[John in Vancouver]

Does anyone know if the give tours of the Mini factory in Oxford. I will be in Cambridge (that "other" place) next summer and would like to see where my MCS was born.

[sprite]

John
Yes they do - can't remember the email address for info but I think if you search the social -uk forum there is info there. Haven't been yet myself - ordering a Cooper today!

[hunkey dorey]

yes they do do tours... i recently e-mailed them and this is their reply....

BMW Group
Plant Oxford
Tours of Plant Oxford
After a good start to the MINI Plant Tour programme in 2003, Plant Tours are up and
running again. Bookings can now be made for 2004, which is already very busy, so please
plan your tour as far in advance as possible.
Visiting production areas
The tours will start in the Plant Oxford Info Centre, with the main focus of the tour being
the Body in White (welding) and Assembly Halls. For Health and Safety reasons, visitors will
not go into the paint facility, but instead be introduced to key highlights of the paint
process with visual aids in the Info Centre. Our trained tour guides will provide commentary
and safe stewardship through the Plant.
How to book your group in
If you have requests for a visit to MINI production at Plant Oxford then please direct these
to:
e-mail : Oxford.Plant-Tours@bmwgroup.com
in writing: Plant Tours, telephone: 00 44 (0) 1865 825 842
Communications Dept. (TO -K), fax number: 00 44 (0) 1865 826 750
BMW Group Plant Oxford,
Oxford, OX4 6NL.
We regret that children below the age of 14 are not allowed on site for Health and Safety
reasons and people with pacemakers will not be able to join a tour as our robots can
interfere with the pacemaker. Our maximum group size is 30 people. Plant Tours start at
the times shown below, and last approximately two and a half hours:
Tours charge
When plant tours start again in March 2004, a small charge will be introduced. The charge
is predominantly to ensure that we can make a larger donation to the charity supported by
MINI: £1 from every visitor will be paid to Whizz-Kidz*. The remaining balance will enable
us to improve the plant tour experience for all visitors as well as cover administration
costs.
The charge will be as follows:
£3 for individuals
£2 for students or pensioners
£35 total for a s chool visit (this also applies to colleges or universities).
Payment can be made by cash or by cheque made payable to BMW (UK) Manufacturing Ltd
on arrival for the tour. We regret that we cannot accept other forms of payment. VAT
receipts are available on request.
*Whizz-Kidz -The movement for non-mobile children- Whizz-Kidz provides customised mobility
equipment, like powered wheelchairs and tricycles for disabled children to enable them to live a life of
freedom and independence. Thank you for helping MINI in supporting Whizz-Kidz!
If you would like to know more about Whizz-Kidz visit www.whizz-kidz.org.uk.
Tour Times AM Tour PM Tour
Monday to Thursday 09h30 13h45
Friday 09h15 12h45

[John in Vancouver]

Thanks! Guess I'll email them at the same time I book my flights to make sure I get on the list.

[S2000&CooperS]

We booked for this coming September. I had emailed the fine folks at the factory via the email address listed above and received a reply plus bookings within 24 hours or so. Could not have been much easier!

[SoggyCornFlakes]

John - contact The Elf on this site - she can provide all the detail you need as she works on the tour

[SoggyCornFlakes]

Found the link now

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...hlight=factory

When will you be over - let usknow as we may have some run or event on that coincides with your visit

[flat_mini]

I live in Cambridge, while you here make sure you book a "test drive" with the local dealer:
http://www.elmsmini.co.uk/
They're often obliging with their MCS Works!

[John in Vancouver]

Thanks for the replies folks. Flat Mini, Thanks for the info on Elms. Not sure when next summer we will be in Cams. We will probably stay in my college - Clare Hall, but have considered bed and breakfasts too. Can we rent a Mini while over there?

Cheers,
John

[S2000&CooperS]

John, here is a link to the place we're using to rent MINIs:

http://www.mini-rentals.co.uk/

There may be other places that rent them as well.

- Mike

[John in Vancouver]

Thanks for the rental link. Last time I was across the pond it seemed like car rentals were pretty expensive. Since I was doing research at the University I bought a bicycle although returns from Sainsbury's with a heavy load caused a few close calls Do you have to purchase insurance above what you already have at home?

[S2000&CooperS]

I don't so think, but maybe - I just received the reservation confirmation (Chili Red/White Cooper, 5 speed) and application which I have to fill out.