MINI Navigation Ordering Constraints Ending
Over the past 30-45 days we’ve had more than a few of you email us about potential navigation ordering issues with 2012 MINIs. Due to supplier issues (relating to the Japanese earthquake) MINI had a shortage of navigation units earlier this summer. But the concern was that this would bleed well into 2012. So we went straight to one of more trusted sources for the answer to whether or not Navigation was to be delayed any further.
In a word no. According to our source dealers can now freely order both Navigation and MINI Connect for August production.
<p>My girlfriend just purchased a 2012 Mini Cooper S with Mini Connect and Navigation on Monday. So, yeah, they’re available… ;-)</p>
<p>We’r not referring to what’s on the lot but what can be ordered. Not sure if that’s what you’re talking about. There were rumors that Nav wouldn’t be available until late this fall or even winter.</p>
<p>Nope, she ordered her car a few months ago with a very specific configuration. It was not purchased off the lot.</p>
<p>Oh – then that wasn’t affected by the shortage as it was ordered and produced before it began.</p>
<p>When was the shortage? She ordered in the last week of May. The dealer then screwed around for 3 weeks before admitting that he couldn’t order the car when she put down the deposit. As the dealer explained it, that was due to the parts shortage and our only choice was to remove those options or wait out the shortage.</p>
<p>I should add that we thought we were ordering a 2011 at the time and at every step along the way the dealer’s communication (actually, the lack of communication) was extremely poor. I don’t know a whole lot more than that at some point she called them to find out what was going on with her order and they said it would have to be a 2012 if she wanted the Nav and Connect options. But that was back in the second week of June, so I guess I’m surprised that more people aren’t already aware that dealers can and are ordering 2012s with these options.</p>
<p>I ordered my car the last week of April and it didn’t arrive until first week of July. The dealership attributed the delay to limited number of automatic transmissions coming out of Japan. I also got the Nav system with Connect.</p>
<p>Keep in mind though, you cannot order just connected, just connected with Nav. I work here at MINI of Pittsburgh, and my coupe order wont let me add just Nav. </p>
<p>This should be changing in the weeks ahead.</p>