[BobsWifesMini]

Quote: Originally Posted by wingman

Those mats are accessory items from MINI CA. They are available through Canadian dealers and unavailable in the US. Go to the MINI CA web site and pick a dealer to order from. The mats are awesome and hold up better than our wimpy slickers.

Thanks,

I'll hunt them down.

Some folks have admitted to being obsessed with tracking their mini.

How many of you have 1-866-275-6464 programmed in to your phone as a speed dial? Come on, out with it.

Have you ever worried that people will hear you at the office saying "VEHICLE PRODUCTION STATUS" then a 7 digit number?

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that after you dial ASK-MINI that you can hit a 2 on your phone, there will be a pause and then you'll hear "OK, vehicle production status".

Then you can punch in your production number. It will ask you if that is a vehicle production number or a partial VIN. HIT 1 on your phone and you will get your answer!

STEALTH MODE to check on your MINI! And no one will know!

As you sit in total silence getting your update fix, just make sure you have your explanation lined up.

"Bert, you were on the phone and didn't say anything! What was that all about?"

"Oh, just checking the temperature, it's 72 degrees!"

or, "Darn I didn't win the lottery"

or even, "I hate caller-id! Meg Ryan knows it's me and won't answer her phone!"

[Glazer]

Hi All,

I order my MINI Cooper, all Astro Black, on May 2. I guess my dealer must have had an allocation close to production because I already have a VIN and it's IN production. I now have the ASK-MINI fever and have tried to inquire about my MINI ever since Thursday. With my luck, their systems have been down and they have been unable to check it's status. The automated service tells me it is scheduled to be finished May 13th.

I ordered an all black MINI and its scheduled to be finished on Friday the 13th. Should I be freaked out?

Glazer

[BobsWifesMini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Glazer

Hi All,

I now have the ASK-MINI fever and have tried to inquire about my MINI ever since Thursday. With my luck, their systems have been down and they have been unable to check it's status. The automated service tells me it is scheduled to be finished May 13th.

I ordered an all black MINI and its scheduled to be finished on Friday the 13th. Should I be freaked out?

Glazer

So you're to blame for the computers being down when I called Friday.

Well, I would recommend getting a black cat and then driving under a ladder while breaking a mirror.

That will either break the hex, or cause the entire east coast power grid to go offline.

My wifes Mini is scheduled to roll off the line on the 12th. I sure hope it's not on the same ship as yours!

[Tazminia]

Quote: Originally Posted by BobsWifesMini

So you're to blame for the computers being down when I called Friday.

Well, I would recommend getting a black cat and then driving under a ladder while breaking a mirror.

That will either break the hex, or cause the entire east coast power grid to go offline.

My wifes Mini is scheduled to roll off the line on the 12th. I sure hope it's not on the same ship as yours!

BobsWifesMini, the only thing that would be funnier is if that ship had to go by route through the Bermuda Triangle.

[Hobbit]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tazminia

BobsWifesMini, the only thing that would be funnier is if that ship had to go by route through the Bermuda Triangle.

Don't say stuff like that. I think that our cars will probably be on the same ship.

[Tazminia]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hobbit

Don't say stuff like that. I think that our cars will probably be on the same ship.

Sorry..bad landlubber humor..
BTW, the MINI you specced looks awesome..congrats!

[BobsWifesMini]

Well it's Sunday.

That means our weekly trip down to the local Mini prep lot in town to see what has come in and hopefully see a Mini in our color, or our wheels, or with some of our options.

We won't see our Mini, cause the local Mini dealer adds on $2000 of extra dealer profit which forced us to purchase out of town.
Hobbit, we saw the web-spoke wheels for the first time in person. We had seen the R90 wheels at the dealership, but not the web-spoke.

The web-spoke wheels look nice! Combine a shiny black Mini with chrome trim and those wheels and you have a winner. Make sure to keep those wheels real clean and armor all on the tires and you'll need Rain-X on the windows to protect them from drool marks.

The bad news was that the web-spoke wheels were on a dark silver S with black bonnet stripes. My wife's is a dark silver S convertible with black bonnet stripes and boy those wheels looked nice. A curse on the pricing accountant for making them so costly!

Interestingly there was a damaged Mini on the lot with the right front wheel off. I read a post in here somewhere about a Mini that the wheel fell off do to stripped lugs on aftermarket wheels.

These were S-lite wheels though. Wonder if this was the mini?

Glazer, I was just looking at your post. You ordered on the 2nd and got a completion date of the 13th! Wow, ours went into production on April 29th and has a completion date of the 12th. You've knocked some days out of the process.

Did you by chance purchase one that was already on order and not modify it?

[BobsWifesMini]

Well, I think we have all found the cure to aging so quickly.

I've noticed that as I get older the years pass faster and faster.

That was until we ordered the Mini and

now

time

is

slowing

d
o
w
n
.

Waiting for the

Mini to appear.

Has anyone
else
notice the apparent
slowdown
of

t
i
m
e?

[Tazminia]

Quote: Originally Posted by BobsWifesMini

We won't see our Mini, cause the local Mini dealer adds on $2000 of extra dealer profit which forced us to purchase out of town.

I see you're from the midwest as are we. Who was the dealer that tacked on 2K to your price?? (and what state?) I've heard a lot of that going on out on the left coast but hadn't heard of anyone doing that here. That just flat-out torks me off to hear dealers gouging people like that.

BTW, we purchased ours in Naperville Illinois (near Chicago) and while they didn't knock off one dime, they didn't overcharge us either.

Randy

[Hobbit]

Quote: Originally Posted by BobsWifesMini

Well it's Sunday.

That means our weekly trip down to the local Mini prep lot in town to see what has come in and hopefully see a Mini in our color, or our wheels, or with some of our options.

We won't see our Mini, cause the local Mini dealer adds on $2000 of extra dealer profit which forced us to purchase out of town.
Hobbit, we saw the web-spoke wheels for the first time in person. We had seen the R90 wheels at the dealership, but not the web-spoke.

The web-spoke wheels look nice! Combine a shiny black Mini with chrome trim and those wheels and you have a winner. Make sure to keep those wheels real clean and armor all on the tires and you'll need Rain-X on the windows to protect them from drool marks.

BWM- glad to know the wheels look good, can't wait to see them on my car!
I think that is very cool that you guys make a trip to visit the other MINI's.
I had to resist the urge to go look today, luckily my day was pretty full. haha.

[Hobbit]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tazminia

Sorry..bad landlubber humor..
BTW, the MINI you specced looks awesome..congrats!

Thank you. I can't wait to get it and put up some piccies! *sings* the waiting is the hardest part...

[acande1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tazminia

BTW, we purchased ours in Naperville Illinois (near Chicago) and while they didn't knock off one dime, they didn't overcharge us either.

Randy

Ahh, Bill Jacobs eh? How was the buying experience with them?

I ordered mine (Apr 29th) from Knauz Mini and was very happy with how I was treated....even the test drive experience was awesome...I walk in...they throw me the keys and say "well, we close at 8pm....." I got there at 6pm! Didn't hassle me at all about being back in 20 or 30 mins....He was like " do you know the area pretty well or would you like me to go with you so we get on some cool roads?" I said I think I'll be alright...he says "well, if you make a right out of the dealership you'll hit "Sheridan Road"....he's grinning slyly as he tells me this...For any Chicagoans out there, you already know it is a really fun road with lots of twisties. Maybe they were just "dead" that day and that's why he let me take it out for a drive for so long, but their sort of nonchalant attitude (don't read "dismissive") was what sold me on them. Plus I work in Libertyville so any dealer trips will be very convenient.

[acande1]

Quote: Originally Posted by BobsWifesMini

Well it's Sunday.

That means our weekly trip down to the local Mini prep lot in town to see what has come in and hopefully see a Mini in our color, or our wheels, or with some of our options.

Local Mini Prep Lot? Do you just mean some local dealership or whaaa? If not, is there any such lot in the chicagoland area?

[Tazminia]

Quote: Originally Posted by acande1

Ahh, Bill Jacobs eh? How was the buying experience with them?

I ordered mine (Apr 29th) from Knauz Mini and was very happy with how I was treated....even the test drive experience was awesome...I walk in...they throw me the keys and say "well, we close at 8pm....." I got there at 6pm! Didn't hassle me at all about being back in 20 or 30 mins....He was like " do you know the area pretty well or would you like me to go with you so we get on some cool roads?" I said I think I'll be alright...he says "well, if you make a right out of the dealership you'll hit "Sheridan Road"....he's grinning slyly as he tells me this...For any Chicagoans out there, you already know it is a really fun road with lots of twisties. Maybe they were just "dead" that day and that's why he let me take it out for a drive for so long, but their sort of nonchalant attitude (don't read "dismissive") was what sold me on them. Plus I work in Libertyville so any dealer trips will be very convenient.

Actually, we had a pretty darned good experience with Bill Jacobs Mini. Our MA was the internet rep named Rachel Luginsky. (I recommend her highly) She was not at all pushy and had more patience than I would have given similar circumstances! We probably called her over a dozen times even though we used the ASKMINI and the OL almost daily. Considering that we live 3.5 hours away from there (they were the closest to us), we were tickled that the whole process went as smoothly as it did. She too, offered us rides anytime we wanted-but since we were so far away, we declined all offers for such.
All in all, we were pleased enough that should we get stupid and do this process all over again...we'll go back to her.

[BobsWifesMini]

Quote: Originally Posted by acande1

Local Mini Prep Lot? Do you just mean some local dealership or whaaa? If not, is there any such lot in the chicagoland area?

The dealership in my city preps their Minis at their Body shop that is miles away from the dealership.

There are about 7 Minis at the dealer, but they told us if we want to see all the colors go to the Body shop where they are delivered.

There are always about 20-25 Minis there.

So yes, it is a dealers lot, but not their sales lot.

[nmlacoopers]

Well, I just called ASK MINI and my MINI has completed production and is making its way to Southampton on the rail!

Anyone know which ship is the next bound for Port Huename?

[BobsWifesMini]

Quote: Originally Posted by nmlacoopers

Well, I just called ASK MINI and my MINI has completed production and is making its way to Southampton on the rail!

Anyone know which ship is the next bound for Port Huename?

I just got bad news about our Mini.

Although originally told that our Mini started production on April 29th with a completion date of May 12th, I just found out that we did NOT start production until May 4th and are currently in the body shop. They still expect completion by the 12th, but our hopes of an earlier date were dashed! That is the 5th different answer that I have received from ASK-MINI. But he did have actual updated info from today.

He also said that WW is not the only shipping line they use to the US, but they also use NYK. So there is another place to look.

He also shared that there are a LOT of Minis that wait at Southampton for a ship. that an average wait time there is 7-10 days,

So, I was hoping to take delivery about June 2nd, but now it looks more like June 17th.

Does anyone know when the cutoff is for the 2005 models and when they start the 2006 model production? I'd think that if new models hit the showrooms in September-October that late July would be the cut over.

[AprilWhine]

Quote: Originally Posted by BobsWifesMini

I just got bad news about our Mini.

Although originally told that our Mini started production on April 29th with a completion date of May 12th, I just found out that we did NOT start production until May 4th and are currently in the body shop. They still expect completion by the 12th, but our hopes of an earlier date were dashed! That is the 5th different answer that I have received from ASK-MINI. But he did have actual updated info from today.

He also said that WW is not the only shipping line they use to the US, but they also use NYK. So there is another place to look.

He also shared that there are a LOT of Minis that wait at Southampton for a ship. that an average wait time there is 7-10 days,

So, I was hoping to take delivery about June 2nd, but now it looks more like June 17th.

Does anyone know when the cutoff is for the 2005 models and when they start the 2006 model production? I'd think that if new models hit the showrooms in September-October that late July would be the cut over.

Your location is Midwest, so your MINI is probably going to come in through NY. If so, that is the best VDC, as far as waiting goes. My car arrived in Southhampton one day and was loaded and gone the next. Also, when the ship arrived in NY, my car was offloaded and through the VDC over a weekend! It seems like all the NY cars ride WW, SC cars are about evenly split, and CA cars go Kline or NYK.

As for model year changes, MINI does the rolling change. I believe all the 2006 changes were incorporated starting with the March build cars. May build cars will still be Model Year 2005 on paper, but 2006 in reality. IMHO of course.

Uncle Taz, do you have any amplifying information?

[Tazminia]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

Your location is Midwest, so your MINI is probably going to come in through NY. If so, that is the best VDC, as far as waiting goes. My car arrived in Southhampton one day and was loaded and gone the next. Also, when the ship arrived in NY, my car was offloaded and through the VDC over a weekend! It seems like all the NY cars ride WW, SC cars are about evenly split, and CA cars go Kline or NYK.

As for model year changes, MINI does the rolling change. I believe all the 2006 changes were incorporated starting with the March build cars. May build cars will still be Model Year 2005 on paper, but 2006 in reality. IMHO of course.

Uncle Taz, do you have any amplifying information?

You betcha...
Bob, Uncle AW hit everything on the nail head with the possible exception of the port. Mine came through Charleston and our Mini Dealer is in the midwest too. I think you get to flip a coin on that one. Your dealer may tell you which line(s) they use too. Our dealer told us their cars have been using just the KLine vessels so we didn't bother fretting over the WW ships. (well, once we had that fact in hand anyways. otherwise we fretted over all vessels before that)
BTW, Uncle AW's IMHO is more like gospel. He isn't kiddin' anyone. He knows his stuff. (well, except how to count posts... )

[Boondox]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

Your location is Midwest, so your MINI is probably going to come in through NY. If so, that is the best VDC, as far as waiting goes. My car arrived in Southhampton one day and was loaded and gone the next. Also, when the ship arrived in NY, my car was offloaded and through the VDC over a weekend! It seems like all the NY cars ride WW, SC cars are about evenly split, and CA cars go Kline or NYK.

As for model year changes, MINI does the rolling change. I believe all the 2006 changes were incorporated starting with the March build cars. May build cars will still be Model Year 2005 on paper, but 2006 in reality. IMHO of course.

Uncle Taz, do you have any amplifying information?

That was my experience too. Nugget reached Southampton on Weds and was on the ship and underway the following evening. Unfortunately, it seems the Maersk Teal is not sharing her tracking info on this voyage, but at least I now have confirmation my Mini made it aboard before she sailed!

That's really good news about the NY VDC. My ship docks next Friday (the 13th) and I was thinking Nugget would have to sit there until the following Monday all alone in that huge city! But if it goes that fast, maybe he would be picked up by the transport truck by Monday or Tuesday! With Keeler Mini just a couple hundred miles from port, and no dealer mods in the works, Nugget might be coming home by later that same week!

Oh boy!!!