The MINI is at the Dealer

Sections: MF Feature Jun 3rd, 2005 37 Comments

After being pulled off one ship to wait at the docks for over a week before getting on another, and after suffering through a holiday weekend that did nothing but wreak havoc on MINI shipping, my car is finally close to delivery.

I just got word that it rolled into the dealership this morning and it should be ready for pickup first thing Saturday. I’ll have more on the car (including a few photos) this Sunday.

Written By: Gabe

Michael Babischkin

Let me just be the first to say congrats and enjoy!
renaultF1

Congratulations Gabe!!!
You must be so excited. Heck, I’m excited for you :)
Damon

Gabe,

You are going to love the MCS. I sold my 2002 Cooper for a Pepper White MCS that arrived May 1. I love it. The only regret I have is getting the automatic trans. Driving our 2004 6-speed and then driving the auto reveals two different cars. The manual is superior in a lot of ways but the auto is still fun and handy in traffic.

Can’t wait to hear about yours.
Wraith

congrats gabe!! we’re all looking forward to pictures!!!
Vanwall
Hooyah! Lottsa pics, please!
```
           BCNU,
        Rob in Dago
```
http://lawrenceotoole.com/mini/mini.html lawrence::otoole

ha ha ha… yet another turned to the dark, er, jet-black side!

congrats!
http://www.alldigitalnyc.com drew
congrats gabe!

i traded up from a cooper to the s this year and can tell you first hand you are in for a RUSH!

i do have to (respectfully) disagree with damon though as i opted for the auto s and think it kicks copious amounts of ass! living in nyc i had no desire to constantly shift, but once out to the twisties in the hamptons it goes something like this:
- hit the go-go pedal
- supercharger whines like mad
- jcw air intake opens up at 4500 rpm
- paddle shifting goodness ; )
good luck with your new ride!

cheers – drew
Chris T.

Gabe, you have no idea how jealous I am right now – not of your car (I also have a 05 MCS) – but because of the TINY amount of time you had to wait to get yours. I live in Seattle and it takes OVER A YEAR for the dealership here to get your car if you order it right now. Not to mention that whenever I need to get my car serviced I have to drive all the way down to Tacoma which is about 45 minutes from here. The west coast seriously gets screwed when it comes to Minis.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Yeah good point Chris – I suppose I should consider myself lucky. I was just really hoping for a one month turn-around like other folks have seen.

BTW – I’m curious how many people from the northwest specifically have bought from midwest dealers like Patrick MINI? Some of these dealers have no mark-up and just one to two month waits. Is there a reason that makes it worth going through the wait with north west dealers? Just curious.
John

I waited 3 months for my 03 MCS at Rasumussen in Portland. I actually had a car ordered from Patrick and at the time, there was a 3 month wait. So, all things being equal, I opted for my local dealer. Currently, the wait for a MCS in Portland is about 6-8 months.
Johnny

I will be ordering through Patrick this summer; Seattle Mini promises a 10-12 month wait. Talk about frustrating.
Al

Congrats Gabe, how long was it from when your car hit US shores and was discharged to when it showed up at the dealer? Just curious as I am in that homestretch myself and also live in Chicago….
Jeffrey Haskovec

Congrats Gabe. Any reason you didn’t wait another 3 months and just get an 06?
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Well there were a number of factors… one of the major reasons will be posted on MotoringFile bright and early Monday morning :)
Dave

Mazel Tov!
greg

Congrats Gabe. Ideal color choice. Look forward to photos.
Jeffrey Haskovec

The Mystery goes on. Now you have me doubting about whether or not I should wait until the 06′s spec out. I am planning on getting an 06 MCS.
MiniMonkey

WOW! That sure seemed FAST! I guess when it’s not your Mini order… time goes by faster.

Congratulations… We know your going to enjoy! Post some pictures when you pick it up.
http://miniblog.guapacha.com Paul

I’ve been talking to MINI of Pittsburgh about a new MCSc, been quoted 5-6 weeks and free delivery to CA (onan open truck). I don’t want the huge wait we have here.
Angelo

Woohoo!! Will you go visit it tonight?
Vincent

I live in Seattle and ordered my 2004 MCS from Patrick in 9/2003. I got my car in early November which was like a 2 month wait. That time, it was a 18 month wait + $500 markup to get a MCS from the only MINI dealer here in Tacoma.
http://goofytruax.blogspot.com/ GoofyTruax

Hey Gabe what was the order time? From placement to getting? I guess I could look it up from your posts but….. Mine was ordered last weekend.
http://www.squirty.com/minis kcollins

Are you going to name it DARTH? Congrats!
nfo

you know how to contact me, i’m anxious for a spin in the new ride! congrats!!!
David

Good idea kcollins!

Gabe, Have the license plate read: DRTHVDR
rustyb

Gabe,

I hope you enjoy the new machine! Looking forward to the pics and comments Sunday.

I noticed that several people mentioned long waits for cars. I purchased my MCS May 10th (Mini of Manhattan, NYC) and it is already scheduled to finish produciton June 9th. If all goes well I will have the car before the end of July. Perhaps some of the people in the NW could contact Mini of Manhattan (NYC) and get quicker gratification?!?! 1 year for a MCS, do not torture yourselves and call an East Coast Dealer.
http://hoffman.blogs.com Steve

Hey~ I’m picking up mine tomorrow morning too! good luck!
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

well surprise surprise… it turns out that it was easier to just pick it up tonight :)

First impressions…. I love it. More Sunday :)

BTW – for those who are in the Chicago who want to see my car make it’s public debut of sorts… I’ll be at Patrick MINI at noon on Sunday getting ready for the Chicago MINI Club annual baseball event. Better yet, if you’re looking for some motoring opportunities and to possibly even catch some minor league baseball, join us!
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Re: the plate… I’m not one for the personalized vanity plate but you guys guessed very close to what I would have gone with: VADR37
Sam

Congratulations, Gabe!! Awesome! I’m so jealous, as my Pepper MCS is about 20 days away from being in my possession (Stupid Panama Canal!!!)

I’m curious, now that the ’06 and final year of the current MINI production cycle is drawing closer, what is going to happen to the dealerships/areas that have a year long wait list? Will they stop taking orders?
O(=^=)OCapn

Lucky!
O(=^=)OCapn

Lucky!
Vanwall
Hah hah!! I was wondering if you would wait! Rubber side down, and mind the potholes. A hearty congratulations to one of the key MINI people on the planet! Happy Motoring!
```
          BCNU,
        Rob in Dago
```
nrkist

Well there were a number of factors… one of the major reasons will be posted on MotoringFile bright and early Monday morning :)

You tease us. Hmm, let me guess… Could it be that BMW/Mini offered you a very special discount for the reams of positive PR you’ve pumped out here at Motoringfile? No, that would be unethical…
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Um no. Is that sarcasm?
nrkist

Damn, thought I had it. Hmm… is it like an astrological thing? Some kind of rare planetary alignment that occured on the day you ordered?
O(=^=)OCapn

Let me guess, Is it because they are killing Jet Black?

Give the man a Kewpie doll!

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