A couple folks suggested I visit the MINI plant in Oxford and I just happened to email them out of curiousity. I didn't actually think that I'd be able to attend. The tour lasted about 2 hrs 45 minutes including a dvd on how they paint the cars. I believe that this is the only tour of how the MINI's are assembled, but I don't know. When I emailed the plant they said it's best to make arrangements months and months in advance to make sure that there is plenty of space available.

You should definately hit up England anyways. It's a beautiful country with a lot of interesting history behind it and amazing sceneries and buildings. The MINI Plant is just an added bonus of going there.

 

What was the e-mail address you e-mailed?? I need to try to get on this tour in the next couple of weeks and can't find out who I need to talk to.

Thanks!!

 

Jay Hernly, Chris Kaminsky (Hot Wheels MINI), Mike Angier (JCW MINI S) and I went on the hallowed factory tour last year. We rented two MINI Coopers from MINI Rentals in Winchester and used GPS mapping and some local help to drive the twisty routes through central England to visit the factory at Oxford, Stratford on Avon, Stonehenge, and of course Mike A's favorite spot, the Cooperworks Garage! A highly recommended trip. The MINI factory at Oxford is an amazing feat of engineering, and our tour guides were great. (One of them had worked at the factory for 40 years)

Have fun, and don't forget to go shopping in the factory store!