Here are some answers:
No, there is no fee for special ordering any car that I know of. Mini likes you to special order cars.

Payment and financing is handled at the time of delivery, or at least it is in my case. There may be a down payment at time of order though.

You can build on line, then send that build to the dealer, or dealers that you are interested in dealing with. Otherwise, you just walk in, take a test drive, and start building your Mini with your Motoring Advisor at that time. It will take you an hour or so from start to finish, depends on how much you talk about options and what a Mini is like.

I did mine all over the telephone and internet via e-mail, but I pretty much knew exactly what I wanted and didn't want. After the order is in, you do have some time to make changes if you desire. Case in point, I added the Rooster Red leather and Black cloth seats after the order was submitted.

Good luck on your order.

 

Thanks for the links ual. Still a few days after that to get to port hueneme, which is by Oxnard, for the processing facility. Getting pretty close!

Adding to what hem said, i think you're best served by building a car on mini.com and having it sent to the dealers you want to talk to. It shows that you did your homework. Then you can go in and discuss changes or ads or pricing as you meet them. Helps to know the pricing and deals in your area and the national incentives as well. Any questions on options, let us know!

 

Thanks for the info. I'm ready to go. Just sent my configuration to the dealer and waiting to hear back. I'll most likely go in for the test drive and submit my order Saturday.

 

Hey guys. Not been around for a while.
Pulled the trigger yesterday and ordered a Laser Blue/white roof MCS!
Decided not to wait for December build for adaptive xenons.

Thanks to lots of info on the board, and people sharing their experiences.

Special thanks to wahoo_shoe for letting me know about the Costco discount program. $1250 off MSRP for an order with minimal hassle. I was offered more for a car in inventory, but nothing matched what I needed.

Very excited, and can hardly wait to get it...and of course I have to!

 

Sauron: I don't know who told you that the adaptive Xenon's were only going to be available in December, but my JCW has been built with them with an October 5th build/birth date. As for the Costco deal, I was able to get, just about the same deal, thru my dealer by mentioning the Costco program. No dealers in the MidWest participate in the Costco program. Sounds like a good car you got going there. Now the wait begins. It's terrible........patience.

 

My MA said they were not available for a Nov build - (maybe it's because I have an MCS?) :( - Any way I can check this up? Would love to have adaptive headlights if possible.

 

Unless they out of stock, I see no reason why they can't be at least ordered. They could pull the adaptives, but if you can't get them, why not get the blackened headlights?

 

Sauron
My Min is waiting at the doc for his Cruise Ship. I ordered the adaptive xenons and there was no problem. This was an October 11 order and it started production on October 13 and was completed on October 20. By the way, what does that mean his birthday is. The lady at the 866 number said it is the day it goes into production, but it seems like it ought to be the day it is ready to ship? Sauron, I sure hope your MA had it wrong and you get your lights exactly they way you want them!

 

Maris, hemi:

Thanks for all the help- I'm going to call my MA first thing Monday and speak to him about re-adding the adaptive xenons. Will let you know what the result is.

What's the wait time from production to delivery typically? Mid-third week December might not be such a bad thing.

 

Sauron
That's a tight build!

You take your name from Tolkien or marvel?

 

thirdrail- thanks! (I had to google Sauron and marvel- I took my name from JRRT)
Pepper white/white- don't see a lot of those. Very nice!

 

Sauron,
I was told it would be 6 weeks from production to delivery here in Colorado. It varies depending on your location. The production line itself takes about 7-8 days. Mine seems to have taken 7. It showed up as "on order" on October 12, in production October 13th and awaiting transport on the 20th. It takes about 21 days to get from Southhampton to Port Hueneme.

 

Hi Maris,

Thanks! I'm on the east coast (DC area) so I expect a shorter crossing time. But I've seen the stories of delays people have experienced. Will let you know what happens. Hope your car comes soon. Great fully equipped build

 

Can I order a car with Mini Connected yet?

 

Sure! They'll take your deposit!

 

you can place the order, but it will be a December production MINI. The connected isnt available yet, but we can put an order in the ordering bank now with connected.

 

my dealer said he cant put in an order yet, since mini connected is not in the ordering guide, the dealers use yet? Was this a recent change?

 

we have had a MINI in the ordering bank (not with a production number but in the ordering bank) for a little over a month now.

You can place the order there and when it is available it will assume a production number that is available with MINI Connected.

So it isnt a recent change no, but if they are trying to order it under a production number it will not show as available yet.

 

I wonder if my dealer knows that... I had called one dealer, and the MA there had no idea what MINI Connected was. :/

When do dealers normally get Dec allotment? Does that mean they get production numbers then?

 

Pulled the trigger on saturday and placed an order. They told me 55 days which puts thanksgiving out of the question but I should be on track for Christmas arrival.

My build:
- White silver MCS hardtop w/ black roof
- 17" web spokes
- black headlight housing
- xenons
- leatherette
- piano black trim
- anthracite headliner
- illuminated MCS sills

Now we play the waiting game....

 

Thanks Maris and hemi! I told my MA that people had adaptive xenons, he checked up and yes- he had made a mistake and was able to correct it. Adaptive xenons coming my way, no change in build date. Hooray!

The waiting continues...

 

Sauron! That is great news! I am so glad you made the call! It makes it even more exciting!

 

http://98.136.86.48/us.f655.mail.yah...5svSYMBkFBVA--

Don't know if this will show up, but the first picture of Lil Guy at the dealers

 

I tried to transfer photo's from my Motor Advisor's iPhone, but no can do. Hey, I tried. After we pick him up on Saturday, I'll try to take some pictures for the photo gallery and you can see Lil Guy. He told me that this trip is finally over, and boy was it ever a long trip. Hey, he's looking good.

 

Pics not showing up,looking forward to the gallery updates!