[iDiaz]

After a long 6 months, I finally ordered my MINI Cooper S from MINI North Scottsdale in Arizona. I live in Southern California, and my only options down here were paying $5000 over MSRP for virtually nothing (MINI Universal City) or waiting over a year to place my order at MSRP (Long Beach MINI). Needless to say, I ended up deciding on making my MINI delivery its first road trip! Here's how I spec'd it out:

2004 MINI Cooper S
Indi Blue w/ White Roof & Mirrors
White Bonnet Stripes
17" S-Lite wheels in White
Panther Black Leatherette Upholstery
Sport Package (DSC, Xenon, Fog Lamps, 17" S-Lites w/ Performance Tires)
Premium Package (MFSW, Sunroof, Auto AC, OBC)
Rain Sensor & Auto-Dimming Mirror
Harman-Kardon Premium Audio

Add-ons:
Driving Lamps
"Let's Motor" Chrome Frame
MINI Valve Stem Caps
Wheel Locks
Panther Leather Shift Knob
Panther Leather Handbrake Cover
Black Carpet Floor Mats
Auxiliary Gauges
Boot Box
Auxiliary Audio Input

Now, my questions:

My estimated production date is October 17, 2003. How long before that will my status on the Owner's Lounge change to "Scheduled for Production"? Also, for people who have purchased MINIs on the West Coast US, how much time does it take for your MINI to come across the pond? I've read it has to go all the way down through the Panama Canal, so I'm hoping it won't take TOO long. Anyhow, any comments would be much appreciated. Thanks, all!

[edm81363]

Hi Ivan -

Your MINI sounds very nice. I had a 15AUG build date and I'm still waiting for delivery. So I would say about 2 months after they build the car.

-Ed in Seattle

[NEMINI]

8-10 weeks is the norm. however bad weather can make this take longer. As for changing to 'scheduled for production' typically a week or two before it enters production though a good % of people see their est. prod. date get pushed back a week at least once sometimes 2 or 3 weeks.

Remember the owners lounge is typically batch updated (meaning every friday they do a bunch of updating but other days none) 1-866-ASK-MINI will always have the most up to date info and offers much more detailed status updates the the OL ever does (especially when it's in production). Do not hesistate to use ASK MINI its what they are there for, I called 2-3 per day
What I did was print out the list of status codes (found in the FAQs section here on MINI2) and crossed off each one as it happened.

Hope I helped,
G03

[red03miniS]

hey there

your mini sounds great. however i will disagree wtih one point. i live in southern california as well, and me and 4 other mini owners have bought from universal at msrp. i actually even got free floor mats. so mine was msrp - 96 bucks.

i dont work for them..or anything..its just they get bashed around all the time. sigh.

anways..sorry to vent

great looking mcs..where in so cal are ya?

[Kinster]

You chose the best overall colour

[AMT]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kinster

You chose the best overall colour

Nah, IB's crap. Pure Silver's the way to go

[iDiaz]

Thanks for your replies (even you, AMT. Hahaha!).

red03miniS: Maybe it depends on who you talk to down there, or when you ordered it. I called them around Spring of this year, and got a really cocky salesman who told me it'd be $5000 over MSRP with floor mats and lojack. He said it was what market demand dictated, and that it wasn't negotiable. I don't remember what I told him, but I gave him a piece'a my mind. I'm in Manhattan Beach, btw. Where're you at?

GMINI: Hm. I've never tried calling there. Good tip.

Kinster: Hell yes. I originally was gonna go with DS/B w/ Black Bonnet Stripes, but it seems like everyone and their mom is getting DS, and IB/W is so much more in line with the MINI's personality and heritage.

[DeniseK]

Pick up your car on the East Coast -- save time in the shipping and have a wonderful adventure driving across the country and bonding with your car. You'll smile for the entire 3,000 miles.

[iDiaz]

I'd love to, but I can't spare that much time off of work. =/

I plan on doing some pretty long road trips in it once I get it, though. One of them I've thought of is going down to Baja California, Mexico for a weekend (That's the part I'm afraid of. Driving a nice car in a region where driving is every-man-for-himself.). It's awesome down there, and running along the Pacific coast down there would make for an insanely cool drive. Hills to the East, and big cliffs that fall off to the beach and into the Pacific Ocean to the West. Last time I went, there was great guardrailing and freshly paved road. =P Anyhow, after spending a weekend there, I'd drive all the way up the Pacific coast, past Los Angeles, and up along the California coast to San Francisco. GAHH@!% I WANT MY MINI!

[Traveler]

iDiaz - I have an MCS on order with a week 42 (10/17) build date as well. Mine went to Status Code 150, Production Started on 10/2. Call ask mini for the status. I already have my VIN. A fun way to track the progress of your car and other's is to join the "I can't wait for November Club" on Mini Cooper Online.

[iDiaz]

I actually got bumped. I called ASK MINI and they told me I was scheduled for production for 10/24/2003. No VIN # yet, though.

[Traveler]

Check again Friday. You might have a VIN by then. BTW, nice color! Mine is IB/IB.

[iDiaz]

Man, how confusing. Four totally different replies from four different sources:

The Owner's Lounge says my MINI is still On Order and has an estimated production date of 10/24/2003.

1-866-ASK-MINI's automated production status says my MINI is currently in production and is scheduled to be complete on 10/08/2003 (yesterday).

1-866-ASK-MINI's customer service have said two things from two different agents:

1. My MINI is currently in production (status 150) and should be complete by the middle of next week (approx 10/15/2003). He provided me with my VIN number.

2. My MINI is currently scheduled to be completed on 10/24/2003 and should go into production a week before that (approx. 10/17/2003).

Who should I believe?!

[red03miniS]

Quote: Originally Posted by iDiaz

Thanks for your replies (even you, AMT. Hahaha!).

red03miniS: I'm in Manhattan Beach, btw. Where're you at?

GMINI: Hm. I've never tried calling there. Good tip.

thousand oaks but in orange county/santa monica often

in san francisco as i type this

[iDiaz]

Okay, now everything seems to have sync'd up. All sources estimate production to be completed by 10/24/2003.

After the confusion of this last week, I'd almost prefer NOT being able to track my MINI!

[Kurtster]

iDiaz,

Long Beach Mini has a great deal. They have a monthly drawing of raffle tickets. If you want license plate frames, car covers, luggage or other accesories, buy them at their showroom. For every $10 you spend, you get a raffle ticket. i spent $80 on cool MINI clothes. Got 8 tickets. Won the drawing. I got bumped to the top of the order list. I also ordered a Mini Cooper S indie Blue/White. My production date is 10-10-03.

I also want the $400 luggage. If you do too, just plunk it down in advance and get 40 raffle tickets. if I can win with 8, you can clean house with 40+.

Then again, if you don't mind buying from out of state and since you already have the order in place, it may be too late to be of interest to you.

We won't be identical by the way. I ordered silver wheels, no driving lights, sunroof, aftermarket Union jack (perforated for sunroof) Lapis Blue leather, and GPS.

Please send me a private mail when you get yours so we can compare our experiences. :-)

[NEMINI]

the live humans will always have the most up to date info ... OL gets batch updated on typically on Fridays only.

[miniGOKART]

[quote=red03miniS]hey there

i live in southern california as well, and me and 4 other mini owners have bought from universal at msrp. i actually even got free floor mats. so mine was msrp - 96 bucks.

QUOTE]

did you get it msrp out the door? or before tax and license if you don't mind me asking

[NEMINI]

MSRP never includes tax, title and license. Wish we had 'on the road cost' like our friends on the other side of the pond