after i ordered my mini, i recieved a call from the dealer like a week later saying that there was a mistake on the order, and that the car i found didnt have, as i thought, an anthracite dash, but alloy patina!! i was a little shocked, but they gave me the option to keep it or swap it out when it came in. i told them i =d know when i saw it, and it turned out that alloy patina is freakin cool man. it looks way cooler than anthracite, and its exclusively for the S. anyway, good luck with your troubles and see you on the road...

Marco

 

Isn't there a dealer just across the river in Windsor? Can Canadian dealers sell U.S. spec cars? It's unfortunate when a monopoly translates into lousy service.

 

It is illegal to buy a new Canadian spec car for use in the United States and viceversa. While the Canadian spec MINI is essentially identical to the US spec car, there are differences and therefore registering a Canadian car in a US state is very diffcult.

While Canada is "accross" the river it is a different country. In Mexico you can buy EURO spec MINIs and yet no one has been able to get a new one from south of the border.

NAFTA still doesn't apply here.

 

To err is human,

Keep the alloy patina dash, it is the original MCS dash for all 2002 and early 2003 vehicles. Save yourself a couple of hour long trips into the dealership. Think of it as a beauty mark on an otherwise gorgeous date.

To forgive, divine.

 

Good (albeit frustrating) information - thanks!

 

You should get what you ordered and if you get any rattlesfrom the switch, try and fix them yourself before taking it to the dealers.

Could be worse though, I've seen a MCS come brand new with a MC runner panel on the passenger side.