Does anyone know If MINI will ever get around to setting this up for the US customers?

Has anyone here ever done European delievery for any other cars? What was the reason you chose to do it that way, and what was the experience like as far as delivery, and later on shipping??

Patrick

 

i wish mini would start the programme....i was readied to do a european delivery programme to get the mercedes a few years ago but the birth doctor said my wife couldn't travel. the reason i was going to do it is the saving of about $3000.00. the money would have pay for the plane tickets, car rental and a chance to drive the car in her motherland. the souvernir licence plates would also be a plus. the down side is you have to wait about 12 weeks to get the car back. same as the wait for the new mini.

most european car makers except for audi, vw and mini offer this package deal.

 

stationed in germany,so I took delivery of my 2004 s there.It loves the autobahn,75 mph is a 4th gear cruise. It seems to handle even better at 90 to 100 mph.Sorry did not meen to rub it in;love this site

 

I was told last year it was in the works. However there were issues at the plant as currently configured. From what I was told there is a plan to eventually build a visitor and delivery center in the next few years.

The plan is to probably get the brand firmly established (i.e. to make sure this isn't a passing fad like the PT Cruiser) and then persue an investment like this...

 

>>stationed in germany,so I took delivery of my 2004 s there.It loves the autobahn,75 mph is a 4th gear cruise. It seems to handle even better at 90 to 100 mph.Sorry did not meen to rub it in;love this site

But is it a German spec model, or a US model?? If its local, thats fine. But what do you plan to do when you come back to the states?

Patrick

 

Flew into Munich to pick up my wife's 325xi two summers ago. The BMW people couldn't have been nicer. We vacationed in Italy for three weeks and it was a blast
having our own car.....the break-in period went very fast. Since we flew back from
Rome, a BMW agent met us there at our hotel and drove it back to Munich for shipping at no charge, saving us $1,900 which went toward our trip instead of the car. We took delivery at our dealership a few weeks later and even got to keep the European license plate (at our request). I would have done it with my MCS if the option had been available. A neat experience!

 

I asked MINIUSA about this last year and was told it was "in the works," but with no timeframe for when it would be established. I couldn't wait any longer, so I've placed my order for a May '04 build to pick up in Portland in July and drive back to Detroit. I would have preferred to drive her around the UK a bit, but this will be a nice maiden voyage, anyway. The IDEAL scenario, in my opinion, would be European Delivery from John Cooper Works, just to know the mod was done in the JCW shop!

 

Its usa spec

 

Over the years I have done four BMW European deliveries. Great way to see Europe and the savings helped pay for the trips. It has to be the most fun way to buy and break-in a car.

 

I have been inquiring about it for 2 years with MINI. That is right! Before they hit the shores here I started asking the question. I was really doing everything I could do to get a decent anwser. Never did. I was told that they are having trouble trying to get approval to have the Left side drivers on the roads of the UK. When I asked why not just get around that by offering pick up in other cities, instead of the UK. I told them to model after BMW's. MINI did not seem very interested or concerned with my suggestions and group of 5 parties I had interest in European Delivery.

When I realized it was not going to happen with MINI. I ended up picking up a Volvo thru their European delivery in 2002. They really offer a nice package. 2 Free RT flights, Hotel, Lunch, insurance up to 6mos. and the discount is about 8-10% over US retail. Volvo's site gives all the details. Of course there were several problems with the process, but it seems everything these days have quirks! By no means am I endorsing the program, it just is alot of fun when it is done right with alot of perks! The big bonus was the Driver's course for 150 dollars. All day driving on a test track, off road track and a little friendly slalom course. They put you in the test car that is the same model car you purchase!!! Bmw, Porsche, Mercedes and Saab also offer European pick up.

I will be waiting to buy my second MCS in Europe, Come on MINI, offer it!!!!!! Sooner than later.

 

This thread has laid untouched for about a year.

Just this Tuesday I asked the MA about European delivery. I was given the same answer you were 12 months ago -- "it's in the works."

Has anybody heard anything new since?

HunterBoss

 

I think also the idea behind Euro delivery is to get the car for cheaper than you would on a USA MINI dealership.

MINIs don't have much if any profit built into them and I doubt that BMW will let you get one delivered in Europe for 20% less than MSRP here in the States, but hey I could be wrong.

I hope that MINI Euro delivery is setup by the time the R56 MINI is launched. We would love to pick up our new MINI Traveller station wagon in Oxford and drive all over England and France. That would be a nice anniversary vacation and the third time we would go there for honeymoon/anniversary trip.

 

time to take a more activist role regarding euro delivery ...

LETS ALL WRITE MINI AND DEMAND EUROPEAN DELIVERY PROGRAM. why? simple, delivery in Oxford will allow BMW/MINI to maintain and grow marketshare. Since there is no USA 1-series bimmer, MINI must step up - also, Audi has started their eurodelivery program for the A3, Volvo has perhaps the best program out there and are about to launch their C30, SAAB for the 9-3, and so on. this market niche is getting very crowded with fun
and high performing vehicles.

PLEASE EMAIL now to: mini.assistance@miniusa.com

we all thank you,
obc

 

You can order a USA spec MINI from most european dealers - it has to go thru BMW - MINI Military sales ( I think ).

My 04 MCS was delivered in Spain with all the "euro only" goodies ( first aid kit, saftey triangles, etc.. ) . It is a USA spec car. It was used in europe for a few months then shipped to the USA via ship -- made its way from Norfolk, VA. to Southern CA. and on to Arizona. The only hitch was that the orig. owner ( military I assume ) never filed the transfer paperwork with MINIUSA and as a result the car had no warranty in the USA ( only in Spain ). So after a few calls and emails to BMW - MINI Germany - Military Sales I got the right forms and filed them with MINIUSA - Poof - I had a valid USA warranty

SO.... if you want a MINI delivered in Europe - contact a Dealer in your country of choice OR contact BMW - MINI Germany ( military sales ) and see what they can do.

If may not be a "package deal" from MINI , but it is do-able.

 

Hell, I would buy another MINI if this was offered!

 

I wonder if there's a concern about "driving on the wrong side of the road" with all those new owners...

BTW, we did a Euro delivery with our '01 325 Coupe. It was a blast! We put 4000 miles on our car before driving it to London for drop-off. We then waited about 6 weeks for it to come over to rejoin us. I'd do it again in a flash!

 

BMW Military Sales is only authorized to sell to people who fall under the host nations Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) i.e. Military/Civillian personnel stationed overseas and authorized dependants. Vehicles purchased as such also go through a Host Nation dealer. They go through all of the same customs/shipping stages as US-bound vehicles except the last step where they don't get on a boat for the US. Instead, they go to that Host Nation dealer. The reason you have to send in the paperwork to get the US warranty transferred is the same reason you can't get into the Owner's Lounge to check the status, the vehicle never enters MINI USA's system (Until you send in those papers of course)