Welcome, Bruce! That'll be a sweet stealth-JCW ride!
Mine is scheduled for completion July 1. It'll be interesting to see which of us gets to motor around the Puget Sound first -- I'll have to drive mine back from Utah, but yours will probably spend a while at NW Mini getting loaded up with all that fun stuff!

 

I guess it is easier to list what I am NOT getting and why, rather than justifying all of the things I am getting. This isn't a complete list (pretty much just left off accessories), but you will get the idea.

What I am NOT getting:

Sunroof - No performance gain. Sun in my eyes. Weight up high where it hurts performance. Eats up headroom. One more thing to break. One more thing to leak.
Cruise Control - I hate cruise. It is dangerous. It makes driving even more mindless.
Chrome - not a big fan of the shiny stuff
JCW Suspension - Been there, done that. I'm old enough now that I'm tired of a stiff suspension pounding my fillings out. Not only that, I occasionally enjoy women riding with me, and they hate harsh suspensions.
Navigation - I already have a GPS. So many other reasons not to get this.
Multi-Function Steering Wheel - The only button that should be on a steering wheel is the horn button. One more thing to break. Adds unnecessary complication. JCW version not available.
Auto A/C - I want to make all of my own heating and cooling decisions. I hate when the car tries to do it for me (it usually fails {although I've never experienced this in a MINI}).
Auto-Dim Mirrors - Unnecessary weight. Unnecessary complication. I want to be in charge. One more thing to break.
Rain Sensing Wipers - See Auto-Dim Mirrors, above.
Auto Headlights - See Auto-Dim Mirrors, and Rain Sensing Wipers, above.
Arm Rest - It hits my elbow when I'm not using it.
Parking Distance Sensor - It is a MINI! How difficult can it be to park?
Chrono Package - Why?
CD Changer - AM/FM/CD/iPod/Aux. Input should provide me with enough music options. Not only that, all my CDs are on my iPod.
Roof Graphics - Silly, and wouldn't work well on my black roof.
Sirius - Homey don't pay to listen to the radio. Also see CD Changer, above.
Blue Spark Wires - The don't make the MINI go faster, stop more quickly, or handle better. Not only that, who is going to see them under the intercooler anyway? The MINI technician?
Racks - I didn't purchase my MINI to haul stuff. For that I have a 1987 VW Vanagon with a Porsche 911 engine and transmission (really).

 

Tethernaut,

I have no doubt that you will be driving your MINI before I am driving mine. My MA (Aaron) told me that NW Mini would probably need the car for about two weeks once they get it.

They will have to send the car out for:
Body Shop - AeroKit and sanding/painting wheel arches
Tint Shop - Tinted windows
LoJack - LoJack installation
Clear Bra - they use an aftermarket installer using 3M material rather than the MINI stuff.

Not only that, the dealer will have to install the JCW steering wheel, the 4 driving lamps, etc.

I do, however, fully expect to go down and visit the new car as soon as it arrives at the dealership.

Cheers,
Bruce
motorbruce

 

I think I belong here, guys. OL and Robot/Human ASK-MINI both say status of "on order." I emailed my MA and this is what he replied back:

Woohoo!

 

crishchun, from what your MA said, you are most certainly in the right place. Welcome!!

It appears both of our cars were *ahem* "conceived" on the same day

 

I've tried this numerous times...even now that I'm in production and NADA!

I think the OL website is the weakest link (no pun) of the entire MINI process. My experience with ASK MINI has been awesome. Sorry you got dogged Doogs!

I wouldn't rely on it at all for accurate information. I double-checked with ASK MINI and my scheduled completion is 7/6 (automation) and 7/5 (real person) while the OL lists has me as "On Order" PLUS the specs and NOT even listed. Got this email from them about that:


Thanks for writing MINI. Congratulations on your MINI purchase!
I am sorry, that feature of the Owners' Lounge is currently unavailable. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
If there are further questions I can assist with, please feel free to drop me an e-mail. I will be happy to lend a hand.

LET’S MOTOR.
Nicole Brown
MINI Customer Relations and Services
Representative
866.ASK.MINI (275-6464)

 

I've got my VIN. I got it a couple days ago from 866-ASK-MINI.

 

Turcicus, Actually that must make four because I have a HB scheduled for completion the week of July 3rd. Also ordered from MINI of Sterling.

 

Excellent choice Beauregard And welcome to week 27!

 

Well the OL finally shows that I'm "In Production" and I can now (using the View Source option) see my VIN embedded just as described in this and other NAM posts.

They must have just done an OL update tonight as this info hasn't changed for weeks.

Hope my fellow soon-to-be Motorers and PW27SG mates get more info soon!

 

Nothin' to report here this morning. Same old, same old.

 

Excellent news Red Scooter!! With that, I'm off to check my own OL status...

 

Same here....very frustrating.

 

Ditto.

 

Not an update for me, but an update nonetheless - The Hobbes, who started this thread, just posted in the Week 26 thread that his MINI was completed on the 26th and is sitting at the dock awaiting transport!! Lucky...

 

Something has GOT to give soon. Maybe I'm a bit ahead...or so it seems...because I'm Chili Red? No other CRs in this group right?

 

Yeah, maybe it's like laundry, and you always do the reds seperately...

 

OK. Just kind of catching up on this thread. I've had my VIN for probably more than a week.

I spoke to Doug at ASK-MINI today and he told me my car was in the paint shop and due to be completed on July 4th. He also said the web guys were working on the OL "details" section so it wouldn't be blank for many or all of us but it might change when the car was finished and sent to the port, which will be next week.

 

Wow! Big update today! According to Amy at ASK-MINI, my Mini started production today. They don't have a completion date yet, but should later today, and, oh yeah, I've got a VIN.

As I told Amy, "thank you so much, you've just made my day!"

 

Right on Doogs! I knew something had to shift.

Before long we'll all be shifting AND MOTORING!!!

 

Woohoo! Marty at ASK-MINI said I'm scheduled for completion on July 7th, and I have a VIN now! Finally, some progress :D

 

OK...I gotta be a little smug.

Just when you guys were getting kinda boo-boo ...I said hang in there... and now we're getting completion dates, VINs, etc.

This is a VERY, VERY GOOD THING!!!

 

Great news, everybody!!!!

 

Update 2: Estimated completion on the 8th

 

To keep us all tided over for a little bit, here's a cool little webpage I found about the MINI plant in Oxford:
http://www.plantautomation-technolog...ects/bmw-mini/
It's got some great pictures of the production process.

And of course, if you haven't yet, I highly recommend watching the video of production that's linked in the OL.