I want to thank each of you for the moral support. I will check with my MA again tomorrow as they might have a better fix on things now. It would be hilarious if it were on board the Baltic Highway. I've been hoping and praying the K-Line picked it up last Monday. Just for grins, I ran a couple of dozen VINs in my production group through the W&W site and it only came up with 1 car booked to one of their vessels. This is really weird and leads me to believe another line may have picked it up. My 2003 MCS went to the dock on a Friday night. W&W booked it immediately and loaded the car within 2 hours. It was at sea the next day, arrived at the NJ port 7 days later and was at the dealership 5 days after that. I admit this was extremely good timing. I was hoping for a similar experience.

The UPS analogy is great. I agree that with GPS and tracking software today, a $30K vehicle should be fairly easy to keep tabs on. Actually, it would be really nice to make the dealer info available to the consumer as the owner lounge isn't a timely source of information. Speaking of information, ask-MINI used to be able to give excellent detail throughout the process. This time around, the information was vague at best and I had to prod to the get what little info was available. I believe the system is overstressed with the additional convertible models and increased sales / production numbers.

Jetsar1...

It is perfectly acceptable to rename your MINI as long as you haven't ordered your vanity plates yet. :p What name have you considered? I'm very curious what the noise turned out to be. Keep us posted. I want you to know that my 03 MCS (picture attached) was a wonderful car any gave me no problems whatsoever. I've owned 48 different vehicles over the past 30 years and these cars are the best in every respect.

Congratulations to all of you receiving "the call". Savor the moment and enjoy that first roll out onto the street with your new baby.

hey all..

called my dealership this afternoon, got a message back saying that indeed, my baby came in. they're going to finish installing the extras tonight and in the morning, and i am scheduled for pickup around noon tomorrow! [well, today, i suppose, since it is about 1 AM already.]

that's less than 12 hours away!

went by tonight after work, no sign of him.. but maybe he was in the back somewhere.

anyway. time for sleep, big day tomorrow! :D

To those in limbo, keep asking your MA, call a different one when yours is not in, you might get a different answer. My understanding is that cars are typically loaded faster than expected, not slower. 4 weeks is a long time.

Just when I thought that mine was lost at sea it was suddenly on the way to the dealer. Go figure. I must say that I'm giddy with anticipation now.

And to Jet, I think its ok to change the name, after all the first one was broken, think of it as a different car. The one you get back wll be your new one. A new name for a fresh start! Hope you get it back soon.

Surprise surprise. My MINI is now on the Maersk Teal...maybe. At least it's showing "loaded on vessel" for now. I won't be certain until it's sailed later today. The MT won't be into Charleston until 7-13. Hopefully it will be delivered by July 20th.

I'm still a little ways away. I just today found out that after checking in with AskMini everyday for over a month that my MCS is finally in prodction. I ordered it from Baron in KC on May 7th and just today I was told that it's in production and it is scheduled to be finished on July 8th. I think I may have a long wait ahead of me to...

Still don't know what ship exaclty I am on, I was at the dealership and he showed me the screen and it said ship data not available. But he did have a date of July 9th for when it will arrive in LA. So I should probably get it 1 and half weeks to two weeks after that because they will need to install the JCW kit for me. I am very excited!!! :red:

HEy Guys,

My ship TRINIDAD is suppose to be here tomorrow. However I just checked the WW tracking and they said its suppose to arrive on July 2nd. :mad:

Anyone on that Trinidad with me

Surprise surprise. My MINI is now on the Maersk Teal...maybe. At least it's showing "loaded on vessel" for now. I won't be certain until it's sailed later today. The MT won't be into Charleston until 7-13. Hopefully it will be delivered by July 20th.

mine is supposed to be on the maersk teal too! right now it might just be sipping margheritas on the lido deck with yours :D

but quite possibly it's still "standing at the dock of southampton." i'm showing as booked and received at terminal, but nothing more :(

Well my MINI found the right guy to bribe because he shipped out on the k-line ship Baltic Highway. Left the 28th for the 13 day rip across the pond. Then a day for customs figure two for processing and a four day trip to the dealer, then two days for dealer prep and looking at about the 21th of July or so. :D

After reading the FAQ I found mine was booked on the Maersk Teal too.

She's a British Racing Green MCSa convertible with the following:
Premium, Sports, Cold-weather, and convience packages
Chrono Pack
Chrome line exterior
17inch all-season run flats on s-lights

Mine is shown as booked but not loaded on board and the ship is shown as left. Does that mean she missed her spot.

'allo!

finally, after watching Jetstar,Rusty,and Stricks get their babies, here's mine!


meet Callum! [hehe.. he actually has a longer name, but i'm rather embarrassed that i gave my car a middle name]


i took delivery of him at 4:30 today [technically yesterday.. June 30th]. everything went smoothly, except for the initial having to push the delivery back.. because there was a headlamp issue.

rofl.. i didn't get the keychain i wanted, but i did get this shirt! and my mom got a shirt too. i am to go back and get my cleaning supplies when they get a shipment in next week.

on to the customization now i guess :D .. little decals and such. i want to get a Euro plate also.

hehe.. my mom joined in on the excitement towards the end of the day.. 'let's go somewhere!'

[sort of an afterthought.. does anyone feel kinda sad about abandoning their former cars? i do..even though i love the MINI ! ]

Well, the MINI fix saga has worsened.

Princeton called yesterday, and said my car was fixed and ready to go. I hurried to the dealer, picked it up, and drove home. On my way home, I heard THE SAME SOUND THAT BROUGHT ME TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY :mad: :mad:

I was crushed. My husband was far worse. (He blamed me for 1. not going to the dealer with him and 2. accepting the car back.) After an evening of arguing and tears...we are not speaking to each other right now. :(

I called Princeton back, and angrily spoke to the sales manager. (The service manager had left for the day.) He thought it was "strange" that the noise returned. (The "well, didn't you hear the noise when you picked it up?" b*llshyt. WELL DIDN'T YOUR MECHANIC HEAR THE NOISE WHEN HE PROCLAIMED IT FIXED :mad: :mad: :mad:

I'm bringing the car back today (with an angry husband in tow) and demanding that they either fix it properly, replace my car, or void the deal entirely. I told them if they can fix it, my courtesy car better be a MINI, not some tired out Mitsubishi Lancer they arranged for me last week.

I'm devastated right now. We went through this with our Cadillac CTS, and I swore to my husband that the MINI would be more reliable. I don't know what to think right now.

Sorry....I just needed to vent. :( :(

congrats silverwolf!! :D

Mine is shown as booked but not loaded on board and the ship is shown as left. Does that mean she missed her spot.

tex, check the ww site again, as it was updated overnight. i missed the boat too, and now am booked on the isolde leaving southampton on 7/7. another week of waiting!!! :eek:

I want to thank each of you for the moral support. I will check with my MA again tomorrow as they might have a better fix on things now. It would be hilarious if it were on board the Baltic Highway. I've been hoping and praying the K-Line picked it up last Monday. Just for grins, I ran a couple of dozen VINs in my production group through the W&W site and it only came up with 1 car booked to one of their vessels. This is really weird and leads me to believe another line may have picked it up. My 2003 MCS went to the dock on a Friday night. W&W booked it immediately and loaded the car within 2 hours. It was at sea the next day, arrived at the NJ port 7 days later and was at the dealership 5 days after that. I admit this was extremely good timing. I was hoping for a similar experience.

The UPS analogy is great. I agree that with GPS and tracking software today, a $30K vehicle should be fairly easy to keep tabs on. Actually, it would be really nice to make the dealer info available to the consumer as the owner lounge isn't a timely source of information. Speaking of information, ask-MINI used to be able to give excellent detail throughout the process. This time around, the information was vague at best and I had to prod to the get what little info was available. I believe the system is overstressed with the additional convertible models and increased sales / production numbers.

Jetsar1...

It is perfectly acceptable to rename your MINI as long as you haven't ordered your vanity plates yet. :p What name have you considered? I'm very curious what the noise turned out to be. Keep us posted. I want you to know that my 03 MCS (picture attached) was a wonderful car any gave me no problems whatsoever. I've owned 48 different vehicles over the past 30 years and these cars are the best in every respect.

Congratulations to all of you receiving "the call". Savor the moment and enjoy that first roll out onto the street with your new baby.


Wingman,
Nice ride, why the change to the '05? New gear ratio?

'allo!

finally, after watching Jetstar,Rusty,and Stricks get their babies, here's mine!


meet Callum! [hehe.. he actually has a longer name, but i'm rather embarrassed that i gave my car a middle name]


i took delivery of him at 4:30 today [technically yesterday.. June 30th]. everything went smoothly, except for the initial having to push the delivery back.. because there was a headlamp issue.

rofl.. i didn't get the keychain i wanted, but i did get this shirt! and my mom got a shirt too. i am to go back and get my cleaning supplies when they get a shipment in next week.

on to the customization now i guess :D .. little decals and such. i want to get a Euro plate also.

hehe.. my mom joined in on the excitement towards the end of the day.. 'let's go somewhere!'

[sort of an afterthought.. does anyone feel kinda sad about abandoning their former cars? i do..even though i love the MINI ! ]

Well, you finally took delivery! I love the color combination and the driving lights. Have fun with the mods... :)

Well, the MINI fix saga has worsened.

Princeton called yesterday, and said my car was fixed and ready to go. I hurried to the dealer, picked it up, and drove home. On my way home, I heard THE SAME SOUND THAT BROUGHT ME TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY :mad: :mad:

I was crushed. My husband was far worse. (He blamed me for 1. not going to the dealer with him and 2. accepting the car back.) After an evening of arguing and tears...we are not speaking to each other right now. :(

I called Princeton back, and angrily spoke to the sales manager. (The service manager had left for the day.) He thought it was "strange" that the noise returned. (The "well, didn't you hear the noise when you picked it up?" b*llshyt. WELL DIDN'T YOUR MECHANIC HEAR THE NOISE WHEN HE PROCLAIMED IT FIXED :mad: :mad: :mad:

I'm bringing the car back today (with an angry husband in tow) and demanding that they either fix it properly, replace my car, or void the deal entirely. I told them if they can fix it, my courtesy car better be a MINI, not some tired out Mitsubishi Lancer they arranged for me last week.

I'm devastated right now. We went through this with our Cadillac CTS, and I swore to my husband that the MINI would be more reliable. I don't know what to think right now.

Sorry....I just needed to vent. :( :(

I am So sorry to hear of these developments. Plunking down change on a car and having problems from the beginning causes quite a strain, but I am sure you and your husband will get through this once you both concede that you are not upset with one another--you are angry that the car is not running properly. Yes, you probably should have taken a mechanic out for a drive to make sure it was fixed properly, but YOU SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO TRUST THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT HAND THE KEYS TO CUSTOMER WITHOUT FIXING THEIR CAR!!!!!!!!!
I really hope that Princeton steps up to the plate and gets it right this time. I know how difficult this must be for you. I had a similar problem with a Jeep about ten years ago, and every time I purchase a new car my wife and I cross our fingers and hope that "this is not another Jeep!" I am sure you and your husband do the same thing, except insert CTS for Jeep.

Stay strong, and I am sure that the dealer will come through. If not, step over to the BMW side and see if you can get in touch with the right people at BMW AG N. America. :( :mad:

Jet: I'm so so sorry to hear that. They will fix it, it just stinks that you have to go through it...again. I hope they do right by you.

Silver: congrats! looks nice.

I'm glad a few more made it on boats headed for their owners.

I'm in the distribution center currently, it got there Weds. Won't be sent until after the holiday weekend, so I am expecting (tenatively) to get delivery 7/8 or 7/7 if I'm lucky.

Hyper blue/matching interior
MCSC
Black bonnet stripes
Nav
Convenience
Cold
Sport
premium
Web spoke wheels
Driving lamps
aero kit
ipod adapter
security system
wind deflector
grey leatherette interior
automatic tranny w/ paddle shifters

If I keep saying it to my self I can envision being in it...............7 more days ...........7 more days..............7 more days

Isolde for me too. Missed the Maersk Teal so another week of waiting for me too. :(

Speaking of which - the ASK-MINI line just told me something new (hey, I only call once a day now!) It said my MINI was in the paint shop. My estimated date of completion is still June 30. Woohoo! I just thought it would continue to say "In Production" until it was finished.

Anyone else at the same point my MINI is?

Woohoo! I just called the ASK-MINI line and they informed me that my MINI was "released to a carrier and awaiting transport..." (the Owner's Lounge website still says "scheduled for production").

I went on the W&W website to track it... I've been "Received at Terminal" and "Booked" on the vessel Tagus. Haven't managed to figure out how to track it from here. I know "received" and "booked" is a lot different from "loaded"... I guess we'll see how it goes for the last of the June babies!

First time posting here at MINI2.

Just want to share that my Mini is showing it has been
BOOKED, LOADED even after the ship seems sailed off.

Does it mean i'm on the ship or..? The status can be changed from this point?
My car was booked on 30, loaded on 30, and the ship sailed off on 30. Seems pretty quick..

Loxy, on the tracking area click the voyage number, it will be a link. It has the docking dates. This is the point where I hit a deadzone. SPRP is in it as well. Sit back and enjoy the wait. Once you get your mind meld email its at the distribution center. My lounge updated the day after I got that email.

My best adivce is that once you are on a ship take a 3-5 day break from checking or you will go crazy, just ask my wife and coworkers.

I am So sorry to hear of these developments. Plunking down change on a car and having problems from the beginning causes quite a strain, but I am sure you and your husband will get through this once you both concede that you are not upset with one another--you are angry that the car is not running properly. Yes, you probably should have taken a mechanic out for a drive to make sure it was fixed properly, but YOU SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO TRUST THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT HAND THE KEYS TO CUSTOMER WITHOUT FIXING THEIR CAR!!!!!!!!!
I really hope that Princeton steps up to the plate and gets it right this time. I know how difficult this must be for you. I had a similar problem with a Jeep about ten years ago, and every time I purchase a new car my wife and I cross our fingers and hope that "this is not another Jeep!" I am sure you and your husband do the same thing, except insert CTS for Jeep.

Stay strong, and I am sure that the dealer will come through. If not, step over to the BMW side and see if you can get in touch with the right people at BMW AG N. America. :( :mad:

Thanks Rusty!

My husband has already written the car off as "another CTS." I'm desperately hoping it can be saved.

I dropped the car off at Princeton this morning, and the service manager (as predicted) said the car was quiet when they drove it. I told them a quick spin around the lot isn't going to reveal the noise, you have to DRIVE it for at least five miles, and then it starts. And it's loud! He said "well, we didn't have a chance to heat up the parts, they arrived later in the day." WTF? You returned a car to the customer with the exact same problem as when they brought it in, and this is the best excuse you can come up with?No sorry or nothing.

I called MINI USA to get them involved. I explained the noise, the comments from the sales and service managers, the tired-out Lancer they arranged for me, everything. I told them I wanted to drive the car to Cape Cod next weekend, but that seems impossible.

I also told the rep that Princeton can rip out an entire engine from a car on the lot and put it in mine if they have to. Or if it needs to be repaired, get me a MINI off their sales lot and give it to me. I deserve better for a car I've had for five days. Princeton has had for four days and counting.

The rep seemed understanding (although so did the Cadillac one at first.) She's going to contact Princeton and see what can be done.

Ugh. Stay tuned.....

First time posting here at MINI2.

Just want to share that my Mini is showing it has been
BOOKED, LOADED even after the ship seems sailed off.

Does it mean i'm on the ship or..? The status can be changed from this point?
My car was booked on 30, loaded on 30, and the ship sailed off on 30. Seems pretty quick..

Welcome!

If your car is showing loaded after a couple of days after the ship was scheduled to leave, you are on your way.

Loxy, on the tracking area click the voyage number, it will be a link. It has the docking dates. This is the point where I hit a deadzone. SPRP is in it as well. Sit back and enjoy the wait. Once you get your mind meld email its at the distribution center. My lounge updated the day after I got that email.

My best adivce is that once you are on a ship take a 3-5 day break from checking or you will go crazy, just ask my wife and coworkers.

Uggg..thanks. I probably didn't want to know. Looks like the Tagus is not due to depart until July 5. It's arrival in New York is July 13. Guess I won't be taking delivery by the 15th like my MA says! I'll have to do some additional research to figure out how long it will take to arrive once it reaches the port. (I live just West of Washington, DC).

Thanks again for the info - I was trying to link through the other site to track it with the call sign! This way was much easier.

Thanks Rusty!

My husband has already written the car off as "another CTS." I'm desperately hoping it can be saved.

I dropped the car off at Princeton this morning, and the service manager (as predicted) said the car was quiet when they drove it. I told them a quick spin around the lot isn't going to reveal the noise, you have to DRIVE it for at least five miles, and then it starts. And it's loud! He said "well, we didn't have a chance to heat up the parts, they arrived later in the day." WTF? You returned a car to the customer with the exact same problem as when they brought it in, and this is the best excuse you can come up with?No sorry or nothing.

I called MINI USA to get them involved. I explained the noise, the comments from the sales and service managers, the tired-out Lancer they arranged for me, everything. I told them I wanted to drive the car to Cape Cod next weekend, but that seems impossible.

I also told the rep that Princeton can rip out an entire engine from a car on the lot and put it in mine if they have to. Or if it needs to be repaired, get me a MINI off their sales lot and give it to me. I deserve better for a car I've had for five days. Princeton has had for four days and counting.

The rep seemed understanding (although so did the Cadillac one at first.) She's going to contact Princeton and see what can be done.

Ugh. Stay tuned.....


very sorry that you are having to go through all of this, JS :( :(

Hi
Im new to this post, and I’ve been keeping track of my new mcsc and it has finally made it off the mignon to nj. However it is now in dreaded mini limbo and I cant find her! and no one at my dealer (mini of towson) seems to know where she is either. Im pretty sure she’s done at the vdc and was wondering if any of you knew how long it takes to get from the vdc to towson or to any dealership in the mid-atlantic region for that matter?

Im quite ready to get her on the road for my upcoming vacation! :cool:
It seems like ive been waiting FOREVER!!

you and I were bunkmates on the mignon. My MA told me nothing was shipping from the dist center until after the holiday weekend and to Illinois it's 2 days to the dealer. My guess you'll have it Friday or Thursday if you are lucky.

Uggg..thanks. I probably didn't want to know. Looks like the Tagus is not due to depart until July 5. It's arrival in New York is July 13. Guess I won't be taking delivery by the 15th like my MA says! I'll have to do some additional research to figure out how long it will take to arrive once it reaches the port. (I live just West of Washington, DC).

Thanks again for the info - I was trying to link through the other site to track it with the call sign! This way was much easier.

its a pretty fair bet that the delivery date in your lounge is the date it will hit the distribution center. Add a few business days after that. At least that was my experience.

Isolde for me too. Missed the Maersk Teal so another week of waiting for me too. :(

Hey Cadfael - why are you and girasole on the Isolde? I've been booked on the Tagus which is leaving before the Isolde (but that's still not until July 5). My MINI just finished production on June 30. Sounds like you've been done for a while.

Looks like our ships both have all the same stops (NY, Baltimore, Charleston, etc). I know we will all probably never know the reason behind this, but...

I know how you feel. If my MINI had been finished just ONE day earlier, I could have been on the Maersk Teal too and would have it nearly a week earlier!

Hey Cadfael - why are you and girasole on the Isolde? I've been booked on the Tagus which is leaving before the Isolde (but that's still not until July 5). My MINI just finished production on June 30. Sounds like you've been done for a while.

Looks like our ships both have all the same stops (NY, Baltimore, Charleston, etc). I know we will all probably never know the reason behind this, but...

I know how you feel. If my MINI had been finished just ONE day earlier, I could have been on the Maersk Teal too and would have it nearly a week earlier!

Don't count on it. Mine missed four boats before a K-line picked it up, so I'm not sure what the reasons for which boat you get on are.