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View Poll Results: Is Individual paint a scam?
Individual paint is a scam, BMW should offer more standard colors! 139 54.51%
Individual paint FTW, I need 50 shades of grey! 116 45.49%
Voters: 255. You may not vote on this poll

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      03-11-2018, 07:58 AM   #111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GrussGott View Post
I'd be surprised if BMWAG Finance thinks Individual paint is a big profit center.
I agree, I'm sure it doesn't even raise a blip on their radar overall. However, this touches on the reason why the Individual paint is justified by the lessees of these cars. BMW's overall lease uptake rate is in the low 60% range (only one car maker leases a larger percentage, Infiniti, and only about 1% higher), but as the MSRP of a BMW increases the leased % goes up accordingly. In some markets, it even approaches 90% of "sales."

Hence the modern day lessee walking into a dealership doesn't pay any attention to the present value cost of Individual paint but is enticed by looking at the monthly payment and weighing whether it is "worth it" to them to pay the relatively minor looking extra each month. Every option is weighed by BMW as to whether it should be offered individually or forced to be part of a "package" all based on the expected uptake rate of lessee's, not purchasers of the car.

The emotions surrounding "monthly payments" are exploited to the maximum possible in the modern day dealership. With plenty of sheep just begging to be fleeced without even realizing it, BMW has designed the system to enable maximum exploitation...since of course that is what they are rewarded for doing over the short term.

When you look at the overall system as a function of leasing and how much product can be moved into lessee's hands per month, and forget looking at present value cost of each car/option, only then, through the eyes of pure financialization, can the modern day BMWNA process come to light.
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      03-11-2018, 08:19 AM   #112
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The techno violet is Such and iconic bmw m3 color, that should be standard choice... just a thought
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      03-11-2018, 09:25 AM   #113
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I like the how Land Rover handles their colors. There are like 30 of them available to all vehicles they build. Pricing is tiered so you can get a nicer metallic for not much more or pearlescent metallic in a more eye-catching color a modest amount more. You still have option to go full individual for a ridiculous amount for the hip hop artists out there.

The color palette is structured though so it feels like you get what you pay for. $5K to me seems a lot to add a basic gray, red, or blue to an M3/4. If I had to have violet or signal green then absolutely 5K worth the price. BMW strikes me as a company that has completely over-complicated itself and is now confused. Typical argument of do you go for depth and expertise in an area versus breadth of offerings and then you become confusing and well somewhat boring.
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      03-13-2018, 01:26 AM   #114
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhk118 View Post
BMW strikes me as a company that has completely over-complicated itself and is now confused.
ehhhh ....

Selling imported products, especially cars, is already crazy complicated as BMW doesn't own the dealers ... so right off the bat you have the manufacturer, the importer, and then a hodge podge dealer network. Further, between those three, they all have to comply with zillions of state and federal regulations both in product and sales ... not uncomplicated to begin with.

BMW is a top luxury brand in the USA and globally; they're doing something right ... which doesn't mean they're doing everything perfectly.
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      03-13-2018, 02:10 AM   #115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GrussGott View Post
I'd be surprised if BMWAG Finance thinks Individual paint is a big profit center.
They would have to be making a profit if they continue to offer it. For all that BMW has done to alienate its fans over the years, it's doesn't make sense to keep it if it didn't. They've seemingly cut corners everywhere else.

It's one of two things, either (a) a very low cost/overhead operation from which they pocket a large percentage of the thousands of dollars they charge for a small volume of cars, or (b) it's worth the substantial logistical and industrial challenge (and cost) to continue pumping out Individual cars because of the volume.

The way I see it, the Individual program does not fit the agenda of the people here who defend BMW's many unpopular decisions to pander to the masses, claiming it's just business. Not saying that's you, just what I've seen around this site.
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      03-13-2018, 11:13 AM   #116
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stooker View Post
They would have to be making a profit if they continue to offer it. For all that BMW has done to alienate its fans over the years, it's doesn't make sense to keep it if it didn't. They've seemingly cut corners everywhere else.
Nope.

Possible answers include:

(a.) Importers require it, thus it's an operational cost not a profit center (e.g., BMWNA says gotta have it)

(b.) Data shows unit sales loss without Individual (again, ops cost)

(c.) Data shows key strategic cohort erosion without Individual (thus again, ops cost)

And I could keep speculating. (but in the above scenarios, to your point, despite the fact that individual is a cost center, ultimately the unit sales it enables are deemed worthy enough to top line to offer it)

I'd be stunned if Individual is a profit center (honestly after costs how much margin could we be talking?)

Especially given the minimal effort they put into it ... it appears to be just enough effort to keep the program alive and funding itself, thus there must be other reasons to offer it than it alone moves the top line.
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      03-13-2018, 06:37 PM   #117
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When BMW swapped Jerez Black for Black Sapphire on F80/F82 models... I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! Let me get this straight BMW, I can't order any regular M-Sport equipped BMW in Black Sapphire but, you give me that as my standard metallic black color choice!?! And to add insult to injury, when I go to tick the box instead for Singapore Grey, you have Mineral Grey! Wha!?! I really didn't expect BMW to add an extra $1,700-$5,000 on top of the premium you already pay to get an M. I really was disgusted by this cash grab.

Paint to sample/custom colors? Have at it. Charge your $5K. I have no problem with that. But, man what a travesty putting up these $1,700 color choices that should just be normal $550 (and now $700) costs.

Sorry it's 3 years later but, I'm still bitter. I went with Sahkir Orange but, what I really wanted was my normal really dark blue M color (ie Carbon Black as I had on my E46 or Jerez Black as they had on E90/E92 models).
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      11-03-2019, 10:39 AM   #118
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I am fine with $5000 charge for Individual Paint, but that doesn't change the fact that YES the standard colors offered for this car and most BMWs are terribly lacking.
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      11-03-2019, 10:43 AM   #119
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PKL View Post
I am fine with $5000 charge for Individual Paint, but that doesn't change the fact that YES the standard colors offered for this car and most BMWs are terribly lacking.
I feel very lucky that San Marino Blue became a $550 metallic paint option this year!
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      11-03-2019, 10:59 AM   #120
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They offer 3 fun colors and rest is individual. It’s much better than most BMWs. That seems fair.

I am very happy that so many individual colors are offered. It’s the best way to economically provide that much variety. And it’s fun seeing the cars in so many crazy colors.


I didn’t vote because the poll is written in a biased way.
Individual colors FTW. No one likes 50 shades of boring.
It’s not a scam and I am glad the program exists and the dealers support it more than they did in the E90 days.

Last edited by Keca10; 11-03-2019 at 01:16 PM..
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      11-03-2019, 12:09 PM   #121
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Two persons, somewhere, ordered Individual Jet Black F80s. Jet Black, a no-cost paint color in any other BMW since forever. At least $5000 for a uni-color. That's a big f**k you to the argument about Individual being a scam. I mean, that's what they wanted, they paid for it, and it was done. That what people with real money do all the time. Just ask real Porsche people.

Every time that I sit in my car and see its Individual interior, I'm very happy. We all going to die one day.
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      11-03-2019, 12:56 PM   #122
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i was want my in 03/17 ordered M4 Comp. Coupe in SanMarinoBlue/Amaro.
BMW Contact says Garching (MGmbH) was want ~5000€ for that "individual" color.
I dont have accept this and ordered AW/Amaro. a cool alternative to amaro too.

Delivery in the welt was @ 07/17
In September 17, two months later came another Update from BMW. the CS came out and now was SanMarino a standard color for competition f8x's. new price for the paint here in germany ~ 980€.

i'm really was shocked and angry of these desicion. that sucks!

for really individual colors from other brands (ferrarirot, verde mentis lambo) thats ok but for historic oem paints (melbourne, imola, interlagos, daytona) that is not fair.
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      11-04-2019, 01:43 AM   #123
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I think its fine.

You are paying for exclusivity. A way to pull into the neighborhood or cars and coffee and stand out from the crowd. Its not a rip off when you consider a nice wrap will cost you over 3000 to get all the nooks and crannies. And do nothing for your resale value. Individual cars usually get a premium on the used market.
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      11-04-2019, 02:33 AM   #124
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Let's take pause for a moment and think about how good of a deal BMW Individual is when you consider the alternatives like Porsche PTS, which will run more than 2x.
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      11-04-2019, 02:37 AM   #125
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something is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it
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      11-04-2019, 04:29 AM   #126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jc05e46m3 View Post
Let's take pause for a moment and think about how good of a deal BMW Individual is when you consider the alternatives like Porsche PTS, which will run more than 2x.
What irks me about PTS/Individual is that most of the 5k/12k colors offered to customers have already been done. There is nothing paint-to-sample about them. For one car, the color is standard and for the next gen, you have to fork out thousands of monies to get the same damn shade of paint (e.g. Imola Red). They even give you a list of "special" colours to choose from - how is that exclusive? It's a rip off in my eyes, but hey, can't fault people for willing to feed the hungry cows at BMW M GmbH or Porsche Exclusive.
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      11-04-2019, 12:46 PM   #127
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This has probably already been discussed in this thread… But For those who think BMW‘s individual paint program is shady, you should try Porsche‘s PTS/paint to sample program for perspective. Porsche guys here know what I’m talking about. You pay five figures for nothing but games and a crappy paint job. Not to mention the fact that it’s not really paint to sample. Having endured it myself, I have a much greater appreciation for BMW’s program.
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      11-04-2019, 01:14 PM   #128
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No way, on my factory tour in Munich, the pain spray machines had a bunch of color canisters and it mixed them automatically on the spot for ANY color including all individual colors. The tour guide said if a car came down the line nothing special was needed in painting in the process.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GrussGott View Post
+1 - This past november we did a custom tour of the factory ... after seeing that, I felt like $5000 was fair.
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      11-16-2019, 05:49 PM   #129
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Originally Posted by bagekko View Post
No way, on my factory tour in Munich, the pain spray machines had a bunch of color canisters and it mixed them automatically on the spot for ANY color including all individual colors. The tour guide said if a car came down the line nothing special was needed in painting in the process.
Sounds like your tour guide was making shit up. it happens.
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      11-19-2019, 08:47 AM   #130
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I'm 60 and 40. While I think they should offer more colors (really, no red? but austin yellow??), the idea behind individual colors is fair, but only to an extent. When there is way more individual colors than standard, it is a scam.
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      11-19-2019, 12:25 PM   #131
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I dont know, he had been doing tours for many years, he said for a few unique individual colors it required special loading, but for most it did not.

Quote:
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Sounds like your tour guide was making shit up. it happens.
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      11-19-2019, 01:46 PM   #132
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Quote:
Originally Posted by j2dad5389 View Post
I'm 60 and 40. While I think they should offer more colors (really, no red? but austin yellow??), the idea behind individual colors is fair, but only to an extent. When there is way more individual colors than standard, it is a scam.
Depends on perspective. I would never consider red, or the always offered white or silver, but love Austin yellow, but would like to have more blue choices or Java green.
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