[MediocreFred]

Hello,

After reading a number of positive comments and experiences on this forum and NAM, I've ordered my PW/B MC from Classic Mini and will be having it shipped to Portland, OR. I've never purchased a car from an out-of-state dealer before and hence, have these questions:

1. Will the car be insured during shipping? Will the dealer insure it, or, should I do it?

2. After I receive the car, if I happen to find any scratches or nicks, or, if something doesn't work right, what would I do?

3. The MINI will be transported on a covered truck. Will the car be in a drivable condition right after I get it off the truck? Will it have any gas in it?

4. The few times that I've been involved in purchasing cars (for me and for my friends), the dealer usually does a walk-through with me (the buyer) to verify that everything is OK also described in this MINI FAQ: http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?...delivery_checks). As part of this walk-through, the dealer also describes/explains the features of the car and their use and care. How would that happen in this case?

5. What about the programmable options (once again refer to http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?...delivery_checks and the link to 'memory options' on that page)? Will the dealer give me a list of options and have me pick the ones I want programmed as part of the 'dealer prep' process? If I need any options changed, can I go to my local MINI dealer and will they do it?

I've sent these questions to my MA, but, haven't heard back yet. In the meantime, how have all of you that have had their MINIs shipped dealt with these?

Thanks,
MediocreFred.

[sequence]

welcome 2 M2 MedFred. Your concerns are exactly why I decided to wait and buy my car locally--to build a good rapport with my dealer is one reason, and not have to deal with all the delivery concerns and logistic and possible fault hassles U noted. Maybe my wait will be pushing 9-10 months (I expect delivery in late sept.) but hey more scratch for the DP (nicer car) and I'm cool with the fact that I will go to my dealer to accept my car. Good luck Jimbo

[BrianNFergieOC]

Hi. I have been researching this topic as I ordered my Cooper from St Louis and I live in CA. As far as transport goes, the dealer is just being nice by setting it up for me from an independant company. Therefore the dealer really has nothing to do with it as far as insurance is concerned. However, if you receive it and there are scratches, etc... my MA told me that they would still resolve any issues /go up to bat for me with the trucking company.

The only other thing I can add is that you should receive an email for the programmable options. Make sure that you tell your MA (from where you ordered) to program your options before they ship it. If it comes not the way you want it, you should be able to take it to your local dealer and have them fix it. You might have to explain that your original MA didn't program your options so that they don't charge you for it.

I am scheduled for delivery in Mid August. Please correct me if this is not accurate. This info is just based on my personal questions I have asked my MA in St. Louis (who told me they ship about 10 card a week to CA).

[BruceK]

Why not pick up the car in person and have a MINI adventure driving back home? That's got to cost less then the shipping charges and you can inspect the car in person, get the programming done, and avoid all the uncertainty. I bought my MINI in NY and drove back to Texas. Completed the break-in before I even got home.

[bee1000]

I think we need to create a sticky thread and FAQ for out-of-state purchases!

1. Will the car be insured during shipping? Will the dealer insure it, or, should I do it?

You will need to activate your car insurance upon purchasing the car (before shipping). The dealer will register the car for you in the state of purchase, so you have a temporary registration to see you through until you register it in your state. The car needs to be insured in order to get the temp. reg. Plus, see answer to #2:

2. After I receive the car, if I happen to find any scratches or nicks, or, if something doesn't work right, what would I do?

My car was shipped via Autolog from NY to CA. They had a claim form for scratches. Mine were buffed out so I didn't have to deal with it, but if they hadn't Autolog would have paid up to my insurance deductible. Anything over that I would have had to claim with my insurance company. Autolog also offers a deal where for $100 dollars extra (agreed to before shipping) they pay for all damage repair.

3. The MINI will be transported on a covered truck. Will the car be in a drivable condition right after I get it off the truck? Will it have any gas in it?

Mine traveled primarily by train (NY to Los Angeles) then truck to San Diego. It was dusty, but no big deal. Somewhere along the way the protective shipping plastic was removed, though there were still lines of glue in places. It had maybe 2 gallons of gas, probably because no one wants to ship a truck full of cars with full tanks!

4. The few times that I've been involved in purchasing cars (for me and for my friends), the dealer usually does a walk-through with me (the buyer) to verify that everything is OK also described in this MINI FAQ: http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?...delivery_checks). As part of this walk-through, the dealer also describes/explains the features of the car and their use and care. How would that happen in this case?

It didn't happen for me, but it doesn't take long to go through the owner's manual. You could also hang out at your local dealer and have them explain stuff to you - just act like you're considering buying from them!

5. What about the programmable options (once again refer to http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?...delivery_checks and the link to 'memory options' on that page)? Will the dealer give me a list of options and have me pick the ones I want programmed as part of the 'dealer prep' process? If I need any options changed, can I go to my local MINI dealer and will they do it?

Dealer should fax a list to you.

I've sent these questions to my MA, but, haven't heard back yet. In the meantime, how have all of you that have had their MINIs shipped dealt with these?

Thanks,
MediocreFred.

You're welcome.