IMM 2009 Birmingham Anyone here with good contacts with MINI AUS?

[brett]

Thinking of taking my Classic Mini Cooper S to the International Mini Meet in Birmingham. Does anyone have any good contacts at MINI Australia?? I'm not after money merely a spot on the Boat that BMW use. Obviously they would get a much better cost than If I rung up and got a price. So it would be a return trip.

Cheers

[minigolf]

Try asking your clubMINI committee.

I have a name for a marketing person, not sure if she could assist though???

[robbo mcs]

Hi,

It probably will be a lot cheaper and easier to get it transported in a container Thats what a lot of Australian race car teams do when transporting to cars to Europe for Nurburgring 24 hour race etc. That is also what most people do when importing cars from overseas.

Contact one of the major international transport companies, and sound them out about the idea. They probably have partially filled containers they are tying to fill.

Cheers

Robbo

[AJB44B]

G'day Brett,

Maybe I can assist with some info.

Firstly, contact Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines and request a quote. You'll need exact dims of your car (LWH) as well as weight. Request Brisbane to Tilbury or Southampton ( I think). I've had a quick check and think that they'd be the only ones going direct to Europe with car carriers. Might be worth checking though with NYK Car Carriers to see if they do it.

Next thing you'll need will be a good Customs Broker. They will be able to assist in the documentation for you, arranging Carnets etc. I can recommend one or two if you need help. Then you'll need marine cover (insurance) for the voyage.

Don't bother with trying to do it as containerised FAK (ie, mixed in a container with a bunch of other stuff) as presumably you like your car and don't want it to arrive with 44 gallon drums of salted sheep skins, or cartons of wine on the roof.

FCL (loaded by itself in a 20' container) is an option, but I'd think a costly one. Race cars often travel with wheels, tyres, spares and all manner of other ungainly bits and in that case a container is cost effective. Although if you can load two cars into a box (share with a mate), it will be cheaper I'd think.

Don't forget to make sure that the car is spotless when shipped. Quarantine agencies are paranoid about transmission of bugs etc in soil, and the costs associated with getting a car steam cleaned anywhere near a port will ruin your afternoon, to say nothing of the time delay.

Good luck. I wouldn't hold my breath seeking a sensible answer from BMW. They're only interested in bringing new cars in, not sending old ones out.

DJ

[TOJO]

Quote: Originally Posted by brett (original)

Thinking of taking my Classic Mini Cooper S to the International Mini Meet in Birmingham. ....

Cheers

It might be cheaper to go to Birmingham, Al!