Yeah, that's what happened to me too, Gabe. Mine finished production on April 29th, and was at the docks, ready to get on the RESOLVE, but I was bumped from it. Then I was slated to be loaded on the TRIANON, but was bumped from that. Finally, I made it on the MAERSK TEAL.

However, I wouldn't worry too much about the "waitlisted" thing. I was waitlisted on the MAERSK TEAL and I'm on there now. Chin up, man!


And Boon, my MINI called and told me he had a simply delightful breakfast with Nugget! They both got up before sunrise and drove laps around the ship's deck before heading in for a hearty breakfast. Nugget speaks highly of you!


The only thing I need done at the dealership is the chrome front grille... That shouldn't take too long, right? Maybe a day's-worth of labor?

 

So what exactly is "waitlisting?" In Nugget's booking number, fully one third of the VINs had an asterick next to them, and very few of those made the final cut. What is different about those Minis? I thought it might have been some sort of quality issue discovered at the terminal, but that many? Gawd, I hope not -- it doesn't say much about their quality control! But some of those cars had been waitlisted for long times! Maybe missing options, like the HK upgrade? Any ideas? pb

 

Beats me; I'm just glad I made it on this one! I'm sure it's kind of like the hotel business. You overbook every night, knowing a certain amount of people simply won't show up to check in, therefore allowing a "perfect sell" or a complete 100% occupancy. Sometimes you're overbooked to the point that you have to "walk" guests (pay for a night in a nearby hotel since you don't have a room for them).

I'd imagine this is probably a similar scenario. If Gabe's new ship for some reason doesn't get all the cars on it that it should, for whatever reason, they'll start taking in the waitlisted cars to fill the ship up fully before departure.

 

Hey Gabe, Don't feel too bad I know of a CR/W MCS that will be on that very same ship!!!

-Cyn

 

There, Gabe! You've already got a shipmate!

 

In prep for my car I just called CLASSIC up and ordered a Euro Shelf.:smile:

Man there great $74 and change shipped

 

I knew I forgot about something on my "Must Have" list. I'll have to get one of these when I go in there...

 

ITS OFFICIAL. I stopped by my dealer today and he said that my MINI WENT INTO PRODUCTION 2 days ago! I checked MINIUSA and I now have a VIN! I've been awaiting some news since March 17 when the order was placed!

So my question is.. how long does it normally take to build a MINI? How long is the normal wait at the dock? I do know it takes 8 days to get the car to NY and another day to get to my dealer in NJ.

 

To build a MINI according to the MINI website is approx. 24 hours. Waiting on the dock can be as little as a day and as much as a week. It depends on when it comes out the of the factory and if there is a waiting ship or not.

 

Congrats on finally getting that VIN #!!!! I noticed with my order that the MINI USA site was a day or two behind the info. I got from calling ASK MINI.

Enjoy the wait!

 

As per ASK MINI the guy said they started building my Sunday... should be done by end of the week - 6 days to build a MINI..

 

Yeah, six days sounds about right. They have to assemble most of it, paint it, get all the mechanical doohickeys (nice technical term, eh?) installed, test out EVERYTHING to make sure it's functional, give it a nice bath, and then it's done. Six days is just about right!

Once at the docks, depending on the influx of other new MINIs awaiting transport, it should take a week, but you might get on a ship sooner. For me, my MINI was at the docks Friday, April 29th, and it got on the MAERSK TEAL on Thursday, May 5th. It's set to get to NY on the 13th.

I CAN'T WAIT!

 

Nugget started production April 21 and was finished May 3, so the entire build process with no holds lasted 12 days or so for me. That might not be the average, though, because at the time several Minis with the HK upgrade were being pulled from the line and others, like Nugget, without the upgrade were being moved forward. So some resources might have been diverted to make those mods to vehicles already in process.

The MiniUSA Web page was hopelessly behind the times, but speaking with the customer relations folks on occasion (okay, about three times daily!) kept me current. The WW Web page shows an eight day transit time to NY, and while I've heard the NY VDC is pretty fast, I've also heard some new cars got held up there for up to a week. So all fingers and toes are crossed at my house! pb

 

Still not a word from Nugget! Do you suppose he just learned he's going to live in the land of seven month winters and is busy soaking up the rays while he still can?

 

Man, that must be it. You know Nugget's gotta be excited about coming home, but he's probably making sure to arrive with a nice tan!

 

I spoke to a friend who deals with Port Elizabeth (NY). Turns out that ships arrive on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday only. They do not arrive everyday. They have to unload and load the containers.. something like 18,000 containers in those ships. So they space the arrive of cars. They cannot unload and load ships everyday.

I did not know this. Strange.. I wonder if he was pulling my leg?

 

That sounds very strange to me. It costs a huge amount of money to keep a ship idle offshore or at anchor, and I can't imagine any transport company knowingly scheduling arrivals on days when they can't immediately begin offloading. Check the WW site and you'll see ships scheduled into NY harbor on days other than the ones you mentioned.

Besides, car transports are ro/ro (roll on / roll off), not container ships. pb

 

Well that could be the difference right there - The cargo type.

 

Lady Bug is sailing on the Maersk Teal but she will sail down to Charleston, SC and then trucked to KC,MO. She is to dock in SC on 5/17/05.

 

Welcome to the May club, Sandie!

 

My car went into production: May 5
Scheduled completion: May 15

How accurate is the scheduled production date? I admit it. Im getting anxious. Also, the winter car that I have been driving (a 15 year old Audi) is giving me some issues. I'd like the new car in so that I will have reliable transportation.

 

As soon as ASK-MINI told me my car was scheduled for production, it told me the correct day that my car was born - April 29th. I'd say that is a pretty good guess then.

 

The day I was given a production number I called MINIUSA and asked how to track my car. I did and the folks on the phone told me May18th for my car to be done. It was in fact built less then 2 weeks later.

Scheduled in port tomorrow. I can't wait.

 

He gives me dirty looks when I mention the car and jokes of me not getting the loan to buy the car. Ok yah I mention the car everyday. I practically can't get through a conversation with someone without mentioning that I am "expecting" . Well NAMers know I mean I am expecting my hot new PS MCSA that I have been sleeplessly awaiting for over a month. Ok I think I too think I am crazy. Because I literally have mroe trouble sleeping lately. It seemed to start when I ordered my car and has been getting worse as I get closer to having my baby.

So the simple solution to cure my problems seems to be to get my car and allow me to drive it like hell.

Ok yah the thought that my car is scheduled to be in port tomorrow (Thursday) is making it hard. Then its scheduled to be @ my dealer on Saturday. So lets just say I will be @ the dealer awaiting it on Saturday after I get off of work. But since my baby doesn't come perfect from the Oxford "Birth Canal" I will be having some add-ons put on @ the dealer. They estimate about a week to install these. So i'm just over a week from owning my car.

Ok my rant is over.

 

You go! I'm in Laurel, right down 197, can't wait to see your new MCS!

Cheers,
Matthew Z.