Eight months. I hope I don't lose my job.

Despite all my reconfiguration, I ended up pretty back where I started.

My MINI Cooper S
Base MSRP* $19,425
Destination & Handling $550

paint it
Indi Blue $400
White Roof and Mirrors $0

package
Combo #1: Premium Package $1,250
Automatic AC
Dual-Pane Panorama Sunroof
Sport w/Cruise and Multifunction
On-Board Computer
Combo #2: Sport Package $1,250
White Bonnet Stripes
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
17" S-Lite with perf. run-flats
Front Fog Lamps
Xenon Headlights w/Power Wash
Combo #3: Cold Weather Package $300
Heated Front Seats
Heated Side Mirrors
Heated Washer Jets

performance
White Wheels $0 (S-Lite)

cockpit
Panther Black Leatherette Upholstery w/Panther Black Interior Door Casing STD
6 Speakers with AM/FM & CD STD
Alloy Patina Dash STD

TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED* $23,175

accessories**
Driving Lamps $400
Panther Black Sport Seat Cover $125
Panther Black Seat Cover (rear) $199
Grey Rubber Floor Mat (front) $48
Grey Rubber Floor Mat (back) $30
Grey Rubber Floor Mat (boot) $50

TOTAL ACCESSORIES** $852
TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED* $23,175

TOTAL COMBINED $24,027

I know the S-Lites are heavy, but there's plenty of time for wheel shopping. I nixed the aero kit, thinking that it would just get brutalized here in New England. In eight months there will probably be more kits anyway.

Ooooohhhh!!!
The February club of 2004!!!!!
I almost thought this was a new thread for CLUB FEB of this year :eek:
The wait is unbearable but being on MCO helps soothe the journey.
I hope your Feb Club is active as Club Feb...a good support group.

A suggestion though, configure your MCS with all the options you want THEN purchase your MINI accessories from Classic MINI (MCO sponsor). They can save you some $$$$. Have the driving lights installed by MINI if you're not up for a DIY.

ALOHA!!!

Yeah, I was thinking about the accessories thing. My written invoice for the car only goes down to "TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED* $23,175" anyway, which is why I opted to ditch the aero kit for now. I was even considering some of those PIAA lights instead of the MINI ones.

The upholstery/seat covers combo was something at which I arrived after much angst. I prefer cloth seats because they are much more comfortable than vinyl or leather, but I came to the following conclusions based upon having had cloth seats for the last ten years:
-Cloth seats are very hard to clean.
-Leatherette seats look better and are better for resale.
-Leatherette seats are more serviceable. They can be cleaned easily.
-Seat covers allow me to have "cloth" that is removable and can be cleaned.

Though lamentable and a sacrilege, on occasion I will have to put the damn 140lb dog in the car for a trip to the vet. Despite using blankets, my current car ended up smelling like a dog for months. With seat covers, I can pull all that out of there and get it cleaned, and I can clean the leatherette easily.

The caveat, as I see it, is that the covers could look like hell.

>> With seat covers, I can pull all that out of there and get it cleaned, and I can clean the leatherette easily.
>>
>>The caveat, as I see it, is that the covers could look like hell.

That's what seat covers are for. Far cheaper to replace seatcovers than reupholster leather, leatherette, or factory cloth seats.
The leatherette should be durable enough to handle your dog.

Good Luck!!!

Thanks. Even bathing the damn dog first doesn't help that much, because her nostrils constantly spew mucous and she drools. Good at digging holes, though.

Are there any seat covers out there that are known for being better than those from MINI?

Guess not.

At this point I'm still hanging in there even though I considered going down to NY to place an order for an MCS that would ARRIVE in Sept. I like the idea of having another seven+ months to save for a whopping down payment while the economy is in the toilet.

Of late my biggest concern has been with regard to the order process itself. I keep seeing threads in which people mention wait list MINIs being "stolen" by dealers to satisfy irate customers. How often does this happen? What's the likelihood? If I find out after an eight month wait that I have to wait MORE months, I will be far beyond unhappy.

My other concern is the dealer actually messing up my order, even though it's not a complicated order--Indi/wht, #1, #2, #3, patina, leatherette/panther , white S-Lites. My "client adviser" seems to be half nuts and probably not strong on paperwork.

Dunno about "better" seat covers than the MINI asseccory, but there are several threads that discuss Wet Okole's and Hawaiian Seat covers. It seems people have been pleased with these.

About ordering and wait lists...well, that depends on the dealer. From my experience, if you keep constant dialogue/communication with your 'Motoring Advisor', you won't fall through the cracks.

Once you have a production number, it's best you keep updated on MINIUSA website (owners lounge) and your MA. Have them print out your configuration with all the options, packages, etc. and double check every week while waiting. ( In my case, checked every day) :roll:

Good Luck!

>>About ordering and wait lists...well, that depends on the dealer. From my experience, if you keep constant dialogue/communication with your 'Motoring Advisor', you won't fall through the cracks.
>>

I've actually called a couple of times since putting down my deposit for specific reasons, but I really don't have a pretext for calling often since my actual order supposedly won't go in until December. I figure I'll call in another month to ask if I've been moved up in the list.

Why do you have to wait 'till feb?.... :eek: :eek:

>>Why do you have to wait 'till feb?.... :eek: :eek:

I don't actually have to wait. I could shop other parts of the country, even just three or four hours away down in NY and supposedly get one in a couple of months. But eight months is how long the wait is for an MCS at Mini of Peabody (MA), a dealership that services a rather large population. I'm basically agreeing to wait for a couple of reasons:
1. to save as much as possible for a down payment
2. to see if I get laid off in the interim

I checked down at dealerships in The Hamptons, Long Island, and Latham, NY--the latter charging a $795 premium over MSRP--but decided to stick to my local dealer and wait.

>>1. to save as much as possible for a down payment
>>2. to see if I get laid off in the interim
>>
>>I checked down at dealerships in The Hamptons, Long Island, and Latham, NY--the latter charging a $795 premium over MSRP--but decided to stick to my local dealer and wait.


ahh now it makes sense

Hey everyone! I called ASK MINI and found out that my car is "in production" and the estimated completion date is Jan 13. It won't get here untill Feb, so
I guess I am officially part of the "Can't Wait For February" Club :smile:

_________________
Cooper S "in production" | Est. Completion Jan 13 | DS/B | Sport Pack | Premium Pack | Navigation | Harman/Kardon | Space Cloth | Anthracite

>>I guess I am officially part of the "Can't Wait For February" Club :smile:

Ohhh me too! My estimated completion date is January 5th! If it arrives in 10 weeks like my dealer said, it should be in for my birthday!!!!! :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

Add me to the club!!! My Mini Indi Blue/White went into production last week so figuring about late Feb for my hands to touch it in person. It's been an almost 10 month wait for me. My little number will have all three packages, Lapis Blue Leather and a bunch of the other stuff from classic Mini in the next few weeks. I'll have East Bay Mini install the driving lights and alarm after I get them from Classic of course. Almost seeing the light at the end of the tunnel :lol: ...................

Thanks to Cheif Charlie and some others for their help so far. I've learned abunch from this site as well.

PC

Looks like I'm in the club too. Ordered mine in early oct from mini of mountain view in northern california. estimated production date is january 12th, anyone else have the same day? I got some sweet floor mats for a xmas gift, and I'm thinking about ordering some 18" rims to bolt on her the day she comes home. I noticed alot of Indi blue orders, what color did everyone else go with? It was a toss up between IB, BRG, or PW, but after long thought i decided (IMO of course) white make the car look bigger, and i dont think i would like the green in the long run. Plus the IB really reminds me of the avus blue color that bmw put on the M3 for a short run.

heres my order specs..

04 Indi Blue/Black
Sport Package
Lapis Blue/Blk leather
Nav and obc

Today my MCS was in the paint shop at the factory! Woohoo!

Projected birthday for my new MCS is Thursday, 8 Jan 2003! Should be home in February!

Can't believe I've actually waited this long. I think it's going to be worth the wait.

Cheers,
Dan

Woohoo! My MINI was born January 5th!!! It's scheduled to leave Southampton 1/13/04 and arriving 1/21/04 in New York, on the Otello!!!! :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

MINIL2, woohoo, my Mini's going to be on the Otello too! Our babies are shipmates!!!

I was in LAST YEARS "Can't Wait For February" club...my MINI was built on 1/10/03 and arrived in Dallas 1/31! Maybe things have changed for this year....just wishing your MINIs a speedy and safe trip so you can be motoring ASAP!

_________________
'03 IB/W Cooper

>>MINIL2, woohoo, my Mini's going to be on the Otello too! Our babies are shipmates!!!


The Otello has set sail for New York today!!!!!!! :grin: :grin: :grin:

According to the WW cargo tracking site, it looks like my MINI has set sail on 1/11 and should be docked in California on 2/5. The ship is the Galaxy Leader.

I'm trying to predict when my Mini and my friend's will arrive in Ohio.

My Mini's on the Otello, which is en route first to New York, then Baltimore. I have a friend who has a newly minted Mini coming on the Jingu Maru, but it goes first to Baltimore, then New York.

Where do the Minis get offloaded? NY, Baltimore, both?

Mine and my friend's are headed for Classic Mini in Mentor, Ohio (Cleveland).

Thanks for any info,
Dan

I was part of the "can't wait for January" club, but I won't be seeing my MINI until February now. I think the world is trying to teach me patience.

My car should be arriving at MINI of Hamptons anyday now, they'll need it for a few days, and then I wait for the 2 week shipment of the vehicle to me here in Phoenix. That'll make it about February 6th.

My mini is scheduled for the Carmen and should take off on the 21st. IF weathers good it should be in NY by next thursday! :grin: