[Arty13]

my car is no longer in the wait list... So i guess that means it will be on FREEDOM and leave today ... How do you tell when it leaves?

[ayde_bury]

Quote: Originally Posted by nilo

I got a little carried away tonight and hit the mountain twisties all the way to massachusetts through the Petersburgh pass on Rt. 2... some 60 miles worth there and back These pictures are taken at the dealer as my MA was putting the final touches. Unfortunately, it got a little late tonight and couldn't get any more good pics from my photo-challenged digital camera other than these dealer shots. I'll take some more this weekend !!

Yep I was the first one in April.

Congratulations, she looks fantastic nilo. Looking foward to some more pictures.

Ragamuffin, well done on coming in third on the April deliveries. A fantastic MINI and I'm bound to see you around the area as I work and live in Bury.

[Ammo0]

grr, frustartion setting in, others are getting info before me even tho they ordered and/or had copletion dates after me. ok.... just breath.... what would help is if someone has a booking number for a west coast delivery I could check for my vin in the list, or at least see how close they are to picking up my mini by looking at the numbers in the vins of the other cars. thanks for bearing with me.

[nola]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ammo0

grr, frustartion setting in, others are getting info before me even tho they ordered and/or had copletion dates after me. ok.... just breath.... what would help is if someone has a booking number for a west coast delivery I could check for my vin in the list, or at least see how close they are to picking up my mini by looking at the numbers in the vins of the other cars. thanks for bearing with me.

I wouldn't feel too bad, I ordered my car 2/3, it was made & received at the terminal 4/6, & it's still waiting to get on a boat along with a few cars that were made in march so.....you're in pretty good shape. So if I'm right, another ship will come in a week, IF it gets on, then it's another 9/10 days at sea? Right ? Then like 4 days to get to dealership, then they keep it a week? So thats about 27 more days? Again, IF it gets on the next ship. Am I right about the time line? I'm not too sure about how long it takes to get off loaded & picked up, then how long the drive from charleston to new orleans is & then the usual time the dealership has it before you can pick it up. If any of you guys know could you tell me or am I about right?

[PrplPplEtr]

wow, really hope your cars get a ride soon. mine kinda breezed on through, maybe yours will catch a lift now...

[MGB Boy]

Quote: Originally Posted by nola

I wouldn't feel too bad, I ordered my car 2/3, it was made & received at the terminal 4/6, & it's still waiting to get on a boat along with a few cars that were made in march so.....you're in pretty good shape. So if I'm right, another ship will come in a week, IF it gets on, then it's another 9/10 days at sea? Right ? Then like 4 days to get to dealership, then they keep it a week? So thats about 27 more days? Again, IF it gets on the next ship. Am I right about the time line? I'm not too sure about how long it takes to get off loaded & picked up, then how long the drive from charleston to new orleans is & then the usual time the dealership has it before you can pick it up. If any of you guys know could you tell me or am I about right?

Upcoming Southampton-Charelston runs:
4/29 - Udine (14 days)
4/30 - Patriot (13 days)
5/05 - Courage (15 days)

The trip to Charleston is a few days longer than the NYC trip, so that's about two weeks, depending on which ship it's on. Then it's 6-10 days for VPC processing and shipment to your dealer, then a day or two and it's yours. So I'd put it at 20-26 days from the day it ships, depending on how the variables go. No reason for dealer prep to take long. Unless you are having some accessories installed, all they really have to do is remove any remaining protective plastic from the interior/exterior then wash it, anything else would be addressed at the VPC. My first MINI arrived at the dealer on a Thursday and was available for pickup on a Friday (although I couldn't get there until the following Monday).

The exception to this, the possible hang up is that MINI doesn't ship the Certificate of Origin with the car, it travels seperately (at least that's how they used to do it, maybe they've changed but I know they were still doing it that way a year ago). Some states won't allow the car to be sold until the dealer has the CoO, and occasionally there have been pointless delays where the car is sitting at the dealer but the CoO doesn't show up for a week. But that's the excpetion, not the norm, usually the CoO is prompt (and in many states it is irrelevant anyhow).

-Ricardo

[fjpatriot]

Yah, my MA said they have to wait for the CoO, usually takes 2 days after they get the car. You would think they could email or fax the thing, but this is only the 00's - maybe that revelation will come in the 10's

[nola]

Quote: Originally Posted by MGB Boy

U

The trip to Charleston is a few days longer than the NYC trip, so that's about two weeks, depending on which ship it's on. Then it's 6-10 days for VPC processing and shipment to your dealer, then a day or two and it's yours. So I'd put it at 20-26 days from the day it ships, depending on how the variables go. No reason for dealer prep to take long. Unless you are having some accessories installed, all they really have to do is remove any remaining protective plastic from the interior/exterior then wash it, anything else would be addressed at the VPC. My first MINI arrived at the dealer on a Thursday and was available for pickup on a Friday (although I couldn't get there until the following Monday).


-Ricardo

A week to get on the boat, two weeks on, and about another week to get to dealer & then a few more days So basically, at the very least , another month. Well thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

[fjpatriot]

I met with MA and friends today to pay for baby, and they gave me the skinny on what goes on once your car reaches the ports in the U.S. My car landed yesterday off the Elektra at 11:39am. Its already been through the VDC and released to the trucking company for delivery to my dealership My dealership will get the car on Monday, April 24th. I should take delivery on Tues, Wed, or Thu - the only thing that could hold it up is the CoO ( certificate of origin ), but MA and friends don't believe it will. They usually get the CoO about 1 to 2 days after the car arrives. So we're talking 72-96 hours until I get my Baby

Once your car reaches port, your MA knows exactly what is going on. They print a report each day that says where your car is, and when its scheduled to hit their dealership. Baby had her VIN number on the report, my name, and my MA's name, along with the date it hit the port, date it will be delivered to the dealership, and estimated delivery date. Mine flew through the VDC because I did not have any major options needing to be installed. Things like JCW packages, and aero kits can get installed at the VDC, which will cause it to hang out there a while. I'm assuming the trucking company takes 3 days to get the car to the dealership ( I can drive NJ to Boston in about 4 hours ) because its over a weekend, and maybe cars on the truck have to get delivered to other dealerships.

Anyway, not long now - but I still can't wait Severe happy feet will be going on Tues or Wed, and don't know how I'll get through Monday.

One other thing, since I haven't heard anyone mention it. While at the dealership I saw a MCS in the showroom that was very cool. It had the Checkered Package, something I hadn't heard about before. The car was a darker blue ( not in the brochure or I believe on the web site ) - a color if offered I would have gotten on my MCSC. It had a checkered black and white decal on the front side panels just before the door. Also had a checkered emblem on the back quarter panel just after the door. The interior had blue and white checkered seats, with the same darker blue dash color. Back seats were also checkered blue and white. Anyway, thought I'd mention it - I never heard about it before, maybe others have? I was told it wasn't available as a convertible - maybe they were trying to make me feel good about what I ordered? Still psyched about my Baby though!

[mct]

Congrats on your car getting almost to you. Believe it or not - my car is STILL at status 150 (been that way since April 13th). That means it hasn't even hit the body shop to begin production. It is estimated to be done by April 27th (5 days from now). All the customer rep says at ASKMINI is "not sure why it has been delayed".... makes me feel real good .

Quote: Originally Posted by fjpatriot

One other thing, since I haven't heard anyone mention it. While at the dealership I saw a MCS in the showroom that was very cool. It had the Checkered Package, something I hadn't heard about before. The car was a darker blue ( not in the brochure or I believe on the web site ) - a color if offered I would have gotten on my MCSC. It had a checkered black and white decal on the front side panels just before the door. Also had a checkered emblem on the back quarter panel just after the door. The interior had blue and white checkered seats, with the same darker blue dash color. Back seats were also checkered blue and white. Anyway, thought I'd mention it - I never heard about it before, maybe others have? I was told it wasn't available as a convertible - maybe they were trying to make me feel good about what I ordered? Still psyched about my Baby though!

The package you are referring to is the Checkmate package and it is not available on the cabrio. It is combo package #5 and if you notice when you spec out your MINI on miniusa.com - the combo packages are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 (5 is missing). If you try to configure a Cooper S, combo 5 is listed.

Basically it is one of the special editions MINI released to honor the last of the supercharged MINIs before the R56 is released (R56 = new 2007 turbo designed MINI). The checkmate package is being retired with the R53 (R53 = the current model MINI).

[fjpatriot]

mct - I wouldn't fret about it, your really not behind according to the schedule I had. I ordered Mar 25. My car ( an original April order for the dealer converted to my specs ) then followed the following:

- 3/28 changed to production status, w estimated complete 4/7
- 4/5 entered body shop, 8 days after it was sched for production
- 4/6 paint shop
- 4/7 finished production
- 4/8 transported to Southampton port
- 4/9 sched to ship on Manon
- 4/10 missed Manon, reched on Elektra
- 4/11 loaded on Elektra, after sitting at port for only 3 days ( felt like eternity )
- 4/21 unloaded in NJ after 10 days at sea
- 4/25 or 26 or 27 Baby delivered to me ( hopefully )!

The thing that blew my mind in all of this is once it enters the body shop they can produce a car in all of 3 days! So don't worry, it will most likely enter the body shop on the 23/24th and be done on the 27th - I'm sending good karma your way, the 27th is my BDay!

[mct]

Quote: Originally Posted by fjpatriot

mct - I wouldn't fret about it, your really not behind according to the schedule I had. I ordered Mar 25. My car ( an original April order for the dealer converted to my specs ) then followed the following:

- 3/28 changed to production status, w estimated complete 4/7
- 4/5 entered body shop, 8 days after it was sched for production
- 4/6 paint shop
- 4/7 finished production
- 4/8 transported to Southampton port
- 4/9 sched to ship on Manon
- 4/10 missed Manon, reched on Elektra
- 4/11 loaded on Elektra, after sitting at port for only 3 days ( felt like eternity )
- 4/21 unloaded in NJ after 10 days at sea
- 4/25 or 26 or 27 Baby delivered to me ( hopefully )!

The thing that blew my mind in all of this is once it enters the body shop they can produce a car in all of 3 days! So don't worry, it will most likely enter the body shop on the 23/24th and be done on the 27th - I'm sending good karma your way, the 27th is my BDay!

Well there you have it . Thanks for the pep talk - actually did make me feel better!

[Ammo0]

mct; yea dont wory, Clip was in the paint shop for nearly a week for me too and then over night it was released to carrier. Yours is pobobly sitting at the port with the rest of us, it just hasnt been updated.

[MGB Boy]

Owner's Lounge just updated, moved me to "At Distribution Center" and moved the Estimated Delivery Date from 4/28 to 4/24...

-Ricardo

[Skatemom]

Quote: Originally Posted by MGB Boy

Owner's Lounge just updated, moved me to "At Distribution Center" and moved the Estimated Delivery Date from 4/28 to 4/24...

-Ricardo

Ooooh, cool! That cuts your anxiety level 4 notches!

[fjpatriot]

Ricardo - the same thing happened to me - went from 4/26 to 4/24. I know my car is being delivered to the dealership tomorrow, but doubt I will take delivery tomorrow ( one can hope anyway ). The dam CoO is tying things up. Anyway, getting real close now! Congrats Ricardo, and post pictures when you do take delivery!

[MGB Boy]

My old MINI knows it's about to be replaced and has decided not to go down quietly. Tonight I swapped the snow tires/rims off for the summer tires/rims (in Vermont it is the height of optimism to do so before the last week of April). Did my brother's Saturn, then did my mother's MINI (purple 2005 MCC), and finally did mine. On the third rim (right rear), I managed to shear the head off of one of the lugbolts. Dammit. The old car is ****ed off. Couldn't manage to tap it out, so now I get to spend some quality time tomorrow at a garage, paying someone else to get the remains of the lugbolt out. Just what I was looking forward to doing. At least it's a rear rim, I'd be extra paranoid driving on three bolts on one of the front/drive rims. Just another day or two and it's gone...

-Ricardo

[fjpatriot]

The build up is huge when you track it on a daily basis. I just want to go into my dealer, watch it come off the truck, watch them prep it, and take delivery. Dang, got this work thing to do though Well, at least it might keep my mind off of getting Baby for an hour or two

Ricardo, its a sign with the lug nut - time to trade her in. Is that what your doing, or is it a private sale? Had the lug nut happen to me, except the stud snapped, which might be easier. Replacing the stud was pretty easy though, and it only cost $1.25 for it. Cool that it was a rear one.

Not long now - wish the dealership would give a shout that they got her!

[Skatemom]

fjpatriot: How exciting!!!! I'm guessing you'll have to go right back to work, so you can post your first reactions and pictures right? Have fun!!

[MGB Boy]

Quote: Originally Posted by fjpatriot

The build up is huge when you track it on a daily basis. I just want to go into my dealer, watch it come off the truck, watch them prep it, and take delivery. Dang, got this work thing to do though Well, at least it might keep my mind off of getting Baby for an hour or two

Ricardo, its a sign with the lug nut - time to trade her in. Is that what your doing, or is it a private sale? Had the lug nut happen to me, except the stud snapped, which might be easier. Replacing the stud was pretty easy though, and it only cost $1.25 for it. Cool that it was a rear one.

Not long now - wish the dealership would give a shout that they got her!

Lugbolts are one of the joys of the MINI (along with the a lot of European cars). I'd prefer studs and lugnuts, they're easier to work with. I've got spare lugbolts, it's just a matter of getting the old one out, there's not enough sticking out of the hub to grab on to and my attempts to tap it were unsuccessful. Grrr.

Was thinking of going with a private sale, but when the dealer offered about 80% of the original MSRP for a trade-in, I said "screw it" and went with the trade. Easier to deal with the logistics, especially being three hours away from my dealer and being uncertain when the new car would come in...

-Ricardo