I attended my first mini5280 event at Webb Motorsports a couple of weeks ago, and Randy Webb informed us about this "limp" mode in response to a question from a MCS owner (manual trans. I think) who had it happen while driving at around 8500 ft. elevation -- the car just shut down while he was rounding a corner. Randy mentioned that this can be a common occurence when driving at altitude because the computer senses that something is "wrong" due to lack of oxygen in the induction system and kills the engine to "protect" it.

I do not know about this problem specific to an auto trans though. According to Randy, when the problem occurs due to altitude, you just need to turn off the ignition, restart the car, and it runs fine (and the check engine light should come off after about 5 cycles)....

Hi micahbones. Thanks for the information. I spend HOURS last night obsessing over this "limp" mode issue. There are thousands of posts on this site and MINI USA forum about the issue. It's extremely serious but everything I read didn't mention anything about elevation/altitude. It seems to be happening with just the MCS automatics and in humid/hot weather. There are talks of software upgrading to V42...blah, blah, blah. I'm just hoping MINI has/is isolated the problem when they produce the 06's.

I'm still excited about my car though. I don't want to alarm anyone.

Wow tampaguy you are sooo lucky. I ordered my MC on the 12th and my dealer still hasn't given me a production week. He said he'll call me in a couple days to confirm that my order is in but he never did, hopefully he didn't forget about my Cooper. If he forgot he better give me the car for free.
Does anyone know why some cars get earlier productions then initially scheduled?

Hang in there satisfiedmind. I think production depends on the dealer. It's my understanding that dealers are given a certain amount of allocations. Perhaps there isn't a lot of MINI business here so I got in quicker??? Not 100% sure.

You're absolutely right -- they do! IMO those seats look great, and match the Mini interior perfectly. Having had Recaros on a MkII VW, I can tell you they were the best seats I have ever experienced in a vehicle. Here's a link to the relevant article on Motoringfile:

http://motoringfile.com/2005/07/12/no_recaro_seats_for_the_us_market

After reading it I still can't figure out exactly why MiniUSA would not bring the seats -- there were a couple of posts relevant to the price of having to develop airbag sensors for two different seats (so the airbags do not deploy when a child is in the seat). Do you not have this feature overseas, and just have a manual override instead? I would be fine with that...makes no sense to me why you need an automatic sensor, unless its a issue with lawsuits. (it's always some else's fault here...rather ironic that Americans have a pronounced tendency to sue others for their own mistakes when we are the so-called culture of individuality and personal responsibility)

Passenger airbags are deactivated manually over here

Any one know the number to Miniusa so I can get more info on my order?:confused:


Here you go and good luck. They were very nice there.

1-866-ASK MINI (1-866-275-6464).

I spend HOURS last night obsessing over this "limp" mode issue. There are thousands of posts on this site and MINI USA forum about the issue. It's extremely serious but everything I read didn't mention anything about elevation/altitude. It seems to be happening with just the MCS automatics and in humid/hot weather. There are talks of software upgrading to V42...blah, blah, blah. I'm just hoping MINI has/is isolated the problem when they produce the 06's.


I have to admit to likewise spending hours obsessively following various threads about problems & fixes with the convertibles. But, when I attended a recent Puget Sound Mini gathering, I couldn't find a single convertible owner that had experienced the problems that look so ubiquitous on the forums! What a relief - and a reminder I really needed that the forums can skew your perspective. :p

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a problem-free MINI (if it ever gets here! ). The good news is, if the forums are any indication, we're gonna love the stuffing out of our MINIs, no matter what! :D

I attended my first mini5280 event at Webb Motorsports a couple of weeks ago, and Randy Webb informed us about this "limp" mode in response to a question from a MCS owner (manual trans. I think) who had it happen while driving at around 8500 ft. elevation -- the car just shut down while he was rounding a corner. Randy mentioned that this can be a common occurence when driving at altitude because the computer senses that something is "wrong" due to lack of oxygen in the induction system and kills the engine to "protect" it.

I do not know about this problem specific to an auto trans though. According to Randy, when the problem occurs due to altitude, you just need to turn off the ignition, restart the car, and it runs fine (and the check engine light should come off after about 5 cycles)....


When I called MINI usa yesterday to enquire about my MINI. I also asked him the question about "limp mode" and what he had heard about it. He stated that BMW/MINI has diagnosed the problem late August and are having owners upgrade their software. He did say that the problem was most prevalent in Florida or hot/humid weather. Anyway, he said and I quote "You should not have this problem in your 06' MINI." I laughed and said "should not?" I better not... ;) Anyway, just thought I would share. My car is on track and "should" be completed on the 29th of September.

I have to admit to likewise spending hours obsessively following various threads about problems & fixes with the convertibles. But, when I attended a recent Puget Sound Mini gathering, I couldn't find a single convertible owner that had experienced the problems that look so ubiquitous on the forums! What a relief - and a reminder I really needed that the forums can skew your perspective. :p

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a problem-free MINI (if it ever gets here! ). The good news is, if the forums are any indication, we're gonna love the stuffing out of our MINIs, no matter what! :D

We're going to have some AWESOME cars that everyone around us are going to envy. 06' is the YEAR and everythings going to be great! I'm trying to stay off the "technical problems" side of the forums and just focus on the Owners Manual I downloaded for the 05' I've read twice now. LOL :D

My MA has advised me that my MINI is in pre-production, and slotted to be built in week 40! Whoo Hoo!

Tampaguy, where did you download the '05 Manual?

The '05 Manual is in the Owner's Lounge, under Your MINI, Owner's Manual.
What's with that anyway? Where's the '06? And does anyone else get nothing but errors trying the other options under Your MINI, like motoring accessories, and "Inside Out"? :(

Oops, just realized that's MINIUSA thing. Sorry! If you'd like, I'll see if I can email it to you directly.....

My MA has advised me that my MINI is in pre-production, and slotted to be built in week 40! Whoo Hoo!

Tampaguy, where did you download the '05 Manual?


I actually downloaded my copy at www.motoringfile.com. On the right hand colum toward the bottom of the page, you'll see a section market Motoringfile Downloads. They have all the owners manuals from 2002 to 2005. I wonder where is the 06. I couldn't get the manual to download from the Owners Lounge. Anyway, congrats on week 40. Man, I can't wait for my car. I'm getting the Auxiliary Input plug installed and today I purchased a 3.5mm cable. I've got XM radio (the MYFI) so this will allow me to hook it up. :D

Ordered my first Mini 2 weeks ago.

06 Cooper S
Space blue
Checkmate package
Automatic
On-board computer

Didn't want too much options that I would not need. Wanted stick but wife can't drive stick. I own 2 other vehicles with supercharged engines and love the power, and whine. :D Just needed something that does not suck gas like there is no tommorrow.

Called last week to check on my order and was told that I was put into week 40 production (Oct 3). But today I called again and was told that I was bumped up and my car was already in production Sept 23. :D

Oooh, I'm so jealous! Last time I checked, I was also scheduled for Week 40, but as far as I know I haven't been bumped up. :rolleyes:

The number is 1-866-ASK MINI (1-866-275-6464).

You might be interested in this too.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq_delivery#faq_faq_tracking_usa

I finally got a production number after 2 weeks, mine still says on order.

Ordered my first Mini 2 weeks ago. Called last week to check on my order and was told that I was put into week 40 production (Oct 3). But today I called again and was told that I was bumped up and my car was already in production Sept 23. :D

I must admit I am jealous too -- I ordered my MCS at the very beginning of Sept. and am still scheduled for week 40 with no VIN# yet -- several folks in a similar thread on NAM ordered their cars well after mine and have also mentioned they have been bumped up one or even two weeks to week 39 or 38.

What explains these discrepancies? It is not related to color because mine is SB/S as well (this is a super popular choice BTW).

In the end it really doesn't matter because we will all be motoring in great cars, but I would rather be driving it sooner rather than later... :)

I could be wrong, but I suspect the discrepancy is all due to your dealer's allocation, and how many people are ahead of you for the October allocation for your car type. Since I ordered an MCSC, I figure there are probably fewer of those allocated per month. I'm thinking just not much room to get bumped up. :(

Sadly my car has gone from wk 41 production to wk 45, so I will have to join the November group :( :mad:

I ordered my car approx August 27th, from NJ (Cooper S Convertible) and it is now at the "Awaiting Transport" stage. Anyone have any idea how long from here to NJ, USA?

My MA has advised me that my MINI is in pre-production, and slotted to be built in week 40! Whoo Hoo!
I still haven't been given a production week, I better give my MA a call. Probably mine will also be in week 40 but I still want to know for sure.

I know we don't have access to the owner's lounge in Canada but is there any other way to follow our order?

We ordered a Solar Red Cooper.
All the packages, leather, NAV and even rear-sensors.

It's Scheduled for Production! :)

The only dissapointment so far was the insane interest rate on MINI Select financing.
I have a near 800 FICA, but we were quoted 8.3%. I feel like they are taking advantage of the fact that they have our deposit, so they are really pushing it.

Do you think this is unfair business practice and I should show up at the dealer with my consumer rights attorney?

Sadly my car has gone from wk 41 production to wk 45, so I will have to join the November group :( :mad:

That sucks Washy -- sorry to hear that. You have a great car coming, so I can understand the frustration with the delay.

I was reading in some post on Mini2 or NAM that there has been a snag with the JCW kits, and therefore all cars ordered with the JCW engine option have been pushed back to week 45. Unfortunately I don't have any further details for you (e.g., whether it's a problem with parts or production)...but I will look for the relevant thread.

...but I will look for the relevant thread.

It's mentioned here in the post by Neorants (http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50517&page=4) 5th post down. Have not seen any other confirmation of this, however...anyone else experienced such a delay with a JCW Mini?

I was just informed that my production week is 41. Does the production week make a big difference on the delivery date or do dealerships get one delivery a month? I'm just curious about this since Minivee ordered later than me at the same dealership but he has an earlier production week.

I can't wait to get my MINI, I'm like a little kid waiting to open presents on Christmas Day except my wait is two months long.

Satisfiedmind, it could just be a difference between the fact that you ordered a MC and I ordered an MCS.

From what I understand, the dealer puts in their entire allocation each month with different cars for their dealer stock, speccing each one for something that they think will sell. When someone orders a Mini, they will then go into the computer system at Mini and modify the spec of one of the cars that they've already pre-ordered. My MA told me that there weren't many so-called "empty" (dealer stock) slots left when I ordered.

Satisfiedmind, it could just be a difference between the fact that you ordered a MC and I ordered an MCS.

Ya I figured it must be because I ordered an MC. I can't believe I'll have a MINI in 1 1/2 months if all goes well!!! I already ordered my Hella driving lights (there's a 50% off sale at mossmini). Now I just have to decide on what kind of bonnet stripes I want.

Another Week 40 bumped into production early!!!
My envy of SurfsUP got the better of me - had to call 866-ASK-MINI for a status update on my car. We were scheduled for Week 40, but word from ASKMINI is that it went into production today!! :eek: :D :D :D :D :D

Wonder if the JCW delay is giving a bit of a bonus to some of the rest of us?

BTW, the MINIUSA Owner's Lounge still displays as On Order with no scheduled production date, and we've heard nothing from our MA at the dealership. Apparently harrassing the poor, patient, wonderful folks at ASKMINI is the way to go. :p

Don't get me wrong, I love how much info is available online, but it does seem just a tad pointless to have a site that gives you that much detail about your car status if it's WAY out of date... :confused:
Somehow, I thought I'd be obsessively monitoring the Owner's Lounge at this point in the game, but now I'm thinking it's pointless, unless it's likely to catch up at this point?

The only dissapointment so far was the insane interest rate on MINI Select financing.
I have a near 800 FICA, but we were quoted 8.3%. I feel like they are taking advantage of the fact that they have our deposit, so they are really pushing it.

Do you think this is unfair business practice and I should show up at the dealer with my consumer rights attorney?

If your FICA score's that good, sounds like you'd be better off showing up at the dealer with a loan from another bank! I have to say I really feel in the dark about how things will actually shake out on the day we show up to get our car.

My JCW Mini was ordered in early September and I was told today that it will be built in week 41, the dealer said to expect it in early November but I seriously doubt that it will be here before mid December. Just think, I will be taking delivery of my first new car, a 210 HP pocket rocket with run flat summer tires, and there will be several feet of snow on the ground :( I may have to point the car south and keep driving until I see grass. I have been autocrossing (solo2) for 10 years now and I can't wait until next spring when I can show all those Hondas, Suburus and Miatas what a Mini can do. It's going to take some adjustment to go from racing a 911 to a Mini but I started in a fwd car and I'm sure it will all come back to me.

Is the 1-800-Ask-MINI number available to Canadians? If it is what info do I need in order to get an update on my MINI?

If your FICA score's that good, sounds like you'd be better off showing up at the dealer with a loan from another bank! I have to say I really feel in the dark about how things will actually shake out on the day we show up to get our car.

The problem is that we'd like to go with "MINI Select" financing. We are bying a BMW as well and it would make things easier to have both cars financed with BMW.

Having near perfect credit history, it just feels almost insulting paying 3% extra on the loan.

Love the car! Can't stand the finance guys at the dealership!