This ad states that the first 300 Minis were not made in the Mini plant but rather @ BMW? He, of course, is selling one of these 'special editions'. Sounds very questionable to me, what do you guys say?

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/81465174.html

 

Also note the "BUILT IN AIR COMPRESSOR TO PUMP UP YOUR TIRES"?

 

Sounds like this guy was given some of that rampant, early mis-information that was spewed when he bought the car and has clung onto to it as gospel without bothering to validate any of it.

Let's look at this:

1. The MINI was being produced in it's OWN factory (the same factory still being used today) for the UK market well before they were ever released in the US.

2. Air compressor?!!! And where might that be? I'm sure that the low tire pressure monitor system was mis-explained and he still believes that it has a compressor instead of the reality that it uses the ABS system to measure and compare relative wheel speed and warns you of a low tire and possible failure.

3. The 300 special edition number interestingly coincides with the dealer purchased T-shirts that they gave away with their first 300 deliveries. I have #67 - it looks like an odometer.

Otherwise, it has relatively low miles, looks fairly clean from the limited pics, and isn't outrageously over-priced for the equipment (a little negotiating should get it about right). My only other concern would be that he said it had no problems - there were a few recalls for that early build (manual shift linkage, suspension bolt, etc.) that should be done if they haven't already. But, it still has a fair bit of warranty left on it as well. The 3/36 maintenance is probably expired.

 

He also forgot to mention the "ette" at at the of the phrase "dark grey leather."

 

Back in 2002, the only "Launch Special Editions" that I am aware of were sold in Canada (Like 300-500 cars). In MINI2.com there are some Canadian owners of these cars.


No special editions (aside from the controversial '04 MCS (MC40)) have been officially sold in the United States by MINIUSA.


Buyer beware!

 

Yup, exactly - that's definitely what's up here, although this guy is clearly such an idiot that he might actually believe what he is saying. I've got one of those shirts somewhere, too - guess I should edit my autotrader ad!

 

It could also be a Canadian car. In those special launch editions, the number of the car was engraved in the face of the tachometer.

 

He listed a 510 area code - Oakland, CA. Although it isn't impossible that it is a Canadian Special Edition, I think it unlikely. I'm sticking with the gullible idiot theory!

 

I would like to see a close up pic of the instruments (Speedo and Tach) to see if this car is US spec or a Canada spec "Gray market" car.

 

Yes, The MINI Mobility System. p.129 in the 2005 Owners Manual.

Steve

 

Hmmmm..... The asterisk in the manual notates:

....That Canadian Special Edition is starting to sound a little less unlikely....

 

Oh lets not forget he should have also gotten the Original Motorist sticker for the car. Which according to my dealer where i bought mine only the First 100 in each dealership got one.. btw mine was supposivly the 3rd sold in the USA but i believe the 3rd sold by the store due to maybe 2 preorders. I was sitting on the steps when it open on launch day. Paid cash for the Demo and drove it off the lot that day. Build date on the door was an 01/02 which is part of the first US spec that could have been released.

If interested the car was totaled and im currently in an 03 built in 11/02 an i still have the sticker since i never put it on the car.