Cent. Leader 5

I e-mailed the shipping company last week and they informed me that the boat was on-schedule for arrival on 4/16

My dealer says the cars have been arriving within a few days after BMW's estiimated dock date. I'm getting things prepared to pick mine up this weekend.... digital camera, 35mm, film, new batteries, memory cards...

Frankly, I must say, I'm giddy about the whole thing.

SAME HERE! i couldn't even sleep last nite. tossin and turnin. I got giddy just reading your post. I should get my camera ready too. I have my cd changer all prepped waiting to be installed. I can't pick mine up on saturday cause I won't be home.
:bawling:
Sunday..the internet dept. is closed. So unless I get reallllly lucky and the dealer can prep it by Fri... I will most likely pick it up on Sun. or Mon.
:thumb: :thumb:

They told me....

I called my dealer (South Cali, about 1 hr from VPC) and they told me Apr. 18 docking date. I called BMWNA and they also told me 18th. wlna.com (the vessel ship website) says 4-16-02. I tend to believe the vessel schedule. Perhaps BMW is giving themselves a buffer?? I will be getting it end of this week... latest early next week. Can't wait!!!! I just hope it isn't raining!

Gotta get the digi camera ready as well. I made myself a checklist to do when the car gets at the dealership. In case you guys wanna do this too, here is my list:

Car Memory
pathway lighting - (ACTIVE)
one-touch rear windows up - (ACTIVE) (? let's see if they can do this, it is a rumor tho)

Key Memory
auto-lock after 5 mph of speed (ACTIVE)
auto-blower on (NOT ACTIVE) [darn annoyance!!!!]

Make sure they do NOT drill plate holes in bumper!
Check for Int and Ext imperfections!

The following I am gonna neg. for.....
Get an alarm (I do live in LA)
Get the UGDO (garage door opener)
Get the compass mirror (maybe....)

Get some BMW slippers, keychain, a toy perhaps and maybe the 7 digits of a hot secretary (if there is one) =)?

well fellas.... happy motoring... congrats, the wait is almost over!
NO RAIN NO RAIN NO RAIN PLEEEEASSSEEE

Mike

Orient Blue 330Ci
Black Leather
SP
PP
Bi-Xenons
Heated Seats

PS - I gonna start burning some CDs for my new car....

Hey Mike, what dealer? I'm at New Century.

Aren't the rear windows of the Ci the "pop out" type? Doesn't seem like it would take more than a second or two to close them.

Also, tell me more about the "auto blower". What is it, and why is it an annoyance?

What is the alternative to drilling plate holes in the bumper? Are you talking about just the front bumper? Why are you so emphatic about that?

It's good that you bring these things up. It's stuff I should have been asking 2 weeks ago.

Does anybody else have any tips for "pick up day"? Anything to look for, or computer settings to adjust?

hey fellas. did the boat dock today?!!?! i am so anxious to find out. I can't believe we lasted the 8 weeks.

make sure you guys check the vin # on the car to match the one on the owners site. look for scratches in the interior as I have heard some people say that sometimes they use knives to rip off the plastic. make sure your memory options are set

if you didn't get an alarm, ask your dealer to make the clown nose blink. some type of visual deterrent is better than no deterrent at all.

and make sure to post pictures after you pick up the car!!!:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
:bigpimp:

DSinSoCal said:

What is the alternative to drilling plate holes in the bumper? Are you talking about just the front bumper? Why are you so emphatic about that?

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I would guess the same reason I am: I don't want a front plate put on, it looks soooo much cleaner. If they do put the front plate on, when you pull it off, you're left with two holes. Nasty. I'm going to tell them I want all the hardware, just in case I get cited, but I haven't in 6 years, so I think my chances are good.

DSinSoCal said:

Hey Mike, what dealer? I'm at New Century.

Aren't the rear windows of the Ci the "pop out" type? Doesn't seem like it would take more than a second or two to close them.

Also, tell me more about the "auto blower". What is it, and why is it an annoyance?

What is the alternative to drilling plate holes in the bumper? Are you talking about just the front bumper? Why are you so emphatic about that?

It's good that you bring these things up. It's stuff I should have been asking 2 weeks ago.

Does anybody else have any tips for "pick up day"? Anything to look for, or computer settings to adjust?

Click to expand...

Hey Pal,

The rear is the pop-out, however, it is not one-touch close. Though it may only take a couple (more like 4) secs, it would be cool to have it one touch.

Auto blower is a real b*tch! Everytime you enter your car and start it, your fan starts blwing air. You have to manually turn it off. Happened to my ex-girl's car, in my aunts 5-series. Have 'em turn it off.

Unlike the sedan where there is a bumper strip, they drill holes into your bumper for the plate holder. It is permanent. Call them today and tell them NOT to do it.

Hope this helps... and BTW, does anyone know if the ship in fact docked today???

Oh yeah, I am with New Century as well. Who was your sales rep?

Regards,
Mike

OrientBlu 330Ci said:

Hey Pal,

The rear is the pop-out, however, it is not one-touch close. Though it may only take a couple (more like 4) secs, it would be cool to have it one touch.

Click to expand...

I can't imagine it would take that long to close a pop-out window. It's only travelling 4 or 5 inches, isn't it?

I can close the power window on my Silverado in that amount of time.

Auto blower is a real b*tch! Everytime you enter your car and start it, your fan starts blwing air. You have to manually turn it off. Happened to my ex-girl's car, in my aunts 5-series. Have 'em turn it off.

Click to expand...

I agree. Sounds like a definite pain. I'll be sure to have that programmed off. The last thing I want on a cold winter morning is cold air blowing on me.

Unlike the sedan where there is a bumper strip, they drill holes into your bumper for the plate holder. It is permanent. Call them today and tell them NOT to do it.

Click to expand...

Will do. Thanks for the tip. I've been riding around with no front plate on my Integra for 10 years so I'm not worried about 'the fuzz' coming down on me. I was just wondering if there was a mechanical reason for it (like water getting into the holes and rusting out or something).

Hope this helps... and BTW, does anyone know if the ship in fact docked today???

Click to expand...

I'm going to check the port and find out at some point today.

Oh yeah, I am with New Century as well. Who was your sales rep?

Click to expand...

You're crappin' me! No kidding? Small world, eh? What date did you order yours?

Greg Galatioto is my guy. We'd better verify the serial #'s so we don't drive off in each other's cars. :yikes:

Maybe I'll see you there.

DSinSoCal said:

UPDATE:

I just spoke to Pete Wallace, the Director of Ops at the port, and he confirmed that the Century Leader #5 arrived at port this morning around 6am.

Boys, our ship has come in!:thumb:

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Oh my god!
Oh my god!
Oh my god!
Oh my god!
Oh my god!
Oh my god!
Oh my god!

:yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :bigpimp:

I just came to the sudden realization that my car is only 60 miles away from me at this moment. :yikes:

Maybe I should drive up there just to make sure everything is ok. Do you think the VPC guys would be annoyed if I was just hanging out, watching them tend to my car? It would be like the car wash -- pointing out all the things they're doing wrong. :lmao: