My ED Individual Order Timeline A to Z

[RowanBuds]

So, this is a tease, and a work in progress. I'm starting the thread so that I can keep it updated with my relevant dates/information as it comes to me. Appreciate your patience with me - ED was requested for 5/2015. I have 2 days that work only, so if BMW cannot guarantee those days, I'll likely take a PCD.

• 12/08/2014: Order and deposit placed.
• 12/11/2014: Status 047 - Spec. Released no...(Can't read any more as the field isn't longer on the form).
• 12/24/2014: Submitted request to CA for individual paint (non-P1 paint).
• 01/07/2015: Received production number from dealer. Car is now Status 105 - No Production Week Available.
• 01/10/2015: Received notification that Individual Paint request is not possible due to delivery timeframe (19 weeks out)
• 01/12/2015: Received confirmation of first choice ED date
• 01/16/2015: Given approval for two alternate Individual color choices. The stress continues.
• 01/22/2015: Decided on Individual color. CA Re-submitting order - apparently my ED date could be "un-confirmed" if I waited too long on choice/
• 01/28/2015: Final PO received. Also got the BMW ED welcome package in the mail today.
• 01/31/2015: Status 102 - Special request order rec. -AG
• 02/10/2015: Status 111 - Order accepted at AG.
• 02/11/2015: Status 112 - Order scheduled for Production.
• 02/12/2015: Received re-confirmation of my delivery date and time. They were un-confirmed as I took my sweet-ass time making a color decision. Thankfully no change!
• 03/02/2015: Scheduled for Week 18 Production - 4/27/2015 to 5/1/2015.
• 03/09/2015: Spec Modification - CCB and FL added
• 04/10/2015: Status 150 - Called 1-800 # and was informed that car has begun production on 4/9. Est. Completion is 4/27/15
• 04/25/2015: Status 152 - Paint Shop Started. 1-800 # now states an Estimated Completion of 4/28/2015.
• 04/29/2015: Status 155 - Production Completed!
• 05/14/2015: All required paperwork signed at dealership for my delivery on 5/22.
• 05/22/2015: Car delivered in Munich. And, yes, it is a stunner.
• 05/26/2015: Dropped car off in Zurich at 13:00 local for re-delivery stateside.
• 06/08/2015: Small paint issue seen with front bumper on the ED. Advised CA and heard back same day that BMW has acknowledged the issue and the VDC is aware. Vehicle flagged for repair at VDC, not spot touch up by dealer or body shop. YAY!
• 06/09/2015: Car is aboard the Don Juan (W&W). Scheduled for NY Port arrival on 6/24.
• 06/25/2015: Car arrived at NY/NJ Port. W&W Site shows the vehicle "Discharged" at 15:00 and "Delivered From" at 16:00
• 07/06/2015: Informed that the hold for repair has been released, and the car released to the shipping carrier. VDC advises the car should be at the dealership tomorrow morning; CA advises it might even be there today.
• 07/07/2015: Dealership called - CAR IS READY TO BE PICKED UP! Exactly 6 weeks to the day from Zurich Drop off. Quantifiable metrics: 227 days (7 1/2 months) from first dealer visit until delivery date. 211 days (6 months, 29 days) from deposit to delivery. 166 days (5 1/2 months) from paint decision until delivery. 46 days from European Delivery to US Delivery. Car had 7 more miles than I dropped it off with.

Now is the time to end the waiting and start the enjoying!

to all of the people who provided insight on the entire process, those who gave guidance when choices were hard to make, those who have followed my long-ass wait, and to those just now reading this for the first time.

Euro Delivery is totally the way to go if it's workable for you - the wait really isn't that bad (From on-boat to US Delivery anyway).

Follow-up: 16.7 mpg on the first half tank stateside. Not bad.

[jimbethesda]

When in May? I was told I couldn't order it further out than 5 months. I'm hoping for May 26th, but was told I can't order it yet. Are you May 1 - 8?

[RowanBuds]

Not early in May. I gave two dates, putting me in the 3rd or 4th week. No production number at this time, but the order was pending in the "system", for what that's worth. From the time I agreed on the sale price to the time I put the deposit it was 4 days. Unfortunately I can't make up my mind on some option decisions still... Oh well, good problems to have.

[jimbethesda]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

Not early in May. I gave two dates, putting me in the 3rd or 4th week. No production number at this time, but the order was pending in the "system", for what that's worth. From the time I agreed on the sale price to the time I put the deposit it was 4 days. Unfortunately I can't make up my mind on some option decisions still... Oh well, good problems to have.

Did they confirm your date? They told me they can't confirm an ED date past 5 months.

[RowanBuds]

No - no date confirmed.

[RowanBuds]

Quick update - Individual Paint request rejected on basis of timeframe. Request sent to CA on 12/24/2014. Reply received from BMW on 01/10/2015 that the paint would be a 16 week lead time and they will not approve it as the build/delivery window from that 16 week R&D is short.

[RowanBuds]

ED Date choice #1 approved!! Happy that Date is good. Sad that color is not. Ooh well, may have to take a placeholder M3 and pickup an LCI for MY 2017 - first world problems I suppose.

[vonmayr]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

ED Date choice #1 approved!! Happy that Date is good. Sad that color is not. Ooh well, may have to take a placeholder M3 and pickup an LCI for MY 2017 - first world problems I suppose.

What's your date?

[RowanBuds]

5/22 - added to calendar on that other site.

[RowanBuds]

01/17/2015: Color choice made - then second thoughts got the best of me. Back to undecided.

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

01/17/2015: Color choice made - then second thoughts got the best of me. Back to undecided.

Are the 2 colors close?

[IRNM4N]

What colors are you looking into?

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by OneRib

Are the 2 colors close?

They are close but definitely different and that's noticeable. The alternative is ordering a standard metallic car and re-ordering my first choice in 2 or 3 years. That, in theory, sounds like the winning idea, but we never know what tomorrow will bring in this life and in 2 or 3 years I may not be in the same position to order an individual car as I am in right now (No children, no mortgage).

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by IRNM4N

What colors are you looking into?

At the moment, if individual is ordered, LMB or SMB. Requested Interlagos, but that was rejected based on lead time - I thought I was past this part of decision making, but that's not the case. Thought I was set on San Marino, but having second thoughts - especially after seeing the LMB in this video:

Also, I've reached out for a cost/approval analysis for doing a Frozen Monte Carlo Blue car. If not individual, car will be SO, MG or possibly even Pyrite Brown.

[OneRib]

My E92 M3 was LMB. Loved the color. I don't think you would be disappointed, but I have a natural bias. Also looked into Interlagos, but looked a little too purple for me, but it is an official M color and that means a lot to some people.
SMB is nice also.

I think you have to go with your gut. You are right about tomorrow not being promised.

You'll figure it out if only because you will eventually be forced to make a decision.

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by OneRib

My E92 M3 was LMB. Loved the color. I don't think you would be disappointed, but I have a natural bias. Also looked into Interlagos, but looked a little too purple for me, but it is an official M color and that means a lot to some people.
SMB is nice also.

I think you have to go with your gut. You are right about tomorrow not being promised.

You'll figure it out if only because you will eventually be forced to make a decision.

How would you compare LMB with SMB? I keep using this term and everyone I say it to looks at me cock-eyed -it looks "wet". Over-Saturated may be the proper jargon, but that I don't know. I also think that the LMB has more chance of becoming a standard range paint post-LCI than San Marino. That would have me kicking myself for not taking a standard color and then re-evaluating in 2 or 3 years. Once again that tomorrow not being promised thing comes into play.

I've seen more than 1 LMB car before that was in real-life lighting (not showroom or fluorescent) and inquired as to if it were Interlagos. I wanted Interlagos and have personally mixed it up with LMB - That makes me think the LMB may be the right color for me. This most recently happened at the Oyster Bay meet in December.

Photos:
http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1071468

The last pic in post #2 - just under the camera is that E39 I believe. Then the 3rd photo in post #4. To me that car IRL seemed damn close to Interlagos, minus only the purple. Thoughts?

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

How would you compare LMB with SMB? I keep using this term and everyone I say it to looks at me cock-eyed -it looks "wet". Over-Saturated may be the proper jargon, but that I don't know. I also think that the LMB has more chance of becoming a standard range paint post-LCI than San Marino. That would have me kicking myself for not taking a standard color and then re-evaluating in 2 or 3 years. Once again that tomorrow not being promised thing comes into play.

I've seen more than 1 LMB car before that was in real-life lighting (not showroom or fluorescent) and inquired as to if it were Interlagos. I wanted Interlagos and have personally mixed it up with LMB - That makes me think the LMB may be the right color for me. This most recently happened in December at the Oyster Bay meet in December.

Photos:
http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1071468

The last pic in post #2 - just under the camera is that E39 I believe. Then the 3rd photo in post #4. To me that car IRL seemed damn close to Interlagos, minus only the purple. Thoughts?

SMB has purple in it and LMB is a true blue. You won't get any purple noir matter the lighting. I preferred LMB because of this.
I think SMB will be closer to the Interlagos Blue and is less likely to be used as a standard color.
Given what you are looking for, SMB may fit better. I don't think you will be disappointed in either. You could hedge and get Tanzanite blue (only $1900 extra).
I don't think BMW did many people any favors by not having a true red or blue in the original color offerings.

As for your "standard color choices", I would go SO, MG, and PB in that order. The PB does nothing for me.

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

Thoughts?

Just as an aside, I am currently deciding between MW and MG. Both colors seem boring to me until I see them in photos and then I like them again. Since I am ordering this summer, I'm sure I'll change my mind another 30x's.

I like SO but didn't pass the test with the family or my concern with police.

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by OneRib

I like SO but didn't pass the test with the family or my concern with police.

Same concern Re: police with the SO. I initially was set on MG, but after a few days of being irrationally mad that there were no good (not pastel) blues offered on this car I decided to go Individual. If I decide to go with a standard car and flip it in 3 years or so it will likely end up being MG.

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

Same concern Re: police with the SO. I initially was set on MG, but after a few days of being irrationally mad that there were no good (not pastel) blues offered on this car I decided to go Individual. If I decide to go with a standard car and flip it in 3 years or so it will likely end up being MG.

Makes sense if buying because it will be easier to sell fast. MG just sounds so boring, but it really does look nice in photos and in person.

[RowanBuds]

*Had third, or fourth, thoughts on the color choice and decided to see if I could change the color to something different.

Edit* - Emailed CA and color can't be changed, but I'm A.O.K. with that. Color choice is made and I have no stress on it going forward!

[RowanBuds]

Production Week Scheduled- Week 18, 4/26/2015 to 5/2/2015. Once tomorrow arrives, only 11 more weeks until wheels up!