: http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq_delivery#faq_faq_tracking_usa