[Araemo]

Originally Posted by cmplaya

i specifically was waiting for a munich and not south africa build

Why did you want munich specifically? From what I've read, the only build quality difference might be that the SA cars are more solid, but they take an extra month to ship here.. if you're going to wait that long, why not take the first you could get?

[gregorilla]

Originally Posted by eluded

#SaveTheManuals

AMEN! Every year the ability to buy a car in a stick diminishes. What entry-level luxury car can you get in a manual?? Most have been discontinued. But BMW is doing the right thing.

I predict the current manual shift cars will be the next generation of classic cars. Example E46 M3s in manual are selling at premium over SMG; as manuals become increasingly rare, and our world is increasingly automated and protected... I think driver-engaged manuals will become more coveted.

Yes to being directly connected to our machines!!!

[Araemo]

Originally Posted by gregorilla

AMEN! Every year the ability to buy a car in a stick diminishes. What entry-level luxury car can you get in a manual?? Most have been discontinued. But BMW is doing the right thing.

Well, they seem to have an odd way of doing it. Many of the 3 and 4 series models cannot be ordered with a manual. I probably would have gotten a 328i xDrive years ago instead of my current car if it had been possible with a manual.

I predict the current manual shift cars will be the next generation of classic cars. Example E46 M3s in manual are selling at premium over SMG; as manuals become increasingly rare, and our world is increasingly automated and protected... I think driver-engaged manuals will become more coveted.

For the more 'special' cars, I bet you're right. For more mid-range cars like the 340.. I'm not so sure. That didn't stop me from ordering mine with a manual, because that's what I want, but I don't expect it to actually fetch a premium for that reason.

[gregorilla]

"Your vehicle is at the port awaiting a shipping vessel. There is no shipping information available at this time" UGGG.... the wait!!!

Guys, how much more time? I'm guessing 3 more weeks of travel time.

[FeelinBlessed]

Originally Posted by gregorilla

"Your vehicle is at the port awaiting a shipping vessel. There is no shipping information available at this time" UGGG.... the wait!!!

Guys, how much more time? I'm guessing 3 more weeks of travel time.

It's been 6 weeks for me... still unsure if it will arrive at the end of the month

[chicagoshark]

Originally Posted by FeelinBlessed

It's been 6 weeks for me... still unsure if it will arrive at the end of the month

For refernece, I received an email saying my car was starting production July 13, and was completed august 6th. I still don't have it.

I don't remember exact order date, but I think July 2.
Mine was SA, so I know that adds time... but come on.

[FeelinBlessed]

Originally Posted by chicagoshark

For refernece, I received an email saying my car was starting production July 13, and was completed august 6th. I still don't have it.

I don't remember exact order date, but I think July 2.
Mine was SA, so I know that adds time... but come on.

Yea... I finally have a delivery time.
It's on Glorious Leader and it's arriving at port Hueneme, CA this Saturday.
But when I track my VIN, it says it's on Prominent Ace and it's currently at Durban port in SA
I hope BMW doesn't screw me on this lol

[InControl]

About 5% off the msrp is not a great deal even if a 2017 model

[gregorilla]

Originally Posted by FeelinBlessed

Yea... I finally have a delivery time.
It's on Glorious Leader and it's arriving at port Hueneme, CA this Saturday.
But when I track my VIN, it says it's on Prominent Ace and it's currently at Durban port in SA
I hope BMW doesn't screw me on this lol

You got the name of the ship? How do you get the most detailed information about the delivery status?

I've been calling BMW Customer support 800.831.1117.

Oct 7 to today: "Your vehicle is in transit"

This is a Munich build so I'm guessing it has been through the locks in Panama and is heading up to Port Hueneme...??

[FeelinBlessed]

Originally Posted by gregorilla

You got the name of the ship? How do you get the most detailed information about the delivery status?

I've been calling BMW Customer support 800.831.1117.

Oct 7 to today: "Your vehicle is in transit"

This is a Munich build so I'm guessing it has been through the locks in Panama and is heading up to Port Hueneme...??

Things I went through....

• Called BMW and spoke to agent directly instead of the machine
• Emailed BMW directly (Seems most accurate)
• MyBMW website although mine didn't work until the last week before delivery
• Call your Sales Advisor he can find out exact location of the ship
• Track the ship on marinetime after finding out the name of the ship from BMW

[James550i6spd]

I wouldn't be surprised is SA builds are of higher quality. Typically head quarters have a much lower tolerance for quality mishaps in overseas plants, especially where the workforce is not as skilled.

I work for a Japanese automaker and we are purposely extra anal about quality in our plants in China and Mexico. It is impossible to actually get the quality managers to let things slide there for things that slide in the Us or Japan plants. As a result, our assembly plants in those areas are spot on.

[insanecoder]

I read somewhere before that the Rosslyn factory was newer and thusly had more QA checks in place.
I wouldnt worry about SA builds but knock on wood my Munich build has zero issues so far as well.

[cmplaya]

Originally Posted by Araemo

Why did you want munich specifically? From what I've read, the only build quality difference might be that the SA cars are more solid, but they take an extra month to ship here.. if you're going to wait that long, why not take the first you could get?

because i have a SA 340 already that I'm not happy with due to manufacturing issues so this new 340 is going to be from munich

[FeelinBlessed]

Originally Posted by cmplaya

because i have a SA 340 already that got recalled due to manufacturing issues and this new 340 is going to be from munich

Care to elaborate on the manufacturing issues? I never got any recall notices on my 17 340i

[cmplaya]

Originally Posted by FeelinBlessed

Care to elaborate on the manufacturing issues? I never got any recall notices on my 17 340i

it was an issue that only affected 340s with 6MT during a several week span in August 2015. the list of affected VINs is only about 30 something cars but it required engine swap and then i ended up with a transmission failure and replacement as well...went without my car for about 6 weeks

[Araemo]

Originally Posted by cmplaya

it was an issue that only affected 340s with 6MT during a several week span in August 2015. the list of affected VINs is only about 30 something cars but it required engine swap and then i ended up with a transmission failure and replacement as well...went without my car for about 6 weeks

Ick. Stuff like that can happen with any car though.

[FeelinBlessed]

Originally Posted by cmplaya

it was an issue that only affected 340s with 6MT during a several week span in August 2015. the list of affected VINs is only about 30 something cars but it required engine swap and then i ended up with a transmission failure and replacement as well...went without my car for about 6 weeks

That blows....

[gregorilla]

still waiting...message changed back to "vehicle is at the port(al) awaiting a shipping vessel" I guess that means the arrival port (Port Hueneme). Dealer ETA was supposed to be 11/18/16...

[gregorilla]

Update from my salesman: "Vehicle has been release to carrier" SB here day before or after Gobble gobble day! Going to do lease return tomorrow...

[mhutchins14]

Awesome! Exciting times are a coming. Be sure to post up pics when you get it!

[nozydog]

Originally Posted by Araemo

Why did you want munich specifically? From what I've read, the only build quality difference might be that the SA cars are more solid, but they take an extra month to ship here.. if you're going to wait that long, why not take the first you could get?

I'd wait a month for a more 'solid' car, had a less than solid pre LCI 320d a couple of years ago and after 14 months of creaky dash issues (which the dealers attempted to fix) I got rid!!!

Interesting comments on build location... personally I'd have thought German build 'should' be the best as it's the cars built there historically which have given the German brands their reputation for solid build quality (although some seem to have lost that reputation in recent years) I can see the argument for better quality control in plants where the workforce may be less 'experienced' though! I guess any car built anywhere can be a lemon if you're unlucky though!

[nozydog]

Originally Posted by tparm

Awesome man! The Estoril/Oyster combo is beautiful. Congrats.

By the way, the 340 is the best shifting manual from BMW I've driven.

Glad to hear that! I had a pre LCI 320d and the box seemed as notchy as those in my E90/92 320i's... I have a 340i manual on order which I narrowly chose over a 330i sport auto (never owned an auto before) but I went for the straight 6 engine over an auto box which I'm hoping was the right decision... as yet I've heard nothing but praise for the 340's manual box!