i'm just west of chicago in oak park...not very far at all.

the carmen was scheduled to dock yesterday, and sail for charleston tomorrow.
so...that means i should be headed by land for the midwest!

i was set to get black stripes with either color.
after reading a bunch on this site i found out that the
stripes are pretty easy to peel off if you get sick of them...
so what the hay? they were included in the sport package.

i'm thinking about the silver checkered flag from cooperflags.com
for the roof.

in 15 years anybody who knows you, will now of your love for the little red car...
you're only as old as your car makes you feel!

 

My car is booked on the Tosca. MCS -Yellow, White Roof, Blue Leather
It has been a long wait.

 

"My car is booked on the Tosca. MCS -Yellow, White Roof, Blue Leather
It has been a long wait."

Ted, welcome to the Tosca crowd! The wait is almost over.

 

I hope I won't get kicked out of the CWFM Club for this but my MINI arrived earlier than scheduled and I picked it up yesterday.



I took the day off yesterday to drive over to Flow MINI in Winston-Salem, NC and pick it up. Although we could have gone straight there via I-40, we decided to take the back roads and highways to make the trip a little more scenic.

Last night, we took the MINI into town. We managed to fit 4 adults in the car (of which one was 8 1/2 monts pregnant!) It was a blast! I managed to locate a parking spot on the street that was too small for a "regular" car, but a perfect fit for the MINI.

Today, I'm back at work. I don't know how I'm going to get anything accomplished today when all I want to do is stare out the window at my new baby.

 

BigCliff,
You asked about MINI financing....
We went to the BMW dealership as suggested by our dealer. The interest rate offered us was 5.60%. They said that they could probably do better once the car was here by shopping other banks for the best rate, but at 5.60 we were at least "locked in". I'm checking out our personal bank this week to see what they offer.
I'm hoping we can do better than what's offered us at present.

Jimbob

 

Congrats on your early delivery, Caffeinated. I originally ordered from Flow, but my wait time grew, so I cancelled and went with Century MINI, and now my MINI will be here even sooner than Century anticipated.

Do you live in NC, and what is the spec on your MINI? Do you know about the Carolinas MINI group that is just forming?

See ya,
JS

 

Hey caffeinated, thanks for sharing your enthusiasm on your new arrival. You know all of us are so envious of you, but I'm happy for your earlier than expected arrival. Enjoyed hearing about the fun you and your passengers had.... NOW STEP AWAY FROM THE WINDOW AND GET BACK TO WORK!!! Nummy

 

Hi! I was wondering how long it took after production before you were able to find out which ship you were booked onto? And after you found out you were booked, how long did you have to wait before it actually shipped? I spoke with the 866-ask-mini folks on Monday and my MINI had finished production on Saturday the 19th (I think). So I'm just wondering how long I will have before I get assigned a ship.

Thanks! :smile:

Chrissy

 

>>Do you live in NC, and what is the spec on your MINI? Do you know about the Carolinas MINI group that is just forming?

My MINI is fairly simple. I got a Indi Blue MCS with the Premium package. I'm probably going to purchase some aftermarket vinyl bonnet strips for those days that I'm in the mood to be a little more outspoken!

I did see the info on the Carolinas MINI group. I'm over in the "Triangle" (Raleigh/Durham/Cary) area. As long as the meetings aren't all the way over in Charlotte, I plan on signing up.

 

"So I'm just wondering how long I will have before I get assigned a ship."

Chrissy, go to the following website: http://www.2wglobal.com/www/WEP/Tool...king/index.jsp
and click on"Track by cargo" - "Auto". Then under Cargo ID, type in the last 7 digits of your VIN#, select track, and it will show you the booking info.

If you were finished on the 19th, you should be on the Tosca with a bunch of us. It sais on Friday for the US!

 

>>Hi! I was wondering how long it took after production before you were able to find out which ship you were booked onto? And after you found out you were booked, how long did you have to wait before it actually shipped? I spoke with the 866-ask-mini folks on Monday and my MINI had finished production on Saturday the 19th (I think). So I'm just wondering how long I will have before I get assigned a ship.
>>
>>Thanks! :smile:
>>
>>Chrissy


You are most likely booked for the Tosca that arrives to Southhampton tomorrow (Friday). You can check at Cargo Status History. Use the last 7 digits of your VIN#.

 

Oops, Stinger beat me to it. Didn't mean to repeat info.

 

Here's my MINI timeline:

7/20/2003 - test drove a MCS at Flow MINI in Winston-Salem, NC. I was told the wait was currently nine months.

7/22/2003 - called them back at 9am and put down my $500 deposit for a MCS.

7/23/2003 - 2/20/2004 - the longest 7 months of my life!! consumed every possible piece of information on the MINI.

2/21/2003 - received a call from Flow MINI to finalize my order (Indi Blue MCS with premium package.) got my production number and set my my account on the MINI Owners' Lounge.

2/23/2003 - my order appeared on the OL with an estimated production date of March 28, 2003

3/28/2003 - my MCS emerged from the MINI "birth canal" and was escorted to Southhampton to await the Jingu Maru.

4/1/2003 - left port on the Jingu Maru bound for Charleston, SC (after a one night stop in the Big Apple.)

4/11/2003 - arrived in Charleston, SC

4/13/2003 - arrived at the regional service center (I think it's in Greenville, SC) Now my estimated delivery date was displayed as 4/23/2003

4/18/2003 - my MCS arrives at Flow MINI. Due to schedule conflicts, I can't arrange pickup until the following Tuesday.

4/22/2003 - we arrive at Flow MINI for delivery. As we drive into the dealership, a panic attack strikes because I don't see my car on the lot anywhere! Luckily, it quickly subsides as we spy our new baby sitting inside on the showroom floor.

120 miles later, I discover my first problem driving the MCS: sore cheek muscles. I CANNOT stop grinning!!

 

YAY! Caffenated has a happy story!!!


Thanks for the info!

 

>>i'm just west of chicago in oak park...not very far at all.
>>
>>the carmen was scheduled to dock yesterday, and sail for charleston tomorrow.
>>so...that means i should be headed by land for the midwest!
>>
dot-scott - Hey neighbor! I wonder how many MINIs will be living between you and me. Hopefully not many - I would love for them to remain unique (they'll ALWAYS be eye-catching!).

Hope you enjoy your stripes. If you don't like them, I might advise to get them off soonly as your paint could fade and when you go to peel off your stripes, you'll see the inverse effect! What am I saying, I know you're gonna love 'em.

>>i'm thinking about the silver checkered flag from cooperflags.com
>>for the roof.

Mine is coming with a sun roof so no decisions need to be made for decals on the roof (thank God, one less decision for me - right now I'm ruminating about floor mats!). I wonder how many traffic helicopters from above see those decals and smile!

This site seems to be sucking up so much of my time (happily so, though). I work at home equipped with DSL internet service so have instant access. In short, I'm not getting much done "at work" and it doesn't help that I sit at the computer while doing so! Hope my boss isn't fond of MINIs and decides to check out this site!!
>>
>>in 15 years anybody who knows you, will now of your love for the little red car...
>>you're only as old as your car makes you feel!

Thanks for making ME smile!!!

One more thing, please let me know when you receive your pride and joy. I'm curious to see how long it will take. You got off in Jersey, right?

 

motoring advisor just contacted me to let me know that "15" has arrived! yeay! what's odd is that the WW tracking site is not updated to show this... anyone else on the Carmen get a heads-up from their MAs?

 

Chrissy -

Just a word on your shipment date - I'm showing being booked at the dock on 4/18 (according to the Cargo Tracking site) with my voyage number indicating that I am on the Tosca (voyage #EQ311-TOS). I am hoping this is the most reliable data as I just called ASKMINI this morning to see what they had to say and was told that the car was produced, but waiting to show up at the dock. YIKES - say it ain't so!! I'm hoping there is just a lag in time for the info to reach ASKMINI. I refuse to believe that I might not be on the Tosca - I can't leave such good company (besides my MINI is getting cold and rained on!) Hope you got your cruising papers... Hopefully we will be at sea on Friday some time. Nummy

 

>>My car is booked on the Tosca. MCS -Yellow, White Roof, Blue Leather
>>It has been a long wait.

Welcome aboard matie. Like your bold choice of Liquid Yellow with blue leather - sounds SWEEEEET. How long of a wait did you have? When did you order? Nummy

 

>>BigCliff,
>>You asked about MINI financing....
>>We went to the BMW dealership as suggested by our dealer. The interest rate offered us was 5.60%. They said that they could probably do better once the car was here by shopping other banks for the best rate, but at 5.60 we were at least "locked in". I'm checking out our personal bank this week to see what they offer.
>>I'm hoping we can do better than what's offered us at present.
>>
>>Jimbob


Jimbob,

Not knowing where you are located, I would think you should be able to get at least into the 4.9% range. I'm in MD, and I've got an approved loan at 3.9% from my credit union and a promise from Tate Mini to beat that as long as my credit score is at least 720.

Thanks for the info and good luck getting a lower rate.

BIGCliff

 

>>motoring advisor just contacted me to let me know that "15" has arrived! yeay! what's odd is that the WW tracking site is not updated to show this... anyone else on the Carmen get a heads-up from their MAs?

Chrisscat77,
Are you sure that was "15"? Your pic looks alot like my "Taz" and he was on the same ship (VR/B)

No word from my MA on my ship coming in. But I guess that's the story of my life, waiting for my ship to come in .......

BIGCliff

 

>>>>My car is booked on the Tosca. MCS -Yellow, White Roof, Blue Leather
>>>>It has been a long wait.
>>
>>Welcome aboard matie. Like your bold choice of Liquid Yellow with blue leather - sounds SWEEEEET. How long of a wait did you have? When did you order? Nummy
>>
I put money down in Oct. 2002 to be on list.

 

Congrats Caffienated. I'm sure everyone agrees that you can stay in the May club. :smile:

Chrisscat. Has 15 arrived at the dealership or is he talking about the port. Judging by Caffienateds time line mine should arrive at the dealer around the 5th of May. My Mini is arriving at the same port but has to travel a little further to the dealership.

 

Well the WW site now shows the Carmen as docked! Be swift and sure stevedores.

 

>>Congrats Caffienated. I'm sure everyone agrees that you can stay in the May club. :smile:
>>
>>Chrisscat. Has 15 arrived at the dealership or is he talking about the port. Judging by Caffienateds time line mine should arrive at the dealer around the 5th of May. My Mini is arriving at the same port but has to travel a little further to the dealership.

no- just hanging on the ship trying to get discharged

 

Yay! My first post. Long time browser, first time poster. My MINI was produced on the 16th and is waiting to board the Tosca. I just checked the status of the Tosca and it looks like it's a day late getting in and out of Southampton

Last time I checked it was going to arrive in SC on the 2nd of May but now it's due in on the 5th. I also just noticed the following text on the screen, "* Cargo is in Waitlist Status ". It looks like a foot note type note and my cargo id doesn't have an "*" next to it. I hope my MINI still makes it on the belated Tosca.

Velvet Red/Black/Chrome/Beige Cordova (drooling over the wood dash available in the EU)/Premium/Cold Weather/HK

Happy Motoring(waiting to motor) fellow May-ers!