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Old 05-17-2004, 10:12 PM
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Hi,

My 545 has just finished production. Would someone share their experience how long it will take from here to get to NJ

Thanks
Old 05-17-2004, 10:34 PM
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Depending on where you get your updates, it could be 3 or 4 weeks before the car gets to the dealer.

The reason I said depending on where you get the info is due to some of the sources being behind a bit. For example, the Owner's Circle on BMW's website is usually way behind. If the OC just now showed production is finished, your wait may be less.

If you have your VIN number (you can get it from the OC), you can use it to track the progress across the Atlantic by using the shipper's website. Go to:
http://www.2wglobal.com and choose "cargo tracking" then "auto" then enter your VIN.

No matter what, you will go crazy waiting! Good luck with your car when you finally get it!!
Old 05-18-2004, 04:30 AM
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how are you tracking the car now? via the bmwusa website?

how do you get the vin once it finished production?
Old 05-18-2004, 06:06 AM
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The BMW Owner's Circle website will give you the VIN once the car goes into production.
Old 05-18-2004, 06:28 AM
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After production is finished (all times approximate):

1) Truck car to port: 3 days
2) Load car on boat: <1 day to 5 days, depending
3) Come to America: 10-12 days
4) Unload car from boat: (1 day)
5) Vehicle Prep Center (New Jersey): 3-4 days (mine was there 19 hours!)
6) Release for transport to dealer
7) Truck car to dealer: < 1 day

Sometimes the car can be held up at the vpc. If it needs to wait for a software release, or any repairs are needed (perish the thought!), etc., it could be there for up to 10 days, but hopefully not.

My case:
Prod. Complete: 4/21
Ship left port: 4/29
Ship Arrived NJ: 5/11
Car prepped and waiting for me: 5/14 a.m.


Good luck,

Sam
Old 05-18-2004, 06:38 AM
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Originally Posted by sj3' date='May 18 2004, 10:28 AM
After production is finished (all times approximate):

1) Truck car to port: 3 days
2) Load car on boat: <1 day to 5 days, depending
3) Come to America: 10-12 days
4) Unload car from boat: (1 day)
5) Vehicle Prep Center (New Jersey): 3-4 days (mine was there 19 hours!)
6) Release for transport to dealer
7) Truck car to dealer: < 1 day

Sometimes the car can be held up at the vpc. If it needs to wait for a software release, or any repairs are needed (perish the thought!), etc., it could be there for up to 10 days, but hopefully not.

My case:
Prod. Complete: 4/21
Ship left port: 4/29
Ship Arrived NJ: 5/11
Car prepped and waiting for me: 5/14 a.m.


Good luck,

Sam
On item #2, my car was stalled waiting for the boat for 10 days. The dealer told me that was normal so if your car sits "at the port awaiting a vessel" for longer than 5 days, don't panic.

The rest of the estimates are pretty much in line with my experiences.
Old 05-18-2004, 08:31 AM
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Rudy & sj3,

thanks alot, i didnt know you can track from the vessel. yeah this wait seem sooo so long... how are you guys enjoying the car? How are you guys enjoying the ride. Do you really feel the acceleration difference from 530 to 545?

Rudy,

I also got the alpine white which i think it looks stunning .. one of the best color available for e60. Is it hard to keep it clean? does it get dirty easily?
Old 05-18-2004, 11:29 AM
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tekor: I'm at 102 miles now! Pick-up was Fri. morning. I can definitely see brake dust now, but the body still looks amazingly good. I don't think it's had its initial coat of wax yet; I need to wait a good 6 weeks from end-production so the paint has enough time to cure before wax is applied. I'm thinking of taking it to a good detail place for its first wash. That should be exciting.

I can't say anything about the 530 because I didn't testdrive one. Sorry. The 545i is sure sweet but I haven't really tried to accelerate yet as I need to keep it under 4000 rpm through break-in. The steering is sooooooo solid! The transmission is MUCH more responsive than the one in my '00 540i was (that one was normal, non-steptronic).

Sam
Old 05-18-2004, 11:32 AM
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I can't speak in detail on the difference between the 530 and the 545 since I don't have much experience with the 6-cyl 5-series cars. I did test drive a 530 sport package for about 15 minutes before ordering my car and I guess I'll say that the 530 had enough power for most (the automatic was quite smooth) but I'm one of those who has to have the 8-cylinder car. (I've had two E39 540i six-speeds before my 545i SMG.)

As far as the white color, I've driven a white BMW since 1989 and am obviously biased. One thing that causes me to buy a white car is the fact (not opinion) that white cars are easier to maintain, don't show the dirt as much, and stay cooler in the summer than darker color cars.

As much as I love the look of a clean black car, the truth is that it only looks clean during the first hour or so after being washed!
Old 05-18-2004, 11:37 AM
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sj3,

That's great. Yes. I did test drive both 530i and 545i, but not throughly since my test drive was like 5 mins each. I did feel alittle harder acceleration on 545, but I wasnt really sure. I think thats cause the car was so smooth i didnt notice the speed until I saw the gauge. That's scary. I just t thought real experience can be better judge of that.

BTW... do you feel the difference betw. 540 and 545i in terms of acceleration?


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