Part of the fun one has in building a MINI is following its progress from the MA’s computer to the factory floor and so on. With this MINI I had told myself that I wouldn’t get caught up in following the car through the various stages on a daily basis. For one, you quickly learn that the tracking systems (MINI USA’s system) can be at least a day behind reality. I’ve found that just serves to generally confuse the issue.
Yet, as my car entered production earlier this week I’ve found myself calling 866 ASK MINI, checking the Owners Lounge for updates, and calling my MA David Olenick like a giddy MINI newbie. But last night I got exactly what I was hoping for; iron-clad proof of where my car was in the production process. One of our many friends at the Oxford plant emailed to say that he had not only seen my car but personally worked on it. He went on to say:
>It genuinely touched me that for once, I have ‘closure’ (for want of a better word) on work that I have carried out. For once I know where and who a car that I have produced is going to, and strangely enough that’s quite important to me!
My Astro Black 2007 Cooper S officially rolled off the assembly line at 12:35am (GMT) June 7th and is now awaiting transport to what I can only hope will be the Integrity which leaves port on the 9th. Which any luck I should have it just inside four weeks from today.
aah.. the smell of it.
in canada, i’m waiting for my MA to place my order for august, maybe even septemeber build.
BE HAPPY!
Congratulations, Gabe!
Unlike you, I really was a newbie. What excellent misery it was, searching everywhere for details of the process and progress, looking at Southampton on GoogleEarth to see what the shipping facility looked like, anticipating every step along the way.
It’s a great ride, to a great ride!
i saw a AB/AB 07 MCS yesterday. Very close to your spec minus aero kit, wheels. SAWEEEEET!
What a cool e-mail to get from your friend at the factory. I’ve ordered two and bought two off the lot. Waiting makes the time stand still. Have fun tracking your boat. Is this a great hobby or what!
Congrats, Gabe. It’s cool getting that note from the guy at Oxford.
my MCS came over on the Integrity in april 2007.
wow – the note from your friend at the plant is really cool – must make it all the sweeter for the three of you. (yes, the car probably feels the love too…)
That’s good Gabe. Mine is almost more than 8 weeks already and haven’t got it yet.
🙁
I tracked my Mini by typing the VIN into the cargo ID on the following website:
<a href="http://schedule.2wglobal.com/AppTracking/searchCargo.do?trackType=Auto" rel="nofollow ugc">http://schedule.2wglobal.com/AppTracking/searchCargo.do?trackType=Auto</a>
well that’s pretty cool. nice to have friends on the inside. you should have told him to leave a note taped to the underside of the dash.
anytime i pull apart an old car i find interesting stuff from the orginal factory build. usually not anything too exciting by once in a while i’ve heard of people finding a silly drawing or little string of letters.
>you should have told him to leave a note taped to the underside of the dash.
I didn’t have to tell him 🙂
My new 2007 MCS is at the dealership waiting for me to come pick it up! How did I pass the time waiting for it to come in? I took a 3 week vacation to Tokyo and Hong Kong. I did track it online but I didn’t have time to obsess. This is the way to do it in the future!
Hey Gabe–I am in HP. I am sure we have crossed paths hanging around Olenick’s desk. My second MINI
was completed 6/5 and I hope to catch the 6/9 ship too.
A friend of mine has one due to be finished on 6/12. He missed wk 23 because he could not make up his mind.
I told David he had another 10 days then I was ordering his car for him. That prompted him to DECIDE.I pushed him to lounge leather and cream colorline, too.
We could be roomies….LOL
ps. david is off today but according to Dan, cars completed this week should hit Knauz around July 4th or a bit sooner.
Great to see the excitement that you all have with your Mini’s both old and new coming in. I have had the pleasure to be on my third Mini currently, first two ordered from the factory. Can’t even begin to find a more fun time then waiting with all the patience of a young child in front of a Christmas tree.
So did the production schedule allow for the factory installed Stage 1 JCW – as you anticipated?
>So did the production schedule allow for the factory installed Stage 1 JCW – as you anticipated?
The Stage 1 JCW Kit is dealer installed.
I’m happy for you Gabe – it’s a shame your buddy couldn’t have snapped some camera phone pics for you as it went through production. 🙂
<blockquote>I didn’t have to tell him :)</blockquote>
sweet! blog post the note when it arrives, if you would please. that is something special.
Gabe, I heard you have add the HiFi upgrade after you submitted your order. I want to add mini after 3 days and MA told me it was too late.
>Gabe, I heard you have add the HiFi upgrade after you submitted your order. I want to add mini after 3 days and MA told me it was too late.
Yes the rumors I true I added the HiFi stereo to my order. It depends on when your order “goes into the system”. I was fortunate in that I added it literally hours before it became un-editable
Ah… So what made you decide to give in to the HiFi upgrade? You seemed pretty set in your feelings about not being in the car enough to justify it and also that the car is not the place you think of to listen to music per se.
>Ah…  So what made you decide to give in to the HiFi upgrade?  You seemed pretty set in your feelings about not being in the car enough to justify it and also that the car is not the place you think of to listen to music per se.
Cause the graphic equalizer looks sweet on the Nav 🙂
Seriously though it came down to breaking down the costs vs enjoyment over the next few years. I know I wouldn’t have regretted not getting it but I also know I would have thoroughly enjoyed turning it up and basking in the glow.
NICE!! Good luck with her!!
Email me and I’ll send you my production #(wk 24, this comeing week). Tell your buddy inside he can have another oportunity at that “closure feeling”!!! 😉
This is my first mini, I am MUCH worse than a Kid waiting for xmas!! I’ve never given a darn about any car or truck I have ever bought. Something about the mini, it’s like it’s alive!!
Where’s my mini!!!!
Can’t wait to see photos of your car Gabe. The configurator doesn’t really help. I can’t make up my mind on what to order. No matter what combo I use the JCW tuning/suspension will take me over $40K. I’d love to post my ideas and get responses as you did. The feedback must have helped on a few decisions.
Good move on the Hi Fi BTW!
Seriously guys, stop making me want to order a new MINI!!!
Could anyone tell how many times they ship MINI’s over to America in a calendar year? …and what is the ordering deadline for each shipment? Thanks. I might order one soon! :p
Congrats, Gabe! We’ll be in the same situation in a few months ourselves, hopefully.
I can’t believe it’s too late to add Hifi upgrade to my order after 3 days. I am sad to make a such bad decision not to add the HiFI because I also have the Nav system. I will be driving a $32000 Mini with factory stereo. What was I thinking?
>I am sad to make a such bad decision not to add the HiFI because I also have the Nav system.
Don’t be sad – you have an incredible car with a great stock system. And you’ll have saved $600 🙂
<p><a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/pictures/R56_tracking1.gif" rel="lightbox" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://www.motoringfile.com/pictures/R56_tracking1.gif" width="468" alt="" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 15px 5px;"/></a></p>
As I had hoped… my car is now booked on the Integrity!
On this site there are schedule search options.
<a href="http://schedule.2wglobal.com/AppSchedules/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://schedule.2wglobal.com/AppSchedules/</a>
Search by Vessel: INTEGRITY
Search by Voyage: EB723-ITG
Don’t forget that you can track the ship across the north atlantic at this site:
<a href="http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/index.html#search" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/index.html#search</a>
usually updates once or twice a day.
J
. . . And I think the call sign is WDC6925
Has it arived yet? Can’t wait to see some photos!
It’s been delayed at the VPC for two weeks now 🙁