Sections: Uncategorized Jun 29th, 2003 16 Comments A source just passed along this information from a recently released MINI document:
Official tours of MINI production at Plant Oxford have started on 7 May 2003. This will bring MINI and the phenomenon of its successful market launch to both the community in and around Plant Oxford, as well as the growing global audience. External visitors will be given a chance to see at first hand the key steps in MINI production, and our trained tour guides will provide commentary and safe stewardship through the Plant.
Visiting production areas The tours will start in the Plant Oxford Info Centre, with the main focus of the tour being the Body in White (welding) and Assembly Halls. For Health and Safety reasons, visitors will not go into the paint facility, but instead be introduced to key highlights of the paint process with visual aids in the Info Centre.
How to book your group in If you have requests for a visit to MINI production at Plant Oxford then please direct these to:
E-mail: Oxford.Plant-Tours@bmwgroup.com,
In writing to : Plant Tours, Communications Dept. (TO-K), BMW Group Plant Oxford, Oxford, OX4 6NL.We regret that children below the age of 14 are not allowed on site for Health and Safety reasons. Our maximum group size will be 30 people. Plant Tours start at the times shown below, and last approximately two and a half hours.
Tour Times:
AM Tour PM Tour
M to TR 09h30 13h45
Friday 09h15 12h45
james Jan 17th, 2004 Link
when will they start the european delivery program for minis; that is when can you pick the mini after the purchase of the mini; just like the BMW program that includes the whole factory tour, and hotel and a route plan before you send your car back to your respective country?
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Gabe Jan 17th, 2004 Link
To my knowledge they will not be using a program like that. There are several reasons but for one Americans driving a left-hand drive car in a right-handd drive country could spell trouble.
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Jim D Loving Mar 1st, 2004 Link
When you are in the UK see when the John Cooper Co. is going to make available a separate exhaust system, similar to the “Works” exhaust, for the MCS. Thank you, Jim D Loving
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Cathy Mar 8th, 2004 Link
Triumph (British Leyland) offered a European delivery package available to Americans. Certainly if it could be done then, it could be done again. I've also seen Brits driving right-hand drive cars in the US. You just need to take the time to adjust. Surely there's a better reason delaying the European delivery for Minis.
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Gilbert Cabral Mar 29th, 2004 Link
Gabe,
enjoy, will you please tell us how much you expend total i.e. fair, hotel etc.
thanks
gilbert
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AGL Jan 4th, 2005 Link
I did something awful….I sold my MINI…but I wanna take Babe (my MINI's name) to her birth place before I hand her in (which will be very soon)….but why don't they do tours on Saturday?! Well…I am going anyway! It would be good and will let you guys know!
PS And I will buy a MINI again one day!!!!!
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Chris M Apr 18th, 2005 Link
Gabe,
Thanks for the info. Someday maybe I’ll have the time to visit England again….
Regarding European Delivery, I agree with Cathy: there may be reasons why MINI doesn’t do it, but LHD vs RHD shouldn’t be one.
I know this because in 1988 I was the happy new owner of a European Delivery M3 that I drove from Germany to England (Channel ferry) and back. One of the highlights of driving this LHD car in Britain occurred when I took my 93 year old grandmother for a ride. Quite a few people did long stares and double takes when they saw that new M3 with an elderly woman in the right hand seat!
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Mike May 31st, 2005 Link
Where can i get a 2005 type s right hand side drive and is it possible to do a 4 wheel drive conversion, because i am a rally enthuisast.
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chris chery Sep 27th, 2005 Link
i am a teacher in france do you happen to kow who to get in touch with to tour the plant at cowley? regards chris
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Gabe Sep 27th, 2005 Link
Chris – send an email to this address: Oxford.Plant-Tours@bmwgroup.com
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David McNeil Nov 26th, 2005 Link
How about European delivery of an lhd mini? For tourist use, then export to the U.S. Does anyone know how to arrange this?
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marilyn ross Jan 8th, 2006 Link
We are coming to England Sept.27-OCt.10th 2006,and would like to do a tour of the Mini Cooper factory. My husband is turning 60 this year and the trip is part of my birthday present to him. He loves cars and has a Mini Cooper and in the past Rolls Royce,Porsche, and Jaguar. I just also gave me upgrade to the John Cooper special exhaust system. Thanks. Marilyn Ross
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Sally Scully Aug 5th, 2006 Link
Still no European delivery? Since you make LHD cars, why not let us pick one up there? It is not so difficult to adjust to a RHD country. We’ve done it often with rented cars.
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Chris H Oct 28th, 2006 Link
Does anyone know if it would be possible to get an 07 RHD Cooper S to the states?
Reply[...] Quote: Originally Posted by ben__allen (original) How do you arrange the visit to Plant Oxford? Am down that way the week after next – are they on a regular basis? Or arranged by demand? Send them an email and tee it up that way. From what I can tell you should be able to drop in at relatively short notice if they are running tours. It’s pretty cool. Sir Jackie Stewart: You never press the gas pedal until you know you never have to take it off. [...]
Clarenc R. Cavey Mar 9th, 2008 Link
I am coming to England the week of March 22, 2008, and would like to do a tour of the Mini Cooper factory if time allows me. This will be my first trip to England. I presently have a 2003 Mini Cooper.
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