All aboard the PATRIOT!!!
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 1
From: PA
I've been hunting around for info on the VDC and here are some tidbits that'll make us all feel better.
First....I cheated. In the Owner's Lounge, our cars are still on "En Route" but I clicked on "At Distribution Center". On the right, below the text is a link for a nice little video that gives a good look at the VDC.
Secondly, I found a thread where a MINI group visited the California VDC (the NJ and SC VDCs should be very similar) back in 2004. Here are some of the highlights:
- There are 84 people working at the VDC.
- The good news is they process 400 cars a day!
- However....they also work on BWMs alongside the MINIs, not just MINIs.
- At the quickest, a car could be fully processed in two days.
- The facility is open from 7am to 4pm M-F and some Saturdays. My wife and I thought (wishful thinking?) that this facility would be working 24/7 with the amount of cars coming in but I guess we're wrong.
As I said, this info is from three years ago so maybe things have changed for the better. Visit this thread to see some fascinating photos...but be warned...some of the pics are frightening. (smooshed mini? gasp!!!). Here's the link: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=21112
First....I cheated. In the Owner's Lounge, our cars are still on "En Route" but I clicked on "At Distribution Center". On the right, below the text is a link for a nice little video that gives a good look at the VDC.
Secondly, I found a thread where a MINI group visited the California VDC (the NJ and SC VDCs should be very similar) back in 2004. Here are some of the highlights:
- There are 84 people working at the VDC.
- The good news is they process 400 cars a day!
- However....they also work on BWMs alongside the MINIs, not just MINIs.
- At the quickest, a car could be fully processed in two days.
- The facility is open from 7am to 4pm M-F and some Saturdays. My wife and I thought (wishful thinking?) that this facility would be working 24/7 with the amount of cars coming in but I guess we're wrong.
As I said, this info is from three years ago so maybe things have changed for the better. Visit this thread to see some fascinating photos...but be warned...some of the pics are frightening. (smooshed mini? gasp!!!). Here's the link: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=21112
Last edited by Msteadman; Sep 11, 2007 at 08:14 AM.
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
I actually cheated and checked out that video as well; but thanks for the additional information, VERY cool thread! I also thought it'd be working 24/7, but at least our vehicles are arriving at the very beginning of the week so the weekend closing shouldn't affect us at all. Wow, 2 full days is definitely impressive; although I don't know what they mean by 'priority one'.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 1
From: PA
OH, makes sense... Well that's no fun!
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
VDC Update: Heard from my MA today. She said that my car is still in NJ because they're going to install the Sport Stripe and the iPod adapter at the VDC and not at the dealer (which is where we were told they would be installed). That's the cause of my delay and they say it doesn't look good for the estimated Saturday delivery. 
Any news on your car, Msteadman?
Any news on your car, Msteadman?
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 0
From: Tracy,CA
Also Shine micro can be very lagged at times, especially if you are using the google beta version maps. AISfree is showing here at Baltimore at the present.
http://aisfree.aislive.com/Influx.as...e%20Approaches
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
That's the correct Patriot, with Baltimore being on the Chesapeake 
I'm just getting a little ahead of myself with the "next stop, Charleston" bit.... I've been waiting so long for this damn car, and the closer it gets, the worse the anxiety.
I'm just getting a little ahead of myself with the "next stop, Charleston" bit.... I've been waiting so long for this damn car, and the closer it gets, the worse the anxiety.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 0
From: Tracy,CA
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands, TX
Hmm...that's interesting. Are all iPod adapters installed at the VDC? My MA told me it would be installed at the dealership also.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,497
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
You actually have the choice. Personally, I'd take the VDC over the dealer as it is usually cheaper to have it installed at the VDC and they (most likely) have more experience at installing them than your local dealer has. Also, the VDC is more likely to have the most up-to-date software flash for the car so that things run as smooth as possible.
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
You actually have the choice. Personally, I'd take the VDC over the dealer as it is usually cheaper to have it installed at the VDC and they (most likely) have more experience at installing them than your local dealer has. Also, the VDC is more likely to have the most up-to-date software flash for the car so that things run as smooth as possible.
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