Roll call for those who are actually commited to buying a G_P.

[Joogle]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

I think this: http://www.mini2.com/forum/2174440-post201.html was when someone from either company made a real official announcement it would happen, although a couple of days before that we had this: http://www.mini2.com/article316-offi...-cooper-s.html

That said Paul these make reference to second hand sources or rumors from MINI and the news section has not contained any official production statement - which if other people are getting solid info why not MINI2 and the dealers..... has the MINI press office issued anything solid or was it hidden away in the Geneva/Detroit press packs?

My only beef has been why at this late stage can we still not get solid info on the car. The dealers should have this by now - the cars are being built so whats the problem?
(eg when press packs were issued at the motor shows why did the dealers not get a copy so they had the same info?) I have a great relationship with my dealer and if anything they deserve better info as this puts them in an awkward position and that should not be the case.

That said for the first time today I actually got a call of BMW and for the first time they confirmed that the car is being built by Bertone. Really good customer relations agent who gave me plenty of information and who was really clued up.

Basically what was said is that the exclusiveness of the car means that info is limited and those buying the car will get the relevant info as it becomes available. (They are expecting UK owners to get more info before the motorshow) Im a lot happier to finally get some detail from the manufacturer and any concerns I had about build quality and delivery have been resolved - if anything these cars will be scrutinised even more than the regular production cars and that can only be a good thing.

Now I have just got to get through the next few weeks waiting to get behind the wheel....

[PmP]

Is there anyway of getting to watch your car being built? Would love to see that!

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Joogle

That said Paul these make reference to second hand sources or rumors from MINI and the news section has not contained any official production statement - which if other people are getting solid info why not MINI2 and the dealers..... has the MINI press office issued anything solid or was it hidden away in the Geneva/Detroit press packs?

My only beef has been why at this late stage can we still not get solid info on the car. The dealers should have this by now - the cars are being built so whats the problem?
(eg when press packs were issued at the motor shows why did the dealers not get a copy so they had the same info?) I have a great relationship with my dealer and if anything they deserve better info as this puts them in an awkward position and that should not be the case.

That said for the first time today I actually got a call of BMW and for the first time they confirmed that the car is being built by Bertone. Really good customer relations agent who gave me plenty of information and who was really clued up.

Basically what was said is that the exclusiveness of the car means that info is limited and those buying the car will get the relevant info as it becomes available. (They are expecting UK owners to get more info before the motorshow) Im a lot happier to finally get some detail from the manufacturer and any concerns I had about build quality and delivery have been resolved - if anything these cars will be scrutinised even more than the regular production cars and that can only be a good thing.

Now I have just got to get through the next few weeks waiting to get behind the wheel....

It's been a fact for a long term, confirmed to me on numerous occasions by people at BMW, that the car will be "finished"/built in Italy. It's not actually been put in any of the press releases that I can see from BMW (ever), but it's been part of open conversation between BMW/MINI and the media since October.

I'd have thought really they would play on that to increase the "exclusivity" of the car, but they haven't, why I don't know!

[victorctor p jackson]

Quote: Originally Posted by ama

I am number 7 on a 7 car allottment at Global in Atlanta............had to get my deposit back from Tom Bush in Jacksonville because they were told that they would get no more than their promised allottment of 4.

Are you from Jacksonville? I am #2 on Tom Bush list. They told me
all 4 are spoken for and they have 8 people on wait list. I live in the st sug
area.

[dcc]

Paul

the answer is simple...

There just isn't much faith for built quality from 'there'

and very likely why Mini does not make it a big deal...although I think it would be a great plus (to buyers) to have a certificate or note saying that it was a hand assembled project car from 'there'

[Joogle]

Good point Paul - sometimes it does make you wonder how the marketing people think.

Quote: Originally Posted by dcc

There just isn't much faith for built quality from 'there'

Thats what my concern was, (Other than the Italian supercars Italian built vehicles do have a lot of negative build quality history to deal with I have a mate who bought an Alfa and within a week the dash was falling apart. ) but after speaking to MINI I think that the hand built element will be a selling point - they will get a much better level of attention to detail than standard production cars.

Remember that 2000 of us have bought these cars on very little info and its going to have to be a very good quality product if it is going to meet peoples expectations.
(And could Bertone be getting lined up to produce the next gen variants? that would be interesting......they really need to proove themselves and this is an ideal opportunity.)

Like the idea of a certificate though and some photos of the cars on the line would be interesting. Paul any chance you could work some magic?

[Metal Man]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chief_Charlie

Gonna take Baby out for a spin and do some shopping in Carmel

Hey Chief Charlie,
Nice DUCE, It looks as though we have more in common then just being
future GP owners.

[Chief_Charlie]

Quote: Originally Posted by Metal Man

Hey Chief Charlie,
Nice DUCE, It looks as though we have more in common then just being
future GP owners.

Check for a PM

[jimskater]

Anyone hear anything about the mystery guest April has been so mysterious about?

[Chief_Charlie]

Quote: Originally Posted by jimskater

Anyone hear anything about the mystery guest April has been so mysterious about?

Found this in post #30 over at NAM the other day. Wasn't aware of this beforehand. Looks like he will he handing you the keys to your new GP

http://northamericanmotoring.com/for...t=65308&page=2


As the centerpiece of the Corral, MINI USA has reserved the racetrack's Barbecue Island for the whole weekend. At the event, executives from MINI and Michael Cooper, son of John Cooper and principal in John Cooper Works will be introducing the MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works GP car, the most powerful production MINI on the road. Lucky buyers of the first 45 GP cars in the United States will be taking delivery of their cars during the event directly from Michael Cooper and Jim McDowell, head of MINI USA.

Be sure and bring your black Sharpie for Mike to sign the dash cover! (Or silver for the glovebox a la Carroll Shelby)

[AprilWhine]

Wow great detective work Charlie! That is not who I meant, but that is a good scoop!

[MOTOR'N]

Hope Mr Cooper is handing out keys in NJ as well as CA for us
less fortunates

[Joogle]

We are not getting anything like this in the UK.

Still waiting to see if we will be invited to the London motorshow to see the car before we take delivery.

[MOTOR'N]

Quote: Originally Posted by Joogle

We are not getting anything like this in the UK.

I'll trade you Mike Cooper for your Recaro seats

[Shine]

I hear Fireball Tim will be there...