The Don Carlos has arrived at many of its destination ports at around 6:00 A.M.(at least that has been my impression.) It looks like that is the plan. I wonder if there is an incentive for these ships to arrive early? The 6:00 A.M. thing probably has to do with first light or when the earliest unload time is.

You know...in about 1½ hours the DC will be cruising past San Diego. Too bad they can't let a few cars off. On the other hand...I guess I'm glad that BMW updates the software etc and preps these cars at the VDC. I don't really want Brecht to do anything but take my check and give me the key
(fobs). Anybody else want Rod or Amanda explaining anything to you for two hours?
Don't misunderstand...they're both super nice...I just don't take ''splaining' very well.

BTW...When I first test drove the MCS I asked Amanda a couple of technical questions. She answered the questions well(which really impressed me) and then said something about a technical manual for the MA's that had more detailed information about these cars (which explained how she was able to answer those questions.). When we got to her cubical, she pulled out this book and left it on her desk for me to glance at. I just had time to look up what Mini Cooper really says about Premium being required. Anyone want to guess? Hands? SO...this is from the official Mini Cooper (2009) MA training manual. I'm paraphrasing but...while Premium fuel is best..Regular may be used without any problem . There will be a slight reduction in power but no negative effects on the engine. The computer adjusts the timing etc. so there is no pre-ignition (knock). If the timing (and whatever else is going on in these engines) is adjusted automatically there is not going to be excessive carbon on the pistons or whatever bad thing people are afraid of. The reason the Owner's Manual says Premium is required has to do with California Smog regulations. Apparently more CO2 is emitted when Regular is used. California makes them say that Premium is required. I suppose this could be BS to help sell cars but I doubt it. It has the "ring of truth".
I intend to stick to Premium but I won't lose any sleep if I occasionally put a little Regular in the car.

 

I'm with you- I've read the manual to death and don't want to hear it recited to me by our MA! More interested in doing my own "quality check" as you suggested earlier. But I'd sure love to get a look at that MA tech manual...that's some pretty good info you gleaned! Guess we need a mole at the dealer...

Thanks for the heads up on the "party line" on regular vs. premium.

Jay

 

Searched but no such luck- I will post what information I get Wednesday but I shall think long and hard before I pay that much for an extended Warranty. I am also going to call my Mechanic and hear what he has to say.I know litle to zilch about the mysteries of the internal combustion engine and have been spoiled"knock on wood" by my Toyata Hghlander and my Subaru before that. Cactusklaw P.S. THis does indeed sound better than a dealer driven overpriced "Maintenance Conract. Good luck to all those awaiting Joy on the Don Carlos

 

Looks great sonero! Glad the HK sounds good too!

 

Well, the delivery of our week 40 MINI's is getting smaller. Who else is waiting? My MA contacted me today to advise my MINI was expected today, but I never heard anything. Ugh. The wait is killing me. He could be there now and I don't know.

Hope to be motoring by this weekend!

 

Interesting - this stop was not on WW's schedule but it appears that DC is going to stop at Long Beach before going to PH. I guess that explains why WW's schedule shows PH as the 11th instead of the 10th

 

DC appears to be docking in an area mainly for container ships....

Maybe offloading or loading commercial equipment or getting minor repairs

 

Yeah, very odd. No VDC in Long Beach... oh well, still pretty damned close. Looks like tomorrow, but since it's Veteran's Day, not sure what that means for the Port. Still thinking early next week for delivery in SD, anything sooner will be a bonus. What's the consensus on delivery time from Port Hueneme to Colorado once it's on a truck?

Jay

 

Take a look at the WW tracking site

https://att.2wglobal.com/gstattweb/

seeing some different activity regarding customs releases scheduled for the 11th. More speculation...

Jay

 

Don't kow how long it takes once the boat reaches PH. Minidean hasn't taken delivery yet and the Turandot docked 10/30. Hopefully he hears something definitive today!!

 

I'm still waiting. The OL says it's at the dealership. My MA said it was getting stripes, etc. today at the dealer, so I expect to pick it up tomorrow.

 

I am still in limbo; The OL says @ VDC expected delivery date of 11-08-9 last Sunday. My MA said they do not deliver cars on Sundays and it would be Monday or Tuesday 11-10-09. Well we now know they do deliver cars on Sunday, so what the F****! I think my car must have been damaged, and is getting repaired at the VDC. Maybe I should ask the sales manager of Long beach Mini to call the VDC for an update.
Ron

 

Still haven't heard anything. Interestingly though, I checked the dealer inventory last night and there were 70 MINI's, this morning I checked and there 73. One was a MCS with a VIN only about 10 digits greater than mine, so my car HAS to be there. I'm only getting the clear mask done, but I told them to hold off on it just so I can get my car. UGGGH.

 

Looks like customs won't be holding my MCS up. My tracking has the Don Carlos going to Long Beach First. My dealer hopes for a Monday delivery to Vegas.

PortCountryArrivalDeparture
BREMERHAVENGERMANY 11/10/2009-13/10/2009
SOUTHAMPTONUNITED KINGDOM15/10/2009-15/10/2009
NEW YORK, NYU.S.A.24/10/2009-24/10/2009
BALTIMORE, MDU.S.A.25/10/2009-25/10/2009
BRUNSWICK, GAU.S.A.27/10/2009-27/10/2009
LONG BEACH, CAU.S.A.10/11/2009-10/11/2009
PORT HUENEME, CAU.S.A.11/11/2009-11/11/2009




Status Details
Status Status Location Date

LINER RELEASE PORT HUENEME, CA 09-11-2009 08:49:49
CUSTOMS RELEASE PORT HUENEME, CA 09-11-2009 00:00:00
LOADED ON VESSEL SOUTHAMPTON 15-10-2009 11:32:00 1
RECEIVED AT TERMINAL SOUTHAMPTON 12-10-2009 07:57:00 1
BOOKED SOUTHAMPTON 30-09-2009 12:54:07 1

 

The Don Carlos is once again underway. Let's hope it turns North out of Long Beach harbor, and not South...

Next stop, Port Hueneme...

Jay

 

 

You guys will probably get your cars before me! LOL It will be two weeks this Friday since my car landed at Port Hueneme. I think it is absolutely rediculous how long it takes to process and ship a car to CO from CA. I can mail a letter and have it get lost and back to me faster.

I tried emailing and calling my MA today several times, but no response. I have a feeling he isn't working, but no one could tell me. Arrrg. I'm so frustrated right now.

 

I took 5 all the way. Traffic was heavy but I was zipping through easily. It was hard to keep the car under 80mph. I averaged 38 mpg from the dealer to home.

 

...is Motoring! Should be in or around Port Hueneme well before 9:00 this evening, if it keeps moving at the current rate. Should be ready to offload tomorrow AM (assuming they don't do it in the evening).

Almost there...

J

 

I talked to my Mini dealer just now. My car is getting the gauge installed now @ the VDC.
Maybe I will see it later this week.
Ron

 

Boy, that doesn't make much sense that your car would sit there for 11 days before putting on a gauge. Unless they are shorthanded...

Sure hope you get some good news SOON!!!!

 

After traveling approximately 8,700 miles by ship...

 

I just looked at the Track & Trace (W&W) site to see what happens when I input my VIN.

LINER RELEASE PORT HUENEME, CA 09-11-2009 08:49:49 CUSTOMS RELEASE PORT HUENEME, CA 09-11-2009 00:00:00 LOADED ON VESSEL SOUTHAMPTON 15-10-2009 17:15:00 1 RECEIVED AT TERMINAL SOUTHAMPTON 14-10-2009 19:51:00 1 BOOKED SOUTHAMPTON 30-09-2009 12:54:07 1











Did they send Customs Inspectors out to the DC before it got to Long Beach. (...and do you think they looked in the secret compartment?)

Anyone know?

 

You know, I was thinking the same thing but I never saw a ship approach CD after it entered what I would consider American waters. But how else could it get the 9th as a date?

 

Well it is making the turn.....