Jessie arrived in port and then moved back to "in transit," both yesterday. As my dealer sits about 30 minutes from Galveston, she may be at the dealer, today! Another clue is that my ship docked at one pier (presumably the car unloading place) and then later moved to a second pier (presumably to gas up or whatever).
A couple of you are getting close! My current plan is to order in early 2021. I am hoping that Charleston, SC, is still one of the ports where Minis ship, since that is only a few hours from where I live.
ok... NOW it's arrived at the port. (my bad for thinking there would be only one port in the LA area) - now, 3-4 days average for customs and a week to come up the coast or so.
When I took delivery of my MINI Cooper SE on August 24th, my MA said that there was a MINI Cooper owner on my 4-block long Ann Arbor avenue who had ordered an SE, too, but that person would have to go to Motor City MINI to take delivery because MINI of Ann Arbor was going out of business that day. On our neighborhood walks, my wife and I had noted a 2003 MINI Cooper down the street from us many times. I took the initiative and wrote a letter to "MINI Owner," explaining that I had a MINI Cooper SE and heard that there will soon be another on our street. Two weeks ago, the prospective SE owner called and told me her MINI Cooper SE had arrived at Motor City MINI but she was unsure if she would like it as much as her 2003 MINI Cooper and she asked if she could try driving our SE. Minutes later, with the windows and sunroof open and both of us masked, she was tooling around the neighborhood and enjoying the ride. I couldn't talk her into flooring the accelerator on Liberty Street, but that didn't matter, she decided she was definitely going to take delivery of her SE. Yesterday, on our daily walk, my wife said, "Isn't that an electric MINI?" She had spotted the anticipated White-Silver SE--the only other SE I've seen besides ours--parked and looking great with its Tentacle Spoke wheels. While we were ogling this exceptional automobile, the new SE's owner happened to step out her front door and we got to talk about our cars. How many SE owners get that opportunity? She had a bag-full of cilantro from her garden she was taking to her book club meeting and she gave some to us. So, amazingly, there are now TWO MINI Cooper SEs living within blocks of each other! How long will it take me to talk her into nailing that accelerator?
My car is finally at the dealership!! Will have the sport stripes installed on Monday... My MA is on leave so I'll only be taking delivery next Friday. So, 13 weeks from the $500 deposit to the car arriving at the dealership. Not too bad considering there was a 3 week shutdown in August..
Hey, @Toi ...my mini status on the my mini site just changed to “In Transit”...maybe it’s jumped on a vehicle carrier?
I’ve been talking with my sales rep. Due in port on the 21st so trying to get some small detail changes done in SoCal before it ships up the coast (much cheaper). I’m getting black door handles and a black short sporty antenna (I’ve seen the short antenna in yellow too in a recent video). She offered to blackout the badges too but I’m sticking with the energetic yellow there. I’m okay with keeping some of the electric cues and yellow is a fine accent to the black and green. It’s getting very exciting. Panama Canal tomorrow. Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
Going through the canal. West coast delivery takes a lot longer but it’s almost worth it for the canal transit. Been tracking it all morning. Here’s the Sara Leader approaching the new wider canal on the Pacific side. It’s the one right under the bright white cloud. Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
I appreciate this forum. I just put in my order today for my new Mini. First time ordering as my current Mini was straight off the lot and not custom. This thread really helped me out!
Dealer called today stating my vehicle is almost there (but didn't say when). It'll go through pre-delivery inspection and prep. Then go into "detail" where it's "best to have any additional items you want on the vehicle applied." Stated that's when clearmask will be installed, if purchased. So...anyone purchase "clearmask"? Your thoughts on it? Here in Oregon, we like to use sand/gravel when roads get snowy or icy...which can take its toll on car fronts. Would this help? Worth the price?
I am a fan of paint protection film, as it will definitely help reduce or eliminate damage to your paint from sand/gravel and similar debris. Ask your dealership for their price, the coverage area of the film, and ask to see an example of their work (if you can). Many window tint shops also install paint protection film, so you may be able to shop around for a solution that fits your needs and budget. When doing so, you should point out that the SE's nose is different than the "regular" Cooper S, and ask how that affects their quote. Some places will use pre-cut kits (e.g. from Xpel), and may have to perform a custom installation. I will be dropping my SE off at a tint shop tomorrow, where they will install window tint, paint protection film, and ceramic coating. It will not be cheap, but I view it in the same way I do the SE purchase: It will cost more up-front, but should ultimately save me money down the road.