deelee,
Was your car on Courage?

 

yes

 

That's GREAT news--- was your car on the Courage? Mine came into NY also (actually NJ) on the Courage, but I'm told is still at VPC. If yours was on the Courage, and is at your dealer, that means all the EPA stuff is over, and mine should be at my dealer today or at least very soon??!!?? If not on Courage, which ship were you on?

 

According to the ship tracking website, the name of the vessel is the Maersk Teal. Don't forget that my car arrived at the NY port on March 23 and has been sitting for a while until the epa and the inspection process has completed. I was also told that the normal vpc time is 3 to 5 days and delivery to dealership 1 to 2 days without any hinderances.

 

OK thanks. Your batch of cars probably underwent the first batch of EPA testing. You're a pioneer!

 

Probably you car did not need in detail EPA check/inspection as it is 550 and not much changes done to engine/transmissions/Chassis, that is why it is there at dealer ?
if not so then my 528xi should be in my dealer's lot (this week)

 

I was told by my dealer today that ALL 5s in the US are being held at their respective VPCs awaiting EPA approval and release. I was told that the "anticipated" release date of the '08 5 is April 15

I know there was at least one person who said his car was at his dealer in NY. Has this been confirmed?? I'd love to tell my dealer that at least one 5 has made it through EPA inspection. Is anyone else in the US at a dealer?? I am so pissed thinking I have to wait another week.

 

What is your dealer's name? April 15 is on a Sunday. Someone else mentioned that it could take longer because of new model specifications for the 5s. Could it be that the 550 orders are getting there sooner to the dealership because the 4.8 liter has been out for 2 years?

 

I purchased from Essex BMW, and my salesperson is quite experienced. He spoke with his person at VPC today, who advised him of this info. I generally trust what he is telling me, to the extent that I really don't trust anyone! That being said, he has sold to me before, he knows I am a source of business, and he knows I'm anxiously awaiting this car, so I don't see a reason for him to b.s. me. He also tells me that he has others awaiting delivery, and nobody has theirs yet.

Perhaps you are right about the 550 issue, but I would think that all new MY08s would need approval. Maybe the 550s just pass more quickly than the others and have been released??

Either way, I still don't have my fu@#$&* car!!!!

 

You might want to show this to your dealer then. Here's some pictures that were posted of an '08 550i at Irvine BMW in CA. I did an inventory search, and this car is listed on their web site as in inventory for $69,645 (stock number C22167, VIN WBANW53548CT48108).

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showpost....amp;postcount=1

Lou