...I just got my production number a few weeks back, and I was pretty darn thrilled about it. When I got my number from my dealer, I made an option change (thanks to input from my friends here :smile: ), and the dealer said that the change would take awhile to show. So, a few weeks go by, I'm finally checking out the MINI Owner's Lounge, and...there's my Liquid Yellow MINI Cooper, but...no other factory options info is listed, so I wrote 'em an e-mail about that.

Don't worry, it was a very nice e-mail. However, I figured I might as well ask around here. My MINI is an August order, with delivery expected sometime between Sept. 15th, and October 30th. Quite a time window, eh? In any case, I'm a little concerned about this order going right. (Dealers, and the manufacturer, have sometimes left a bad taste in some people's mouths.) Am I jumping the gun on being worried? How long does that information usually take to be listed online at the MINI Owner's Lounge?

I've not joined in any of this delivery month club stuff, mainly because I'm a terrible joiner. (Hehehe, then what am I doing here, eh?) So, I'm not all that up on the usual delivery chat. I'd almost like to forget all about my MINI order, until the day the dealer calls, and says, "Hey, it's here!" But after reading many, many posts here, and on MINI2, it's hard to just order and not worry about these pesky little details. (Such as: OMG, have they screwed it up?! )

I've ordered through Niello MINI of Sacramento. I know, they charge a premium, which I don't really mind...much. And, I do get quicker delivery as well, which helps me with my soon to end current car lease. Plus, they are close (as the crow flies, I'm in Reno, Nevada). If I ordered from one of the more easterly dealers, I'd be concerned about the distance, just in case any weird stuff came up. (And weird stuff coming up is NOT unheard of with a MINI order!) I suppose, if this order gets messed up, I can always just give one of the other, farther, north-northeasterly dealers a shot. So, all is not lost. I'd just have to extend my lease, which I may have to do anyway!

As regards the above, feel free to burn me on purchasing through Niello MINI (hang on, gotta get my flame suit on), or let me know how this thing with the Owner's Lounge works. It'd set me at ease...maybe. :smile:

P. S. Man, I miss a few days of checking in here, and I miss all kinds of news. Do we not have anything else to talk about? (No? Ok, was just checking. Glad I'm not the only one. )

 

i was also a bit worried about my options not showing up in the OL. call 1866askmini and talk to a person, they can confirm your order. my car is in production right now, and still no options listed. so nothing to worry about, but it's still worth checking.

 

Some of my options didn't show up for a while, a couple were wrong, then they were right, then they were gone again...kind of makes you freak out, but I stayed calm, I didn't even call my MA to ask what was going on. My car was produced just as ordered..I kept looking at my paperwork I signed and hoping.

 

Thank you folks, this has been helpful.

Though...that last post kinda scared the heck out of me!

I did call the phone number, but didn't get much info. However, MINI did e-mail me back, and promised they could get the info I wanted if I gave them my production number. Apparently, due to problems getting the new 2005 configurator up, everything else at miniusa.com is taking a back seat.

I feel like this is a very strange time to have ordered, and be waiting for, a new MINI. It seems I'll be one of the few to get an anthracite headliner. Which is both cool, and kinda weird. (I don't even know what it looks like.)Because it's an early 2005, some of the coming 2005 model changes will not be on my MINI either, which is both good and bad, but not earthshakingly important in either case.

I thought I would be missing out by not ordering the new chrono dash set up, but after looking at the new pictures of it at miniusa.com, I'm perfectly happy with the "old" style speedo. I'm rather amazed I've not been seriously tempted to further change my order. Admittedly, the Cabrio is pretty cool, and would be neat to have. But it's just not available soon enough, and it's a pretty penny more than I can afford. Heck, I can barely afford what I'm ordering! (Don't tell my bank that, they might jack up my interest rate.)

 

Billy:

You sound set on your options, but the Cabrio is in production now. Mine started down the line August 5. No more changes for me now.

Good luck. I'm using Moritz in Texas and they have been great. MSRP and delivered the first Cabrio spot.
You probably pay for the Cabrio with money saved from Niello markup.

Mike

 

Hey BillyB--What is your status? You ordered 8 days before I did. I just got word today that my LY/W MC was in production with an est. completion of 8/19. :smile: We'll see if that stands up.

 

Hello again,

Supposedly, according to a Jen something-or-other (sorry, can't remember her last name) at miniusa.com, my MINI should be finished about the 20th of August. I understand that means it should be in production right now. (Ten day process, right?) Yet, I still see no online information saying so. Oh well. Apparently, my options are as they should be, though my audio upgrade wasn't listed, and I had to check with my dealer on that. I'll just have to wait and see on it. (I guess I could live, maybe, without the upgrade.)

Yeah, I know they are building the convertables right now. (I thought just VW convertables were called Cabrios. Goes to show what I know.) They are just too much for me to afford, and there are some things about them I'm not thrilled with, though they certainly look kinda cool. :smile: The reduced rear passenger space is a BIG negative, as well as additional weight, and some of the styling aspects (both interior and exterior). Mind you, if someone wants to give me one for free, I will not complain! I've never driven in a convertable (woops, Cabrio), with the top down, so I've no idea what the open topped experience is like. A recent review sounded pretty good, as far as wind noise, air flow, and such. I like knowing there is something solid (even in a sunroof model) over my head, in case of a roll over. I was in a roll over once, as a passenger, and it was no joy, but at least I've still got my head. (As you can imagine, THAT vehicle was a hard top.)

Now that my MC is, far as I know, being built, I'm starting to second guess some of my option choices. (Actually, that'd make it THIRD guessing, I guess, since this certainly isn't the 1st, or 2nd, time I've gone down THAT route.) The new Xenons are my biggest concern, as they look just a bit too "far out" for me, but I do want the improved visibilty. I'm still wondering if I should've gone for vinyl (woops, leatherette). I think, if I ordered in Winter, I would've gone for leatherette. But, sitting on my present car's cloth interior, in the Summer, experiencing how well it feels by comparison to what I think modern vinyl MIGHT feel like...I couldn't see taking a chance on leatherette. I might get cloth seat covers, to be on the safe side. (I spend A LOT of time driving, so that might be wise, regardless.) I just hate how seat covers, no matter how well fitted, tend to slide around, and bunch up, under your...er...posterior.

(Not sure I can say "butt" here. Woops, I just did. ) Happy motoring, gang!

P. S. Jen so-and-so, at miniusa.com, was just great. I think I'm in love. You think she'd mind if I sent her flowers? :smile: (I wonder if she has a MINI?)

 

Don't worry, the Owner's Lounge is notoriously slow to update. My car was about complete when it showed up as in production. If MINIUSA says the car is in production, don't worry about what the OL tells you..

Heck, the status of my car changed to In Processing Center, on the day my dealer received it (and it was delivered to me!)