How much time does BMW Individual paint add to production?

[machinemavrik]

Thinking about ordering a Tanzanite Blue M3 and I just wanted to know how much longer production takes compared to a regular paint.

[ciaranob]

Originally Posted by machinemavrik

Thinking about ordering a Tanzanite Blue M3 and I just wanted to know how much longer production takes compared to a regular paint.

Don't actually know but seem to recall that my individual option choices (interior) meant an extra few days to a week(!!) of QC after production was complete i.e. may have to add addl days for Individual QC in addition to any time with paint.

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by machinemavrik

Thinking about ordering a Tanzanite Blue M3 and I just wanted to know how much longer production takes compared to a regular paint.

They told me it would be 2-4 weeks longer then standard to get the individual order "accepted and approved." That's for an Amaro Brown interior but that's in the "semi-individual" list like Tanzanite Blue is so I would imagine its the same.

[fuddman]

When we picked up our car at the Welt, we went on a tour of the assembly line. At the painting portion of the line, our guide proudly proclaimed it took 5 minutes or less to change the color used by the painting robots.

[Nex]

Originally Posted by fuddman

When we picked up our car at the Welt, we went on a tour of the assembly line. At the painting portion of the line, our guide proudly proclaimed it took 5 minutes or less to change the color used by the painting robots.

That's for standard colours.

[fuddman]

Originally Posted by Nex

That's for standard colours.

What's the color have to do with it?
When I select one color among thousands at my local paint store, it takes them 5 minutes to prepare it. I've never been told to come back in a day or so for a particular color.
If it takes 5 minutes to switch the paint robot from the standard black paint can to the standard white paint can, then why shouldn't it take 5 minutes to go from standard black paint can to the Jasmarina Orange paint can?

[Frank_NJ]

Originally Posted by fuddman

What's the color have to do with it?
When I select one color among thousands at my local paint store, it takes them 5 minutes to prepare it. I've never been told to come back in a day or so for a particular color.
If it takes 5 minutes to switch the paint robot from the standard black paint can to the standard white paint can, then why shouldn't it take 5 minutes to go from standard black paint can to the Jasmarina Orange paint can?

The also have to queue up the bumper covers, mirrors and any other parts not painted at the same time when the actual car (metal) is painted. It is a slightly involved process.

[Nex]

Originally Posted by fuddman

What's the color have to do with it?
When I select one color among thousands at my local paint store, it takes them 5 minutes to prepare it. I've never been told to come back in a day or so for a particular color.
If it takes 5 minutes to switch the paint robot from the standard black paint can to the standard white paint can, then why shouldn't it take 5 minutes to go from standard black paint can to the Jasmarina Orange paint can?

Not sure if you were paying attention at the factory tour, but the paint assembly line ain't exactly your local paint store.

[Nex]

Originally Posted by Frank_NJ

The also have to queue up the bumper covers, mirrors and any other parts not painted at the same time when the actual car (metal) is painted. It is a slightly involved process.

Exactly. The assembly line is a well oiled machine. There's a lot of prep work to make a one off.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Nex

Not sure if you were paying attention at the factory tour, but the paint assembly line ain't exactly your local paint store.

[fuddman]

Originally Posted by Frank_NJ

The also have to queue up the bumper covers, mirrors and any other parts not painted at the same time when the actual car (metal) is painted.

Don't they do the same thing when switching any colors?
I don't honestly know, but I believe the guy who said it's only a 5 minute robot delay. I also asked him if it was such a short delay, how come it costs $5,000 to order an individual color? No answer.

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by machinemavrik

Thinking about ordering a Tanzanite Blue M3 and I just wanted to know how much longer production takes compared to a regular paint.

My Frozen Gray E92 took 4 months from order to delivery and cost $5,000. The individuals are also all done in one factory. The extra time is due to color approvals, color preparation and assembly line slots. The cost... you have to pay to play.

[biglare]

Originally Posted by brianeck

They told me it would be 2-4 weeks longer then standard to get the individual order "accepted and approved." That's for an Amaro Brown interior but that's in the "semi-individual" list like Tanzanite Blue is so I would imagine its the same.

Yes, the answer is 2-4 weeks. This does not include the approval time for the color. This is an additional 2-4 weeks of build time. It may not take that long to change the robotics to paint the individual color, but it does take time to work in the change to the already planned out cars that are in queue.

My previous Individual color (brilliant white) E90 M3 took an additional 4 weeks. It is worth it to get the color you want!

[fuddman]

Originally Posted by biglare

Yes, the answer is 2-4 weeks. This does not include the approval time for the color. This is an additional 2-4 weeks of build time. It may not take that long to change the robotics to paint the individual color, but it does take time to work in the change to the already planned out cars that are in queue.

In the interest of responding accurately to the poster, his question involved production time not paper shuffling time. With regard to how much additional time is added to the assembly process, it's probably best characterized as close to zilch additional time. As far as "changing the planned queue" goes, it seems to me, you're not really changing anything. The customer is (a) buying an allocation which is a planned part of the established annual queue and (b)simply changing the color of that single allocation.
But what about the $5,000 charge? I'm not trying to misdirect the subject; but, is that for all the paperwork people?

[biglare]

Originally Posted by fuddman

In the interest of responding accurately to the poster, his question involved production time not paper shuffling time. With regard to how much additional time is added to the assembly process, it's probably best characterized as close to zilch additional time. As far as "changing the planned queue" goes, it seems to me, you're not really changing anything. The customer is (a) buying an allocation which is a planned part of the established annual queue and (b)simply changing the color of that single allocation.
But what about the $5,000 charge? I'm not trying to misdirect the subject; but, is that for all the paperwork people?

You are understanding what I was trying to explain. I am not speaking to any of the "paper shuffling" time. I am only speaking to the production time and an Individual color will add 2-4 weeks to the production time. This is what was stated to me when I ordered my E90 M3 back in 2009 and it is exactly what was stated to me recently when I placed my F80 M3 Individual order.

Now as it was explained to me it takes time for the coordination of the changing of the process to Individual colors. They said that they have to fit the Individual color ordered vehicle into the existing process or queue. I imagine they have to source the paint, transport the paint and load/pgm to use the individual paint, etc. I do not have any further details for this, but you can imagine that it is a change to their standard process. Any change to their streamlined standard process must be at a certain cost. The cost is then passed on to the customer. I do not know the cost break-down, but thinking about this process change makes sense. I do not thing that the $5,000 is for paperwork.

Hope this helps.

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by biglare

You are understanding what I was trying to explain. I am not speaking to any of the "paper shuffling" time. I am only speaking to the production time and an Individual color will add 2-4 weeks to the production time. This is what was stated to me when I ordered my E90 M3 back in 2009 and it is exactly what was stated to me recently when I placed my F80 M3 Individual order.

Now as it was explained to me it takes time for the coordination of the changing of the process to Individual colors. They said that they have to fit the Individual color ordered vehicle into the existing process or queue. I imagine they have to source the paint, transport the paint and load/pgm to use the individual paint, etc. I do not have any further details for this, but you can imagine that it is a change to their standard process. Any change to their streamlined standard process must be at a certain cost. The cost is then passed on to the customer. I do not know the cost break-down, but thinking about this process change makes sense. I do not thing that the $5,000 is for paperwork.

Hope this helps.

This is exactly what was stated to me too. It is "Pre Production" paper shuffling time, so it definitely adds directly to the time to delivery. They also WILL NOT let you do individual with an allocation that is less then 8 weeks out because there is built in "BMW Corporate Approval" over every single individual order, so paper pushing or not you will add 2-4 weeks and that is IF you get an absolutely ideal allocation time.

[machinemavrik]

Thanks for all the help, however, why is it $5k for the M3 individual paint, when its only 1950 for the M5. Sorry if this is an obvious answer, new to BMW ordering.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by machinemavrik

Thanks for all the help, however, why is it $5k for the M3 individual paint, when its only 1950 for the M5. Sorry if this is an obvious answer, new to BMW ordering.

Individual paint that is a color not currently offered by BMW is $5k. Individual colors offered for your car ("semi" individual as others have described it) are $1950. In other words it will cost $5k for a Signal Green (porsche color) M3 and only $1950 for a Moonstone M3 because Moonstone is one of the colors offered as a pre-designated "individual" color (or "semi"-individual).

[machinemavrik]

Ohh, thanks for the clarification.

[biglare]

Originally Posted by brianeck

This is exactly what was stated to me too. It is "Pre Production" paper shuffling time, so it definitely adds directly to the time to delivery. They also WILL NOT let you do individual with an allocation that is less then 8 weeks out because there is built in "BMW Corporate Approval" over every single individual order, so paper pushing or not you will add 2-4 weeks and that is IF you get an absolutely ideal allocation time.

This is not necessarily true. I had all my Individual options, including exterior color, approved before my production number was assigned to me from an open allocation. I worked with the dealer's SA, the regional ///M rep and BMW Individual North America to ensure all was approved before my allocation became available. I'm sure there is some "paper pushing" that goes on, but you can seek the approvals ahead of time to help. Keep in mind that it does not necessarily reduce the 2-4 week additional production time, but it may help.

Originally Posted by slicer

Individual paint that is a color not currently offered by BMW is $5k. Individual colors offered for your car ("semi" individual as others have described it) are $1950. In other words it will cost $5k for a Signal Green (porsche color) M3 and only $1950 for a Moonstone M3 because Moonstone is one of the colors offered as a pre-designated "individual" color (or "semi"-individual).

Yes, this is correct. What you are referring to as "pre-designated Individual colors" have also been referred to as "Individual Catalog colors". Both of these refer to some non standard colors that will be offered for the M3/M4. These do come at a lower cost as mentioned above and if a color is not within the standard or Individual Catalog colors, then it will carry the $5,000 additional cost.



Please see a ton of the available Individual colors from a PDF that I received when working to design my Individual order here --> http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1008116


Also, see this link for the Individual Catalog Colors that will be available --> http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1007622

Hope this helps!

[RingMeister01]

I'm currently seeking approval for a non-BMW color and was told that the price will be quoted if approved. It sounds like the $5,000 may not get you any color you desire. We'll see soon enough. Fingers crossed!

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by fuddman

In the interest of responding accurately to the poster, his question involved production time not paper shuffling time. With regard to how much additional time is added to the assembly process, it's probably best characterized as close to zilch additional time. As far as "changing the planned queue" goes, it seems to me, you're not really changing anything. The customer is (a) buying an allocation which is a planned part of the established annual queue and (b)simply changing the color of that single allocation.
But what about the $5,000 charge? I'm not trying to misdirect the subject; but, is that for all the paperwork people?

Every manufacturer (that practices this service) charges a premium for paint outside of the offered color chart, not just BMW. Premiums aren't charged to cover cost but to create an exclusive service to exclusive clientele. Didn't you know only people with money have fun.