Calling all cars (and drivers)...are we all "awaiting transport"?

 

My car finished production on 12/15 (shows as 12/16) and ask-mini says I'm week 51. Currently showing enroute, but no info on WW so I'm stumped as to where to look for more info.

 

My '08 MCS was reported "Awaiting..." on Dec. 12. Last night I entered its VIN here: http://schedule.2wglobal.com/AppTrac...trackType=Auto to find that it's booked on the "Don Juan" to arrive Port Hueneme Jan. 26. If yours is going to the East Coast it might be going aboard a different steamship line's ship and the above link wouldn't show it.

 

I first noticed the "enroute" for my car this morning, and I don't yet see it on a ship (using my VIN number) either. I imagine it just takes awhile for the information to get updated.
What options did you get on your MINI?

 

Another carrier is K-Line

http://www.kline.com/KAMCarCarrier/S...g_Schedule.pdf

Try to match the schedule with when your MINI left the port.
No place to confirm loading like on WW site, but often you can track the callsign, if they report . Good Luck . These boats go to Charleston if that's where you're headed

 

Added my mini's bio to the sig line. Thanks for the information folks! No clue on where TX minis get landed.

Massively excited. And tons of info here, ordering my Light In Sight now.

 

Dealer called me today, my mini is supposed to be at the port on the 3rd.

 

I must be on K-Line (probably on your boat, as I'm also in Texas), because my VIN number still doesn't show up on the other site. I now see MINI's in traffic almost every day. Looking forward to being one of them.

 

*comforts I8chilis*

Yes, yes, but out here in *grin* WEST Texas minis are pretty rare. Least in Lubbock, where one owner I was talking to figured we have about 20 in town (size 200k).

Curses upon whomever took the TX plate JIMINI. Curses and curses, mounds of curses.

 

Regarding personalized license plates, was that a reference to Jiminy Cricket? That's a good one. Obviously, someone else agreed.

I thought I was pretty creative until I realized that my fellow Texans beat me to most of my ideas as well.

I was pretty excited to find “RDI2GO” available (referring to the 1996 Republica song “Ready To Go”). Particularly because my MINI is red (red as in ready). My wife, however, rolled her eyes and said it was more appropriate for a driver twenty years younger…and 10 years ago. Apparently the person who claimed “RDY2GO” didn’t think it was quite so lame.

Here are some ideas for plates I’m not going to use (that are currently available in Texas):
1N100K – I think I read somewhere in the owner’s lounge that each mini isn’t necessarily unique, but likely 1 in 100,000. In your case, “1N1000” (for Lubbock) is also available.
“08MINI” or “MINI08” – someone claimed “07MINI” and “MINI07”.
“MINUTE” – I found several plates available around the concepts “cute” (like “QUT” and “AWWW”) and “small” (“ITYBTY” – itty bitty, “ROOM44” – room for 4, and “TABL42” – table for 2). But they’re also more appropriate for someone younger (and cuter) than me.
“29MPG” is also available, but that’s almost too conservative (why bother spending the 40 bucks to announce that?).

I finally found an available plate that I like, and matches me perfectly, but I’m keeping that idea to myself until I get it.

Good luck in finding a replacement for “JIMINI”!

 

JIMINI was actually fun on a couple levels. The Disney cricket, and the fast that my first name is Jim

 

Looks like the week before us just hit state-side, so we are maybe 2 weeks from smexy driving?

 

I'm still showing "en route"...are the other "week 51ers" as well?

The waiting is killing me.

Along those lines, the American humorist Will Rogers once sent his niece a picture postcard of the Venus de Milo with the message: "See what will happen to you if you don't stop biting your fingernails?"

 

My MA says I should be able to pick up my MINI on Wednesday…yippee!

During the long wait, I’ve got my financing (5.99% for 3 years through Capital One), compiled my delivery checklist by searching NAM, searched for lowest amount NAMers paid to extend the warranty ($1695) and the maintenance ($1395) to 100k miles, got a non-dealer quote on tinting all the windows ($179.99 for a 3-year guaranteed installation, $224.99 for metalized with a lifetime warranty), and found out how much my dealer will let me put on a credit card to get rewards ($2500 max).

I’m ready to go.

 

Can you link to the checklist? I remember seeing it on here, but I can't seem to find it through a search here. Thanks!

 

I had also done a thread search on postings with "checklist" in the title, found several pretty comprehensive lists, and cut-and-pasted my own list together.

Since I was initially compiling this just for myself, I didn't include anything that wasn't relevant to me (cruise control, sunroof, etc.), and anything I didn't understand.

My apologies if I made any mistakes during editing and consolidation. Other posters deserve the credit for all these ideas, and even most of the phrasing:

Under Bonnet:

• Check oil levels.
• Check coolant level and color.
• Check for coolant tank leaks and seals.
• Check brake fluid.
• Check transmission fluid.
• Check windshield wiper fluid.
• Remove clear sticker on Mini logo if it is there.
• Check for loose battery cables.
• Check all connections are tight.
• Check for condensation in headlights.
• Check headlight lenses for scratches or blemishes.
• Operate hood 3 times, check for wear marks.
• Wait 20 minutes, operate hood 2 times see if any marks start to occur.

Interior:

• Interior lights are operable with opening doors.
• Interior lights change colors as designed.
• Verify all other door sill, footwell and reading lights are working (wherever they may be).
• Interior dash and door pockets are not scratched.
• Verify driver/passenger seats work and move well.
• Check visors.
• Verify rear passenger seats fold down properly.
• Verify all seat belts work and are in good condition.
• Check glove compartment locks/unlocks. A copy of the first inspection and the battery maintenance form should be in the glove box – make sure.
• Verify the the mileage is not excessive.
• With hood and windows closed, check that glass sits flush with seals and there are no gaps.
• Check windows for cracks or marks.
• Verify the windows go up & down, at a smooth andconsistent motor speed.
• Check that all rubber seals around door housings are not loose and in place. Check for missing gasket between the bottom of the door and entrance front...MINI part #51767146093.
• Check A/C fans and operation.
• Look for stitching issues in the seats.
• Verify even/uniform carpeting coverage.
• Check for scrapes or scratches on the side panels, dash or color line.
• Steering wheel & column. Does it tilt and telescope as designed? No strange noises going lock-to-lock?
• Check the fit and function of all the control ***** and switches, one by one. Don't be afraid to play the stereo LOUD at the dealer. Use the radio, the CD player, and the AUX-in port. Make sure it all works. As well as the fit of the speakers in the doors and dash. This includes your remote key, too.
• Air conditioning blowing cold and all climate controls working as intended?
• Verify that the rear headliner isfirmly attached to the interior roof above the rear passenger windows.

Paint/Exterior:

• Check all lamps (headlights, brake lights, fog lights, right directional [front and rear], left directional [front and rear]).
• Check paint work is free of dirt marks, hairline scratches or any type of scratches and factory paint drips (visible areas, underneath your doors, around edges of boot and bonnet).
• Check underneath bumpers.
• Check windshield seals and condition.
• Check folding wing mirrors.
• Go over the entire exterior paint with your hand to identify the smoothness of the finish, looking for texture changes, indicating areas that have apparently been damaged/repaired during transport that are not the same as manufactured quality. In general, ask if any damage occurred during shipping and was repaired.
• Look for unrepaired dents,dings, scratches or scrapes in the surface suffered during shipping.
• Check for uneven panel gaps.Run your finger along the different panel seams, hood, doors, boot and bonnet. If you feel (or see) the gap "pinch" together, ask them to fix it.
• Check windows, trim and seals. Verify no cracks or dings in the glass. All seals appear smooth and even? No bulges or gaps that might suggest a future leak?
• Verify all panels are securely attached.Does everything appear solid at the edges? Black plastic fenders, too? Grab 'em. Give 'em a wiggle. Rear spoiler, too?
• Do all doors open and close in a uniform manner? Latches secure? Levers and handles feel solid? No notcheyness, snags or strangeness? Everything appear to seal up tight? Listen for wind noise during your test-drive, too.
• Remove the protective plastic film off the passenger side door sill protector, if it’s still there.
• Verify even paint coverage and color.Make sure to look in a well lit area (outside, if possible). Check for uneven paint around windshield washer valves.
• Look for cosmoline (rust preventative ointment) stains on the paint (and watch for that in the coming days).
• Check tire pressure and double-check they are mounted in the proper direction. There are little arrows on the side that show which way they should be rotating. Improperly mounted and inflated tires can effect something as simple as gas mileage... or cause something as bad as a fiery crash (a mild exaggeration if you look at the big Firestone/Bridgestone fiasco a few years back). This is particularly important with runflat tires, since it is not likely that you will notice the feel of an underinflated tire.
• Check tires (condition, pressure, rod nuts). While you're there, check to see half-moon plastic spacers were removed from front spring/strut assembly for transport-photo is attached on inmmini's post-#25.
• Check alloys are free from marks or scratches.
• Check wheel spats are free from marks or scratches.
• Test all lights, blinkers, etc. Verify headlights are aimed properly.

Boot:

• Check boot shuts flush and properly by opening and closing it 3 or 4 times.
• Check for two holes in rubber edging (water drain).
• Check rubber is covering fabric and not pinching.
• Check for condensation in the tail lights.
• Check lenses on tail lights for scratches or blemishes.

Key:

• Received extra key(s).
• Check programmed options with key (verify that the windows, turn signals, radio and other programmable features are working the way you want). Program your keys alike, or they won’t do the same thing (unless that’s what you want).

Test Drive:

• Check brakes.
• Check for squeals, rattles or any strange noises.
• Check for left hand pull.
• Check for steering column noise (clicks or pops upon rotation of wheel).
• Check radio/CD and speakers.
• Automatic wipers on cleaning.
• Speed sensitive wipers.
• Horn.
• Are all warning lights in working order? Do any stay on?
• Transmission noise and function. Upshifts and downshifts well? Any noises out of the ordinary tranny whine (particularly downshifting from 3rd to 2nd)?
• Engine noise and function. Does it sound smooth? No misses, pops, surges or stumbles?
• All gauges appear to be working as intended? No bouncing speedo or burnt out LEDs in the display screens (very rare, but it happens)?
• Verify that the windows drop a crack when the door is opened (to stop the sudden blast of pressure when you slam the door).

General:

• Make sure you receive an owner's manual.
• Verify the VIN on the car matches VIN on the paperwork.
• Verify all options are present…go down your build sheet line-by-line.

 

Extensive and impressive list...thanks for compiling!

 

Thanks Chili! MSH441 made most of this list, but it was cool of you to find more stuff and put it in one spot. You might want to add whatever isn't on his list to that thread too.

My mini shows as at vcd. *pace pace*

 

Oops...I forgot I had bookmarked this one from 2002 as well (regarding the initial pickup):

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...php/t-685.html

and this one (ongoing things to do after delivery):

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=81162

I love NAM.

 

My MINI arrived early, and it's finally home.

Incidentally, the MINI part #51767146093 I referred to in the checklist above was not on my car, though my MA pointed out (and I see here now) that it's been dropped.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ht=51767146093

Best of luck to the other 51ers!

 

I8chilis, have you picked up your mini? My MA said mine wouldnt be ready until Thursday. You went to Momentum in Houston right? I will call him in the morning. Hopefully I can pick up mine tomorrow if it also came early. Thanks for the update!

 

Yes and yes. PM sent.

 

How did the checklist work, Chilis? I mean, did you actually do each and every thing, or did parts seem unnecessary? Any more tips? I'm off Saturday to get mine.

 

I did as many of them as I could (about 75%), without looking completely stupid. I spent about 45 minutes on it. My runflat tires didn't have arrows on them, so that test may not apply to you either.

Although I didn't find anything other than some smudges on the upholstery (which they quickly addressed), it gave me a very comforting feeling to test every ****, verify that the VIN number matched the paperwork, etc.

Tips? Ask your MA to program your favorite radio stations for you (and adjust the seats and mirrors exactly like you want them) before you drive home. I spent a lot of time trying to tune the radio, when I really should have been looking at the road. I still haven't made the time to look for the bass and treble settings (or do my presets)...the radio sounds a bit tinny and shallow.

Lastly, forget about trying to do any work the next day. I've given two test rides to co-workers, three look-sees, and basically find it very difficult to concentrate. I wanna drive.

 

PIX!!!!

Post em up, Chilis