Here is the updated order list for August 24

Banannastand, NY, 8/18 production started

Blouise, NY, 8/20 production started

JcM1n1, SoCal, 8/19 production completed, waiting for Porgy 8/28 departure

Kencwallace, VA, in production

Maui Meg, NJ, 8/18 production started

Neverfifty, VA, waiting for Undine 8/25 departure

Norcaltinkerbell, NorCal, (no status report)

Rayratt, WA, 8/19 production started

UAL_Kingpin's friend, SoCal, 8/19 production started

Y2K Falcon, TX, 8/20 production started

 

Don't know if it matters, but ASK-MINI gives me an Est. Completion Date of Saturday 8/29.


[which I see you noticed in a "First Gear" thread, but thought I'd mention it here]

 

I have tried calling several times today. The first time, both the automated and live customer relations tracking systems were down. Later, I found the automated system was working, but the customer relations computer system was still down.

I wanted to talk to a real person since their system provides more detail (like if a car is in the body shop, paint shop, assembly phase, or complete and waiting to be released for shipment to the Southampton dock). Since my MINI went into production last Tuesday (8/19), I am hoping they found enough parts laying around the factory to be able to start welding it all together today.

The customer relations guy said their IT folks had been working on the computer tracking system all day and hoped to have it up and running later today (they close at 9 PM EDT).

 

I just called AskMini around 5:10pm EDT and was told by the automated line that my mini's estimated completion date is August 26th. Almost there!

I tried to get more information from customer services but their tracking system was still down. Was told to try back in a couple of hours.

 

Although the online production status is up and running again today, I have no new news regarding my MINI.... the automated still says it is due to be completed on the 28th. I guess it's heart is still beating, but I want MORE NEWS! In the meanwhile, my old faithful Honda Accord has died AGAIN and my hubby and I are back to sharing one car between us. This MINI can not come fast enough for me!

Have any of you heard anything different about your production status lately?

 

OK - just called AskMini again and was told that my car is in the paint shop & should be completed by tomorrow. Getting there. =)

I also finally got my vin # so how is everyone figuring out which ship their mini will be on? Mine will be shipped to NY which I believe is really Jersey City.

 

I am so jealous MauiMeg! But I am just one day behind you, so I am hoping that means that mine is going to be painted tomorrow. The ship that I've been hoping will get my MINI to New Jersey leaves on September 1st- that's the next one leaving for our port. If mine isn't completed until the 28th, I'm not sure if it will get there in time to catch that ship. Someone posted info that the cargo needs to be at the dock to be loaded four days prior to departure. Yours could make it! If so, it would arrive in NY on the 8th, I think. I sure hope that mine is right next to yours. I wonder if your MA could tell you if it's scheduled to take that ship over? Did you hear about the paint by talking to someone live? or via the recording? You give me HOPE!
One day behind, pedal on the metal trying to catch up with you- Blouise

 

oops I'm Two days behind you. Zealous thinking on my part

 

I actually heard about the paint shop from both the automated and live line.

I would love to think that my baby could make the Sept. 1st ship but even if I'm done tomorrow it's still really pushing it I think as it still have to go through their Qaulity Control and then still make it to the port.

My MA has been on vacation and if I remember correctly he won't be back until later this week. Guess I'll have to wait and give him a call to see if he can find out for me what ship my baby will be on.

Don't be jealous - even if I'm done a day or two earlier we'll probably be on the same ship. What dealership did you use?

 

I ended up going through Keeler Mini in Schenectedy- they gave me a deal.The "dealer" in Buffalo offered me like $50 off. It's worth it for me to go the extra distance, take a train and enjoy the drive back to Rochester. VRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOM!

If we don't make the ship leaving on September first, the next one leaves on the 7th or 8th, I think. For sure we'll be on that one if not on the 1st. I know you're going on vacation, but I've been hoping my due date for discharge home to me is Sept. 19th. I'll be out of state the following weekend ARRGH! Maybe I should arrange my flight to get me back to New York via Schenectedy so I can drive home on the 28th??

 

Would like to share my joy with you guys. My MY was born today and is waiting to be released to the carrier. I hope she can make Sept 1st ship.

 

This morning, the automated line said the same thing as for the last five days - my MINI is "in production." But, a live person at customer relations checked and said Twiggy had "just entered the body shop." That is good - it means they had enough parts left to build a 2009 MINI!

 

Congrats Rayratt! How many times have you re-watched the production video today? YES! it could be YOURS! Let's hope they leave a few good doors and parts to put together my baby too! Watching and waiting

 

N666BK- when did yours go into production and where is it headed?

 

Hey, I was talking on the other thread (the support group for week 34) and just came across this one! My Mini went into the paint shop yesterday and is expected completion tomorrow. I don't know if there is any chance that it will make the September 1st ship to NYC, but I am hoping!

 

Now, I'm NOT an expert on reading this, but...

The Undine is currently at dock, being loaded with soon-to-be American Minis... Looking at one of them, I see...

LOADED ON VESSEL SOUTHAMPTON 25-08-2009 12:16:00 1
RECEIVED AT TERMINAL SOUTHAMPTON 25-08-2009 08:33:00 1
BOOKED SOUTHAMPTON 24-08-2009 13:55:13 1

And another one:

LOADED ON VESSEL SOUTHAMPTON 25-08-2009 08:37:00 1
RECEIVED AT TERMINAL SOUTHAMPTON 17-08-2009 20:33:00 1
BOOKED SOUTHAMPTON 17-08-2009 20:32:00 1



So maybe the four day isn't a hard and set rule? Surely there are owners who know they didn't get to Southampton until 1-2 days before their boat who can confirm....

 

That 4-day requirement might only apply to people wanting to ship a car privately. I think new BMW and MINI vehicles are quite likely "pre-registered" since the factory and shipping line have to work together to get all the cars loaded in the right areas so they can be unloaded without a lot of trouble.

Another reason I doubt the 4-day requirement is a hard and fast rule - I read somewhere that when a ship is full, they will sometimes actually pull some cars off so the can load higher priority cars on.

The "Priority Number" your car is assigned is also important at the VDC. Priority 1 vehicles (already sold to a customer) are processed before Priority 3 (generic dealer orders). Hopefully your MA assigned you a Priority 1.

Bottom line, we can all hope our MINI catches a ship that sails less than 4 days after production and testing are complete - but we need to be ready to wait for the next boat too!

 

It started on Aug 20. Mini of Manhattan is my dealer probably our cars will sail together.
Cheers,

 

Really?!?!?! Started on 8/20 and already done? I started same day (6:24am) and have a complete date four days from now.

 

Yep, what ASK-MINI said and I am having cold one today

 

I think you guys might be correct about not needing to have the car four working days prior to boarding.

 

I think there were only two cars left at Southampton after today's boat left (well, only two ww-destined), and they both arrived AFTER the boat did, if I'm using "Track and Trace" right.

 

Yes, I did notice that two cars didn't make it on the ship. Perhaps they got damaged?

 

Roster for August 25, 2009

Banannastand, NY, 8/18 production started

Blouise, NY, 8/20 production started

JcM1n1, SoCal, 8/19 production completed, waiting for Porgy 8/28 departure

Kencwallace, VA, in production

Maui Meg, NJ, 8/18 production started

N666BK, NJ, waiting for carrier

Neverfifty, VA, aboard Undine, ETA NY 9/3

Norcaltinkerbell, NorCal, 8/21 production completed, waiting for Porgy 8/28 departure

Rayratt, WA, 8/19 production started

UAL_Kingpin's friend, SoCal, 8/19 production started

Y2K Falcon, TX, 8/20 production started

 

Oh I'm so excited - my mini was "born" today!

Just spoke to someone at Ask Mini and my mini is already at the port and ready to be shipped. Now just have to figure out when the next ship for NY is ready to go.

Meg