[JaysToy]

I am only posting this thread today as it is the first day that I have calmed down and can actually type on a computer since I saw my Mini move into Production Complete status on Monday 23 August 2004.

I signed my order and paid my order deposit on 23 June 2004. My Mini's production began on 6 August. Quite a wait! I am sure that anybody even viewing these threads can understand the absolute terrible time I have been through WAITING for my Mini. I don't think I have ever been so excited about anything, like buying my Mini, in my life.

I have logged onto the Mini.co.za website (which is EXTREMELY outdated) to track my production about 20 times a day.

I have seen that many of the threads here on Mini2 refer to enthusiasts being able to track the shipment of the Minis. Is this also possible for us South Africans?

Can anybody maybe tell me how long it would take for a Mini to be shipped from Oxford Plant to South Africa?

I am to scared to contact my dealer anymore! I think she is so sick and tired of me contacting her to hear if she has any news yet.

Please guys, I know I may sound psycho - I'm not - just excited. So if you have any info to share regarding delivery to South Africa please share with me!

[Paul]

I can't help, but we do have some members from South Africa who can hopefully help you out.



If you're mad, this must be the asylum as there's a lot of people with the same symptons around here.

[vekesh]

dude, i know what u're going through!! i can't wait for mine as well!

my dealer calls me when order status changes and seems to be moving quite quick
july 13 - ordered
august 13 - strarted production
august 23 - finished production

mini.co.za seems to be pretty up to date 'cos as soon as the dealer calls me it seems to also be updated .. sorry .. can't help with the shipping time .. but we're probably going to be on the same ship and will keep ya posted when the dealer lets me know on a more precise date ... for now the it's 3rd week of october(on their system) but she did say they usually come a week or 2 early!!

[JaysToy]

Hey Vekesh,

Thanks for your reply. Which dealer did u purchase from? I bought from AutoAlpina in Boksburg. Must say the girl has not been all that helpful if your dealer has been phoning you and contacting you. In my case it has been vice versa.

And you say it may only be here in the 3rd week of October!!!! Yikes!! I dunno how I am gonna hold out!

I agree that the ownerscircle part of the website is up to date. I should have explained a bit more clearly. The mini.co.za website, as in the homepage, still has the 2003 price list on it, no news of the new mark II etc.

Do you maybe wanna put some cash together and see if we can get the cars here faster?

[vekesh]

JaysToy,

my dealer(auto bavaria - midrand) informed me today that the car is @ the harbour .. she said she will let me know the ship name and estimated devilery time as soon as she does.. will keep you informed 'cos as i said we're probably be on the same ship! but shipping time is on average 18 days according to ww.

later ..

[JaysToy]

I spoke to my dealer today and she said that I can get my money ready so that I can take delivery of my long awaited Mini within the next two weeks!!!!!!!!

[vekesh]

great news JaysToy .. let us know if u hear anyhting else and when u get it!!
later ..

[JaysToy]

Well, I went to the dealer on Saturday to go and sign the registration papers etc.
I asked if I will still be getting my car in 2 weeks and she said that she doesnt think so and should only expect it at around the end of the month or the beginning of next month. My heart was very sore.

Oh well, it help me save a bit more for my deposit I guess?

[vekesh]

my dealer mailed me last week and my car will arive @ the harbour on the 15 September!! great news for me 'cos my initial expected date was 3rd week in October!
just 2-3 weeks to go!!!! can't wait!!

[JaysToy]

Vekesh, did the dealer maybe give you the ship name, and does she know of a way to track the ship at all?

[vekesh]

JaysToy,
i did ask here for ship name but all she mailed me was that the ship is due to dock on 15 and that was good enough for me ... i tryed checking on ww for the ships docking in sa around that time and the earliest one was ariving on 17 .. so mini may have changed shipping companies ..

well .. she will update me next week when the ship does arive but she did tell me that i will definately have my mini cooper s before the end of the month!!

[JaysToy]

Vekesh,

The waiting is killing me. I phoned my dealer today and had a long chat with her. Our cars are definitely on the same boat as she said it is due in Durban on the 15th.

Hope your car is being good company to mine!!!

My dealer also said that I can expect to take delivery from the 25th onwards but she can confirm the dates once the car is here in sunny SA!

This has been the longest three months of my life, and I have most probably slept the least as well. Mini, Mini, Mini, Mini, Mini, Mini, Mini, Mini, Mini, Mini, Mini, Mini, is all that goes though my mind!

[vekesh]

dude!! dealer called me .. she said shouldn't take more than a week from ariving @ the harbour to sitting in my garage!! soo next week this time we should be seeing our cars!! my fingers are crossed .. here's hoping we don't have to wait longer than a week!!

later ...

[JaysToy]

Vekesh,

Did your dealer by any chance confirm that the ship is still arriving tomorrow the 15th?

Seeing that your dealer is so kind, do you think she would maybe be able to organise us some photos a little bit before the time?

Jay

[JaysToy]

Vekesh,

Just spoke to the dealer. The boat arrived today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now for the final lap. Then he is mine.... ALL mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Happy Jay!

[vekesh]

Jay,

She say when you would get it? Like how many days 'till we can sleep easy!!

Thanks

[JaysToy]

Vekesh,

I sent you a PM as well. I will call the dealer later and bug her a bit more.

I think she is gonna be about as happy as getting rid of me as what I am gonna be taking delivery of my Mini.

I found that the BMW.co.za website ownerscircle updates faster than the mini one. So go there and check out you order status!

Later,
Jay

[JaysToy]

Ok, I spoke to my dealer and she said that it should be ready in a week.


Vekesh, phone your dealer and her what they have to say. Keep me posted.

[vekesh]

!!!dealer said car is @ roslyn and should definately be able to pick up early next week!!!! will be seeing her on saturday to do all the final paperwork .. soo i'll let u know if i can get an exact date then!! just a few days to go ...

[JaysToy]

To close off the thread where I originally had queried how long it takes a Mini to reach South Africa from the "Production Complete" stage, it appears to take approximately 24 days.

It then takes about 2 days to reach the VDC in Rosslyn, Pretoria from Durban and then about another 10 days to arrive at your dealer.

My car arrived at the dealer 25 September 2004 after signing my offer to purchase on 23 June. So it takes JUST over 3 months.

Anybody else in SA that orders a car, hang out here. The people are friendly and excitable and make the wait a hell of a lot easier. I didn't find much support from other South Africans, besides from Vekesh who has also posted in this thread, but it may just be that they do not know about the website.

Once again, thanks to all.