[Skatemom]

Stacy,

Other than your dealer, no. This is the time that can be the most frustrating. Take solice in the fact that it's the last leg of this crazy journey. Happily our MINIs are being taken care of at the VDC. The closed carriers they use to get them to the dealer give you more peace of mind than open carriers. Once it's at your dealer, your delivery date is just around the corner! Except for those of you who are having your car shipped home from your dealer, this holds true. If I was having my car shipped, I wouldn't go the cheapest route, I'd go the most secure. That means insisting on a covered carrier.

Hang in there, your due date is almost here!!!

Mine should be arriving at the dealer today if it's not there already. My flight is Thursday at 8 am. I fly all day and should lay eyes on my purple beauty around 6PM Thursday evening

[nola]

ok I thought I'd just share this with everybody.... out of the 550 cars that are waiting to get on the patriot that my car is with only 10 have been there as long as mine (6/4), about 20 have been there since the day after my car got there (7/4) and only 3 have me beat they've been waiting since (18/3) !! Oh ya they all have an astericks by their vin#'s ! Even though it's annoying I keep looking at it as a blessing in disguise the longer I wait to get the car the more money I'm saving for the down payment....I think the dealership should give me a present for waiting so long !

[mct]

Quote: Originally Posted by fjpatriot

One stupid thing ( again, I'm easily impressed ) is the radio. None of my car radio's displayed the station calling name, or the artist or song title - and its really cool when some of the radio stations include this info. I'm used to it in the house on XM satellite broadcasts I get, but never had it in a car. And the controls on the steering wheel are addictive - never again will I endure a lousy song when without even lifting my hand off the steering wheel I can change the channel. Very, very cool. One thing I really have not noticed ( has anyone ? ) is the supposed speed sensitive volume. This may be worse in a convertible though, since when you have the sunroof or roof open and go at higher speeds the wind noises increase a lot. I just find myself having to manually turn up the volume - anyone find it differently?
:

I assume you have the H/K stereo then? The speed sensitive volume control does not come with the H/K system - only the standard radio.

I can totally relate to your enjoyment. I still grin driving my 1st MINI. Can't wait to see what it's like in my second MINI (and it being a Cooper S nonetheless!!).

[fjpatriot]

mct - the special radio brochure that came with the car says the speed sensitive volume adjustment is automatic with the H/K speakers. I wish they allowed manual adjustment of it like on the standard radio, bec I'd like to kick it up a notch!

Note, for those interested in the programmable settings of the remote key, seems like they removed a lot of user choosable settings. The manual basically mentions just the 4 people have seen on the basic list provided by dealers - and not the extensive list on the service bulletin ( search these forums for link ). The only thing I miss from my previous non-Mini car is the ability for the central locking system to automatically lock the car some period after you leave it. I have to keep remembering to press the center button on the remote - would much rather have it auto lock after 30 seconds or something...

The nice thing I find happening is with the top down I actually find myself driving slower - just because I'm enjoying the ride! Most times in other cars I would be pre-occupied or bolting to get to point B as fast as possible. I actually am enjoying just being in Baby, looking up a bit, and feeling so comfortable in the car. I'm going slower to extend the ride a bit; just haven't enjoyed riding in a car in a while I guess - very much do now though!

[MGB Boy]

Some more shots of the new toy...

Final mileage on the old ride:


The parting shot of the old ride (taking off the plates):


Traded in for....


Two tone leatherette:


Red dash with chrome trim:


Cool shift knob (extra accessory):


Red door:


JCW brakes:


Profile:


Rear quarter:


The business end:


This afternoon I installed the my euro parcel shelf (saved from the last car), XM antenna (wired thru the headliner and down the a-pillar), and the "aux in" jack for the XM (very easy install). Tomorrow will be the rear bumper protector strip and the JCW door sill strips, plus the John Cooper sigs for the bonnet stripes. FYI, for those looking for genuine MINI accessories at a better price, I get my stuff from Morristown MINI, they have great prices, they sell below the recommended retail (they also sell on ebay, for even less than their web prices, too).

-Ricardo

[mct]

Just checked and it looks like the Patriot has begun loading cars aboard. My car has not been loaded yet, but it looks like they have just started and only have a handful on so far .

Quote: Originally Posted by fjpatriot

mct - the special radio brochure that came with the car says the speed sensitive volume adjustment is automatic with the H/K speakers. I wish they allowed manual adjustment of it like on the standard radio, bec I'd like to kick it up a notch!

Yeah - I see that in there - but to be honest, in a year and a half of playing with my H/K - I have never noticed it do anything. When I first got my car I asked about it and I was just told it really isn't in there - who knows .

MGB Boy - Man - sweet ride. You definately made me almost kick myself for not going with the red dash as well on my MCS. I was/am still torn between the red dash and the Anthracite. I went with the Anthracite to save some cash and since I really do like it in my current Cooper - I figured I would use the cash towards the LSD option. Ahhh - too many choices!! Heck - if the JCW kit was not $6300 - would have thrown that in there too .

[Skatemom]

MGB Boy, Great pictures! Absolutely beautiful. Can't say enough about the red dash. I wanted a CR/B just so I could have my red dash. I might have to take one of your interior photos and photoshop it with purple. Hmmm...

Sounds like your already made it your own, getting all your extra bits installed. What's next?

To all of you still waiting to get on a ship, I feel for you. I'm frankly a little surprised that MINI would take this long to get a pre-sold car boarded...3 weeks, that's terrible.

Hang in there.

[mct]

Quote: Originally Posted by Skatemom

MGB Boy, Great pictures! Absolutely beautiful. Can't say enough about the red dash. I wanted a CR/B just so I could have my red dash. I might have to take one of your interior photos and photoshop it with purple. Hmmm...

Sounds like your already made it your own, getting all your extra bits installed. What's next?

To all of you still waiting to get on a ship, I feel for you. I'm frankly a little surprised that MINI would take this long to get a pre-sold car boarded...3 weeks, that's terrible.

Hang in there.

Wow - just saw one car on the list that has the following status:

"RETURNED TO SHIPPER"

YIKES!! Guess that car must have a few "issues" !!!

[S33BBY]

Quote: Originally Posted by mct

Wow - just saw one car on the list that has the following status:

"RETURNED TO SHIPPER"

YIKES!! Guess that car must have a few "issues" !!!

I hope it's nothing serious!

[Arty13]

ARG!!! Looks like the Patriot left port, i think, and if that is so... my MCS is still at the port, unless if they havn't updated the list entirely... As far as I can tell my MCS is still in the waiting list

on the Freedom, I was on the list, but never got loaded...

and if they do the same thing and book me at a later date, looks like I'll be waiting another 9 days to get loaded on a ship, I think I'll be emailing my MA and ask her if she can priority on it or something... I guess I'll have to wait...

another thing I dont understand is, the OL says my Mini is "On Route" but doesnt that mean it is on a ship that has left the port? cause it's been saying that since the April, 21st, but as far as WW goes, its still at port... which to believe?

my VIN is WMWRE33536TL23125 if anyone wants to look.

[IdaCal]

Wow, Jonathan, we are close numerically. My Prod. # is 70357XX, but it was ordered on 3/28/06 and "born" on April 11. So there may be more at work on these prod. numbers than we know? Mine's a convert, which may or may not make a diff. Currently it's onboard Cassiopeia Leader, an NYK ship so can't get much tracking info. Like none so far.

[IdaCal]

Hi domc and Ammo. I think we are all on the same boat. The Caasiopeia Leader. Her call sign is 3FND9. The bad news is, she's an NYK ship so no cool online tracing info like WW ships. She left Soughampton 4/22 I believe and is bound for Pt. Hueneme. I think it's a day ahead of the Don Quijote. Anyway, if I can find any more info I'll post here and/or the MINI website in Owners Lounge. (I'm in SoCal right now; ordered a Chili red S Convert. Gonna drive it up the coast of Cal, Or & Wa when it comes in, to North Idaho where we live most of the year!)

[domc]

Quote: Originally Posted by IdaCal

Hi domc and Ammo. I think we are all on the same boat. The Caasiopeia Leader. Her call sign is 3FND9. The bad news is, she's an NYK ship so no cool online tracing info like WW ships.

You could be right about this. My vin# still does not show anything on the WW site.
So there are two boats arriving within a day of each other? Cool.. My MA says May 15th arrival at the port.

Thanks for the info...keep us posted.

[mct]

Quote: Originally Posted by Arty13

ARG!!! Looks like the Patriot left port, i think, and if that is so... my MCS is still at the port, unless if they havn't updated the list entirely... As far as I can tell my MCS is still in the waiting list

on the Freedom, I was on the list, but never got loaded...

and if they do the same thing and book me at a later date, looks like I'll be waiting another 9 days to get loaded on a ship, I think I'll be emailing my MA and ask her if she can priority on it or something... I guess I'll have to wait...

another thing I dont understand is, the OL says my Mini is "On Route" but doesnt that mean it is on a ship that has left the port? cause it's been saying that since the April, 21st, but as far as WW goes, its still at port... which to believe?

my VIN is WMWRE33536TL23125 if anyone wants to look.

The PATRIOT did leave port at 9pm local time, but I don't think you have to worry just yet. Only 44 cars show as loaded on the boat and all 44 show a terminal arrival date of 4/30/06. This means that these cars literally arrived at the port and were driven right aboard the PATRIOT and that was the last time the data has been updated (earlier today).

There is no way they only loaded 44 MINIs on the ship. My car still shows RECEIVED AT TERMINAL with no asterisk next to it. I am sure the data on the site just has not been updated (those databases are not real-time - they get updated like once or twice a day if we are lucky). The best thing to do to ease your mind is to check the booking number and you will see that we are all in the same boat. Once you see cars who have been there since before 4/30/06 LOADED ON VESSEL - that is when things are getting updated.

Patiently waiting.....


(yeah - who am I kidding - screw patience! - get me my MINI now!!!)

[2HoundsNAMINI]

I believe that mine was "Born " on April 11, 2006 as well. I too have not been able to find any information about the Cassiopeia Leader. I have also heard that it could be the DON QUIJOTE as well. Have not been able to verify if either one was in Southampton. My unit changed its status on Tuesday April 25 to "Enroute" I have been able to find the Don Quijote, but no such luck on the Cassiopeia Leader

[domc]

Info schedule for :

Voyage Details

Vessel: DON QUIJOTE
Voyage: ED612-DOQ

The sailing schedule and ports of call are subject to change without notice.
Note: Red ports of call means the vessel has already sailed.

Port Country Arrival Departure

GOTHENBURG SWEDEN 18/04/2006
BREMERHAVEN GERMANY 20/04/2006
ZEEBRUGGE BELGIUM 21/04/2006
SOUTHAMPTON UNITED KINGDOM 23/04/2006
BRUNSWICK, GA U.S.A. 03/05/2006
MANZANILLO PANAMA 07/05/2006
PORT HUENEME, CA U.S.A. 16/05/2006

[IdaCal]

Thought i was on the Don Quijote too but my MA found I'm definitely on the Cass. Have bill of lading # & all, but is of no help with NYK ships. There is a fascinating worldwide ship tracking site, but again, no Cassiopeia Leader info shows on it. Feel like I'm at a dead end. Oh well, don't want to obsess too much over this. But, maybe some. Er, uh, or more.

[Ammo0]

Hey IdaCal, glad to see there are more of us on the Cass. What dealer did you order from (you too domc), I went Mini of Universal City because it was the closest and I knew if I was ordering it would be the same price no matter where I went.

I've stoped going to the OL because I know there wont be any new info for about 2 weeks, but I have been keeping myself content with daydreaming about what I want to do. I work at Scaled Composites, wich is the company that made Space Ship One, (you know, this thing http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/gallery/X-Prize_1/04_09_29_SpaceShipOne_X_Prize_1_0083_MD_8X10crop ). I have been thinking about replacing all the panneling with fiber glass to make it even lighter than it is, and also using carbon fiber in places where it would cool like the door handles and the shifter. Then if I get real bold I could cut out some blue stars and put them along the front and lower sides of the doors, I would have to change the name from clip to Space Mini One. I could do the stars even without the fiber glass
because its all white any way. Any way back too dayderaming zzz

[domc]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ammo0

Hey IdaCal, glad to see there are more of us on the Cass. What dealer did you order from (you too domc)

Ralph Schomp south of Denver, CO (the only one in Colorado). Here's my build:

Ordered April 3rd
Finish build April 21st ( I think it was done earlier)
En Route April 22nd
Expected Arrival in Colorado May 22nd

This is pretty fast but we didn't order an "s". Base model liquid yellow, CVT, bonnet stripes, white top, sport package. The extra's are just Ipod stuff and chrome interior trim, cloth interior.

So I think it's flying through the system because of no BIG extra features and it not being an "s".

[mct]

Ok - what is the deal with the PATRIOT? Still has not updated status showing vehicles LOADED ON VESSEL. hmmmmm.....