Week 23 2008 Support Group
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 161
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My mini finally arrived. I picked it up at 9:30 this morning. I don't have pictures of it yet. We drove it around all afternoon and I am about to leave to cover the IRL race at Nashville Super-speedway. I think I will take it out for pictures tomorrow morning.
they're transparent, not solid white/black like regular stripes.
Congratz!
Congratz!
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 793
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On behalf of the members of Production Week 23, 2008
Delivery #30
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
On behalf of the members of Production Week 23, 2008
Delivery #31
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
On behalf of the members of Production Week 23, 2008
Delivery #32
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
We are home
Busy day.
T-Ball at 10:30, drive to CarMax to unload the Highlander, walk over to MINI of Sterling to take delivery, drive to the grocery store for some fresh salad fixings and final home.
No classy reveal, the car was parked on the sidewalk, just outside the dealers door. Crowds of people. Spent a lot of time answering questions from people looking. More than one red face when they realized that I was the car's owner, not a salesperson.
Tow hook plugs are missing - due out from the dealer. Got mats, cargo-net, a full tank of gas and collapsible box.
I will edit in photos after I figure out how to upload them.
Right now I need to award myself some wings...
T-Ball at 10:30, drive to CarMax to unload the Highlander, walk over to MINI of Sterling to take delivery, drive to the grocery store for some fresh salad fixings and final home.
No classy reveal, the car was parked on the sidewalk, just outside the dealers door. Crowds of people. Spent a lot of time answering questions from people looking. More than one red face when they realized that I was the car's owner, not a salesperson.
Tow hook plugs are missing - due out from the dealer. Got mats, cargo-net, a full tank of gas and collapsible box.
I will edit in photos after I figure out how to upload them.
Right now I need to award myself some wings...
On behalf of the members of Production Week 23, 2008
Delivery #33
Last edited by OWG; Jul 15, 2008 at 06:55 AM. Reason: Add Photos
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Moscow, ID & Northbrook, IL
Congratulations, OWG! And thank you for maintaining the W23 membership list.
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
AAAAAARG!
Can you believe THIS??
Ok, so it isnt that bad, but it illustrates how "outside the loop" we are, buying our mini through military car sales, NOT from a proper Mini dealer.
As you might know, we don't Have an MA. We dont even have a MINI dealership. (for better or worse!)
Pentagon car sales works with BMW Italia to sell Minis in Italy to US servicemembers.
So, this morning, our Pentagon car sales guy was supposed to meet Matt at 8:30am to drive to the BMW Caserta (thats a city nearby) office to SEE THE MINI.
You might recall we don't get possession/ inspection/ paperwork until Mon July 21, but the Pentagon car sales guy knows I am ALL ABOUT this Mini, and Im sad and left out because we dont get to check online at either of the Mini Owners Lounge sites- not mini.co.uk not miniusa.com. NEITHER of these have our records. So, the entire time I cannot follow the minutia details of production, delivery, etc etc.
So, this morning was supposed to be special- sorta like what some of us week 23ers have been lucky enuf to do-- before pick up, go see the car, just for a visit.
The guy slept in.
Yep.
there's Matt, 8:30 am on a Saturday, sitting in front of Pentagon Car Sales in Grecignano, Italy, waiting til 9:40am for nothing.
Now, we live in the land of fresh espresso and cappuccino, so it helps that the quality of caffeine is high, but SERIOUSLY, COME ON.
Don't we deserve the same customer care and special feelings that buyers in the US and european buyers in Europe enjoy?
I cant belive he slept in.
So, on the 21st it will be
More Special 
because there's no peeking.
I don't think Im being unreasonable that if you make an appointment, you should keep it. He did apologize, and in the grand scheme, its all okay, but I wanted Matt to be able to peek at his new MINI!
Ciao....
Can you believe THIS??
Ok, so it isnt that bad, but it illustrates how "outside the loop" we are, buying our mini through military car sales, NOT from a proper Mini dealer.
As you might know, we don't Have an MA. We dont even have a MINI dealership. (for better or worse!)
Pentagon car sales works with BMW Italia to sell Minis in Italy to US servicemembers.
So, this morning, our Pentagon car sales guy was supposed to meet Matt at 8:30am to drive to the BMW Caserta (thats a city nearby) office to SEE THE MINI.
You might recall we don't get possession/ inspection/ paperwork until Mon July 21, but the Pentagon car sales guy knows I am ALL ABOUT this Mini, and Im sad and left out because we dont get to check online at either of the Mini Owners Lounge sites- not mini.co.uk not miniusa.com. NEITHER of these have our records. So, the entire time I cannot follow the minutia details of production, delivery, etc etc.
So, this morning was supposed to be special- sorta like what some of us week 23ers have been lucky enuf to do-- before pick up, go see the car, just for a visit.
The guy slept in.
Yep.
there's Matt, 8:30 am on a Saturday, sitting in front of Pentagon Car Sales in Grecignano, Italy, waiting til 9:40am for nothing.
Now, we live in the land of fresh espresso and cappuccino, so it helps that the quality of caffeine is high, but SERIOUSLY, COME ON.
Don't we deserve the same customer care and special feelings that buyers in the US and european buyers in Europe enjoy?
I cant belive he slept in.
So, on the 21st it will be
More Special because there's no peeking.I don't think Im being unreasonable that if you make an appointment, you should keep it. He did apologize, and in the grand scheme, its all okay, but I wanted Matt to be able to peek at his new MINI!
Ciao....
That said, the better half's '85 VW Cabrio was a Pentagon sales product and brought much joy into our lives.
I am in!
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
I really like the B&W "Week 23 '08" badge thats in Tweecky's signature file.
Might we vote to see who likes which, and if anyone is interested in whichever badge we decide, I volunteer to spearhead the effort to purchase and send out badges. Paypal first, badge in the mail second. Just like on ebay...except with WEEK 23 badges. I only have access to US Post, though, being overseas on a base. So, the mail would take some time...
Any thoughts?
Might we vote to see who likes which, and if anyone is interested in whichever badge we decide, I volunteer to spearhead the effort to purchase and send out badges. Paypal first, badge in the mail second. Just like on ebay...except with WEEK 23 badges. I only have access to US Post, though, being overseas on a base. So, the mail would take some time...
Any thoughts?
I Vote with Euseys. B&W&R "Week 23 '08"
Just took delivery of my MCS at about noon today arizona time. I have put about a hundred miles on her so far. My son and I had a very nice ride up south mountain today for anyone in the phoenix area. Here are a few pics.
Covered waiting for the reveal.
Uncovered. The delivery of my new baby
Hopefully I will have some better pics tomorrow...Out to the garage now for a wash and to start the Zaino process. It may be an all nighter.
On a side note the first Mini I saw on the way home saw me in his rear view and slowed down to give me a wave. Looked like justacooper with a full rollcage inside and the license plate "UK SUV". Love it.
Covered waiting for the reveal.
Uncovered. The delivery of my new baby
Hopefully I will have some better pics tomorrow...Out to the garage now for a wash and to start the Zaino process. It may be an all nighter.
On a side note the first Mini I saw on the way home saw me in his rear view and slowed down to give me a wave. Looked like justacooper with a full rollcage inside and the license plate "UK SUV". Love it.
Last edited by phxsteele; Jul 12, 2008 at 06:28 PM.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: SNA, CA
No classy reveal, the car was parked on the sidewalk, just outside the dealers door. Crowds of people. Spent a lot of time answering questions from people looking. More than one red face when they realized that I was the car's owner, not a salesperson.
They were probably impressed with how you answered all their questions, who knows, you might've actually convinced them to get one too!Oh, btw, I'm IN with the badge idea. But what'sthe "R" on the "B&W&R "Week 23 '08" ?
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
I'm in for whatever badge you all decide. Been out motoring all week whenever possible. Friday, decided to take 3 of my staff for lunch. 1 guy is 6' 2" and all he could say was that he had more room in Maggy than in his car. Two ladies in the back were very comfortable. We almost didn't make it back from lunch!
Nearly 900 miles on Mags so far. The more I drive, the more I appreciate these great cars. We're off next weekend to Ontario and upstate New York. Got my Red Oxx yellow luggage which fits perfectly in the boot. Poodle is all set with the back seat and we are looking forward to a great drive. Hopefully, I'll be able to hit that sport button before the end of the trip.
Banana Gloss hasn't arrived yet, so tomorrow is just a wash. I have to say that the Slick is the most amazing stuff. First, it prevents buggies from sticking to the bonnet. If there are some determined bugs + then I spray on , wait a few minutes and rinse and the nasty buggies fall off!
Love everyone's cars. Dances, sure glad you got Ziggy before your trip. Starry, I hope your baby arrives soon.
Nearly 900 miles on Mags so far. The more I drive, the more I appreciate these great cars. We're off next weekend to Ontario and upstate New York. Got my Red Oxx yellow luggage which fits perfectly in the boot. Poodle is all set with the back seat and we are looking forward to a great drive. Hopefully, I'll be able to hit that sport button before the end of the trip.
Banana Gloss hasn't arrived yet, so tomorrow is just a wash. I have to say that the Slick is the most amazing stuff. First, it prevents buggies from sticking to the bonnet. If there are some determined bugs + then I spray on , wait a few minutes and rinse and the nasty buggies fall off!
Love everyone's cars. Dances, sure glad you got Ziggy before your trip. Starry, I hope your baby arrives soon.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 1
From: Champaign, IL
Amazing how slow...
...the owner's lounge is in getting updated. It's now 10 days and counting that I've had Waldo home, and my OL is still showing "At Distribution Center"!
Sure glad I didn't have to rely on it through the wait!
Sure glad I didn't have to rely on it through the wait!
4th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: SNA, CA
I NEED TO VENT..!!
I'm not really happy right now. I was supposed to get PeeWee today but every thing went wrong.
Before I went to bed earlier this morning [I work nights], I asked my brother to wake me up once the Cashier's Check arrives. Woke up at 3pm and there's no Fed-Exed check. I called PenFed and the lady on the other line told me the reason was they needed to clarify if they were going to issue the whole amount to me, I told her that I already specified the exact amount I needed when I called the day before that's why I asked it to be Fed-Exed. Now she said I would get it by Tuesday morning! I ws so upset because they didn't even try to contact me! I wouldn't have known if I hadn't called! The lady was very apologetic though so I just thanked her and hung up.
Now my next frustration was this. Since I was in a hurry last Thursday and I needed to get to LA for a prior engagement, I thought I had everything settled with the Finance Manager before I left. Signed everything and was agreed that I would go with PenFed. I signed the "option contract" though. Now my MA explained it to me via e-mail that he thought I would be going home with PeeWee that day and I should be okay since I have five days to come in with my own money. But given that I was in a hurry, I told him I'll just come back and wasn't able to think about it until my brother pointed out that since the "option contract" was there, I have to call the dealership today and tell them that I'm going in for delivery.
So I called my MA at 4pm and was told he's with a client so I asked to speak with the Finance Manager who told me I that it was up to the manager if I can do that. So I spoke with the Manager and at first he told me they couldn't do that because they have no "option contract" and the funds yet and I pointed it out to him that I signed it already. So he tells me he'll call back at 4:30 as he needed to speak with the F.M. 4:30 came and no call. I called back 15mins after the promised call and was told he was out of his office. Finally at 5 he called and I was basically given the run-around, from him to the F.M. to my MA to the F.M. again and then him and so on... I forgot how many calls I've made because they weren't returning mine! Finally, after everything was decided that indeed I can get PeeWee, he tells me I can pick-up tomorrow. I wanted to get him now but he told me they're getting ready for closing since it's 6:15pm already and they close at 7. I told him I'm just 5mins away and I don't need the whole instructions because my MA already did last Thursday. And he said I have to make an appointment with my MA [who was with a client all that time] because he didn't know what the set-up was with us.
Closing time came and no word from MA even after I left him a voicemail. Got an e-mail from him an hour ago and he said he's letting the other MA know where my keys are and to go over everything with me because he's off tomorrow!
How long does it have to take for one person to speak with another in the same place and clear everything up?? It's not like they're from coast to coast or anything!! And it took them more than 2hrs?!? Everything was fine with my dealership until this very last part!! They've had PeeWee for the past 2 days knowing I could've brought him home already.
I am very unhappy right now.. sorry for the looooong post. But as I said in my subject title, I needed to vent. And where else can I go and do that but here with my awesome Week 23 support peeps..
Before I went to bed earlier this morning [I work nights], I asked my brother to wake me up once the Cashier's Check arrives. Woke up at 3pm and there's no Fed-Exed check. I called PenFed and the lady on the other line told me the reason was they needed to clarify if they were going to issue the whole amount to me, I told her that I already specified the exact amount I needed when I called the day before that's why I asked it to be Fed-Exed. Now she said I would get it by Tuesday morning! I ws so upset because they didn't even try to contact me! I wouldn't have known if I hadn't called! The lady was very apologetic though so I just thanked her and hung up.
Now my next frustration was this. Since I was in a hurry last Thursday and I needed to get to LA for a prior engagement, I thought I had everything settled with the Finance Manager before I left. Signed everything and was agreed that I would go with PenFed. I signed the "option contract" though. Now my MA explained it to me via e-mail that he thought I would be going home with PeeWee that day and I should be okay since I have five days to come in with my own money. But given that I was in a hurry, I told him I'll just come back and wasn't able to think about it until my brother pointed out that since the "option contract" was there, I have to call the dealership today and tell them that I'm going in for delivery.
So I called my MA at 4pm and was told he's with a client so I asked to speak with the Finance Manager who told me I that it was up to the manager if I can do that. So I spoke with the Manager and at first he told me they couldn't do that because they have no "option contract" and the funds yet and I pointed it out to him that I signed it already. So he tells me he'll call back at 4:30 as he needed to speak with the F.M. 4:30 came and no call. I called back 15mins after the promised call and was told he was out of his office. Finally at 5 he called and I was basically given the run-around, from him to the F.M. to my MA to the F.M. again and then him and so on... I forgot how many calls I've made because they weren't returning mine! Finally, after everything was decided that indeed I can get PeeWee, he tells me I can pick-up tomorrow. I wanted to get him now but he told me they're getting ready for closing since it's 6:15pm already and they close at 7. I told him I'm just 5mins away and I don't need the whole instructions because my MA already did last Thursday. And he said I have to make an appointment with my MA [who was with a client all that time] because he didn't know what the set-up was with us.
Closing time came and no word from MA even after I left him a voicemail. Got an e-mail from him an hour ago and he said he's letting the other MA know where my keys are and to go over everything with me because he's off tomorrow!
How long does it have to take for one person to speak with another in the same place and clear everything up?? It's not like they're from coast to coast or anything!! And it took them more than 2hrs?!? Everything was fine with my dealership until this very last part!! They've had PeeWee for the past 2 days knowing I could've brought him home already.
I am very unhappy right now.. sorry for the looooong post. But as I said in my subject title, I needed to vent. And where else can I go and do that but here with my awesome Week 23 support peeps..
Last edited by Tweeckey; Jul 12, 2008 at 08:38 PM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
It's great to see so many week 24er's getting our cars. I spent a lot of time over in week 23 because so many of them were on the Asian Chorus, too. The week 24 thread was very quiet for a while as so many of us were in limbo. I write this post from the Napa Valley where my wife and I had planned to come for the weekend some time back. My highest hope was to be able to drive my Clubman here. I did so today with great satisfaction. I can't tell what's got me floating on air at the moment. Is it the lingering effect of finally getting to drive my car; the massage I had this afternoon; the dinner, wine, and Scotch; or is it being in love? I guess it really doesn't matter, but it must be love.
It's great to see so many week 24er's getting our cars. I spent a lot of time over in week 23 because so many of them were on the Asian Chorus, too. The week 24 thread was very quiet for a while as so many of us were in limbo. I write this post from the Napa Valley where my wife and I had planned to come for the weekend some time back. My highest hope was to be able to drive my Clubman here. I did so today with great satisfaction. I can't tell what's got me floating on air at the moment. Is it the lingering effect of finally getting to drive my car; the massage I had this afternoon; the dinner, wine, and Scotch; or is it being in love? I guess it really doesn't matter, but it must be love.
Sounds like a happy ending. And I am not talking about the massage
I'm not really happy right now. I was supposed to get PeeWee today but every thing went wrong.
<snip>
I am very unhappy right now.. sorry for the looooong post. But as I said in my subject title, I needed to vent. And where else can I go and do that but here with my awesome Week 23 support peeps..
<snip>
I am very unhappy right now.. sorry for the looooong post. But as I said in my subject title, I needed to vent. And where else can I go and do that but here with my awesome Week 23 support peeps..
You'll get PeeWee soon, and the journey will finally begin.
I believe the R in B&W&R is red, for the red border.
--
Congrats to sgregg67, proximal, bumgartnern, phxsteele and especially OWC (thanks for keeping up the list and awarding everyones wings)
Last edited by krim; Jul 13, 2008 at 08:19 AM. Reason: name correction
oh yeah... i love this car even more. I went to my po box earlier in the evening, and these two girls get out of a IS300 walk over to the atm across the street, and when im done getting my mail, they walk over to me (cash in hand ) and ask me for a ride in my cute car. I say sure, and they give me their #s because they're late meeting friends at a club and ask me to call them later in the week.
) and ask me for a ride in my cute car. I say sure, and they give me their #s because they're late meeting friends at a club and ask me to call them later in the week.