Interesting-frustrating-silver lining experience ordering a BMW
 

Back in January I decided to treat myself and ordered a new 2011 BMW X-5 35i Sport Activity. New body, engine, etc for 2011, get's better mileage than my E-class with a lot more space for the kids, dog, activities, etc.

There's zero dealer stock on these cars around me so I did all of the paperwork and ordered it exactly as I wanted it, down to the very last option (I've never been able to do this before). Was told that it would take until the end of March till it was delivered. Seemed like a long time to wait but I'm a patient man.

Tried to forget about it during our long winter months here in NJ. Got an email late last week from the dealer that said it was going through paint and would be here soon. Got an email 2 days ago that it was "almost here" then yesterday "it has arrived, can you come at 6pm to pick it up?" Now I'm excited. Call insurance, get it covered, cut a check for the down payment, ready to go.

Get the call back 10 minutes later, "ah, um, ahem, the car didn't come in right..." they built an X5 premium not a sport..." somewhere between when my salesman submitted and when it was built BMW changed the order from sport to premium, and they built it how they wanted to build it...I confirmed the order and it was originally correct. With all of the computerized systems how does this happen?

Took a ride over to the dealer, confirmed it was incorrect, still a nice ride (but to me the premium is a soccer mom SUV and the sport is a guy's SUV), confirmed that I liked the color, etc, but refused delivery. Salesperson was totally fine, basically told me, "don't take this car, it isn't what you want." Then he tells me that BMW is starting this month, March 2011, to product 2012 X5s! 3 months into '11 they are making '12s. He already had a production number for me for a 2012, should be ready in a few weeks.

Silver lining is I'll have a 2012 which may make a bit of difference on the residual value when I go to sell it down the line. Car is exactly the same as 2011, just a single VIN number digit change.

I resisted the temptation to pout like a 8 year old last night after getting all excited for my new ride...

Anyone else experience this before?

shoulda complained and tried to get comped for a euro delivery plane ticket :)

if only I actually had the time, that would be fun...

I had that happen once. Special ordered a mercedes with a manual transmission. Told the salesman that (obviously) it was important that the car be built with . . . a manual transmission.

Waited many months for the car to be built and arrive, got the call one day that it was at the dealership, but one small problem.

You guessed it.

Then maybe you should learn how to drive an automatic.

I know how you must feel. No toy yet for you! (yet)

Back in a different era I went to a dealer to order my dream car a 1974 914 2.0. I knew exactly what I wanted. I knew way more than any of the salesmen about it. Back in those days Porsche dealers were VW dealers primarily and sold Porsches as a side.

Anyway I ordered my Olympia Blue, 74 2.0 with appearance package, sway bars and so on. 100% My car. They said it would be in within a month. It took them 6 months to get me the car. They wanted to sell me several 914s on the lot. I did not bite. I drove the wheels off of their VW Rabbit loaner during the wait. It took the keys Friday, September 13th 1974 at 12:30 PM. I brought it back to them Monday morning for the 600 mile 1st oil change & service.

Your car will come in and it will be even more special!

I really would have pouted if it was a brand new Porsche. Ultimately this is a daily commuter, hauling the kids car, not so thrilling in the end. If I've waiting nearly 2 months, I can wait another few weeks...

Bah. Life's a stinker sometimes. Wait it out.

That is a really BRIGHT silver lining! Congratulations! When I got my 997 pretty much had the same thing happen. You should be thrilled to get a newer car for the same[?] price.

My next new car will be ordered exactly the way I want...I've never done that before. I don't have any idea what it will be (probably a truck in all actuality).

Glad everything worked out.

Yeah, same price, same deal that I worked out with them back in January, which for a BMW was pretty good. I am happy that is a model year newer, but think it is a bit weird to have a 2012 model year in early 2011. Salesman's only guess what that the X6 is getting a major overhaul and it is built on the same line as the X5, so both models are getting 2012 designations now.
It was a nice experience to sit down with the options list and color book and just pick exactly what I wanted. Car is coming with convenience package, cold weather package, sport, running boards and smart phone integration, in a very cool color not so common, Sparkling Bronze Metallic with a sand beige interior. Should be a beauty.

I have ordered to cars three times, and they have all been correct. But you never really know! Glad it will work out better for you in the long run.

My last special order was a Ford F-150. The dealer wanted no part of ordering it for me so I bought it through a buying service like USAA. I enjoy taking it to the dealer and telling them they blew their chance:)

My first and only guess as to why this happened. Either the sales guy or his manager bumped it up to the premium model = fatter margin = fatter comission checks. Then once it's in they hope you cave and take it.

Actually the "sport" is more expensive than the premium, they were potentially screwing themselves.

My wife and I have ordered two X5s so far.
Both came in exactly as ordered ahead of time BTW Euro delivery would be pretty expensive as they're all built in SC.

X5s are made in South Carolina, so no European delivery option.

It's funny because I just read an article the other day that BMW was encouraging people to custom order cars, as it is one of the competitive advantages they have in the X and Zs being built here.

Sorry it went wrong. If they placed a clean-sheet order above allocation and it was a sold-order from the inception, BMW should not have changed the order. My guess is the dealer took a similar unit they already had in the system and changed it to meet your specs. If it is just for stock/inventory, BMW and other manufacturers will sometimes unilaterally change things to streamline production. Either way they notify the dealer. Someone at the dealer didn't catch it and dropped the ball.

Eric-
I read the same article. They are trying to move the US buyers to a more Euro model of build to order. Makes a lot of sense for the dealers to not have to keep expensive inventory on hand running up the monthly vig...US buyers want instant gratification so the model might be tougher to implement here. I really didn't mind the wait, was just frustrated that it wasn't right.
I think you are right in terms of what happened. With an X5 there are 6 types (standard, premium, sport, diesel, 8cyl and M). If you build a premium you can't monkey it into a sport without taking it back to the start of the production line. The factory was going into slow down mode for the 2011's and someone wasn't paying attention at the dealer to notify them...

wow then that would be a first!

Stick to your guns. You ordered "what you want" for a reason. It'll be worth the wait.

Do people in germany get them on usa delivery? :)