ALLGBMINI

After last weeks “patience grasshopper” nonsense reply from MINI USA to our questions about the GP, I’ve learned a little more about the USA spec car thanks to Charlie who acquired the “Order Options” and “Series Options” reports for his car.
Since all GPs are the same, this info presumably applies to every USA GP buyer …

Vehicle information
VIN long WMWRE935xx
Type code RE93
Type COOPER S (USA)
Dev. series R53 ()
Line M
Body type COUPE
Steering LL
Door count 3
Engine W11
Cubical capacity 1.60
Power 160
Transmision FRONT
Gearbox MECH
Colour THUNDER BLUE METALLIC (A64)
Upholstery STOFFLEDER CHECKMATE/PANTHER SCHWAR (FGPN)
Prod. date 0001-01-01
(all the above is basically identical to any USA MCS, except the color and the upholstery)
(the FGPN/upholstery I think is a standard option for USA cars … this suggests the claimed “adjustable thigh support” might not be present after all)
(GBMINI#3 had specific codes for the non-body-color roof and mirror caps; your GP list doesn’t have either – so either we’re not getting silver roof and red mirror caps (!) or that’s one area where they skipped the coding because of using Bertone)

Order options
1CA SELECTION COP RELEVANT VEHICLES
2TA LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
210 DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC)
249 MULTI-FUNCTION FOR STEERING WHEEL
3AL JOHN COOPER WORKS KIT
4AA ROOF LINING ANTHRACITE
427 INTERIOR SURFACE, SILVER
450 HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT F FRONT PASSENGER SEAT
494 SEAT HEATING F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
550 ON-BOARD COMPUTER
645 RADIO CONTROL US
650 CD PLAYER
8SP COP CONTROL
895 ADDITIONAL VENTILATOR
9AA EXTERNAL SKIN PROTECTION
925 SHIPPING PROTECTION PACKAGE
(GBMINI#3 has the “cold weather package” code ZCW which includes heated mirrors (314) and seats (494). So apparently the GP has heated seats but *not* heated mirrors)
(249 is the same steering wheel code as GBMINI#3, so the standard 3 spoke MFSW, not the JCW version)
(there is no 5AA code for rear fog lamps – so the GP isn’t getting them)

Series options
214 AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL+TRACTION
255 SPORTS LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
262 HEAD AIRBAG
481 SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
493 STORAGE COMPARTMENT PACKAGE
530 AIR CONDITIONING
546 REVOLUTION COUNTER
563 LIGHTS PACKAGE
657 RADIO BOOST
736 SECOND RADIO REMOTE CONTROL KEY
823 HOT CLIMATE VERSION
845 ACOUSTIC BELT WARNING
853 LANGUAGE VERSION ENGLISH
876 RADIO FREQUENCY 315 MHZ
992 NUMBER PLATE ATTACHEMENT MANAGEMENT
(Some of these codes “clash” with the above – 210/DSC is listed under order options, and 214/ASC+T under standard options … presumably the order options “win” over the standard options)
(Presumably 823 HOT CLIMATE VERSION indicates A/C included)

Well, it’s better than nothing!

So I read all about the Monterey delivery option and signed up for it – a very cool, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, followed by the exciting MINI Takes The States drive.
Deposit to MINI of Peabody, signed paperwork, etc – everything good and exciting. A little lacking in communication from MINI USA, but oh well …

Now today, a letter from MINI USA (the second) – and for the very first time, we are told:
The State of California imposes a use tax upon the first use of a new vehicle in California. Since you will be taking delivery of your new vehicle in California, this tax applies.
The first time use tax will not be collected by your retail center or BMW [not MINI!]
Should the State of California decide to collect this tax from out-of-state consumers, it would be billed by the State of California and payable directly to the same [legal nonsense – why not write this stuff in ENGLISH!].
In the event taxes are assessed and taxes were paid in your home state, recovery or credit of taxes may be available in full or part. Note that such recovery may not be available from all states.
We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause you.

So I guess if they’re sorry, that’s OK.

And why didn’t they tell people this BEFORE they signed up?

It’s all very vague and who-knows-what …
Who will tell California that I’m picking up a car in that state? Not me!
How much might I be liable for?
Who decides, if I am billed, whether I can recover it from Massachusetts?

This whole GP event sometimes seems to be two steps forward and one step back; it’s very annoying 😦