Sections: Uncategorized Jan 25th, 2004 15 Comments <
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David Bunting, of North American Motoring, recently took a tour of the BMW/MINI Vehicle Distribution Center in Port Hueneme in Oxnard, California with the local chapter BMWCCA and managed to take quite a few interesting photos. If you want to see what your MINI goes through upon entering the US on it's way to delivery you'll want to check out these photos. Thanks Dave!
NiCK Jan 25th, 2004 Link
The link to the pictures where it says “these photos.” doesn't work, it displays:
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hat Jan 26th, 2004 Link
great pics. very interesting – i wonder if the dealer has an obligation to pass repair information on to the customer?
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Michael S. Jan 26th, 2004 Link
in the comments it mentions a dollar ammount for body damage must be reported to the dealer. I know now to ask if they ever get that information. The Smashed MINI looks like a fun job NOT!
the 6 series was AWESOME!
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David Bunting Jan 26th, 2004 Link
That 6 series coupe looked great in person. I wasn't so wild about the convertible though (top up: the rear window notch looks a little screwy. top down: the car seems to look longer.)
The damage notification was also news to me, so like some others I'll definitely be asking about that in the future when I purchase a new car.
Dave
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Frank Jan 26th, 2004 Link
I think that Dave Bunting has opened up a can of worms about some of the pics of “new” vehicles being repaired after sustaining shipping damage.
As far as the new “Banglarized” 6 series…I like the coupe but I am not crazy about the rear trunklid design. The convertible model looks too much like a Chrysler Sebring.
In all and all excellent photos and reporting. It is amazing the amount of money and manpower BMW invests in re-working their vehicles when quality glitches or transportation damage do occur.
I would love to see the VPC in Charleston, SC where both of my MINIs were prepped before delivery.
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Pete Jan 26th, 2004 Link
Frank, you took the words right out of my mouth — Chrysler Sebring. That's precisely what I thought when I laid eyes on the 6-series convertible earlier today.
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David Bunting Jan 28th, 2004 Link
The people I spoke with at the VDC were adamant that if, when a repair was completed, it didn't meet BMW spec, it wouldn't be sent out.
There was a lot of pride in workmanship and product at the VDC.
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Frank Jan 28th, 2004 Link
There is no doubt that the VPC facility takes pride in their repair work. That is not the question. The concern here is that BMW has a moral and perhaps legal obligation to fully disclose transportation damage made to new vehicles before these are delivered into customer's hands.
Florida law requires licensed dealers to disclose damage made to new or used vehicles, such as frame damage, etc.
Perhaps this varies from state to state but still, when someone is plunking $20K+ for a new MINI or $30K+ for a new BMW, they better be straightforward about the true condition of the vehicle.
When you buy a piece of real estate, you need to get certifications to ensure the true condition of a house or apartment. When it comes to cars, laws are very laxed and everyone can do as thier please and conceal damage, etc.
A new auto is the second biggest expense for most Americans after a home.
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Nick Jan 28th, 2004 Link
Great pictures and very interesting. I love that red 2002. In my opinion, the new MINI's heritage is linked to the 2002 as much as it is to the original MINI.
I have a 1974 02 project car that's been sitting in our garage for several years. Last time I started it (2 yrs ago) the waterpump went out before I got out of the driveway. My wife has been bugging me to sell it because it's just taking up space. This picture inspires me to spend the dollars to finish the project.
The 2002 was the original reason I got interested in BMWs and now the MINI.
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csdmmnt Jul 27th, 2004 Link
I am in the same boat as the first poster. Link no work, same error as reported.
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RB Jul 27th, 2004 Link
Thanx for the great pics of the VDC.
I sure as h#%l hope the new 3 series looks more like the new 5. I just don't get the odd rounded into square trunk idea. I like the new 5 because it looks like the lines progress into the trunk not dodge off into the tail lights.
Just don't get the Volvo-ish trunk. Even the Volvo trunk looks like it has continuity of deisgn, as ugly as it is…IMHO…RB
Reply[...] in the Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) closest to your dealer. There are three in the US for MINIs, Port Hueneme in California and the Northeast Auto Marine Terminal in New Jersey and Charleston, South Carolina. [...]
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