After waiting two weeks since build date, and 6 weeks from ordering, my new toy is finally on a ship headed across the big pond. It's been amazing to be able to track ships and review schedules to know exactly when my car is at any time. It all has been made possible by the great information that is on this website. I want to thank everyone who helped build this information resource. I think I would have gone mad waiting without access to the information here.
Anyone else have a future new toy on this ship? It's scheduled to arrive in Baltimore on the 30th, and I was wondering how long it usually takes to get vehicles from the port, thru the dealer, and into my garage. These last two weeks waiting have been brutal.

Soon to join the Surf Blue society of America....

Thanks again,

Mark

 

Congratulations! Another major landmark in the process. Mine has long since landed and is happy at home now. You, however, are in for many sleepless nights and fist-shaking at the computer while screaming "Why haven't you moved in 12 hours??!!". Enjoy the journey - it's worth it.

 

So, since you've already done most of the work, how can I track my new toy?

 

HERE

Owner's Lounge also has lots of videos to watch and a copy of the Owner's Manual. Give you something to do while you wait.

 

MINIFIDE,

The best way to start is to look for the posting on this site that outlines tracking options. Search for 'ship tracking', and you will find it. It gives most of the tools needed to see exactly where your car stands in the production process.

1.) The Owners Lounge will get you access to the VIN#, once your car is built. The Lounge is NOT very up to date, so you may want to call the MINI help number (866-275-6464) to get more detailled info. It might take two weeks to go from scheduled, to awaiting transport, so be prepared to wait...
2.) Once your car is built, use the shipping schedules listed for both shippers (websites are listed on the posting you searched for) to identify ships that are arriving at Bremmerhaven about a week after your build date, and are sailing to your port of entry. You may have to call your MA to find out which port your car is scheduled to arrive in. In my case, there were 3 ships in that timeframe going to Baltimore.
3.) Use the marine tracking website (http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/) to get a real-time plot of the shipping traffic. Use the search function to locate the ships that are of interest, and have them displayed on the map. You will then be able to know exactly when the ships of interest are docked in Bremerhaven. You will also see their scheduled stops along the way. If a ship doesn't go to the port you are scheduled to arrive at, it will not be the one loading your vehicle.
4.) Once you are at the dock, awaiting transport, use the WWL shipping site https://att.2wglobal.com/gstattweb/ to search for your VIN# in the cargo ID section. Enter the first 8 numbers (WMWZC5C5) if you want to see a long string of vehicles being shipped. Entering your full VIN# will not show any results until your car is actually on a vessel, BUT entering part of the string will give you an idea of the VIN#'s being loaded. I was able to see cars being loaded on the previous ship that were within 50 of my vehicle, so I knew it was getting close. I'm not sure how to do the same search if your car is loaded on K-Line, so your on your own there. With K-Line, you can see the ships schedule, and see them dock, and leave, but I don't know how to see what vehicles are on the vessel.
5.) Eventually, a ship will dock, and your car will be loaded. The WWL website will allow you to see ALL the other cars on your ship. I have a list of all the friends my new car (yet to be named) is making on the voyage.

That's as far as I have gone. Now, the waiting game moves into the final stage.

Good luck tracking your car. It's kind of fun seeing the transition. I just wish it didn't take so long.

Mark

 

Interesting...

The WWL tracking system shows my VIN as being loaded on the Independence. The ship has already left port yesterday, and arrived at Southampton today. They are already loading more vehicles on the car. Yet, MINI has no record of it, and I still get the same 'waiting for transport' from both the website, and the phone system.

I think MINI is the last ones to know when the vehicle is actually on the vessel.

Oh well... at least the ship has reached it's 1st stop on the journey, and is picking up some more friends along the way.

Mark

 

No panic attacks since 7:08 this morning? No Posts? You're doing better than I did.

 

No panic attacks, but I can tell exactly where the ship is as I write this... Sitting at the dock in Southampton. Once it gets to mid-ocean, and there is nothing to report, then the panic will begin...

Mark

 

Well, the Independence2 is entering the Celtic Sea, ready to make the big jump across the pond. I'm about to lose the ability to track her, so the panic attacks are about to begin. I've decided to go on a golf outing for a few days, so I will not have access to a computer, and this should stop the constant urges to see where my new car is on it's journey.
The car now has a name... Blue Bomber. Odd name, but being Surf Blue with black trim kind of fits.

Interesting that the Owner's Lounge has just now changed my status from awaiting transport, to enroute. The vessel left Bremmerhaven almost 3 days ago, and the system has just now caught up.

Time to go golfing, and forget about the car for a few days... right, like that.s going to happen...

Mark

 

It's been 5 days since I last reported on the journey of the Independence2. 5 days without any updates on where my Blue Bomber is. I AM going nuts waiting. HOWEVER...

I did get a call from the dealer today telling me they expect the car to be in Baltimore on the 30th, and they will be able to deliver it to me on the 5th of June. They want to fill out the paperwork before the end of May because of some sales target they have for the month of May. They offered to give me a $100 Spa pass, and $100 off of any MINI accesories if I can sign on the dotted line before May 31st. Should I sign before seeing the car??

They did give me an EXCELLENT deal. The car MSRP was $34,950 and I am paying $33,640. About a $1,310 discount, which I thought was great for a special order car. Since they went the extra mile on the price, I figured I would help them meet whatever quota they were trying to hit for May. Any thoughts?

Mark

 

Hopefully your delivery goes smoother than mine! My car was on the Toledo, arrived in port on May 18th and still no sign of it at the dealer. Owner's Lounge estimated delivery date moved from 5/25 to 6/3 yesterday :( It's a west coast delivery though, so maybe things move faster on your side.

I'd be hesitant to sign on the dotted line before seeing the car (what happens if something's not quite right)? But I guess if you trust your dealer to take care of you...

 

Just checking if anyone else is on the current voyage of the Independece II due in Baltimore April - 10- 2012

 

So really? Am I the only one on the Independence II ?

 

Looks like we are one day away! Woohoo!!! It's been a long journey.

 

Any word on our delivery?