I may be mistaken,but I think it had something to do with the armrest. Now come as base, no extra cost.

Dang, I heard that was starting in the March builds. So much for my luck :(
And was that just in the S or in both Minis? (I can always wish, can't I?)
Would the 1-866-ASK MINI know of this? Maybe I should put in the call just to clear this up, huh?

The 'official' MINI arm rest is available beginning with March production. It is included only in the Premium Package on the convertible, otherwise it's a $200 option. No retrofit kit for cars built previous to March '05 has yet been announced.

The mystery bits under discussion were mentioned by a MINI factory worker in a vague reference, but no further details ahve been announced.

Debbie, here's a link to the FAQ (http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq_delivery#faq_faq_tracking_usa)

Everything you wanted to know about tracking your MINI's sea voyage. :)

oops...sorry about that. I should have seen that already. Thanks for the link though!

I feel guilty about talking to a CS. I guess I don't want them to know how anxious I am about getting it. I just imagine they get phonecalls all day of people saying "When!??! When??!!" but I haven't heard any stories about CSs being annoyed or impatient.

Here's a question..how often do people check ASKMINI?

When mine went into production, I checked once (maybe twice) per day. The last couple of days, I've been checking three plus times per day. :D I've only talked to CS once though. When I did, the guy was VERY nice. I even apologized for bothering him, but I wanted to verify my specs (at the advice of some of the others). He said not to worry that they were happy to talk to customers any time. He even said that he was just as excited when he ordered his MINI. After reading off my specs, he voluntarily offered to tell me what stage of production my car was in. Very nice people!

LOL, well, seems as though it is common... the waiting period, I mean. My MINI was done on 3/3, and still has not left the dock... :mad:

UPDATE! I just called ASK MINI and my car actually FINALLY left the port!!! It went out yesterday! WOOHOO! :D

Woohoo is right! :D My car completed on 3/4 and it left yesterday as well for Port Hueneme!!! Our cars are shipmates! http://forums.newbeetle.org/images/smilies/biggthumpup.gif

Woohoo is right! :D My car completed on 3/4 and it left yesterday as well for Port Hueneme!!! Our cars are shipmates! http://forums.newbeetle.org/images/smilies/biggthumpup.gif
Mine too! Has anyone been able to figure out what ship is carrying our precious cargo? According to my MA it should arrive in Port Hueneme on 4/3. He said that the usual delay from landing to dealership for him (in Las Vegas) is 6 days, give-or-take.

The 'official' MINI arm rest is available beginning with March production. It is included only in the Premium Package on the convertible, otherwise it's a $200 option. No retrofit kit for cars built previous to March '05 has yet been announced.

The mystery bits under discussion were mentioned by a MINI factory worker in a vague reference, but no further details ahve been announced.
For what it's worth, insofar as I know my car (started building 2/28, finished 3/10) will not have the factory arm rest. I'll guess that my MA didn't even try to order it, not knowing that it was even possible. It's OK, the first OEM armest looks fine to me.

Mine too! Has anyone been able to figure out what ship is carrying our precious cargo? According to my MA it should arrive in Port Hueneme on 4/3. He said that the usual delay from landing to dealership for him (in Las Vegas) is 6 days, give-or-take.

All I know about the ship is that it's not a WW, which leaves an NYK and another type of ship (the name is not coming to me right now), neither of which is easilly trackable, at least from what I know... if anyone has any info I don't about this, please let me know :)


Searocko - rock on! I am just glad my baby is finally on his way!

which leaves an NYK and another type of ship (the name is not coming to me right now), neither of which is easilly trackable, at least from what I know... if anyone has any info I don't about this, please let me know

a few of us are still working on how to track via NYK and K-Line. No luck so far, but as soon as I find something I'll be sure to let everyone know. Heck I might even keep trying to figure out how to track via those vessels for future owners just because I like puzzles and solves tough problems...though this might be unsolvable.

a few of us are still working on how to track via NYK and K-Line. No luck so far, but as soon as I find something I'll be sure to let everyone know. Heck I might even keep trying to figure out how to track via those vessels for future owners just because I like puzzles and solves tough problems...though this might be unsolvable.


good luck, man... I was online for hours last week going into every little area in those website trying to figure them out, but to no avail... :)

So what are these big changes for april? My build date is the 12th week so i will miss these changes. I am going to be mildly disgruntled if its a huge change... I like free stuff :(

Wallenius says that the Takasago has now left Zeebrugge and is on its way to Southampton! Looks like a rather nasty day in the south of Britain, from the looks of this port webcam:
http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/webcams.htm

It's hard to make out, are those some pepper white MINIs in the bottom right corner? Or some bizarre looking golf carts instead? :P

Ben

Just called ASKMINI this morning..

Car's in production...expected to be done by March 24th. Even got my VIN number. The woman on the phone was VERY helpful. She said that the premium package WOULD include the arm rest and she didn't have any information about new changes in production for April builds. Could just be a rumor. She was so helpful!!!

I doubt I'll make the Madam Butterfly (sails on the 24th) but I expect to make the Resolve (Sails on the 31st) which should put the car in Charleston by April 13 at the latest.

Haven't settled on a name yet...thinking about Trooper.

I tried to figure out where the ship would be from inference:

If it's docking in Port Hueneme on April 3rd then it had to have left Southampton on March 12th (it's a 22 day trip), which would mean that, as of yesterday it would be three days, or about 1000 nautical miles from Southampton. The only NYK RORO ship that seemed to meet that criterion was the Jingu Maru, unfortunately it's headed towards England, not away from it. So if my MA is correct about the arrival date it appears that "our" ship isn't broadcasting its position.

I can't believe it either! It will be twelve days from the time it was built (3/5) until the time it is loaded on a ship. The Takasago leaves Southampton on the 17th, so yours may make it if you get lucky... mine went from Awaiting Transport to "Released to Carrier awaiting transport to Port of Exit" to "awaiting a shipping vessel", where I am right now.

Here's hoping my car has good company on its journey to north carolina by way of Charleston SC and the BMW plant in Spartanburg! :cool:

Ben

There's info on the WW site about my MINI - it says BOOKED, READY TO SCAN AT TERMINAL, AND RECEIVED AT TERMINAL - all with dates of early this morning. The vessel is the Takasago, with a voyage ID of EQ511-TKO, destination Charleston, SC. Does this mean we are going to be on the same boat? Leaving tomorrow? If that's the case, I'm in awe. It just got released to the carrier yesterday! I can't contain my excitement! :D :D I guess this means that both of our MINIs will have good company on their journey! Too cool!

I tried to figure out where the ship would be from inference:

If it's docking in Port Hueneme on April 3rd then it had to have left Southampton on March 12th (it's a 22 day trip), which would mean that, as of yesterday it would be three days, or about 1000 nautical miles from Southampton. The only NYK RORO ship that seemed to meet that criterion was the Jingu Maru, unfortunately it's headed towards England, not away from it. So if my MA is correct about the arrival date it appears that "our" ship isn't broadcasting its position.

well, isn't it true that ships sometimes have a delay in "announcing" (for lack of a better word) their position and when it is actually shown on the sites? Or am I wrong? Are they in real-time?

well, isn't it true that ships sometimes have a delay in "announcing" (for lack of a better word) their position and when it is actually shown on the sites? Or am I wrong? Are they in real-time?
It appears to depend on the ship -- some report every 6 hours, some every 12, some once per 24, some (apparently) not at all.

In looking closer at the sailwx website, I found the following:

<<<This database contains only a small fraction of the ships worldwide, those that participate in the World Meteorological Organization's program of voluntary at-sea weather reporting. The database also contains vessels with US radio licenses. For the most part military vessels are excluded, but occasionally a Coast Guard ship will make a report.>>>

So if anything, chances are "our" ship won't be included.

I did find this list of the NYK ROROs, most of which apparently do not participate in the WMO program: :(

http://www2.nykline.com/nykinfo/car_carrier_services/fleet_list/

It appears to depend on the ship -- some report every 6 hours, some every 12, some once per 24, some (apparently) not at all.

In looking closer at the sailwx website, I found the following:

<<<This database contains only a small fraction of the ships worldwide, those that participate in the World Meteorological Organization's program of voluntary at-sea weather reporting. The database also contains vessels with US radio licenses. For the most part military vessels are excluded, but occasionally a Coast Guard ship will make a report.>>>

So if anything, chances are "our" ship won't be included.

I did find this list of the NYK ROROs, most of which apparently do not participate in the WMO program: :(

http://www2.nykline.com/nykinfo/car_carrier_services/fleet_list/

Hmmm, oh well, it would be nice to track our ship, BUT, I am just glad that it is on it's merry way!

I'm on the ship headed to California as well...my status went to "in transit" earlier this week! Wish I knew where it was right now though....

Oh well, it's on its way at least!

Good sleuthing on the status of the CA-bound ship guys! Too bad we can't track the position but I guess it's just as well since I won't be driving myself crazy checking on the status every hour! :D My MA confirmed the 4/3 arrival date and it may be up to 2 weeks until it arrives in Utah.

The wait will soon be over and we'll all be out motoring! :cool:

My MA quoted me a possible April 18th pick-up date... that will satisfy me... a while back I made a deal with myself that I would HAVE my MINI by June, so it looks like I am right on track!

My pretty MCSCa is in the body shop today. :D

Just curious...bout how long did it take from when you got your VIN until you were able to track it on WW's website?

Just curious...bout how long did it take from when you got your VIN until you were able to track it on WW's website?


Last time, my car showed up on the WW site the day after production completed, about two weeks after getting my VIN.

The Takasago has set sail from Southampton! Anyone else's car on board? Debbie, did yours make it?

Ben

The Takasago has set sail from Southampton! Anyone else's car on board? Debbie, did yours make it?

Ben

Hi Ben,

Kind of sad at the moment because I'm not sure if my MINI is on the boat or not. Glad your MINI is on its way though!

Is it possible that all of the data isn't in the computer yet? I'm still showing as 'RECEIVED AT TERMINAL' for that shipment, but it doesn't show anything about it being loaded on the boat. Is there still a chance that it could show up, or am I going to be sad this weekend? Do they overbook the boats and then put on as many as will fit? I hope that's not the case. If so, it's not nice to get a MINI owner's hopes up and then let them down. :(

Debbie

Sorry Debbie, but they overbook just like airlines. But you may be on the boat, check the WW site.

Sorry Debbie, but they overbook just like airlines. But you may be on the boat, check the WW site.

But I don't remember anyone offering me $200 to wait for the next boat. I guess that part doesn't work like the airlines. It's actually the WW site that I'm looking at. I guess I will just have to wait and see if the status changes...or if I get moved to a new boat. I knew things were going way to well so far. Thanks for the info.

But your MINI will get free drinks. ;)

Good luck on getting on the boat! I'm afraid there is a backlog of February cars waiting for a ride though. My car should be on the docks next week, I hope yours is on a voyage by then. :)

Aprilwhine, I just talked to the ASKMINI guy and he told me that our Mini is recieved at terminal so now it's just that waiting game for a boat...but you say there's a bunch of backlogged cars from Feb build still not out? (the guy told me it usually takes a week to 10 days for a ship. was he hoodwinkin' me?) BTW, nothing showed up about my car on the WW site but I guess that should have been expected since our car JUST got to the terminal today.
I suppose this means I have more time to read up on past forums now, huh? :(