Tobacco Lounge

[Evlengr]

Looks like I will be joining the tobacco lounge.

Got my Dean Martin, Burt Bacharach, Herp Alpert all ready, Lol (of course with some Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jeff Beck for good measure).

Today they placed the order for my:

6 speed MT:thumbup:
Sapphire Metallic Black
Tobacco Leather
Xenon Lights
Heated Front Seats
Heated Steering Wheel
Privacy Glass
:)

Stereo System--what can I say---the new one is TBD but will incorporate the new Alpine DSP system as part of 7.1 surround as well as broad band audio streaming.:bigpimp:

No Custom Seats--they can't be combined with tobacco as Terry stated :(

[kjboyd]

Congrats!

[AzNMpower32]

Congrats on getting everything worked out! :thumbup:

[Evlengr]

Azn--forgot to ask..How was Myer-Emco as an installer. After my issues with my last one I don't think either of us will work together.

It seems ME carries some of my favorite gear Alpine and the new Pioneer shallow mount subs.

IIRC they were about $100 for the doors (a little pricey btw) but you get what you pay for.

Did they deliver when they said and any glitches?

BTW thanks for the comments

[AzNMpower32]

Myer-Emco was easy to deal with, and I would recommend them to anyone willing to get things done with the sound system. Not all their locations have mobile electronics installation; I went to the one in Bailey's Crossroads, VA (about 10mi from where I live) and dealt with Sean Hanlon.

They've done various high-end cars before, including X3s. So far, I have had no issues with the installed speakers and they completed the job in a few hours when I dropped it off with a Saturday morning appt. They left the driver's armrest a bit dirty, but I cleaned that up easily when I got home. They did mention that in the future, should I have any issues with the installation (i.e leaks or such), just bring it back and they'd take care of it at no charge.

[keithsimp]

Congrats Ev and welcome to the Tobacco Lounge.

[Terry J. Harris]

Very good, congratulations!! Glad things appear to have worked out. Yes, welcome to the lounge, and the ranks of those with MT's (mine is scheduled to pull into port Monday) :drive::roundel:

[Evlengr]

I think one of the things that will be most difficult for any of us will not be "Opening It Up" before the break - in period. At least for me.

I will be getting delivery sometime in late July, so it will be ready for the Autumn cruising through the mountain roads.

Please post pics of you tobacco's

And Terry if it pulls in Monday, will you be standing there with flowers and candy? Lol

The whole tobacco things spurs images of high back chairs, brandy, and Cohiba's.

[Terry J. Harris]

It will be some meaty Chateauneuf du Pape to celebrate my baby's arrival in Cheyenne, which I am guesstimating will be about mid-June. And for whatever fun we have here obsessing over the arrival of our new rigs, we pale in comparison to those folks over in the ED forum - they track the daily progress of their boats, lie to the shipping lines to get GPS access to same, etc. It's really quite a hoot over there!

My daughter's home from college and has her nice little digital camera. I will get her to take some nice pics of the Black exterior/Tobacco interior combo :roundel:, and then I will try my hand at posting them here. :typing:

[Evlengr]

Thanks Again all. Very excited about the change in things, but Hpyengr just doesnt ring right.

Going to have to stick to my avatar of long standing.

I know I can grouse at the guys for being 12 hours late or something on delivery.

[Evlengr]

Oh noooooo--according to BMW OC I ordered a 2005 silver metallic 2.5 AT. Hahahahaha

Guess I should wait for it to replicate across their servers.

This is gonna drive me nuts waiting. Note to self, "cut down on espresso".

[Evlengr]

Ok the OC is now showing my MT X3 en route. What would be typical travel time to East Coast?

[riod007]

congratulations on it man... its a wonderful car and sounds like you picked a good color combo...

[X3 Skier]

Ok the OC is now showing my MT X3 en route. What would be typical travel time to East Coast?

If you go to the ED board, there are lots of tips on how to track the ship it is on. I don't know specifically how to determine the ships name but I suspect BMW NA could tell you. or you may know already.

Cheers

[Andrew*Debbie]

Ok the OC is now showing my MT X3 en route. What would be typical travel time to East Coast?


OC is famous for being wildly inaccurate. Better to call the 800 number. If you have a production number or a VIN you can use the automated system.


If your car is on a Wallenius Wilhelmsen ship and you have the VIN, you can track it here:

http://schedule.2wglobal.com/AppTracking/searchCargo.do?trackType=Auto

If your car ends up on the other shipping line BMW uses, you more or less just have to wait a few days for the car to get to Newark. Factory ordered cars clear customs on the ship. They go directly to the VPC.
Once your car is unloaded at the VPC, you have to call to get the status. Your car is Priority 1 or zero and will go to the front of the line at the VPC.

Our X3 was P0 and got out of the VPC in 2 days.


P0 -- Tourist Delivery, Customer Owned.
P1 -- Customer Sold
P2 -- BMW Center demo or loaners
P3 -- BMW Center priority stock
P4 -- BMW Center stock


P2 cars do not get any special priority in shipment.

[lilskel]

No Custom Seats--they can't be combined with tobacco as Terry stated :(

What do you mean by custom seats?

Update: Owners circle now shows my X3 awaiting transport with Tobacco Nevada Leather

[Evlengr]

Duplicate

[Evlengr]

Sorry, the correct term is "Comfort" seats.

Has all sorts of additional adjustments and lumbar support.

I was one of those "Exreme" sports types before anyone knew what that was, and injured my back multiple times.

[wingspan]

Nice car. We really like the Tobacco / black on our '07.

MT should be good to go. :D

[Evlengr]

This is a hoot----Just got a call from the salesperson handling my situation. He said my vehicle could be in as soon as this week. We ordered it less than 30 days ago.

[kjboyd]

excellent Ev!!

[Andrew*Debbie]

That's fast.

[Terry J. Harris]

Good news for you Evl. Perhaps your fast turn around is what balances out the numbers in unusual cases such as mine. I've come to learn from my dealer that the passenger door handle on my rig was not functioning properly at the VPC so a new replacement part had to be ordered . . . thus the projected delivery date of this Saturday. Well, since then the dealer asked they hurry things up and was provided a new projected delivery date of yesterday. Well, today I received a message that the computer now shows Thursday as the ETA. I'm resigned to . . . wait. I hope this won't get me expelled from the tobacco lounge! :thumbup:

[Evlengr]

Sad to hear on yours Terry, but nice to know they check and caught it. I am much more tolerant of those that make a mistake and admit it then those that try to sweep it under the rug (nudge nudge wink wink say no more, Lol).

I hope you get yours Thursday. I'd love to see some pics.

[ckm1515]

Sad to hear on yours Terry, but nice to know they check and caught it. I am much more tolerant of those that make a mistake and admit it then those that try to sweep it under the rug (nudge nudge wink wink say no more, Lol).

I hope you get yours Thursday. I'd love to see some pics.

I'm a big fan of the tobacco lounge, even if I'm rolling with an X5. Liked the X3 but with two small kids, felt very cramped with car seats. The tobacco interior is hot in my humble opinion.

[Evlengr]

In transit from prep center. Supposedly arriving this week. Dealer is going nuts trying to deliver before end of month.

[Evlengr]

Well, it's here. I picked up my 08 MT-6 speed yesterday. Love it. I will go into more detail with pictures later this weekend.:)

My initial take:


The easiest manual transmission I have ever used. I forgot I was shifting til I got stuck in a two hour traffic jam omw home.And even that wasn't really bad.
The tobacco leather coloring is superb. It is just the right touch to set it apart from others. I'm glad I got the metallic black with it.
Xenon lights. Hold crud these things cut through the dark with laser precision. A definite must.
My dealer - Passport BMW - after everything that happened they were the consumate professionals. Extremely helpful, and in no way patronizing. They get my five stars.


Well off to enjoy the rain. Happy Fourth to all.:D

ps Terry has yours arrived? I don't recall you posting anything lately.

[ericbell1]

Congrats on the new ride - Passport is who we bought our 08 from last October... easiest purchase ever.

I'll be interested in seeing your interior pics... I tried convincing my wife to get something other than beige, but to no avail.

Eric

[kjboyd]

Congrats Ev!

[Andrew*Debbie]

Well, it's here. I picked up my 08 MT-6 speed yesterday. Love it. I will go into more detail with pictures later this weekend.:)




:freakdanc :roundel:

:drive:


It is stupid easy to shift. N52B30 has such a wide torque band you don't need to down shift in many situations. Hill holder will spoil you.

Our Miata has better feel, but the X3 is easier to drive.

[UncleJ]

My 1948 Studebaker Commander had hill holder too! I believe this feature was first introduced in the 1930's. Just goes to show there is not a lot new under the sun, concept wise.

[x3ml]

Congrats EVL!

LEMON LAW WORKS !!!

[Red08X3]

Congrats! I am with you about the xenon lights. They are amazing and a huge step up from the standard ones I had on my first '08.

[LMC]

Well, it's here. I picked up my 08 MT-6 speed yesterday. Love it.

Woo-hoo! :thumbup: Congratulations!

[Evlengr]

Couple of things I have noticed with this model:


Love the new head rests (telescoping design)
It likes shifting at 3,200 rpms the best except first gear. It wants more, but with 40 miles on it, I'll just have to wait.
The handling seems much stiffer and responsive (same tires - thank you thank you thank you _Pirellis's). Have no idea, but if feels very different.
Going to start looking for different wheels - something black I think. Please post suggestions.
Defintely want the running boards so any who wants to trade let me know.
Should have done this from the git go.
And now the pictures: Changing of the Guard, The New Toy, The Interior, and a Z8 for us all to drool over.

[MJS]

Very nice! Congrats.

[Terry J. Harris]

Congrats Evl! :roundel::freakdanc Gorgeous looking rig with great options. :drive::D

In response to your p.s., well although I'm tempted to say "woe is me" I am hoping I've encountered nothing but a little "hiccup" in the process and will be picking up the replacement, trade assist, MT X3 shortly. Of course, pics if and when that happens.

Again, great looking rig and congratulations on bringing your AT issues to a close.:thumbup:

[Evlengr]

Congrats Evl! :roundel::freakdanc Gorgeous looking rig with great options. :drive::D

In response to your p.s., well although I'm tempted to say "woe is me" I am hoping I've encountered nothing but a little "hiccup" in the process and will be picking up the replacement, trade assist, MT X3 shortly. Of course, pics if and when that happens.

Again, great looking rig and congratulations on bringing your AT issues to a close.:thumbup:

IF?

Figured of all people you would have this handled before me.

Crossing my fingers for you.

And thanks to the others for comments

[AzNMpower32]

Congrats on the new acquisition!

[3seriesbmw]

sweet ride:thumbup: did you keep the other x3 or is it history?

[LMC]

... I am hoping I've encountered nothing but a little "hiccup" in the process and will be picking up the replacement, trade assist, MT X3 shortly.


Ouch...well at least that explains some odd information I had heard via Homeland Security channels...

It seems that security has been slightly concerned about somebody hanging out on a dock or pier or something on some bay in Wyoming. Initially the activity was noted but considered routine and not really of concern, but then it seemed to continue longer than would normally be the case. Resulting, as you might imagine, in additional intelligence and surveillance resources being used in monitoring the activity.

Hope you take delivery soon! :D

[Evlengr]

sweet ride:thumbup: did you keep the other x3 or is it history?

It is history, and where she will go I know not.

I am finding that there were more things wrong with that one then I realized in comparison to the new vehicle.

I guess they have Monday cars in Austria too.

This is what I expected of a BMW.:thumbup:

Dug01 you put a great link to replacing the pedals...... I saved the directions for later use, but where did those come from?

I have poured through the search mode and can't find it.

[Court M3]

that is a beutiful combo

[Eric in SD]

Evl,

Congratulations. Very nice color combo. I'd like to see a picture of the front seats in tobacco, if it is not too much trouble. I am glad for you that you finally have the BWM that you wanted and that it came out flawless...the way it should be.

Eric

[Terry J. Harris]

Well, picked up my '08 Jet Black with Tobacco leather interior today.:drive::roundel::freakdanc I've taken some pics with my daughter's digital, and after she forwards them to me I will post a handful. It's so nice to be in a manual transmission - the car is all response now, as it should be.

The color combination is striking - hope the photos do it justice. Hell, I've now got a black car and a silver/black car - ought to start cheering for the Raiders . . . . :)

The manual is really not materially different from my '00 Z3. Having a 6th gear will take some getting used to, as will the awkward shift into 6th when anything is in the cup holder. But pressing on the gas, in any gear, and getting exactly the response you expect is such a relief at this point, almost 18 months after I first drove a new X3 off the dealer's lot.

Quite frankly, I'm not sure I can see much difference between the regular suspension on my '07 that I just turned in, and the "sport" suspension on this '08. In any event, and as I suspected, the '08's suspension is no where near as stiff as my Z3's. I expect I will really like the "sport" suspension in this vehicle. My guess is that it will come in very handy on the washboard back roads the rig eventually will get to know.

The extra fat steering wheel is nice, as are the sport seats. I know come winter, though, there will be a day or two I miss that heated steering wheel.

I am really liking the lines on the sport model.

Everyone here has been very supportive and encouraging throughout this very long process. Thank you for that. Just as important, my contact within BMWNA stuck with me throughout these months, and for that I too am very grateful. Without her, I don't expect I would be in this '08 manual transmission. Again, as pics arrive I will post them. But for now, I'm taking a seat in the tobacco lounge. :bigpimp:

[AzNMpower32]

It's so nice to be in a manual transmission - the car is all response now, as it should be.

And you wonder why everyone in Germany drives a manual.

[Evlengr]

WOOHOO TERRY......looking foward to seeing what the sport version looks like compared to mine.

The manual tranny is awesome.

Power is always there when you need it.

Dang, so how fat is the steering wheel on a sports model?

I think the heated one I have now is reminiscent of a racing MoMo one I had on one of my racers.

Don't know if you had the Xenon's before but they are fun too.

Well, Once again congratulations.

[Terry J. Harris]

Thanks Evl!

The sport steering wheel is just a little fatter than the already pretty fat heated steering wheel. It has a slightly different feel, at least compared to the heated steering wheel I had in the '07; the '08's seems like a softer leather.

Those Xenons really are incredible. Many a night in the '07 there came through for me - a "must" option with the X3 IMO.

[Zoltar]

Congrats Terry and Evl!!
I am glad you both resolved your issues.
I sure wish I could test drive an X3 manual, but that is just not an option in these parts.
Looking forward to the pics Terry.

I also have black. Love it. Here's a tip, Mequires #9 swirl remover is your friend!

[diana]

I was just thinking of both of your cars and the X3 master thread. I'm so glad you're both happy with your new X3's!:)

[HT417]

Congrats to you both and Evl, I think the side steps would look great with the black. :thumbup:

[Terry J. Harris]

Attempt at some pics of the new '08 X3. Jet Black, Tobacco leather, Sport Package, and Manual Transmission. :drive: That last pic is my "fun" car, although this latest addition might compete! :D

That yard is torched :yikes: due to the fact that I'm about to put in a flagstone patio.

[Red08X3]

It's beautiful, Terry. Congrats again!

[Evlengr]

Very nice Terry. I see you got the Pirelli's?

[AzNMpower32]

Snazzy sport packet and colour combos! :thumbup:

[Terry J. Harris]

Thanks folks! Yes, they are the Pirelli's this time around. As has been mentioned, the tobacco shows very light when photographed. To get a better perspective of how dark it is in person, think more along the lines of that cedar fence behind my rig in each of those three exterior pics. Then look at what the camera did to that same fence when viewed through the front passenger window in those two interior pics. Best of all though, look at those three foot pedals!:drive::roundel:

[Zoltar]

Wow, way cool Terry.
Enjoy the pics, thanks.
Is that sports package or sports activity package?
I really like the M wheel.
The tires look like summer tires, are you going to swap them out in the winter?
Congrats again.

[Evlengr]

It appears they discontinued the tobacco leather in the 09's.

This true?

[Terry J. Harris]

Zoltar - That's the Sports Package. I am giving serious thought to changing out to mud and snow tires this winter. I did not do that on the '07 X3, and nevertheless did not encounter too much difficulty. That said, the occasional big dump of snow will be less of a concern with a more aggressive winter tread. With my '07, I had priced winter tires at both TireRack and the dealer, with the dealer's price having been much higher for the tires. I e-mailed my dealer to ask them to at least make some effort to come down in price to something closer to the TireRack price and simply never heard back from them. By then I was working on getting out of the '07 and never re-visited the issue. With this '08, if nothing else I expect I'll buy four tires from TireRack and have the dealer mount them. It's that time again (to bleed some money the way of TireRack) for my Z3, as my Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's are starting to get a little thin. :drive::roundel:

[Zoltar]

Thanks for the update Terry, I thought you forgot about me.
I really like the sport package.
I left my stock tires on last winter and I was fine but I don't have the sport package.
Those wheels looked different which is why I asked.
If I get another X3, I think sport package and manual is the way to go.
I really like that combo our yours, very nice. :thumbup:

[QuantumJump]

Thanks folks! Yes, they are the Pirelli's this time around. As has been mentioned, the tobacco shows very light when photographed. To get a better perspective of how dark it is in person, think more along the lines of that cedar fence behind my rig in each of those three exterior pics. Then look at what the camera did to that same fence when viewed through the front passenger window in those two interior pics. Best of all though, look at those three foot pedals!:drive::roundel:

Nice seats....those are upgrades for sure!