too late? 2004 model year ED

[zoliborz]

Just throwing out some questions here...

Does anybody know if and/or when it is too late to place an ED order for a 2004 model year car, specifically 330ci, ZHP?

My local dealer (in south jersey) had no concrete answers for me and hasn't reallty tried to find out. He also will not budge from MSRP on ED, so he probably has no real incentive to find out since he doesn't see me as a likely sale.

I know the factory is closed in August, but is ED still possible? September production will probably be 2005 models, but will they be E46's? Will the ZHP still be available?

Also, has anyone here had any good ED experiences with philly area dealers? Basically, any local dealers discounting below ED MSRP?


Thanks for your help

[Tanning machine]

Just throwing out some questions here...

Does anybody know if and/or when it is too late to place an ED order for a 2004 model year car, specifically 330ci, ZHP?

My local dealer (in south jersey) had no concrete answers for me and hasn't reallty tried to find out. He also will not budge from MSRP on ED, so he probably has no real incentive to find out since he doesn't see me as a likely sale.

I know the factory is closed in August, but is ED still possible? September production will probably be 2005 models, but will they be E46's? Will the ZHP still be available?

Also, has anyone here had any good ED experiences with philly area dealers? Basically, any local dealers discounting below ED MSRP?


Thanks for your help

The factory is not necessarily closed in August. Given demand, they've kept them open the last few years. If you make arrangements now, you'd probably be looking at an August pickup at the earliest, which will be 2004. Even a Sept. pickup will be a 2004 car most likely, since they build in advance. Either a 2004 or a 2005 will be an E46, and presumably the ZHP will continue to be available through the end of the model run.

[jerrykdc]

You should contact Joern down at Passport BMW in Maryland and get some straight answers and a great price. It is less than a 2 hour drive and most dealers are more than happy to do factory maintenance which you will make an appointment for anyway.

[Tanning machine]

You should contact Joern down at Passport BMW in Maryland and get some straight answers and a great price. It is less than a 2 hour drive and most dealers are more than happy to do factory maintenance which you will make an appointment for anyway.

Yeah. Good point. Unless there's someone in Philly who will come down to the $1500 over ED invoice range, or fairly close to that, you might as well go to Passport and Joern. You can do all the paperwork by mail, and Acela plus metro will get you to the dealer in a couple of hours.

[zoliborz]

Thanks for the info guys.

My assumption was that a 2005 would still be an e46, but my main concern is trying to get in on 2004 pricing.

ED in September might be to much of a good thing with Oktoberfest happening.

beer, sausage, autobahn, alps...

[Roadhawk]

You should contact Joern down at Passport BMW in Maryland and get some straight answers and a great price. It is less than a 2 hour drive and most dealers are more than happy to do factory maintenance which you will make an appointment for anyway.

I second that sentiment. Even though I didn't buy from Joern (as i had already made my deal) I've talked with him on the phone and he seems to really know his stuff concerning the ED program (and he is originally from Munich!) He emailed me some info and we talked quite a bit - and I din't even buy a car from the guy!

I am picking up my 330 ZHP 19 July (can't wait!) and I just ordered less then 2 weeks ago. My understanding is that you might need 30-45 days to get paperwork and such though and the later you order the less likely you might be to get your perferred pick up date - but shouldn't prevent you from getting one - so go for it! Seems like its a great way to go!

[Phase1]

Zoliborz,

I asked this same question to my ED CA and was told that a 2004 model year bimmer needs to be picked up in Munich by the end of Sept. Because of a scheduled business trip, I was thinking to pick up during the last few days of Sept. or the first week of October. I was told the latter would mean a 2005 vehicle (pricing not available until July). My understanding is production does shut down for part of August, but there is still a one month (or so) mandatory scheduling delay from when your vehicle begins its build to when you can receive it in Munich. Hence the option to pick up as late as end of Sept. for that year's model instead of the next. Don't know specifically about ZHP, though.

Does sound like your local dealer doesn't want your business. I live not too far from you and am going to the DC area to one of the recommended dealers from this thread who is much more flexible on pricing to the range suggested by others here.

Good luck.

[Tanning machine]

Zoliborz,

I asked this same question to my ED CA and was told that a 2004 model year bimmer needs to be picked up in Munich by the end of Sept. Because of a scheduled business trip, I was thinking to pick up during the last few days of Sept. or the first week of October. I was told the latter would mean a 2005 vehicle (pricing not available until July).

I don't think that' squite right. More likely it's that you can't pick up a 2005 until the first week of October (because it wll be produced 30+ days before pickup), after its production in Sept. They'll certainly hold the car more than 30 days if you can't pick up until Oct., but want a 2004.

Next question: Is the small price increase not worth paying for to avoid a year of depreciation that will happen once the 2005 model year starts.

[beauport]

You should contact Joern down at Passport BMW in Maryland and get some straight answers and a great price. It is less than a 2 hour drive and most dealers are more than happy to do factory maintenance which you will make an appointment for anyway.
I ordered my 2002 330Ci the first week of June for a delivery date of September 3rd through Joern Esser at Passport. Joern knows the ins and outs of the factory ordering and can provide you a definitive answer if there's time to still order. Besides, he's a plain nice guy.