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I'm new here, so I apologize if I commit any NAM faux pas. I didn't see a thread for week 5 production for 2017, so I thought it might be ok if I start one.
I currently own a 2011 R56 S and I'm looking forward to my JCW! I ordered on 1/7. I originally planned to visit the Oxford plant during the production week, expecting it to be in February, but I was pleasantly surprised when I called ASK MINI on Monday and learned my Mini had been in production since 1/19 with an anticipated completion date of 1/31. I'll take any excuse for a trip to the UK, so I was looking forward to the visit, but having my Mini earlier just might make up for it.
I was pleasantly surprised as well to learn that mine has gone into production two days ago, instead of the previously disclosed 28th. We have two TDI Jetta VWs that are being bought back. My wife's diesel goes back tomorrow actually, but she picked up her Subaru Outback a week or so ago. Mine goes back on the 2nd of February, and of course I just couldn't be satisfied with a single MINI available on a lot in the entire country- so I'll be without an auto for a bit. The wait will be worth it, I have no doubts.
This is my first MINI, but not my first exposure. My dad had a 1st Gen MCS in early 2000, and a buddy of his used to race the classic Mini- he's about 6'7", 375ish, so that was probably quite a sight.
At any rate, this thing I'm waiting on is a Clubman S ALL4. With two smaller kids and the dog- this was my only chance at joining the party. I think I'm going to enjoy it.
What do you have on order? Is this your first one?
My first Mini was a 2008 MCS, which I bought as certified pre-owned. Within less than a year, when I was juuust out of warranty, a major repair came up, so I traded it for a brand new 2011 MCS. I basically went out on the lot and picked out a car that was extremely similar to the 2008 in terms of features, but with a more palatable color (the 2008 was sparkling silver and my 2011 is eclipse grey). More recently I've had to make some very expensive (VERY EXPENSIVE) repairs on my car, so I decided to buy the car I've always wanted (with an extended mechanical warranty!).
While my Mini was in for repairs, I got a loaner vehicle that was a 2017 4-door clubman. Man, the cargo room on that one! I have two Yorkies, so I also had to make a practical concession... on seats. Both of my Minis have had leatherette seats and I have been very pleased with how they've held up, so it was a no-brainer when it came time to order the 2017.
When I bought the 2011, my husband got bit by the Mini bug and purchased a first generation countryman, which he still has and loves. However, we now live in suburbia, and in "truck country" (FL Panhandle), and are considering a Subaru Forrester or Outback as his next car (or something else that's not a massive SUV but does have more cargo room and could tow). I see that your wife recently acquired her Outback, but I'd be interested to learn about the pros and cons as you guys come across them.
My 2017 is an all-black JCW. It will look something like this, but with black headlight and taillight rings. When it comes in I'll definitely have the windows tinted. I'm considering having all the chrome bits wrapped in matte black vinyl for a smoked out look, but I'd have to price it first.
My car completed production on 1/31 and has been at the dock waiting for a vessel since 2/1. I wonder how much longer it will be before it's loaded onto a ship...
That's odd- I thought we were completed on the same day, and mine has arrived at the port on the 4th. Interesting also that PrettyOfficerKidd's JCW has been there since the 1st. I assume we will all be on the same boat, and hopefully soon given one of us has been waiting over a week now. I was told yesterday to call back on Friday afternoon and that they should have the name of a boat to track by then. :-D
I think they all sail from Southampton to NA. What port is everyone heading to? I am Baltimore, to a dealership in Ann Arbor, MI (I am in Grand Rapids).
That's odd- I thought we were completed on the same day, and mine has arrived at the port on the 4th. Interesting also that PrettyOfficerKidd's JCW has been there since the 1st. I assume we will all be on the same boat, and hopefully soon given one of us has been waiting over a week now. I was told yesterday to call back on Friday afternoon and that they should have the name of a boat to track by then. :-D
I think they all sail from Southampton to NA. What port is everyone heading to? I am Baltimore, to a dealership in Ann Arbor, MI (I am in Grand Rapids).
Yeah, pseudofinn, I agree, I too think they all come from Southampton, but I could be mistaken. I'm in Pensacola, FL, and my port is Brunswick, GA. Not sure how far Ann Arbor is to Baltimore in "truck time" but even though my car will reach my US port after yours, we may be getting our cars at about the same time, but really, who knows.
I talked to my MA yesterday and he said my car's been waiting at the dock so long because it's probably waiting until the other cars in my week to arrive...
I think there is a good chance that we will be loaded by the weekend based on how long yours has been queued.
I think our truck time is pretty similar- 6 hours for you and 8 for me. I'd wager I'm behind the wheel before you. :-P
Oh without a doubt! If it arrives in the middle of the week, I might have to wait until the weekend to finish the paperwork. I usually get to work before MINI opens and finish for the day after it closes. (You may be asking, well what about leave time? Leave? Who takes leave? Maybe I could come down with an acute onset temporary highly contagious bug.)
Just got the report that I was loaded onto the "Boheme". First stop Halifax, then onto New Jersey. I would expect I'll be good to go first week in March at the latest.
That's terrific, mate! I hadn't realized there are so many ships sailing these over. I put my VIN into the WW site and was utterly thrilled to find it was loaded onto 'Liberty' on the 2nd, and left port on the 7th. The really brilliant news is that it's scheduled to arrive in port on the 17th- next week!
Very cool news for us. How about the Kidd? Your JCW on a boat yet? I suggest checking the WW site directly and entering your VIN (you have it memorized like me, right?) as I was told yesterday by ASKMINI it's still on the docks, but had been loaded a week ago.
Happy Friday, guys! And boy, is it an especially happy one. I spoke with my MA yesterday (2/9), who said my car was still waiting for transport. However, I called ASK MINI just now and Giuseppe told me that my car had actually left on 2/5 aboard the "Drive Green Highway". It's due to arrive at Brunswick, GA on or around 2/19.
I have a part to be added in Brunswick, so I wonder how much time that will add on...
Thought you two would like to see this. The ships' AIS goes dark as it leaves the English channel, and reappears when it nears the eastern seaboard- which both of yours have now done. :-)
It also lists the calculated time to port- which has been fluctuating a lot as there was what seemed to be a pretty big storm on the satellite images a few days ago as we all reached mid-way across the Atlantic. The times listed now should be pretty accurate.
Well- looks like at least some of those numbers are off. Boheme is just off shore of Halifax now. I think it's getting off the boat today!
EDIT- I hope that's not the case, I just realized your final destination is NJ. I bet they get it right. :-)
Not sure what the Drive Green Highway is on about- looks like they had a pit stop in Bermuda? :-P
Mine, sadly is still dark crossing the Atlantic (it is not still in the Celtic Sea, as reported by MarineTraffic. SailWX has less data, but more updated AIS- it was last seen on the heels of Boheme off the coast of Nova Scotia.)
Last edited by pseudofinn; Feb 16, 2017 at 02:12 PM.
From what I can tell the entire voyage was delayed two days due to storms. It actually works out better for me if it takes a bit longer. I'm optimistic the car will be off the ship by 2/21 at the latest.
I hope to have mine at the dealership by then- otherwise I will have to wait another week and a half. I don't think I'd function well knowing it's sitting in a parking lot 2 hours away without a thing to be done about it. In the meantime, my wife and I are sharing (her brand new) Outback. With two kids in school and her working the night shift, it's not been easy- any delay right now would be hard to take. :-)
Wow, thanks, pseudofinn! A few days ago I noticed that the DGH hadn't reported since the 8th and I started to get nervous. However, I saw yesterday or day before that it reported just off Bermuda.
My mom is a Navy civilian and works as a hydrographer (she's often out to sea) and she said it was a little unusual that there was so much time in between reports, but that it was most likely due to inclement weather. Based on what you guys say, inclement weather is most likely the cause.
