MINI2

rainbowdreamer · Aug 13th, 2003, 12:28 PM

Recently had a factory tour at BMW Plant Oxford, Cowley where we (the two of us) were the only ones going round. Apparently a tour of 30 were cancelled that morning because the MINI Convertible was on the line and was not allowed to be seen. We were asked not to look too closely!

A great day, we saw the original clay mock-up that was shown to the press at Longbridge, then the first stages of the shell being built, seeing the body in white, paint shop and re-painting for the white/black roof. The assembly line seeing all the MINIs being fitted up was really something, especially all the different colours. Liked the way the dash (apparently built in Redditch) goes in in one section. The wheel shed (were all the alloy wheels/tyres are kept) was massive and truly impressive.

We had to take our watches off and have our rings bind up with green tape, for fear of inflicting scratches on the cars. Finished the tour at around 4PM where a new BMW 3 series whisked us back to the information centre.

Yes, we were spoilt due to only two of us being there and we saw an awful lot. Would recommend it to any MINI fan.

Boy, was it hot though!!

dinger · Aug 13th, 2003, 12:35 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rainbowdreamer

Recently had a factory tour at BMW Plant Oxford, Cowley where we (the two of us) were the only ones going round. Apparently a tour of 30 were cancelled that morning because the MINI Convertible was on the line and was not allowed to be seen. We were asked not to look too closely!

Sounds like you both had a personal tour

I hope you did'nt look to closely to see the cabrio.

bobnobski · Aug 13th, 2003, 01:00 PM

better than the one I went on - complete organized chaos! - spent most of the time watching robots - Not allowed into painting area. and 10 mins only in the assembly plant. They whisked away! Cant say I'd recomend the tour - just download the from the mini website

alfnotborninusa · Aug 13th, 2003, 03:56 PM

Wow! Glad I got the main tour, no paint shop or wheel shed though, especially after travelling 3500 miles.

Aug 13th, 2003, 12:28 PM	#1
rainbowdreamer MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2003 Local Time: 01:28 AM Posts: 268 Offline	Just two of us went on a tour of Cowley Recently had a factory tour at BMW Plant Oxford, Cowley where we (the two of us) were the only ones going round. Apparently a tour of 30 were cancelled that morning because the MINI Convertible was on the line and was not allowed to be seen. We were asked not to look too closely! A great day, we saw the original clay mock-up that was shown to the press at Longbridge, then the first stages of the shell being built, seeing the body in white, paint shop and re-painting for the white/black roof. The assembly line seeing all the MINIs being fitted up was really something, especially all the different colours. Liked the way the dash (apparently built in Redditch) goes in in one section. The wheel shed (were all the alloy wheels/tyres are kept) was massive and truly impressive. We had to take our watches off and have our rings bind up with green tape, for fear of inflicting scratches on the cars. Finished the tour at around 4PM where a new BMW 3 series whisked us back to the information centre. Yes, we were spoilt due to only two of us being there and we saw an awful lot. Would recommend it to any MINI fan. Boy, was it hot though!! Rainbow Dreamer 2005 Cooper S Convertible

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Aug 13th, 2003, 12:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
dinger TT or not TT Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Tunbridge Wells,Kent Local Time: 12:28 AM Posts: 3,075 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by rainbowdreamer Recently had a factory tour at BMW Plant Oxford, Cowley where we (the two of us) were the only ones going round. Apparently a tour of 30 were cancelled that morning because the MINI Convertible was on the line and was not allowed to be seen. We were asked not to look too closely! Sounds like you both had a personal tour I hope you did'nt look to closely to see the cabrio.

Aug 13th, 2003, 01:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
bobnobski MINI2 Irritant My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Worcestershire Local Time: 01:28 AM Posts: 939 Offline	better than the one I went on - complete organized chaos! - spent most of the time watching robots - Not allowed into painting area. and 10 mins only in the assembly plant. They whisked away! Cant say I'd recomend the tour - just download the from the mini website

Aug 13th, 2003, 03:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
alfnotborninusa MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Nashua, NH, USA Local Time: 07:28 PM Posts: 44 Offline	Wow! Glad I got the main tour, no paint shop or wheel shed though, especially after travelling 3500 miles.

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