jzwu

I am sure many of you have done the custom ordering. So how long does it take to have the car built and shipped to the US?

I looked at some local dealers' inventory online in the SF bay area, but the pre-built stocks don't have what I want. One thing puzzling me most is that for a $50k car Xenon lights are not standard. It costs $900 and I think BMW should just make them standard and increase the base price. It is hideous to see such a beautiful car at night with the yellowish halogen lights, so so 90's.

For me, the absolute options I need are premium package (most for the upgraded Dakota leather), heated front seats and Xenon lights. Navigation could be a big repair liability after warranty, and I have an excellent Garmin with me all the time with annual map update online for free basically.

Also, when doing the custom ordering what price negotiation power do we have? I would assume less than for the cars in stock.

Gene

west coast orders take approximately 6 weeks...

I ordered my car 9/28, finished production 10/15, shipped (left port) on 10/22, just docked in Port Hueneme yesterday (11/18)

Should be a few days @ the VPC, then off to my dealer...

In regards to negotiating price, regardless if it's a special order or on the lot, negotiating from invoice up is the best option and very possible. When I was shopping around for my next car, I was getting quoted $300-$500 over invoice. PM me if you want the CA's/dealerships I was in contact with. One is located in Camarillo but has arranged many orders for Nor Cal members on another forum....some drive down, some work out shipping....

jzwu

Cool!

I used to live in Camarillo and I saw that BMW dealer all the time from 101. Heard the current going rate is around invoice + a few hundred $. Now with the $1500 holiday cash on the BMW financing deal + $1000 back from my BMW Car Club of America membership benefit it'll be sweet.

Gene

very true...but the current rates have been changed to offset the holiday credit...are you looking to lease or purchase?

if you are looking to lease...here are the current lease rates...

2011 BMW 528i Sedan Lease
24 Month ? Residual 62% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate
36 Month ? Residual 56% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate
48 Month ? Residual 43% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate
60 Month ? Residual 36% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate

2011 BMW 535i Sedan Lease
24 Month ? Residual 62% of MSRP ? .00225 Base Rate
36 Month ? Residual 56% of MSRP ? .00225 Base Rate
48 Month ? Residual 41% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate
60 Month ? Residual 33% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate

2011 BMW 535i xDrive Sedan Lease
24 Month ? Residual 62% of MSRP ? .00225 Base Rate
36 Month ? Residual 56% of MSRP ? .00225 Base Rate
48 Month ? Residual 41% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate
60 Month ? Residual 34% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate

2011 BMW 550i Sedan Lease
24 Month ? Residual 59% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate
36 Month ? Residual 53% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate
48 Month ? Residual 39% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate
60 Month ? Residual 32% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate

2011 BMW 550i xDrive Sedan Lease
24 Month ? Residual 59% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate
36 Month ? Residual 53% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate
48 Month ? Residual 41% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate
60 Month ? Residual 34% of MSRP ? .00230 Base Rate

good luck, and pm replied

jzwu

I am looking to purchase so I guess it is still good.

jzwu

Now I am also looking at the multi-contour seats option. Are they worth the $1300 over the standard seats?

Glock-357

Purchase with BMW financing is "still good" at 0.9% and 1,500 holiday credit FOR 36 MONTHS; however, the rate for 48 or 60 months went up from 3.9% to 4.9% and offsets most, all or more than the 1,500 credit depending on the amount financed...

Glock-357

How long after placing the order before you received a scheduled production date (1 week and still waiting to move from stage 1 "scheduled for production with no confirmed production date")?

Gene

took about 1 week...have you contacted your CA? They will always have the most up to date info...

congrats on the order glock...did you get an f10 550i?

Glock-357

Thank you.

Yip an F10 550i.. Tough decision to step away from the E60 M5, but it is short term and I'll put in an order for a 2013 (2nd gen)F10 M5 in about 1.5 years from receiving the 550i (which is why I am so anxious to get the 550i rolling).

Yes, I talked to my CA and all he says is BMW knows it is priority 1 "sold" and will automatically move it up (I keep asking him to takeover one scheduled for production already). I am going to call the 800 number again and hit the option to talk to customer relations and ask them to expedite...

Anyways, maybe any day now I'll see a production date (it is only a week today since order was placed)... This dealer told me 8 to 12 weeks for delivery (another swore it would be no more than 6 to 8 weeks). Based on your experience, I am hoping for about 6 weeks.

I went with a 550i (no xdrive) with all options except night vision in Jet Black / Black Napa.

You must be having a tough time sleeping thinking about picking up your new M3 any day now (I keep thinking I should have gone for an M3 and would have had more fun with that in the meantime, but the 550i is kind of a preview of what is to come). Congrats on the M3 and to the fact that you'll be driving it very soon!