My '04 Passat was pretty dang accurate. I built this massive comparison spreadsheet when I was car shopping which compared new vs used, expected life of the car, cost per year, financing & payments, etc. It was pretty comprehensive as well as estimated fuel costs. Given this I used actual numbers on my Passat vs. the trip computer.

If there's a file sharing area on the forum, I'd be willing to post the tool I built. Or maybe Dropbox...

I'm doing a road trip in my CM today starting from a full tank--so I should be able to get a good read. I'll report back on this as I am curious as to the accuracy.

 

So as I mentioned, I did a little CM road trip this weekend and wanted to test actual MPG vs. the Trip Computer MPG. Here are the results.

Trip Computer says: 34.2 MPG

Miles Driven: 310.4
Gals. at fill-up: 9.366

So 310.4 / 9.366 = 33.14 Actual MPG.

The Trip Computer overstated MPG by ~1 on this trip.

 

I'd love to see the tool if you've still got it. I'm a little OCD about financial and automotive decisions, this is right up my alley!

 

That's not bad at all!

 

Little up date on Ol' Blue (Temp Name)
ORDERED 7/16/12.
PRODUCTION NUMBER 7/16/12. (took a dealer spot)
PRODUCTION STARTED 7/19/12 according to Mini 800 number although originally
VIN 7/19/2012
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE 7/25/12
PAINT SHOP 7/24/12
FINAL ASSEMBLY 7/25/12
BORN:
AWAITING TRANSPORT:
AT PORT
SET SAIL
AT ARRIVAL PORT
AT VDC
ON TRUCK
AT DEALER
PICKED UP
Dealer estimated Early to Mid September.

I am excited cause the little guy is being build on a Tuesday through Thursday. You always hear the saying don't buy cars that were made on Monday or Friday. Could be completely false but I know personally those two days are the worst in the week. Monday, enough said and Friday just want to start my weekend.

 

If they hurry you might be on the ship leaving on 7/30. Wife's MINI CM has been waiting patiently since 7/10 for a ride. Hoping hers is on the 7/30 ship. Ordered ours in Portland also - Get to break it in on the ride (for me) home.

 

Wow that's a long wait for a boat! Hopefully my car can get there in time. Who knows though. I do know the factory will be stopping production in a week or so for 2 weeks to set up the line for the 2013s. Glad I didn't wait too long to order it up.

 

mine made the Toledo. Due in Jersey City harbor Aug 2.

 

Looks like my All4 is at the dealer today (ordered it May 30). Too bad I'm stuck across the pond for another 6+ weeks, but at least I know my car will be there waiting for me when I get home!

 

This information might have been released already but thought I would share some insight on Carriers.

If you follow this link: http://kis.dbh.de/index.php?id=577 it will take you to DBH logistics. Enter in your port of arrival and some dates and search. you will see a list of boats leaving Bremerhaven and there ETA to your location. Currently if you sitting in port your MINI should be on the MIGNON, that leaves the 30th. If not hopefully you will be on the next boat the OBERON that is estimated to leave the 8th.

My CMS is all done as of yesterday and is awaiting transport to the port. I did a google maps and it says it takes about 11 - 12 hours to get from the factory to the port. I might get lucky and get my MINI on the MIGNON if not only got about a week to wait at the port.

 

Hello All. I've really enjoyed reading all the posts in this thread! All the information has been incredibly helpful and I'm looking forward to using all these tips in tracking my CM. My baby was ordered 7/24/12 so I have a long wait ahead of me. At least if you have to wait, you might as well have fun tracking it. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

ORDERED 07/24/2012
PRODUCTION NUMBER 07/24/2012
SCHEDULED FOR PRODUCTION 7/26/12
VIN ????
PRODUCTION STARTED 8/1/12
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE 8/23/12
BODY SHOP ????
PAINT SHOP ????
FINAL ASSEMBLY ????
BORN ????
AWAITING TRANSPORT ????
AT PORT ????
SET SAIL ????
AT ARRIVAL PORT ????
AT VDC ????
ON TRUCK ????
AT DEALER ????
PICKED UP ????

 

Put order in for 2012 R60 Countryman S on Saturday, July 21st. I know it takes 8 weeks, but do you know when the plant shutdown is? Is it too early to find out about production? I have Production Number.

 

Answered my own question. Called ASK MINI. You would think after having 2 other MINI'S built I would remember. Oh well.

 

I'm so frustrated. On Friday my baby was "in production" with estimated completion August 3rd. Then I called over the weekend and it said it was back to "scheduled for production". Today I called Ask Mini and talked to a human and they said they really had no info other than it is "scheduled for production". Ugh!

 

Alright, my CMS has rounded the horn, now through the Panama Canal. Should be at the port next week and in Portland the following week. Anyone else close? Am I the last recipient of a 2012 in the country?

 

What do you mean plant shutdown? I'm wondering because today I found out that my car is in production but will not be complete until August 23rd. From what I've heard it usually only takes 8-10 days to build so I can't figure out why mine is taking twice that amount of time to be completed. I'm so frustrated.

ORDERED 07/24/2012
PRODUCTION NUMBER 07/24/2012
SCHEDULED FOR PRODUCTION 7/26/12
VIN 8/1/12
PRODUCTION STARTED 8/1/12
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE 8/23/12
BODY SHOP ????
PAINT SHOP ????
FINAL ASSEMBLY ????
BORN ????
AWAITING TRANSPORT ????
AT PORT ????
SET SAIL ????
AT ARRIVAL PORT ????
AT VDC ????
ON TRUCK ????
AT DEALER ????
PICKED UP ????

 

The Graz factory takes a two week holiday every year during August. I'm not certain but I thought they retooled for the 2013 model year at the same time. Is yours showing as a '13?

 

Ahhhh, the European lifestyle. They're all on vacation at the beach. Fond memories of when I was growing up in France spending the whole month of August on the Riviera.

 

No it still says 2012 on Mini Owners Lounge. I wish it was a 2013 because I'd rather have the Bluetooth/Ipod option instead of Sirius. Man can't they finish my car before they go on holiday???? Thanks for the info!

 

I am still waiting on one to be delivered through Portland, OR. Could be on the same ship as yours, or on the MIGNON - can't seem to find out. Just know that it was at the Port in Bremerhaven on July 16.

 

I would order a new car with a 2 week shutdown coming up, looks like I'm in the same boat. Its pretty common for auto plants to take at least a week shutdown during the summer, I'm just used to the plants in the US who almost always take it around 4th of July.

I guess I will just have to suck it up and wait....

ORDERED 07/30/2012
PRODUCTION NUMBER 07/30/2012
SCHEDULED FOR PRODUCTION 7/31/12
VIN 8/1/12
PRODUCTION STARTED 8/1/12
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE 8/22/12
BODY SHOP ????
PAINT SHOP ????
FINAL ASSEMBLY ????
BORN ????
AWAITING TRANSPORT ????
AT PORT ????
SET SAIL ????
AT ARRIVAL PORT ????
AT VDC ????
ON TRUCK ????
AT DEALER ????
PICKED UP ????

 

Just got an update and Brutus should be here this weekend!

ORDERED 06/14/2012
PRODUCTION NUMBER 06/15/2012
VIN 06/15/2012
PRODUCTION STARTED 6/16/2012
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE ????
BODY SHOP 6/27/12
PAINT SHOP ????
FINAL ASSEMBLY 06/28/12
BORN ????
AWAITING TRANSPORT 7/04/12
AT PORT 7/04/2012
SET SAIL ??????
AT ARRIVAL PORT ??????
AT VDC 7/26/12
ON TRUCK ??????
AT DEALER 8/3/12????
PICKED UP ??????

 

ORDERED 7/16/12.
PRODUCTION NUMBER 7/16/12. (took a dealer spot)
PRODUCTION STARTED 7/19/12 (owner's lounge update)
VIN 7/19/2012
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE ???
PAINT SHOP ???
FINAL ASSEMBLY 7/23
BORN: 7/23
AWAITING TRANSPORT: 7/24
AT PORT: 7/24
SET SAIL
AT ARRIVAL PORT
AT VDC
ON TRUCK
AT DEALER
PICKED UP

I think this is mostly right. I took a dealer spot for the order, and it was produced quickly. However, it's been waiting at the port for a while now. I had hoped it was going to make it on a previous ship. Looks like, just by guessing, it will make it on the TAIKO on the 3rd of August. Probably looking at getting it at the very end of the month...this is taking too long.

 

Goodness we are in the same predicament! We'll at least our babies might be traveling to Bremerhaven together. This is going to be a very long wait!!! Which port will yours be coming in to?

 

Im not real sure, final destination will be Memphis, TN so I am assuming it will be the georgia port