I was at a dealer yesterday for a second test drive. I am very interested in going Mini for the first time. Two of the things that appeal to me most about the car is the option to get the roof in black or white and the upgraded Harmon Kardon stereo. I was told that they are not accepting ANY new orders with these options. Some customers were called this week to let them know that their orders were getting purged from the system for the time being.

This is a very odd approach by a manufacturer. Why wouldn't you just extend the delivery window from 6-8 weeks and increase it to 10-12 weeks for cars with those options? Why would you not take orders from people who are willing to buy the car and wait a little longer and willing to put their deposits down? I don't get it. I love the car but never heard of anything like this before.

 

I have to agree with you. Perhaps you should talk to another MINI dealer to see if what you were told is 100% true. I would be a bit shocked if it is. That might push some customers to other models/cars.

 

They said it was a memo sent directly from Mini USA to all dealers. I'm not quite ready to make a final decision so I won't be calling around to other dealers. I just found it strange to hear that they are refusing deposits on cars with these options.

 

Oh man. I hope my car doesn't get delayed. The hotline says it will be completed next week (13th).
I have both black roof and Harmon kardon....*crosses fingers*

 

I certainly second the idea of checking other dealers around you (when you decide to move forward). your dealer may have received a memo but this could also simply be a factor for how many "spots" your dealer has chosen to make available to custom orders. Each dealer only has so many new car orders they can place each month for the various models. Yours may be more focused on allotting their F56 slots for "lot" cars that people can just come in and buy.

 

Just to clarify my comment. I think the only orders that were purged were ones that hadn't entered into production yet.

 

You are exactly right. I was worried if I had to re-order another car after my accident and was told they could simply use a spot for an upcoming car in their system heading for production.

 

Exactly. I ordered my MCS F56 on April 28, MA told me today that it will enter production on May 19.
I ordered contrasting roof, HK, and she actually hand wrote it on my order . My car actually took one of the dealers spots.
Still hard to calm my anxiety, but she assured me not to worry.

 

Which is a lot of us here. Mine was ordered April 12th and has not yet entered production, but so far as I can tell it hasn't been purged. My production number still works for tracking, and still says 'On Order' there.

 

Nobody really knows what the exact deal is here, not even the dealers. They all have different versions of what's going on at the factory. Unless you are getting is straight from that factory who's to say. So it is really just comparing rumors at this point. My dealer told me that the factory is reworking the paint area and until that is done no contrasting colors. He also said that the HK shortage was just a logistics problem and has been fixed. I guess the HK was not part of the Premium Package last year but now it is and the take rate on the PP took the factory by surprise. He also mentioned that a July order would turn into MY 2015 production. Probably no real changes to the car but maybe the factory makes some adjustments and given there are going to be a backlog of orders, it only seems logical that even if you have an order in the pipeline, production may be taking longer.

Personally we are waiting to order until Jul to raise a little more down payment and to have a 2015 MY for better resale value someday. Either way we are waiting one way or the other.

 

When I was at the dealer on Monday, my MA said the HK radio and contrasting roof issue is no longer an issue for June builds on... Who knows if that's the truth!

 

My MA said the same thing, however, apparently fog lights and auto AC will be standard on MY 2015. I'm not sure if he was confused though as I thought that was only for non-hardtop 2015's. Sigh, the un-education of MA's!

 

AJW-Thats great news on your build date.SeppTB-My 2014 MCS was ordered April 5th,was told week 21 build (may24th),still showing 'on order' though.since the three of us are from the northeast maybe our cars will cross the pond together!!

 

Thanks so much!
Quoting from my MA,s email....."No VIN yet, Production scheduled for the 21st week of the year, 05/19/2014.

The owners lounge still says "on order" but , I know the dealers have better access than we do.

 

That's encouraging news. Do either you or AJW know what priority was put on your order? I realized on my order, which also replaced a dealer stock order, it still says Priority: '3 - Priority Stock'. I know a Priorty: '1 - Sold' exists, so I'm wondering what each of your orders said =)

I may have to go hound my MA more, he initially told me on the 15th of April (few days after my order) that the contrasting roof issue would push my production date to 'mid-May', he then said he called Mini up and got me moved up in the schedule, so it 'should be entering production very soon!' which had me excited. Of course now its closer to Mid-May so 'very soon' doesn't seem to be happening, wonder if the priority is the issue.

Also - I'm originally from the ADKs as well (Minerva), which part are you from??

 

For all of us who pre-ordered and now have our cars, I feel a sense of relief. Buying a car site-unseen had it own drama, but at least is over lol

 

Sneaking it into an existing dealer spot was probably the key there.

I ordered with HK and contrasting roof on April 10th and got a dealer build spot. The human at 1-800-ASK-MINI says build on 5/21, but it's not official yet.

Just emailed my MA to see if he has any more details, but I doubt it. He's good at following up when he hears something.

 

I've had to approach the MA every time. She's wonderful about answering me, but wish they would be more forthcoming!
Best of luck with your car..Hope it comes soon!

 

Sepp,
I have no idea what priority mine was set as. I wasnt even aware of such a thing!I just know she told me 8-10 weeks.
Good luck!!

 

Is your Port location NY??

 

I find that really irritating!

We get our MINIs the first month they become available in the US and ~5 months later the next year's model comes out.

 

Does anyone have any more info on MINIs with contrasting roofs getting purged from the system? My VO/BLK F56 is still "on order", so this is a little concerning. Thanks.

 

In production as of 5/7

 

congrats dude, that's great news

 

Just called to double-check on my order (White over BRG), and was told my car is scheduled for production the week of May 21st. I was worried about the paint delays but my MA got my order through in time, it seems.