Hi, I'm new to the board but I've read through many posts and this seems to be a great source of information. I have a few questions about the ordering process for a US-spec car as I want to know what euro options are doable on a car destined for the USA. I know from other boards and BMW Car Club member experiences that some options can be ordered if you are willing to wait and find a good dealer (like cloth seats on a 3-series) but other things (special paint) are strictly off limits.

Here is my list of wants for an '08 535xi Touring and I would welcome some feedback about that is possible and not possible. I've gone to the UK website for BMW and configured a 530iT M sport so I have a good idea of what options are out there that might be possible to have on a Touring that I custom order.

6-speed manual (I know from posts on this board and BMW USA's website that you can get it)

sunroof delete (option #402 delete??)
Leatherette seats
Sport package but I do not want power seats if possible. Strictly manual controls. Is this even possible in Europe? The BMW USA web site makes you select power seats and leather interior!
badge delete (option #320)
heated front and rear seats (option #494 and #496) (I don't want the whole cold weather package because I don't want the headlight washers. BMW USA's website makes you select the cold weather package if you add rear seat heating)
manual sun shades (option #417)
steering wheel heat (option #248)
brushed aluminum interior trim (option #439)
anthracite headliner (option #775)
roof rail delete (option #386 delete??)


I do not want the premium package either. My eclectic car options list is a mixture of only buying what I need and also getting a unique set of options to fit my style (no sunroof for instance). I haven't approached any dealers about this because I figure it's good to get feedback from other owners who might know what is possible with BMW North America. I'm a CCA member and I might consider doing this vehicle as a euro delivery experience if I could make it work.

Thanks for the help.
Adam

 

in my experience, you will not be able to get much of what you want besides the leatherette and a-headliner. all other items are standard and/or part of a package you either take or don't order. anyway, good luck

 

Hi Adam and welcome aboard.

I do not know much about American version but head light washers are always included with xenon head lights, so I doubt you get read of them by not taking the cold weather package.

 

Thanks for the info. I agree (and I noticed the inclusion of the washers with Xenons for Euro cars) that I probably won't be able to get rid of the headlight washers. The US-spec cold weather package has everything I want including the heated steering wheel and allowing me to get the rear seat heaters so I'll probably just get it.

Most of the other stuff is available but I'll probably have to compromise with the power seats and get them with the contour seats. I saw on a US car price list that the Anthracite headliner is an available option on US cars.

That only leaves a few minor things that I want. Roof rail and sunroof delete, brushed aluminum trim, and rear badging delete. Those seem relatively minor considering three of the four save money to BMW when building the car and the aluminum trim is a no-cost option on Euro cars.

 

The aluminum trim is a no-cost option on Euro cars with Msport package. Otherwise it cost ?350 (abt. $500)