wahoo_shoe: Ok, ok now, you were suppose to pick it up at 10:00 EDT, so here it is now 10:30 EDT, where is it? Did you get that aspirin for last nights wee little celebration? We need pictures, NOW, ok? Just kidding, have a nice day enjoying and making her more pretty. Have a GREAT DAY.

Bill in Iowa

 

Just got word; production started on my car at 9:20 this morning. Think I'll have by the weekend?

 

Cap? No.
Production, then train to port, then wait for a ship, then cross the Atlantic, then unload and truck to a processing facility, then truck to the dealer, then inspection...

 

Hey there guy, maybe our two Lil Guys will be bunk mates together. Nothing like a cruise for two.

 

We need a Hercules C-141 heavy transport plane just for us!

 

Hey, sounds about right to me.

 

One of my best friends flies them for Uncle Sam. I asked for a weekend loaner. DENIED.

 

I just asked the Mini guy after he said that my JCW Lil Guy had passed final inspecion, about when they would inform me about the C-141 loading? He didn't catch it at first, but then started laughing. Their following ends at the dock.

But, HEY, it's built.....born

 

Congrats, Hemi! Now you can track the train, watch the ship live in the channel, and then watch weather location updates until it reaches your port!

Speaking of ports, my ship's due in port today--they say early, but I'm guessing late based on where it's at. With a bit of luck I might have it this weekend. Here's hoping!

 

Dodgy: Hey, yours sounds great, this weekend? Mine will be here just in time for the snow and winter driving. First thing will be to get rid of the runflats and some winter tires. I talked with a local tire place, very close to where I live, and they can't do runflats. That is, they can't take them off as it takes a special tire machine. So, it looks like Tires Plus, or something like that. I intend on jusing the Challenge wheels for the winter tirs, and some Enkie, Kosel or OZ for Summer tires which I will go with in the Fall. I intend on going up one size, as well, depends on the clearances I have after I replace the springs with H&R Sport Springs.
So, its to the port today, I am told, so it's on it's way.

 

excellent!

 

OK, I thought I'd be relatively fine for the 6 week wait, but 3 days in and I'm having irrational thoughts about the 2011 I ordered. What if it doesn't get as good mpg as it should? What if something doesn't work right?

Help!

 

BRG: Alex, it's like any other car, if you drive the crap out of it, you will get worse fuel mileage. The MiniS should get in the mid to upper 30's for highway mileage if you use the cruise and stay out of the Sport mode. Around town, probably around 30 mpg. That's keeping your foot out of it. The JCW, about 3 mpg less, but I've heard of JCW owners getting over 35 mpg when they drive 70 mph and use the cruise.

I don't know what you've been hearing, or what you expect, but these cars are definately a have your cake and eat it too. If you think that Mini gets bad mileage, talk to some WRX owners, or Mustang and Camaro V8 owners. Ask them what they get for mileage when they get in it.

 

You know, it's just the burden of having too much time to dwell about your choices. Imagine if you had this opportunity to second-guess everything else you do. You'd go crazy. I'm most of us have things we wish we'd have thought of while ordering... me, I didn't realize the spoiler didn't come on a Clubman S, for example. But regardless, for all the back and forth, by the time the car arrives, some fo the things you waffled on in the interim you'll have returned to the same point of view you had when you ordered. It's a rockin car and you'll so quickly forget those concerns in favor of all the car brings to your drive as a fun experience. Any car has strengths and weaknesses. When I switched to a Honda Element for a year, I got capacity, flexibility in hauling, an automatic transmission, road clearance in the brush... but I lost control, handling, a bit of mileage, and the driving and aesthetic pleasure. It was a real reminder of why I loved the MINI to begin with.

 

I spoke to the local special interest car facility (who takes car of most the interesting and race cars here in town) about changing out the tires on my new Mini. He said they charge by the hour to change runfllats, not a flat rate. He said it can be a very frustrating, time consuming operation, and they hate to do it.

 

I realize that MOST MINI's get great mileage. I am just worried and dwelling on the possibility that mine would be an anomaly and not get great mileage.

Like thirdrail said, too much time to dwell makes Alex *something something*

 

Capt Fred: What you say is a good reason when you change them out, to make certain that you get your tires there at Tires Plus, or whomever. I know that some guys just have them change the tires, and supply the tires from somewhere else. This is a time when it is a good thing just to do it all at one place. Maybe they will take the runflats in on trade? By the way, the Bridgstone Blizzaks are sounding better and better.

 

capt fred & hemi .. both of u guys congrats for the built & born .. nice to hear that

 

When they gave me my production date: 9/28/10 they said that it would take 8 days to get thru the production process. Guess what? It took 8 days, as my Lil Guy finished production on 10/05/10 and went thru final inspection on 10/06/10 and should be on the train to go to port now. Then, it's at least a 10 day Cruise Line trip to Baltimore POE, then a couple of days to get it to your dealer. That, pretty much somes of the delivery schedule, if you add up the days. I, personally asked for a C-141 transport, but unfortunately it was denied.

 

Oh the malaise of living on the west coast... Oh but the joy of the Panama Canal's existence...

I haven't seen threads by boat lately. Who else is on the Volans Leader?

 

When/how did they give you a production date? When I check the "owner's lounge" MINI tracker, it just says which stage of production it is in. Mine is currently "awaiting production," the 2nd stage, after "order received."

 

To all those interested: Here is the schedule of how my Lil Guy has gone so far:

Ordered: 9/08/2010
Production Started: 9/28/2010
Body Shop: 10/01/2010
Paint Shop: 10/3/2010
Assembly: 10/04/2010
Finished Assembly:10/05/2010
Final Inspection: 10/06/2010
Scheduled Train
to Port: 10/06/2010
Arrival at Port
of Exit: 10/07/2010

Awaiting boarding
of Cargo Ship: 10/07/2010

That's where my Lil Guy is as of now. The Owners Lounge and Mini Relations is no longer of any help. They tell me that NOW, my dealer has to inform me of everything dealing with the transportation of Lil Guy to Baltimore POE. I know that some have tried to help me in finding out just what ship it may be going on, but I'm a big dummy and can't get my VIN to be accepted. All for now. I guess that I, now have to wait for about two weeks to find out any more, if then. Thanks for all the help here, you all have been of great help.

 

BRG: the OL is pretty slow on updating at first. Try calling 866-ASK-MINI. They'll be able to tell you exactly what the status of your car is, including when it's due to begin production.
Towards the end of the process the number becomes almost useless and the OL actually updates rather quickly, but from now until your MINI hits a boat, ASK-MINI is the best resource. Skip the automated stuff and get a live person, the automated can be 24 hours behind.

On the first page of the "1st-gear" section is a great resource for tracking your MINI from order to delivery. Definitely read it

Hemi: as said before, your VIN won't show up on the WWL site until about two days before it boards a ship. It looks like you just missed a boat, but the Fedora arrives the 10th, hits Baltimore the 20th. My guess is you'll be able to get on that boat. Since it's still three days away, I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't show up yet. There's another on the 14th, but a sitting car doesn't produce revenue, just eats up space at the dock for more cars, so I'd put my money on the Fedora. And make sure you put in your full VIN as Cargo ID. Hang in there, you're close

 

Alex,

The lounge will be the last to notify you. Right now, they tell me that my JCW is in the Paint Shop, which it was on Saturday, and scheduled for completion on 10/05. All nice, except that it actually was completed with the Final Inspection on 10/06.

Call the 1866-275-6464......wait for the automated system. punch 2 when they offer what you want, then your production number (get that from your dealer) then punch 1 for production number and then wait to hear where in the production you are. Then push 0 for operator and a real live person. Then follow their lead. You will need your production number again. This is how I found out anything on my JCW and his production. They are up to date.

 

wahoo_shoe: Would you believe that the automated response is still saying that it is still in the Paint Shop and a completion date of October 5th? The live person this morning told me that they are of no use to me anymore and to contact my dealer, who hasn't helped me much so far. I've gotten more help from Liz in Kansas City than my Motor Advisor. Guess she sold me the car and now I'm not important until it gets here. Still going to hit her for the promised front and rear rubber floor mats and altered front license plat holder.
By the way, how's Clubby adjusting to the rain soaked DC area? Is she ready to go back to England yet? Better give her a good wash job this weekend and vacuumming. She needs pampering. My Lil Guy is antsy, and wants to get on the boat and see how his suite is and get a good massage. The past couple of days have been hard on him. (I can't resist a bit of humor)