Don't shoot the messenger! I simply posted the official BMW view of the world. And are you sure about your car? Technically, the 2006 model year started in Sept 2005 in the U.S., so your 2006 car built in May 2005 is confusing to me. Either the build date is off or the car is not a 2006 model year. Did you buy it new in 2006? If not, it is possible that as part of a repair, the car had the proper hardware installed to allow MP3 playback. The difference is the M-ASK (non-Nav cars) versus CCC (Nav cars) computers used back then. Starting in Sept 2005, all E60's came with the CCC computer, allowing MP3 playback without Navigation.

 

Well, I just bought in September from a BMW dealer as a 2006 CPO. Title also said 2006. VIN history says build date 05/05. According to the records provided me by the dealer, the car was put in service on 8/30/05 as a model year 2006.

If you have a site where they show actual production dates for given model years, please let me know. If it turns out that 05/05 build date should be classiffied as MY 05, I am sure my attorney will be glad to take on some work during these tough economic times.

 

On the other hand, you get four extra months of warranty.

 

True!! I don't know of anything official but I always understood that the car model year was based on when it was manufactured. It's no different than a dealer selling a May 07 built car as an LCI 2008 car. It's not a MY 2008 in BMW's eyes, it is a 2007. But Brian is right, you get the extra warranty time and as long as you're happy with the car, it's likely not worth pursuing...

 

they upgraded mine without even asking...awesome now

 

I researched some more and found out that the xi (what I own) first came out with model year 2006. http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/overview...;model=5-Series so they call mine an early 2006.

There is no rhyme or reasoning as to when a model year is supposed to come out. For example, a long time ago, car manufacturers used to introduce the next year models in the fall, so a 1988 model would come out in fall 1987. As we all saw with the E90, the "2006," 325I sedan came out in March 2005. I think they're pushing the envelope, but until the government regulates that, they'll introduce model years earlier and earlier. The new 5 is supposed to be introduced in spring 2010 as a 2011 model.

 

When they upgraded it so you can listen to mp3's did you get the upgraded i drive with the new grayish color too?

 

You are right, many car makers are pushing the model year further and further back! And yes, the F10 will be introduced in Europe in the spring of 2010 but they are much more strict and the car will be a 2010 car there. The US will get the car in fall 2010 as a MY 2011. Enjoy your car and count yourself lucky that you have the MP3 playback!