Hi all, Im getting back into the MINI family after 7 years! Ordered a Countryman S ALL4 Oct 6th, car was built and out the door by Oct 17th. MINI left factory Oct 21, and has been stuck at port and its now Nov 10th almost month later! Im getting nothing from my dealer or MINI us, don't blame them as they have no updated info. But Im starting to think that the MINI incurred some damage on the way to the port and is being held up for repairs. I heard this happens more often than we think and they are not liable to disclose any damages or repairs during transport. What other reason why it be held up going on a month! My lease ends on my BMW end of november and I thought 8 weeks was plenty of time to get my MINI Countryman S ALL4, guess i was very very wrong. Its been 5 weeks and hasn't even left Germany yet. Frankly the lack of communication is getting to me and making me reconsider. Only answer Im gettingI s that most likely "Stan the Car Port Man" hasn't gotten around to loading it on a boat yet :/

Thoughts?!

 

Nobody?

This place is a ghostown...def not the activity it had 6-7 years ago!

 

No way to find out until it arrives, really.

If your lease ends before your car arrives, there's a chance your dealer could put you in a loaner until the car lands at the dealer. I'd start discussing that now, just in case.

 

That really sucks, I am in a similar situation, but yours seems to be moving faster. I ordered a 2015 Cooper S Convert on September 13th. Yesterday marks 8 weeks and I have been tracking the progress from start to finish. I also tracked the boat my car is supposed to be on and it arrived at port in NY on November 6th and departed on November 7th. MINI Owner's Lounge says the car is still "En Route" or whatever, and calling ASK MINI automated system says it is still "at the port waiting for a carrier."

Spoke to an ASK MINI rep last night and he said the "boat has arrived but car has not been unloaded from boat yet." That's a little strange since the boat already left NY port 4 days ago but I kept my mouth shut.


I think in your case if you have the patience, you should call BMW and let them know you have ordered a MINI and the factory order has been delayed so you need to extend the lease another month. They will usually gladly extend your contract for another month or two if they know you are waiting for another BMW/MINI product.

Personally, I am going to initiate Plan B because I ordered a car 8 weeks ago and I am getting a couple of very different tracking updates, and no response from my actual dealer yet. All this tracking/updates stuff doesn't mean much when the car is still completely invisible to me.

 

It takes 25 days (or so) to get from the factory to the port. I think your car is probably fine. (See dates in my signature for reference points).

Also, my understanding is that the VDC *is* basically the factory on US shores. If they do the work, it's pretty much indistinguishable from work done before the cars got on the ro-ro boats.

 

Call at 866-ASK-MINI daily!
(866-275-6464) Mon - Fri 9:00am - 9:00pm ET.

 

I have ordered a number of vehicles over the years and don't find this unusual at all. Both foreign and domestic, tracking is sketchy at best. Misinformation seems to be the word of the day. To be blunt, you'll get it when you get it.
Be patient. I would call BMW about your situation and give them a heads up...

 

I called ASK MINI yesterday and they finally had an update that my car was in fact in its final stage at the Vehicle Distribution Center, and estimated for delivery to my dealership on November 15th. Owner's Lounge was updated this morning to reflect the same information as well.

Flav did you call ASK MINI and request to talk to an operator after checking vehicle production status? Do you have any update?