Not long now Dave! Still waiting for mine to get on a boat in Germany, next one leaving on the 25th, I don't think it'll make it.
Tony, Go to this site and enter In the last 7 of your VIN BMW Model Archive · BMW VIN Decoder · bmwarchive.org It provides your MINI's birth date, images of your exterior and interior, and an item by item listing of your options with assigned codes. It took me a week to board a ship after production. The Torino is due in Baltimore on 10/2 at 4:00 AM EST.
That site is nice. Like the images of your vehicle? You realize our MINI's were both born on Friday the 13th in the Year 2013. Perhaps you'll name your MINI "Black Cat" or "Lucky".
My ship docks in Baltimore Wednesday 10/2 at 4:00 AM (10 hours away!). My dealership is an hour's drive from the port. When...do...I...get...my...Roadster?
HELP! My ship docks in Baltimore today. Marinetraffic.com shows the ship "no longer in range", though it's purportedly just off shore. I ran my VIN through Cargo ID at the WW website and received the latest notation: CUSTOMS RELEASE WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ 30-09-2013 00:00:00 WTF? I'm thoroughly confused at this entry. I'm supposedly docking at Baltimore today, so did the Torino stop in New Jersey 9/30 for customs inspection before departing for Baltimore today? Was this merely a computerized U.S. Customs clearance? Is it an erroneous entry at the WW site?
Assuming it docks in Baltimore today, how long (on average) does it take to clear the VDC? My dealership is exceptionally close to Baltimore, so ground transport cannot be that bad. Can anyone tell me their experience with VDC processing and delivery? *Update: As of 2:15 PM, my ship is steaming up the Chesapeake Bay towards Baltimore. If I drove a parallel track by car, it's about a 3 hour drive away. My impatience is driving me crazy.
My SWAG would be 3 days at the VDC and a day of transit. The dealer prep time depends on the list of dealer installed items. I'm pretty sure the OEM driving lights are still a dealer-installed item. So is a clear bra, if you're getting one. As anxious as you are to take delivery, I recommend against trying to rush the dealer prep -- you want to stay on their good side and make sure they treat your new baby methodically and correctly.
I know how you're feeling Dave, mine is still 4 days away from port, with a couple of days transport then the dealer prep.
Nobody mentioned the Clear Bra option when I ordered. I learned about the option after the sale. I can always have it installed locally by an authorized Clear Bra dealer. The chrome driving lamps will be done at the VDC, I believe. My ship is pulling into the auto terminal docks as I write this post.
Surprise, surprise! The Torino makes two stops in Baltimore over the course of two days. Did my Roadster disembark at the first stop (10/2), or does it stay on board until the second stop (10/4)? Two extra days! BALTIMORE, MD U.S.A. 02/10/2013 03/10/2013 BALTIMORE, MD U.S.A. 04/10/2013 04/10/2013
It probably was taken off the ship. Then the ship heads to another port to offload more, then comes back on load cars built here and imported into Europe. That is my wild ass guess anyway.
The Torino docked late last night. No change in my status on the WW website. I'm hoping the ship unloads my Roadster first, though its certainly possible that my vehicle is slated for the second Baltimore port of call. I tend to believe that MINI's unloading my Roadster and steaming up the Chesapeake Bay to take on another load. I've been wrong before. My patience is wearing real thin. My Sales Manager issued a September 26th ETA on the purchase date.
Pretty soon you will have forgotten all about the wait.....You will be crusing around with a huge smile on your face all day....
I plan on moving to Florida next year. I learned that Florida does not require front plates, so I e-mailed my MA and told him not to drill and mount the front plate holder. I understand there are after-market plate holders that do not require drilling. Anyone familiar with Florida law or after-market plate holders like I described?
Here is the statute on displaying a plate in FL. Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine As I read it there has to be one on the rear. This part in particular leads one to think you only need a rear.