Since I will be taking this job in England I ran into a problem with my order.
I did not get the $100 upgrade for rear fog lights that are required in England.
My dealer left a message for me today telling me they can't do it when I asked if they can install the rear fog lights when the car comes in because of the complicated process. My car is in the final assembly phase.

I don't know what this means in terms of a new order, losing the $1000 deposit or what. I have to take this job in England because its a great offer and I rather buy the car in the states than in england because of the weak dollar.

Am I pretty much hosed in terms of the deposit and having to reorder???

 

why is it a hard process for the dealer to install a rear fog light????

 

Not sure about your dealer - Mine allowed me to cancel my order and place another just because I wanted to change the interior - If you have a good working relationship - it's a NON Issue - However, since he is the ONLY dealer in your state - may be different... My very first visit to my dealer EB Mini, CA - there was a husband/wife in there picking up their PW/S MINI - they had lugage / we talked / they were from WA - I ask Why by in Ca and not WA - 8 month wait + over MSRP in WA (this was Aug) and 8 week in CA and NO over charge - they flew to CA - Dealer 25 min from Oakland Airport - then drove back home - made a long weekend out of it...

 

from what ive heard its not cheap or easy... something about the whole center stack has to be replaced for one with the toggle, then of course plop in the fogs in the rear.

 

I think when you opt out of the $100 option when you build your car it never gave me the impression that it would require yanking out the dash and 3 days of labor if you decided to have that option done later at the dealer.

 

If you are able to cancel your order, you may be able to get a Mini here: http://www.pentagoncarsales.com/
I'm not 100% sure they will sell to gov contractors but they do sell to DOD civilians stationed OCONUS.
The vehicle sales are tax free so you end up paying less than you would in the US.

 

The window controls, DSC, and fog light controls on the R56 are all part of the IHKA control unit (climate control). To get a rear fog light switch, you need to replace this part which is very expensive and will require taking the dash apart.

It can be done, but it is $$$$

 

Yes, they sell to any ID card holder. I am a contractor that purchased from them.

 

If you will be using the car in England, then of course you would want to have a UK-market righthand drive model. Even if the British authorities would allow you to register and drive an imported lefthand drive US-market model (not assured), it is both awkward and dangerous to operate a left-hand drive car while driving on the left. Righthand drive is far safer.

Sell the righthand drive MINI before you return to the US and then buy a US-market lefthand drive model.

 

I'll just reorder if I can. I won't ship the car over until I get settled and get used to the left side of the highway. No rush.

 

I drive a right-hand drive Mini in America and it isn't awkward too much. Some turns are kinda weird but you get used to it and the turn signal is on the other side of the steering wheel.