What to do while your BMW is being built?

Enjoy! Great color choice

took delivery of mine yesterday. so far i'm loving it save for one minor bluetooth issue.

Good for you, so now the wait is over what is next?
Maybe take a long drive for a couple of days to find out what kind of nice car you have got?

I won't have an opportunity for a long drive until after xmas. right now, i'm just trying to get it configured to my liking.

I like playing with all the different suspension and drive modes. i thought Eco pro would be unenjoyable but so far it's not bad if you're on the highway.

i'm annoyed that the Bluetooth song info on the idrive is not always in sync with song playing from my phone. it's intermittent so i think there might be a usage method that circumvents this annoyance. my phone announces and reads txt messages over bluetooth. that's why i'd prefer bluetooth to USB for music; the sound quality is good enough.

does anyone have a better experience using bluetooth A2DP?

Ordered my 535i on 9/22/12. Went into production on 11/23/12. Left plant on 12/10/12. When I asked how long was the shipping time, I was told by BMWNA that there was a delay at the east coast ports due to Hurricane Sandy and they were not sure.

Originally Posted by bradshawsa

Ordered my 535i on 9/22/12. Went into production on 11/23/12. Left plant on 12/10/12. When I asked how long was the shipping time, I was told by BMWNA that there was a delay at the east coast ports due to Hurricane Sandy and they were not sure.

You can track it if you have the VIN or bill of lading on the WW site.

Originally Posted by bradshawsa

Ordered my 535i on 9/22/12. Went into production on 11/23/12. Left plant on 12/10/12. When I asked how long was the shipping time, I was told by BMWNA that there was a delay at the east coast ports due to Hurricane Sandy and they were not sure.

damn! do you know the reason why did it take so long from the time you ordered and production?

I ordered mine last week and was told to expect at the dealer mid February.

Originally Posted by darius7

damn! do you know the reason why did it take so long from the time you ordered and production?

I ordered mine last week and was told to expect at the dealer mid February.

It's because of the individual options, mine took just as long. I ordered mine at the end of September as well and its still on the boat.

Originally Posted by djsaad1

It's because of the individual options, mine took just as long. I ordered mine at the end of September as well and its still on the boat.

Mine is base with Carbon black paint, Hi-Fi and ceramic controls. Hope it will be here before March 1st in time for cash credit and loyalty incentives to be valid. If not I'm screwed.

Originally Posted by darius7

Mine is base with Carbon black paint, Hi-Fi and ceramic controls. Hope it will be here before March 1st in time for cash credit and loyalty incentives to be valid. If not I'm screwed.

It doesn't look like you got any individual options unless you got individual leather, so you should be fine depending on the slots your dealer has available.

If you choose an individual option it automatically delays your order by a month no matter what week your dealer gives you.

I feel very lucky, that's all it could have been. I signed the paperwork on a Saturday at the end of Sept. and was given a production slot that started the next Monday (something the dealer must have had in reserve?). Car was completed in about 7 days and must have had to do a Dukes Of Hazard ramp jump onto the back of the transport ship! Pick it up just more than 4 weeks after purchase.

Sorry to hear of the long waits, should not be that way.

Originally Posted by Donm

I feel very lucky, that's all it could have been. I signed the paperwork on a Saturday at the end of Sept. and was given a production slot that started the next Monday (something the dealer must have had in reserve?). Car was completed in about 7 days and must have had to do a Dukes Of Hazard ramp jump onto the back of the transport ship! Pick it up just more than 4 weeks after purchase.

Sorry to hear of the long waits, should not be that way.

wow, that's nice! Good for you and enjoy your ride!

Originally Posted by Donm

I feel very lucky, that's all it could have been. I signed the paperwork on a Saturday at the end of Sept. and was given a production slot that started the next Monday (something the dealer must have had in reserve?). Car was completed in about 7 days and must have had to do a Dukes Of Hazard ramp jump onto the back of the transport ship! Pick it up just more than 4 weeks after purchase.

Sorry to hear of the long waits, should not be that way.

The dealer has certain cars that are allotted to them. They order them according to market conditions. Normally when you order, they will adjust one of these available vehicles (not promised to anyone else) for you. So a dealer with a high allotment will have more opportunities to change and existing order right before it goes into production. This is how you get quick turn around times.

Good time with the ships does not hurt either...

I ordered mine mid-November and it was completed by November 26. On the ship by December 5... Should be in GA by December 24 (when I assume no one is working) and then make it's way to Miami before the new year...

In the meantime I've given the WW website a few hundred hits, ordered my coding cable, and ordered new Optimum products to detail the car when it arrives. I've already read the manual, and perused all the forums I could find. It's becoming an obsession at this point...

Originally Posted by marsb007

I ordered mine mid-November and it was completed by November 26. On the ship by December 5... Should be in GA by December 24 (when I assume no one is working) and then make it's way to Miami before the new year...

In the meantime I've given the WW website a few hundred hits, ordered my coding cable, and ordered new Optimum products to detail the car when it arrives. I've already read the manual, and perused all the forums I could find. It's becoming an obsession at this point...

I hate to break it to you but 6 days to clear customs, VPC and transit to your dealer... does ot look good.

How long does it usually take? My car is supposed to arrive in GA tomorrow. Anyone know how long it should take to arrive at my dealer in Texas? I was guessing 10 days but now I am thinking I might be way off.

Originally Posted by djsaad1

How long does it usually take? My car is supposed to arrive in GA tomorrow. Anyone know how long it should take to arrive at my dealer in Texas? I was guessing 10 days but now I am thinking I might be way off.

This is all in my opinion based on what I have seen.

I would expect about 2 weeks from port of entry for a non-ED car, but it can take longer. Personally I think you have a shot at getting it before the new year. But getting into port on Xmas Eve you lose too many days and too many people on vacation. I mean you need a day ro two just for transit assuming they are not making other stops along the way.

Make sure you report back when you get it, would be good to evaluate this time of year.

Originally Posted by miamiboyca

This is all in my opinion based on what I have seen.

I would expect about 2 weeks from port of entry for a non-ED car, but it can take longer. Personally I think you have a shot at getting it before the new year. But getting into port on Xmas Eve you lose too many days and too many people on vacation. I mean you need a day ro two just for transit assuming they are not making other stops along the way.

Make sure you report back when you get it, would be good to evaluate this time of year.

Well, it seems I was following the wrong ship. My car is actually on a KLine ship, Athens Highway, with an estimated arrival of December 20 (dealer says it should be Dec 19). According to them, about 2-3 days until they get the car from that point forward. I've seen other people state their car cleared customs electronically before the ship even arrived, so I'm being optimistic I can pick it up before Christmas. After all, I'm sure the dealer knows pretty well where their stock is and how soon it gets to them.

I've just made the appt to pick up my 5 series this Friday 12/14 - production started on it on 11/5/12, I'm getting this about 3 weeks faster than when I ordered my 2013 328. EXCITED to say the least.

Originally Posted by marsb007

Well, it seems I was following the wrong ship. My car is actually on a KLine ship, Athens Highway, with an estimated arrival of December 20 (dealer says it should be Dec 19). According to them, about 2-3 days until they get the car from that point forward. I've seen other people state their car cleared customs electronically before the ship even arrived, so I'm being optimistic I can pick it up before Christmas. After all, I'm sure the dealer knows pretty well where their stock is and how soon it gets to them.

Good luck, I certainly hope you get it in time. Makes for a great Xmas morning.

Got my 528 last Thursday!!!! I can't help comparing it to my two previous 5 series vehicles and this 5 is several steps above. This is a beautiful vehicle and drives like a DREAM!!!!! I don't want to get out of it!!!!

"What to do while your BMW is being built?"


You try and sell the old one.

Originally Posted by shicobico

"What to do while your BMW is being built?"


You try and sell the old one.

Ain't that the truth!

I took both the cars we replaced this month to Carmax before I tried the dealer. In both cases, the dealer was *higher* than Carmax. I was somewhat surprised.

Example: My 2007 550i, fully loaded, 92K miles, in very good shape. Carmax $11K, dealer $14K. Dealer wins.

I had -zero- desire to sell it myself, so these were my only options, based on how lazy I am.

Yep. Download the manual and highlight everything that seems new. It's amazing how many people ask questions on this forum that are answered by the manual. Also, when you first get your car, ask the dealer to program everything you want want customized. If you wait too long you may have to pay for programming.

Originally Posted by astrohip

I had -zero- desire to sell it myself, so these were my only options, based on how lazy I am.

I hate selling a car. It takes too much time and requires accommodating potential buyers' need to test drive.

So whenever I sell a car (not on a trade in), I list it rock bottom to sell it quickly, usually within a few days of listing it and usually to the first person to test drive it.

However, this time I took a different route. I simply found the co-worker with the oldest BMW and offered him my 2008 535xi at mid private party blue book (he currently drives a 1997 3 series with 160K+ miles on it).

He bit. He already has financing lined up and ready for the car when my ordered 550 arrives.

This was the easiest sale I've had.

-Corey