Good question! I can only guess that there are multiple "sorts" applied to all the worldwide orders.

The first sort is probably done at the dealer. I'm guessing that the monthly allocation slots are filled based on an sales order date sequence. Once an allocation slot has been filled, it is probably up to MINI's order/production system to schedule the order for production. This scheduling system may take many things into account when sequencing worldwide allocations for the production line. A few possible criteria may be:

• date allocation slot was filled
• destination country (for country-specific configuration requirements, if any)
• model (justa/S/All4)
• color
• ???

I'd love to visit one of the plants and understand all the systems that are used to manage production. I am aware that most of the "you-ification" choices we make do not matter in the sequencing of production; the proper disparate parts are delivered to the production line based on production number and/or VIN.

Fascinating!

 

Midwest got their allocations today...I have a production number and is actually ahead of the Nov 11 date...looks like the 44th week (first week of november if i counted right). Trick after that is just getting on the boat!

My MA also shared with me a deal where if you test drive a MINI Coupe this weekend you get a $750 rebate on all MINI models if you take delivery by end of 2011. Not sure on the details yet, but might be worth looking into...

 

That's awesome! I'm in Texas, so hopefully we won't be too far behind. My MA called Saturday to tell me he'd be out of town this week, but apparently my order will go in automatically even if he's not there. But I won't find out my production number until he gets back if that happens.

He also told me about the Mini test drive event next weekend. He told me that our dealership at least only wants to give the rebate if the person has not yet ordered a Mini. So he put my CMS in my dad's name on the order, and told me to go to the event and then he'd change the order to my name and apply the rebate. I have to say, he has been awesome!

 

So frustrating....

I'm in NC, the MA at the dealer where I have "ordered" never responds to my emails, doesn't seem to know "when" an order can officially placed...

Called the next closest dealer, the MA there clearly didn't know what he was talking about, told me "we don't have any bench seat Countryman's here" then calls me back to tell me they can be "ordered" in November...

I just sent my MA another email asking him why other people seem to be getting order/production numbers and he can't seem to place the order yet....

Maybe I'll hear back from him in a couple of days....

 

Progress at last.

I went over my MA's head, spoke to the MINI dealership GM who is now my go to person.

Just like that I now have an "official" order and a Production number.

 

Anyone happen to have anymore info on that $750 rebate? I called my MA and he had no idea about any coupe rebate event. Is this a local dealer thing or an official MINI thing? I'd love to finagle a $750 rebate right before I take delivery!

 

I looked at the link my MA sent me and it goes to the dealership's website, not Mini's site. But supposedly the "Motortober," as they're calling it, event is going on all over the country at some point this month, and the rebate comes in as part of that. My dealership is giving out the rebate coupon just for showing up and registering, whether you actually test drive anything or not. And they're going to have all the models available to test drive, not just the Coupe.

 

AnnArrogance - Thanks for the response/info, much appreciated.

Hope my dealership jumps on board with Motortober!

 

If you go to the MINIUSA site there is a link that will show you all the dealers and what date they are celebrating the event.

I spoke to my MA about it today, and unlike a lot of their recent offers, the $750 rebate IS applicable to the Countryman. Good on ALL models.

 

Thank runningman.

Looked it up and the event for Hawaii isn't until 10/29, but I'm expecting my 2012 countryman 10/14. Talked to my MA and he said he would try to find out what the restrictions were for the $750. (fingers crossed!).

 

Whoo hoo! Got my production number today!!! My MA is out of town on vacation, but the Sales Manager put the order in for me. Thanks for pointing out the Motortober info on the web site. There's one in town later this month. Although they mention the new coupe, it looks like it applies to any MINI, and does not require a test drive (although that might be fun!).

 

Say how long after you got your production number did you get a production week/date?

 

Checked out the owners lounge yesterday to discover my MINI was listed as Light White (instead of Crystal Silver), but I confirmed it anyway. Then I noticed it had leather seats instead of leatherette (not complaining). As the Sales Manager promised, it was just not updated in the computer system from the defaults yet. Today it shows "my baby" as Crystal Silver. Whew!!! For awhile I thought I was going to have to get used to an albino MINI that ate a cow! :-) Not that there's anything wrong with that...

 

my dealer just got allocation yesterday for bench seat orders, locked in my order today in the system. Only SAll4 can be ordered (at least at my dealer) with rear bench at this time. I actually got to move from slot #2 to #1 because Mr. #1 wasn't ordering an SAll4. November production, but no date yet. I was even told I could get it before the holidays, but I know it will be January or February...

 

Ummmmmmm. This is NOT a requirement (or limitation) placed on the dealer by MINIUSA! Sounds like a little "profit engineering" on the part of your dealer. If you were already looking for an All4, then no harm, no foul. However, if you had to "buy-up" to the All4 in order to configure the bench, then I would suggest you cross-check with another dealer.

I have ordered a CM-S (no All4) with the bench seat and have a production number. If the All4 limitation was imposed by MINIUSA, I wouldn't have a production number.

I have no patience for dealer tactics like these! Of course, I have 7 MINI dealers within a two-hour drive from my house...

 

first i was told that the $750 moto-tober rebate was only good for in-stock cars, then after spending some time, the manager said that he would honor it and after several hours took an additional $1,250. so overall, i got $2,000 off of the msrp for a special order car. good deal or bad deal? your input?

 

I also have a production number, CM-S, bench seat.

This is no MINI directive on All4 bench seat production.

 

FYI - The bench seat S limitation was not just at the dealer mentioned above. I was told the same thing in Colorado last week. However, I got my production number for my CMS and bench order on Friday. I think it was just an allocation issue with dealers and Mini's way of spreading out the Mini goodness instead of only selling them to the largest dealers in the mega cities.

 

I wanted an All4, so the situation didn't matter to me.
Personally, I don't believe most of what dealers tell me anyways.

I'm only having seconds thoughts today on whether I should get sport suspension. I know it's something I can do aftermarket, but it would probably cost significantly more. I've read through all threads that come up in search, but I'm still in doubt!

 

Good to read that people are getting their production numbers. How long had it been since you placed the order? I just placed mine last weekend for an All4 with bench but have heard nothing from my MA. I'm acting like it's OK to be waiting, but in reality I can't wait for the car to arrive.
I just sent the MA an email but will call next week if no response.

 

I waited over a month for mine, but it really just depends on when the allocations in your region are available, and how many slots your dealer has to place orders. Bugging the MA might get you further up in line, but may just annoy them, too.

 

GAAAAAAAH! My MA SERIOUSLY needs to get back from vacation! He gets back the 12th. He told me before he left, though, that I was in the #1 slot for our dealership, so, fingers crossed, he should be contacting my with my production number when her gets back next week. But I'm DYING of suspense!

Of course, once I get my production number, I'm just going to go from checking this thread obsessively to see if Texas allocations are in to checking the Owner's Lounge obsessively to see if I have a production date!

 

I called my MA today after no response to second email. I got an email and a call back so I'm glad I contacted him by phone. He said the order was placed last week. He will call me back on Thursday to confirm the order number (I assume he means production number.) Thursday is the day the MINI store manager gets back.

I also asked him about the MotoTober rebate and he said he would work with the MINI store manager to get me the rebate. I am not holding my breath, but it would be nice to get extra $$$ off. Again, I will find out on Thursday.

Obviously, I can't wait for Thursday. I really hope my car is on the way to being built. It would be great to have it before the big snow storms hit. I was supposed to drive from SF to Reno yesterday but delayed 24 hours due to rain storm and possible snow in the Sierras. I am glad I did because there was already some plowed snow on the side of the highway during today's drive up the mountain. The 650i is a great car but it's simply useless in the white stuff.

 

My MA got back from vacation today and sent me an email with my production number for my bench-seat CMS! He said my order went in last Tuesday while he was out of town (I'm in Texas). I'm so excited! Now off to register on the Owner's Lounge!

 

Congrats!