Got the call!

I guess she didn't fall off the truck after all.

Will be picking her up tomorrow at 3. Looking forward to playing with all the new toys that weren't on our 2004 MCS.

 

Dirny, where is your coming out of SC or NJ or somewhere else?

 

Got off the Freedom in SC on 2/10. Showed up in Detroit today.

 

Picking mine up tomorrow

 

OK, for all of you week 3 production people who have already picked up their cars, do you have the secret stash (CD player) compartment in your car?

I will know my own answer when I pick up tomorrow, but if not, I want to be disappointed now.

All the cars at the North American (Detroit) Auto Show had them, that is how I first learned about it. I thought it was really cool.

So, have you got it?

 

Yes, there is a secret stash box.

 

Mine completed production the first week of January. It does NOT have the secret compartment.

 

Just picked my MINI up. My secret compartment is not operative because BMW was unhappy with some of the latches rattling. My MA told me that there is or will be a fix soon.

 

I don't have one either, but my MA said he would make sure it was replaced for me. He said it was potluck whether or not you have one, and he didn't know why...

 

Was it optional on UK cars? Maybe part of the Storage pkg or something?

 

I don't know. It seems to be hit or miss. One of his demonstrators has it, but mine doesn't, and they came in at the same time. My MA said he was calling MINI to find out what the deal is.

 

Wonder if it has something to do with the Packages vs. ala carte options???? Seems strange some have it and some don't....

 

I don't remember an option in the configurator called "storage package" but I really did not look at many of the options that closely. How about that small mesh pocket on the side of the passenger footwell. Is there any correspondence between that and this small storage box?

 

Th eUS gets the 'storage' pack automatically in the US.

Perhaps the MINIs that didn't "have it" actually have it wired shut for now.
Dealers have been intructed to 'lock them down' until a new part comes in to keep them from rattling.

 

Okay, has anyone taken delivery of a new R56 from a dealer on the East Coast that came through the NJ/NY Vehicle Distribution Center?
Is it possible that the autos that are delivered to different ports of entry are subject to different emmisions testing?
I called AskMINI and they said they had no info from the VDC and that maybe it was emmisions testing. This may be their pat answer because when I asked about delivery back at the begining of December they said that might be something that would delay clearance from the VDC.

 

Do they emission test every car??

 

When I called AskMINI the week of the launch, they told me the vehicle was probablly already on a carrier as the dealerships would want to have the product on their lots. I think they really don't have any idea what happens to the cars once they hit the US. Must be a homeland security thing!

On a brighter side a couple of people have actually received confirmation that their Minis are booked on carriers from the VDC out of NJ. So progress!!! My MA has an inquiry with the port on the status of my car but no reply yet.

 

I have not seen any posts about delivery out of the NY/NJ VDC. Was this at a different forum?

 

Just spoke to the Sales Manager at my dealership. My MINi has arrived from the NJ VDC along with 11 other new MINIs. YIPEEE!
Might be able to pick-up tomorrow!

 

Well, I've got 100 miles on Zippeee! now. Time for a new car!

 

Yeah - there's a different thread now for those of us stranded at the NJ VDC:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=92706

 

Art of MINI of The Woodlands called me about the secret compartment. Apparently the cars that have it "slipped through" on the production line and they are having rattle problems. Until that is resolved there's no telling if we will (or can) get the box retrofitted. It's a shame if we don't because the compartment is perfectly camoflauged, and no one would ever know it's there (unless they own a MINI!).

 

Attached are a few photos of my new R56 Got to put 200 miles on today. Great fun.

 

Let's try this again.

Attached are a few photos of my new R56 Got to put 200 miles on today. Great fun.

 

Almost my twin!