I ordered my Mini 11-1-2021 and it was done with production and at the port since 12/23. It is still at port. Has anyone experience such a long wait like this at port? My second question is, the security coding fee. My dealership is charging 399 for this and if it is the same as etching it is ridiculously marked up. Is it the same and has anyone been able to avoid paying it?
Stuck at Port/Security Coding Fee
- Thread starter QuietMini
- Start date
- Replies 6
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MichaelC
Well-Known Member
I don't know what this is, as I didn't pay for it. Sounds like a dealer add-on--which means you should be able to opt out of it if you don't want it (or negotiate the price on, if you do want it).
AndysComputer
Well-Known Member
Man there are some crappy dealers around…
Spraying seats with toxic scotchgarde and some nonsense vin marking of parts that benefits you not at all given the insurance company has to pay out regardless when there’s a theft is such a scam.
Along with pinstripes and flashing brake light modules.
Our Kia dealer 3 years ago included a lot of that junk and wouldn’t remove it but all they do is throw it in free but then not discount the car as though they’ve done you some kind of favor.
Thankfully our mini dealer didn’t mark anything up or include any extra fees, services, add-ons or anything.
Feel bad for those who have to put up with this stuff. There should either be a law or a clause in the franchise agreements to ensure these things are truly optional.
Spraying seats with toxic scotchgarde and some nonsense vin marking of parts that benefits you not at all given the insurance company has to pay out regardless when there’s a theft is such a scam.
Along with pinstripes and flashing brake light modules.
Our Kia dealer 3 years ago included a lot of that junk and wouldn’t remove it but all they do is throw it in free but then not discount the car as though they’ve done you some kind of favor.
Thankfully our mini dealer didn’t mark anything up or include any extra fees, services, add-ons or anything.
Feel bad for those who have to put up with this stuff. There should either be a law or a clause in the franchise agreements to ensure these things are truly optional.
Quiet Mini
Well-Known Member
Hey OP, nice user name. 
That’s a long time at port. Is it at the port in Southampton or the destination? My car was at the UK port at that time and sailed toward California around 1/5 and I’ve had it over a week. Call Mini they might have more info.
That fee sounds like some overpriced dealer add on. Reject it. To everyone that has yet to order, call around to every dealer close to you. Negotiate a price and get it in writing before ordering. Build your car online and tell each dealer the build code from the Mini website. This is what I did. The dealer stuck to the price and the transaction was seamless. It’s well known that dealers are making record profits by screwing consumers with BS markups right now.
That’s a long time at port. Is it at the port in Southampton or the destination? My car was at the UK port at that time and sailed toward California around 1/5 and I’ve had it over a week. Call Mini they might have more info.
That fee sounds like some overpriced dealer add on. Reject it. To everyone that has yet to order, call around to every dealer close to you. Negotiate a price and get it in writing before ordering. Build your car online and tell each dealer the build code from the Mini website. This is what I did. The dealer stuck to the price and the transaction was seamless. It’s well known that dealers are making record profits by screwing consumers with BS markups right now.
wessy
Active Member
I was lucky to avoid any markup shenanigans at my dealer (even got a $500 discount, which was most welcome in this market).
As for your car still being stuck at the port — which, I agree, is awful! — I have the same question as @Quiet Mini: Do you mean it’s still waiting at Southampton to be shipped from the UK, or that it already made the trip across the Atlantic but is still stuck at the Vehicle Distribution Center (VDC) at the port of entry here in the U.S.?
It was in the UK till today. It finally shipped but it’s a good thing. We are in the process of buying a home and closing soon so it’s good it took this long so we can buy it after closing.