AprilWhine, I'm picking mine up at Patrick in Chicago. You?

dpacker, Any updates?

In a happy way, we're all getting closer to our deliveries (or have had our MINIs delivered) and a new group (the April production group) is well on its way. Lets hope for safe deliveries for all!

I can't get to 866ASKMINI from overseas but the OL shows that it is DONE! My Chili Cooper is now awaiting transport :cool:

Maybe I should buy an easyjet ticket and fly on over and make a visit to the docks :D See all those shiny little MINIs loading. Too bad there's no overseas delivery for us that live outside Europe.
Hey..you want me to call for you? Just email me your production number...no problem..I'd LOVE to give someone some good news!

I had a pretty icky day. On the way to work my Saturn poped some kind of belt. 8 hours and $350 bucks later..it's fixed. My MA tried to talk me into a different MINI, but I knew mine was in the paint shop. So..I paid the money..it will buy me 30 more days of driving until my MINI arrives...oh well.

Not on the MB now..but I'm hoping for the Resolve

Sorry to hear about your car trouble today - that sucks! Maybe you'll get very lucky and catch a boat as soon as it finishes!

dpacker, Any updates?

No, no updates yet. It's stopped being fun for now. I don't mind the waiting, I just hate the not knowing.

(I'll be curious to hear about the AC - we opted for the hardtop thinking w/ Yuma temps (120F in the summer easy) it would work better.

While I love the hardtops, it was the convertible that got me off the dime to buy one-- it's replacing a motorcycle as our "fun" vehicle (we're both retired, so I guess they're really all "fun" vehicles these days, but you know what I mean) .

I think the AC will be able to keep up, IF I get a good tint job with little heat passthrough. I had a new Opel GT years ago ('70?) with a pitiful dealer-installed AC system and no window tint; putting just the cheap green stickon tint made an enormous difference. I'm hoping that one of the modern high-end tints will do the job, even in Arizona heat. The dealer has a display with a little halogen lamp that's pretty amazing-- the standard light front/ dark rear tints (like you see on most cars) both passed a lot more heat than the higher end tints (which are light, like the front windows on the cheaper tint jobs). But the dealer wants $249 for the basic light/dark setup, $495 for one grade up, $695 for best available. They sold me on the high end stuff-- but at those prices, I'll be buying it elsewhere.

I'm hoping my car's on the NYK Capricornus Leader, but I have no way of knowing. Doesn't really matter, when it gets here, it gets here.

Denny

AprilWhine, I'm picking mine up at Patrick in Chicago. You?



I'm picking mine up in VA Beach, VA.

Ken, you may have been better off to just rent a car for a month. :)

Flib, the hubby and I are very close to retirement now. The Jeep in my sig is his car now. :)

While I love the hardtops, it was the convertible that got me off the dime to buy one-- it's replacing a motorcycle as our "fun" vehicle (we're both retired, so I guess they're really all "fun" vehicles these days, but you know what I mean) .

That's going to be a blast. Congratulations on your new fun car! I think I would have considered a convertible if it were just my fun car and not a car that was going to be my everyday fun car. They just look so darned cute!

I'd love to hear what you think once you get the tint. For Arizona, I think that would have to be a must! I live in South Carolina. The first car I moved here with was a black SUV that had tint and the heat wasn't an issue. My current car, also black, has no tint, and there is a VERY obvious difference. Everyone always asked how I stood a black car here and I really didn't see that it was a big deal until I got this one. I was so amazed at the difference. The MINI will be yellow w/ a black top, so I will be curious to see if the heat is an issue with it. Tinting may still be a good idea. I've never had an aftermarket tint installed. I always think of those that I've seen with the tint peeling off - not a good look. I hope that's just on the cheap ones! :-)

Again, congratulations on your MINI. When you're retired, you're supposed to have FUN, FUN, FUN...and who needs a T-Bird when you can have a MINI...convertible!? ;)

I'm picking mine up in VA Beach, VA.

Ken, you may have been better off to just rent a car for a month. :)

Flib, the hubby and I are very close to retirement now. The Jeep in my sig is his car now. :)

I did consider renting one...but then I thought...how am I going to get rid of my car if it doesn't work...how am I going to get to work tomorrow...and stuff like that. It totally died on the way to the repair shop..so I called AAA and had them tow me there. After a few hours waiting...what I heard was "if you give us $350 you can go home in an hour and not have to worry about transportation until you get your MINI". After I was sure that they really couldn't make a timing belt out of duct tape, I said..."fix it."

May have been more expensive...but hey..how often can money really solve a problem? Plus..now I feel extra sure that it was time to get soemthing new.

Hey..you want me to call for you? Just email me your production number...no problem..I'd LOVE to give someone some good news!

I tried that with Tux's MINI from Australia. The miniusa number doesn't have any information on non-American cars, sadly :(

Ben

I tried that with Tux's MINI from Australia. The miniusa number doesn't have any information on non-American cars, sadly :(

Ben
Ah..I thought you were in Virginia...oops

No, no updates yet. It's stopped being fun for now. I don't mind the waiting, I just hate the not knowing.

I'm afraid I have to agree with you Deb. The not knowing is getting to be a bit tedious already. Come to think of it, if they told me tomorrow that it would be a month before we got on a boat, I would mind that a lot!
I just wish we could at least see booking numbers of the next couple of ships coming in. At least we could look ourselves and stand a chance of seeing them on there or drop the subject for a week. :mad: I noticed our next two shots are the 25th and then April 4th. A weeks gap. :(
I guess the part that is starting to grind on me is seeing productions after the 17th (my completed date) seeing a boat. (selfish I know, but real nonetheless)
Time to go drown my sorrows in a tall glass of milk and a whole package of cookies :D
Catch ya all tomorrow.
R

While I love the hardtops, it was the convertible that got me off the dime to buy one-- it's replacing a motorcycle as our "fun" vehicle (we're both retired, so I guess they're really all "fun" vehicles these days, but you know what I mean) .

The dealer has a display with a little halogen lamp that's pretty amazing-- I'm hoping my car's on the NYK Capricornus Leader, but I have no way of knowing. Doesn't really matter, when it gets here, it gets here.

Denny

The convertible would be excellent as a "fun" vehicle - We're both at least a generation behind w/ all the requirements & responsibilities (i.e. children:) )

I haven't been to the dealer - everything at a distance - I'll check out the display when we head north.

When it gets here - agreed - no rush but it would be nice if ....

Scott

The MINI will be yellow w/ a black top, so I will be curious to see if the heat is an issue with it.

I was talking to a friend at work about this very issue a couple of weeks ago and he told me that the color on a car doesn't make a difference because it's the ultra violet and not the visible light that causes the heat... or some thing along those lines??


Ken30307, thanks for the offer!! But I discovered that Skype works for calling the OL :) Go figure.

Well, my car is still showing as on the boat this morning, so I think I can safely assume it didn't get offloaded. :)

What is coming across the water for me is a LY MCSCa. :D It will be my daily driver and fun car. I had a Triumph many years ago, so am not worried about a convertible as a daily driver. I wouldn't leave it in airport long term parking, but otherwise no changes to my driving habits.

I was talking to a friend at work about this very issue a couple of weeks ago and he told me that the color on a car doesn't make a difference because it's the ultra violet and not the visible light that causes the heat... or some thing along those lines??
I think your friend probably said "infra red" rather than "ultra violet". At least, I hope so. :)

It is true that the infrared absorption and reflection of materials (called "emissivity") can be different than what you'd think from looking at them in visible light, but the fact of the matter is that the peak of the sun's energy output is smack dab in the middle of the visible light range (that's why our eyes work the way they do), so emissivity isn't that big an issue in terms of how hot (or not hot) the car will get if it has a black roof. If you were driving around under an incandescent lamp (they do have their peak energy in the infrared range), it'd be a different situation. :)

We ordered a black roof on our car, I'm not (too) worried about it.

--- Roger

I think your friend probably said "infra red" rather than "ultra violet". At least, I hope so. :)

That's probably what he said :) I should listen better!

I ordered a black top also, it'll be cool :cool:

Still in the paint shop (for 3 days now). I called a few days ago and spoke with a CS person..who said it was in the paint shop..then last night..the automated message changed at last....to..."Your vehicle is in the paint shop"

Estimated to be done...today....the MB leaves tomorrow.....

Ken, you may make the boat. There is a glitch in the automated system right now, it's not updating regularly. My cars showed as in the paint shop until it showed up on the WW site. Wouldn't hurt to start checking for a boat. ;)

rut roh...could be good news..could be a bluff on their part but the automated line just told me that my vehicle is in transit. (changed from a week of "at the dock awaiting a ship").
Further investigation is necessary :cool:
If thats what Aprilwhine was referring to as a glitch, I'm gonna be seriously bummed :mad:

Time to call my MA and see if it shows up for her the same way.

*holding breath yet again*

one caveat: it's still not showing up on the WW line. (now I have to root for one of the other lines)

My MCSa was finished on 3/14 and I just had the automatic line at ASK Mini say En Route. I called my MA b/c I did not see anything on W&W, much like some others in the March group. So mine should be docking on April 4th and be in the Chicago area sometime around the second week of April. Call your MA if you want to double check! Hopefully we will be in our Mini's sometime soon!


05 MCSa
Hyper Blue
White Roof, Mirror Caps, Bonnet Stripes

Do the Chicago MINIs enter through NY?

Ken, you may make the boat. There is a glitch in the automated system right now, it's not updating regularly. My cars showed as in the paint shop until it showed up on the WW site. Wouldn't hurt to start checking for a boat. ;)
Hmm...that WOULD be a bit of good news. I'll hold my breath and call a CS tomorrow. My home equity check isn't in my hands anyway. I could use some good news after a breakdown, a breakup (and with all this easter candy no doubt), a breakout.

Do the Chicago MINIs enter through NY?

Hi AprilWhine,
I can't speak for the other dealerships, but I was told ALL cars coming for Bill Jacobs Mini goes through S.C. and not N.Y.
Hope that helps.

HyperBlueS, did your MA tell you the date of arrival? (April 4th) I tried to call my MA today but I think she was out for the day.
The timing sounds about right but a confirmation sure would ease things a bit. :D

Hmm...that WOULD be a bit of good news. I'll hold my breath and call a CS tomorrow. My home equity check isn't in my hands anyway. I could use some good news after a breakdown, a breakup (and with all this easter candy no doubt), a breakout.

Have you contacted the Atlanta MINIs club yet? It's a great club, wish I lived closer. :)

Have you contacted the Atlanta MINIs club yet? It's a great club, wish I lived closer. :)

I haven't...I did look at their website...they look like a fun bunch!

I haven't...I did look at their website...they look like a fun bunch!

They are a great bunch! You are lucky to live near a club that isn't infighting. :cool:

Okay...I'm truly getting excited now, but more confused than ever, too!

My Cooper is in Status 182 now!! (yippee!) (Completed & released...still at the factory)
Was scheduled for production completion tomorrow.

Anyway, I know I still have to hitch a ride to the Port...but,
does anyone know what cosmic good wishes I should be sending its way,
re: potential boat departures to the West Coast??

What's the soonest, you think, I could possibly hope for? I've heard there are back-ups, so I guess I better prepare for some patience, eh?

But, just the same...would *love* to know the potential dates to target my good wishes & also, to target my phone checking, or internet checking. (guess I need to do this via the web, mostly) Would prefer not to have to contact my salesguy if at all possible, but for the West Coast, is it impossible to track the car w/out info from our salespeople?

Thanks so much. :-)

What's the soonest, you think, I could possibly hope for? I've heard there are back-ups, so I guess I better prepare for some patience, eh?

But, just the same...would *love* to know the potential dates to target my good wishes & also, to target my phone checking, or internet checking. (guess I need to do this via the web, mostly) Would prefer not to have to contact my salesguy if at all possible, but for the West Coast, is it impossible to track the car w/out info from our salespeople?

Thanks so much. :-)
There's not much to tell --- MINI is no longer contracting west coast deliveries through W-W, they're using NYK or K-line depending on which ship is leaving next. W-W says that the trip takes 22-24 days from Southampton to Port Hueneme, the others decline to state.

Once you know you're on a ship (ASK-MINI says you're en-route) you can ask your MA for the expected arrival date at Port Hueneme and the Bill of Lading number for your car. Once you have those you can try asking NYK (how to do this is posted back up the thread) or K-line to see if they can tell you what ship you're on. Just knowing the expected arrival date at Port Heuneme is probably enough. Just so you understand, the BofL isn't for your car, it's for the group of cars that you're travelling with.

NYK has 7 ships per month making this trek, so you shouldn't be collecting too much dust/rust on the docks before you get loaded up and on the way! :)

The arrival date at the dock in Port Hueneme is just one step in the process -- it takes a day to offload the vehicles, and then some number of days at the VDC for checks and (hopefully) minimum clean up of your baby before it gets put on a truck and sent on its way to your dealer. Cars have been known to spend a very long time at the VDC (3 weeks?!?), this is presumably due to some hard-to-get part that has to be replaced or significant shipping damage that needs to be repaired. :(

-- Roger

rut roh...could be good news..could be a bluff on their part but the automated line just told me that my vehicle is in transit. (changed from a week of "at the dock awaiting a ship").
Further investigation is necessary :cool:
If thats what Aprilwhine was referring to as a glitch, I'm gonna be seriously bummed :mad:

Time to call my MA and see if it shows up for her the same way.

Hey! I was just looking through all of the messages since yesterday. I think I might have good news for you. I called 866-ASK-MINI this morning because my MINI status also changed to IN TRANSIT this morning. I e-mailed my MA, and he said that my MINI was on a K-Line vessel that left on Monday the 21st. It's scheduled to be in Charleston, SC on April 4th (also a Monday). I was so excited...I just couldn't believe it. I thought for sure something bad had happened. What's odd is that it took 3 days for ASK-MINI to update. I haven't even checked the OL yet today...it has been a few days behind ASK-MINI up to this point. Given the similar circumstances, I bet your MINI is on the boat with mine! I haven't looked up any info on the boat yet...I was just SO HAPPY to find out that my MINI was actually on a boat. Actually, there have been a few of us that finished production at the same time that have been looking for a boat...maybe there are more of us on the K-Line! I'm wishing for good things for all of us!

Thanks to everyone for putting up with me this week. :) I really did think something bad had happened. I didn't realize that the ASK-MINI site had been experiencing problems. I promise to be good until my MINI arrives at the dealer. :p Yippee!

Debbie

NYK has 7 ships per month making this trek, so you shouldn't be collecting too much dust/rust on the docks before you get loaded up and on the way! :)

-- Roger

Good information! I found this link:

http://www.nykline.com/servlet/com.ibm.abt.web.servlet.Router/WinsScheduleSearchPg

Scott

3/14 departure
MA says April 10 at port

Just got my BofL from my MA, stifled my embarrassment at being such a geek and called NYK RORO.

The Bujin is scheduled to arrive at Port Hueneme on 4/7, not the 4/3 date my MA gave me. I gather that a number of you other folks were given this same date.

So if you're part of the group sailijng under BofL NYKS620987362, then you're on the Bujin, Voyage #10 (whatever that means).

Phooey, 4 days late. :confused:

According to the Jacksonville NC port website the Bujin arrived there today?!? Now I'm totally baffled.

-- Roger