Pip
vtmini38
October 12, 2012
8
0
General Information
Year 2013
Make MINI Cooper
Model R56
Color Metallic British Racing Green II
History
In August I ordered a 2013, 6 speed manual, MINI Cooper. It was shipped through the MINI Distribution Center in New Jersey to a New England dealer. This document is current as of November 2012. The MINI Production Plant in Oxford can be viewed on Google Earth.
First, visit MINIUSA.com and build your new MINI on the Internet. Be methodical; be sure to examine all the available color options, available Packages, vehicle options and accessories. Talk to MINI owners and a dealer. Follow the instructions. It is great fun and a very simple process.
Shop dealers, talk to MINI owners and have confidence and trust in your chosen MINI dealer. Not all car dealers, even including MINI dealers, are created equal. MINI's are made for motoring. A three or four hour drive to pick up your new MINI can be very rewarding and certainly offsets the advantage of purchasing from a local dealer in whom you have no confidence. Huge discounts on MINIs are not normal but a quality dealer makes a big difference.
The dealer will assign you to a Motoring Advisor (MA). Next to you, the MA is the most important individual in this process. The MA is with you from start to finish. They are there to help with planning, ordering and delivery of your new MINI. You should develop a bond with your MA. You need to have mutual trust. Your MA should be responsive to your MINI and purchase related questions or concerns. They can be one of your greatest assets during the purchase and waiting process. A good MA should know more than you and always be able to answer, or find the answer, to your MINI, motoring, dealer and purchase questions. Another great source of information about all things MINI is ASK-MINI, discussed later in this article.
Know in advance about fees. Fees vary greatly from dealer to dealer and appear to be cash cows for some dealers. If you choose an out of state dealer they may not perform services allegedly covered by these fees. In some cases dealers will not mail the documents you need for out of state pre-registration. In that case you will need to take care of all the bureaucratic hassles after you take delivery of your new MINI when you should be motoring. This is not always the case but you should ask if this is important to you.
The MINI Owners area at MINIUSA.com is fun. You need to create an account with your Production Number. This number, and additional login instructions, should be provided by your MA. This is where you learn about your MINI, its ordered options, and see videos that show how things work. You can read and/or download an owner's manual and warranty information. Unfortunately this site is slow to update. Once you get to the production process, it is virtually useless. It could be a wonderful resource but many of the links are out of date. Your MA will always know more than you can find on the Internet.
Always have the following numbers handy:
Production #: _________________
VIN #: _______________________
Your MA will provide this information to you shortly after you place your order.
Once your MINI appears in the Owner's Lounge call 1-866-275-6464 (ASK MINI), ext 2, (production #), ext 1, for Production updates. Call often. Talk to a real person, the automated system is not much better than the MINI Owners Lounge area. Your question should be "Have you the status of production for my MINI please?" Use the production number, not the VIN. They can tell you projected dates like when production will start/finish, when your MINI is in the paint shop, the body shop, etc. Once they tell you it has arrived at the port, you can move on. The ASK-MINI customer service people are extremely, friendly, patient, knowledgeable, and well trained. This is a great resource!
Useful information they can provide include these dates:
Production has started:
Production is complete:
Awaiting transport to the port:
MINI is at the port:
When production starts, figure eight days for production to be complete. Awaiting transport can be hours, days or weeks. The Oxford factory is 67 rail miles from the Southampton Port. Cars are transported when there is space at the port and your MINI has been assigned to a vessel.
Check Wallenius Wilhelmsen Schedules to determine what ships are sailing from UK, Southampton to USA, NY:
http://sagaweb.2wglobal.com/AppSchedules/
http://sagaweb.2wglobal.com/AppSched...esselSearch.do
Use your VIN to Track & Trace cargo.
Go to: http://www.2wglobal.com/www/wep/index.jsp
See the drop down box under Customer Tools, I want to, on the right.
Click on "Track & trace my cargo."
Enter your VIN as the Cargo ID.
Click the black Track button under the Quick Search box.
You will also see your Bill of Lading number and Booking number. Make a note of these numbers. It is best to just enter your own Cargo number (VIN) when you track your MINI so you don't need to scroll through all the vehicles on the manifest to find yours. The Bill of Lading or Booking numbers will tell you how many MINIs are on the ship for your port.
If you want to do some investigation you can enter some Bill of Lading or Booking numbers adjacent to your number. You might learn what other makes of vehicles are on your ship, and how many vehicles are going and where.
You will be able to track your MINI through Booked, Received at Terminal, Loaded on Vessel, Discharge, Delivered From, Customs Release and Liner Release entries as they appear. They seem to be fairly current, within a few hours. Once that process is complete you are at the mercy of your MA. MINIs remain at the Vehicle Distribution Center for final checks and then are sent, by road or rail, to the dealer.
To learn about your ship - you need to join to get additional information.
http://www.fleetmon.com/en/vessels/
http://www.fleetmon.com/live_trackin...tmon_explorer/
Radio checks: You will need your vessel's call sign from the above link:
http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shi...ml?call=(enter callsign)
Join: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/ (NAM).
There is a lot of useful MINI information on this Blog. You can learn about much of what is condensed here and see the experiences others have had buying and owning a MINI.
Now for the most fun, and excitement, of all. . . actually track your ship live at:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/
To zero in on the Port of Southampton go to:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/def...50.6000&zoom=9
To zero in on the Auto Port Halifax go to:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/def...44.4000&zoom=9
To zero in on the NJ port go to:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/def...40.6600&zoom=9
At each of the above links, use your mouse to move the map and zoom in or out. You should only need to watch Cargo Vessels, Ships Underway and Anchored/ Moored. The other vessel types can be unchecked on the left side menu. If you look at all ship traffic the screen gets too busy. You may want to also check "Show Ship Names." You will not be able to track a vessel in the open sea but you will get them as they approach and depart land masses. You will be able to look at exactly where they dock on the satellite view. Cool!
MINI had an uneventful docking in New Jersey. The day after she was released from the shipping vessel she was put on a truck for the one day journey to my New Hampshire dealer.
MINI had suspension blocks, protective wrap, etc. removed at the dealership. The dealer installed two pre-ordered accessory options, performed a final cleaning and last minute checks. MINI was ready for delivery exactly 58 days from my initial order date. The entire process went extremely well. This transaction yielded no unpleasant surprises. The exact MINI ordered was delivered within the time frame initially promised.
----------
Exterior
Roof & mirror caps in white
White bonnet stripes
White boot stripes
Xenon headlights
Rear fog lamp
Rear bumper guard
"S" Chrome fuel filler cap
Milltek Sport cat-back exhaust system, SSXM019
Blue Ox base-plate, BX1307
-----
Interior
Carbon Black Leatherette
Color line carbon black
Always hot 12V accessory plug
Ultimate MINI armrest, G2NMI4016BLK
-----
Under the Hood
6 speed Getrag manual transmission
DDMWorks cold air intake system, R55/56/57
D1 Spec 7 Drive
-----
Wheel and Tires
16" 6 star twin black wheels
Run flat all season tires
-----
Read more »
Year 2013
Make MINI Cooper
Model R56
Color Metallic British Racing Green II
History
In August I ordered a 2013, 6 speed manual, MINI Cooper. It was shipped through the MINI Distribution Center in New Jersey to a New England dealer. This document is current as of November 2012. The MINI Production Plant in Oxford can be viewed on Google Earth.
First, visit MINIUSA.com and build your new MINI on the Internet. Be methodical; be sure to examine all the available color options, available Packages, vehicle options and accessories. Talk to MINI owners and a dealer. Follow the instructions. It is great fun and a very simple process.
Shop dealers, talk to MINI owners and have confidence and trust in your chosen MINI dealer. Not all car dealers, even including MINI dealers, are created equal. MINI's are made for motoring. A three or four hour drive to pick up your new MINI can be very rewarding and certainly offsets the advantage of purchasing from a local dealer in whom you have no confidence. Huge discounts on MINIs are not normal but a quality dealer makes a big difference.
The dealer will assign you to a Motoring Advisor (MA). Next to you, the MA is the most important individual in this process. The MA is with you from start to finish. They are there to help with planning, ordering and delivery of your new MINI. You should develop a bond with your MA. You need to have mutual trust. Your MA should be responsive to your MINI and purchase related questions or concerns. They can be one of your greatest assets during the purchase and waiting process. A good MA should know more than you and always be able to answer, or find the answer, to your MINI, motoring, dealer and purchase questions. Another great source of information about all things MINI is ASK-MINI, discussed later in this article.
Know in advance about fees. Fees vary greatly from dealer to dealer and appear to be cash cows for some dealers. If you choose an out of state dealer they may not perform services allegedly covered by these fees. In some cases dealers will not mail the documents you need for out of state pre-registration. In that case you will need to take care of all the bureaucratic hassles after you take delivery of your new MINI when you should be motoring. This is not always the case but you should ask if this is important to you.
The MINI Owners area at MINIUSA.com is fun. You need to create an account with your Production Number. This number, and additional login instructions, should be provided by your MA. This is where you learn about your MINI, its ordered options, and see videos that show how things work. You can read and/or download an owner's manual and warranty information. Unfortunately this site is slow to update. Once you get to the production process, it is virtually useless. It could be a wonderful resource but many of the links are out of date. Your MA will always know more than you can find on the Internet.
Always have the following numbers handy:
Production #: _________________
VIN #: _______________________
Your MA will provide this information to you shortly after you place your order.
Once your MINI appears in the Owner's Lounge call 1-866-275-6464 (ASK MINI), ext 2, (production #), ext 1, for Production updates. Call often. Talk to a real person, the automated system is not much better than the MINI Owners Lounge area. Your question should be "Have you the status of production for my MINI please?" Use the production number, not the VIN. They can tell you projected dates like when production will start/finish, when your MINI is in the paint shop, the body shop, etc. Once they tell you it has arrived at the port, you can move on. The ASK-MINI customer service people are extremely, friendly, patient, knowledgeable, and well trained. This is a great resource!
Useful information they can provide include these dates:
Production has started:
Production is complete:
Awaiting transport to the port:
MINI is at the port:
When production starts, figure eight days for production to be complete. Awaiting transport can be hours, days or weeks. The Oxford factory is 67 rail miles from the Southampton Port. Cars are transported when there is space at the port and your MINI has been assigned to a vessel.
Check Wallenius Wilhelmsen Schedules to determine what ships are sailing from UK, Southampton to USA, NY:
http://sagaweb.2wglobal.com/AppSchedules/
http://sagaweb.2wglobal.com/AppSched...esselSearch.do
Use your VIN to Track & Trace cargo.
Go to: http://www.2wglobal.com/www/wep/index.jsp
See the drop down box under Customer Tools, I want to, on the right.
Click on "Track & trace my cargo."
Enter your VIN as the Cargo ID.
Click the black Track button under the Quick Search box.
You will also see your Bill of Lading number and Booking number. Make a note of these numbers. It is best to just enter your own Cargo number (VIN) when you track your MINI so you don't need to scroll through all the vehicles on the manifest to find yours. The Bill of Lading or Booking numbers will tell you how many MINIs are on the ship for your port.
If you want to do some investigation you can enter some Bill of Lading or Booking numbers adjacent to your number. You might learn what other makes of vehicles are on your ship, and how many vehicles are going and where.
You will be able to track your MINI through Booked, Received at Terminal, Loaded on Vessel, Discharge, Delivered From, Customs Release and Liner Release entries as they appear. They seem to be fairly current, within a few hours. Once that process is complete you are at the mercy of your MA. MINIs remain at the Vehicle Distribution Center for final checks and then are sent, by road or rail, to the dealer.
To learn about your ship - you need to join to get additional information.
http://www.fleetmon.com/en/vessels/
http://www.fleetmon.com/live_trackin...tmon_explorer/
Radio checks: You will need your vessel's call sign from the above link:
http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shi...ml?call=(enter callsign)
Join: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/ (NAM).
There is a lot of useful MINI information on this Blog. You can learn about much of what is condensed here and see the experiences others have had buying and owning a MINI.
Now for the most fun, and excitement, of all. . . actually track your ship live at:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/
To zero in on the Port of Southampton go to:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/def...50.6000&zoom=9
To zero in on the Auto Port Halifax go to:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/def...44.4000&zoom=9
To zero in on the NJ port go to:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/def...40.6600&zoom=9
At each of the above links, use your mouse to move the map and zoom in or out. You should only need to watch Cargo Vessels, Ships Underway and Anchored/ Moored. The other vessel types can be unchecked on the left side menu. If you look at all ship traffic the screen gets too busy. You may want to also check "Show Ship Names." You will not be able to track a vessel in the open sea but you will get them as they approach and depart land masses. You will be able to look at exactly where they dock on the satellite view. Cool!
MINI had an uneventful docking in New Jersey. The day after she was released from the shipping vessel she was put on a truck for the one day journey to my New Hampshire dealer.
MINI had suspension blocks, protective wrap, etc. removed at the dealership. The dealer installed two pre-ordered accessory options, performed a final cleaning and last minute checks. MINI was ready for delivery exactly 58 days from my initial order date. The entire process went extremely well. This transaction yielded no unpleasant surprises. The exact MINI ordered was delivered within the time frame initially promised.
----------
Exterior
Roof & mirror caps in white
White bonnet stripes
White boot stripes
Xenon headlights
Rear fog lamp
Rear bumper guard
"S" Chrome fuel filler cap
Milltek Sport cat-back exhaust system, SSXM019
Blue Ox base-plate, BX1307
-----
Interior
Carbon Black Leatherette
Color line carbon black
Always hot 12V accessory plug
Ultimate MINI armrest, G2NMI4016BLK
-----
Under the Hood
6 speed Getrag manual transmission
DDMWorks cold air intake system, R55/56/57
D1 Spec 7 Drive
-----
Wheel and Tires
16" 6 star twin black wheels
Run flat all season tires
-----
Read more »