[Araemo]

Originally Posted by cmplaya

are you on the tosca? i just called and they said my car is on the tosca supposed to arrive in NJ next week finally

Nope, I'm on the Tombarra, headed to Baltimore. Scheduled arrival on 10/28. (At least, that's what I've gathered from the tracking sites, didn't get ship name from BMW yet).

[mhutchins14]

Time to add my build 2017 340i Msport, 6sp, SA build

8/2...ordered car
8/3...got production number
8/12...build began with scheduled completion of 8/25
8/22...called the automated line and said "car was in body shop with a completion date of 8/19". Soooo...maybe it's done.
8/25...CA emailed me and said car is built, going through final inspection and awaiting a boat.
8/30...Automated line says car is being transported to port of exit.
9/1...Automated line says car is at port of exit and awaiting a shipping vessel
9/16...Car was loaded on the Marvelous Ace
10/6...Marvelous Ace is moored in NY/NJ...currently scheduled to be in Galveston on 10/14, but I wonder if it will get delayed because of hurricane Matthew?
10/15...Marvelous Ace is moored in Galveston
10/24...Car entered VPC after sitting for a week
10/26...Car completed VPC and is awaiting delivery to dealer, currently scheduled for 10/31

In going back and reading some of the previous time frames it seems that the biggest deal with SA builds is whether it gets on a boat that goes directly to the U.S., or gets on a boat that goes to Germany first and then the U.S.

I'll update the post as things happen.

[FeelinBlessed]

^Yes my SA build took over a month and a half just in transit.... very frustrating

Congrats! By next week you will be a new proud 340i owner

[cmplaya]

Originally Posted by mhutchins14

Time to add my build 2017 340i Msport, 6sp, SA build

8/2...ordered car
8/3...got production number
8/12...build began with scheduled completion of 8/25
8/22...called the automated line and said "car was in body shop with a completion date of 8/19". Soooo...maybe it's done.
8/25...CA emailed me and said car is built, going through final inspection and awaiting a boat.
8/30...Automated line says car is being transported to port of exit.
9/1...Automated line says car is at port of exit and awaiting a shipping vessel
9/16...Car was loaded on the Marvelous Ace
10/6...Marvelous Ace is moored in NY/NJ...currently scheduled to be in Galveston on 10/14, but I wonder if it will get delayed because of hurricane Matthew?
10/15...Marvelous Ace is moored in Galveston
10/24...Car entered VPC after sitting for a week
10/26...Car completed VPC and is awaiting delivery to dealer, currently scheduled for 10/31

In going back and reading some of the previous time frames it seems that the biggest deal with SA builds is whether it gets on a boat that goes directly to the U.S., or gets on a boat that goes to Germany first and then the U.S.

I'll update the post as things happen.

did you get anything port installed during those two days at the VPC or just standard inspection...

[mhutchins14]

Originally Posted by cmplaya

did you get anything port installed during those two days at the VPC or just standard inspection...

Yes...I had black kidney grills, carbon fiber rear spoiler, stainless steel pedals, and MPPSK installed. Hopefully I'll be driving it no later than this coming Tuesday.

[mhutchins14]

Time to add my build 2017 340i Msport, 6sp, SA build

8/2...ordered car
8/3...got production number
8/12...build began with scheduled completion of 8/25
8/22...called the automated line and said "car was in body shop with a completion date of 8/19". Soooo...maybe it's done.
8/25...CA emailed me and said car is built, going through final inspection and awaiting a boat.
8/30...Automated line says car is being transported to port of exit.
9/1...Automated line says car is at port of exit and awaiting a shipping vessel
9/16...Car was loaded on the Marvelous Ace
10/6...Marvelous Ace is moored in NY/NJ...currently scheduled to be in Galveston on 10/14, but I wonder if it will get delayed because of hurricane Matthew?
10/15...Marvelous Ace is moored in Galveston
10/24...Car entered VPC after sitting for a week
10/26...Car completed VPC and is awaiting delivery to dealer, currently scheduled for 10/31
10/31...Car arrived at dealer
11/1...Picked up car from dealer

So overall, my South Africa build took 91 days. I think I got a little lucky in that I got on a boat that came to N. America instead of Germany first and then N. America. With that said, my car sat at the port in Durban for 16 days before it left, and once it arrived in Galveston, it was at that port for another 15 days before it reached my dealer. I did have black grills, stainless steel pedals, carbon fiber rear spoiler, and MPPSK installed at the port...but I don't think it should have taken 15 days for processing and installation of those items.

I'm very pleased with how the build turned out. This was the second car I've ordered from BMW. The first was a 2008 e92 M3 and that build took 72 days from order to delivery and that one, obviously came from Germany.

[kbsbmw]

9/2 Ordered car
9/26 Finally got a production number from dealership
10/17 Car came out of production
10/25 Car at port of exit awaiting ship

VIN not showing up on transnet. BMW support tells me the car is at the compound awaiting a ship. Does it not show up on transnet till close to time to load? Frustratingly slow process with no new info in past two weeks.

[BillsGirlGina]

Originally Posted by kbsbmw

9/2 Ordered car
9/26 Finally got a production number from dealership
10/17 Car came out of production
10/25 Car at port of exit awaiting ship

VIN not showing up on transnet. BMW support tells me the car is at the compound awaiting a ship. Does it not show up on transnet till close to time to load? Frustratingly slow process with no new info in past two weeks.

Mine sat waiting for a ship for 2 weeks! Hopefully yours won't take as long. And usually there is no change until it has been put on a the ship.

[Fugly M3]

Originally Posted by BillsGirlGina

Mine sat waiting for a ship for 2 weeks! Hopefully yours won't take as long. And usually there is no change until it has been put on a the ship.

Mine sat almost 3 weeks.

[rak299]

There seems to be no pattern. Mine got to the port on a Thursday, and it sailed on Friday.

[kbsbmw]

Thanks for the responses. Appreciate all of the good information on this site as to how to track the car. I've used the MOL vessel schedule to determine which ships are coming through Durban. I've been told that the car is shipping directly to the US and if that is the case it looks as if I won't get on a carrier until late next week.

[Araemo]

Not full detail like others here...

9/12: ordered car. German build, Performance center delivery
9/13: received production #
not sure exactly when production started, but it ended around:
10/13: Production finished
10/18: On a ship
10/31: Delivered to VPC in baltimore
11/4 or 11/7: Work order started. (Install MPPSK and stainless pedals, plus normal prep)
also 11/4: Changed from PCD to normal dealer delivery
11/9: work order finished
11/11: on a truck
11/12: At my dealer
11/14: Picking it up.

[FaRKle!]

Here's my '17 328d wagon timeline:

6/30: Ordered.
6/30-9/1: EPA DELAY
9/2: Order accepted/Production number given.
9/16: Production started in Munich.
9/30: Production finished.
10/8: Arrived at port (Bremerhaven).
10/8: Loaded onto ship.
11/5: Ship arrives at US port (Oxnard).
11/12: Loaded onto United Road carrier (and logged as 328i, not d?)
11/13: Arrived at dealership.

[Zoolander10z]

Originally Posted by Araemo

Not full detail like others here...

9/12: ordered car. German build, Performance center delivery
9/13: received production #
not sure exactly when production started, but it ended around:
10/13: Production finished
10/18: On a ship
10/31: Delivered to VPC in baltimore
11/4 or 11/7: Work order started. (Install MPPSK and stainless pedals, plus normal prep)
also 11/4: Changed from PCD to normal dealer delivery
11/9: work order finished
11/11: on a truck
11/12: At my dealer
11/14: Picking it up.

Any issues with changing from PCD to dealer?

[Araemo]

Originally Posted by Zoolander10z

Any issues with changing from PCD to dealer?

Nope, as long as you do it before it's on its way to the PDC. Though from what I understand, even after its there you can change it.. e.g., if you can't come up with a date that works, or have to cancel your PCD, it can be shipped onward to your dealer. Not sure if they charge for that or not though.

I took delivery on Monday as planned.. a full two weeks earlier than the first PCD date they could give me, and I don't have to schedule a work trip around it this way.

[rak299]

Mine was faster than expected 2017 440i xdrive F32 6MT

9/19 Ordered
9/21 Got production number
10/10 Production finished
10/13 Got to port
10/14 Left port
11/13 arrived Port Hueneme (California) through canal with extra stop in Bristol, UK to pick up load of Mini's?
11/16 At dealer to be picked up 11/17

[FeelinBlessed]

Originally Posted by rak299

Mine was faster than expected 2017 440i xdrive F32 6MT

9/19 Ordered
9/21 Got production number
10/10 Production finished
10/13 Got to port
10/14 Left port
11/13 arrived Port Hueneme (California) through canal with extra stop in Bristol, UK to pick up load of Mini's?
11/16 At dealer to be picked up 11/17

Congrats! so lucky

[kbsbmw]

Update on my timeline:
9/2 Ordered car
9/26 Finally got a production number from dealership
10/17 Production Finished
10/25 Car at port of exit awaiting ship according to BMW
11/14 Transnet portal status "arrival at port by road"
11/19 Transnet portal status "left port by ship", Courageous Ace

So happy I finally made it on a ship - over a month since it finished production. I've done a lot of ship tracking research on the SA built cars, and there are not many ships that move thru Durban bound for the US. I think I got a bit unlucky in that my car finished the build in mid October when there was not a US bound ship scheduled till mid November. My CA nor BMW could tell me anything about when this car would be on a ship, but I knew in October that there were only two ships that would get it out of SA in November. One was in port on Nov. 6 bound for Germany, and the 2nd is the ship my car was just loaded on. Even yesterday, my CA nor the BMW support could tell me any other status than it was at the port awaiting a ship, same status I've had since 10/25. So if you have an SA built car, do your research and you can find out much more than the BMW team can tell you.
Now the wait for the trip over the pond - scheduled arrival in Brunswick is 12/13. Then VPC. Then dealership. Maybe my Christmas present. SMILE.

[skna]

Originally Posted by kbsbmw

Update on my timeline:
9/2 Ordered car
9/26 Finally got a production number from dealership
10/17 Production Finished
10/25 Car at port of exit awaiting ship according to BMW
11/14 Transnet portal status "arrival at port by road"
11/19 Transnet portal status "left port by ship", Courageous Ace

So happy I finally made it on a ship - over a month since it finished production. I've done a lot of ship tracking research on the SA built cars, and there are not many ships that move thru Durban bound for the US. I think I got a bit unlucky in that my car finished the build in mid October when there was not a US bound ship scheduled till mid November. My CA nor BMW could tell me anything about when this car would be on a ship, but I knew in October that there were only two ships that would get it out of SA in November. One was in port on Nov. 6 bound for Germany, and the 2nd is the ship my car was just loaded on. Even yesterday, my CA nor the BMW support could tell me any other status than it was at the port awaiting a ship, same status I've had since 10/25. So if you have an SA built car, do your research and you can find out much more than the BMW team can tell you.
Now the wait for the trip over the pond - scheduled arrival in Brunswick is 12/13. Then VPC. Then dealership. Maybe my Christmas present. SMILE.

What kind of research did you do? My 2017 340xi SA built has been sitting at the port since 11/8. My CA and the bmw customer representive said, my car is still at the port wiating to be loaded. I was wondering how you find out that your car was loaded on the ship which they did not know.

[kbsbmw]

Originally Posted by skna

What kind of research did you do? My 2017 340xi SA built has been sitting at the port since 11/8. My CA and the bmw customer representive said, my car is still at the port wiating to be loaded. I was wondering how you find out that your car was loaded on the ship which they did not know.

Hi there - have you checked the following link to see if you car has been moved to the port yet?
If you are shipping to the SE US seems you should be on my boat.
http://41.160.4.58:8080/apex/f?p=102:11:0::NO
This should take you straight to the Transnet Durban RORO terminal where you select the radio button for cars and enter the last 7 digits of your VIN NU*****.
Here's a text version of what you should see: (this is mine today)
Cars handled at Durban RoRo
VIN Operation Tally Time Vessel Name Voyage
NU355XX Arrival at Port by Road 14-NOV-2016 08:59 - - -
NU355XX Left the Port by Ship 19-NOV-2016 13:58 COURAGEOUS ACE

I had the same status (that you are saying your CA and the BMW line has been telling you) since Oct 25th, yet according to transnet it actually did not show that it moved to port by road until Nov 14th. I fooled around with some VINs close to mine and learned some show up on this portal well ahead of when they load and some show up like mine did just a few days before, but either way the CA or the BMW support line or the Genius will all tell you the same thing "it's at the port of exit, awaiting a shipping vessel".

I also knew the car was coming to the Southeast US or would go through Germany first. My CA did tell me ahead of time that it would ship directly to the US, but they had told me other info that did not add up so I checked all options. That's where I went onto the
http://www.molroro.com/MOLVesselSchedule.aspx
and starting entering Durban as the POL, and either Bremerhaven or Bayonne - NEAT, Brunswick, etc (SE locations) as POD and found there were only 2 ships that would get the car out of there between Oct 25th and Nov 25th. You have to play around on the sites but you can figure it out. Let me know if any of this needs more explanation. I'm glad to help as all that I learned came from all the good folks that use this site.

[skna]

Originally Posted by kbsbmw

Hi there - have you checked the following link to see if you car has been moved to the port yet?
If you are shipping to the SE US seems you should be on my boat.
http://41.160.4.58:8080/apex/f?p=102:11:0::NO
This should take you straight to the Transnet Durban RORO terminal where you select the radio button for cars and enter the last 7 digits of your VIN NU*****.
Here's a text version of what you should see: (this is mine today)
Cars handled at Durban RoRo
VIN Operation Tally Time Vessel Name Voyage
NU355XX Arrival at Port by Road 14-NOV-2016 08:59 - - -
NU355XX Left the Port by Ship 19-NOV-2016 13:58 COURAGEOUS ACE

I had the same status (that you are saying your CA and the BMW line has been telling you) since Oct 25th, yet according to transnet it actually did not show that it moved to port by road until Nov 14th. I fooled around with some VINs close to mine and learned some show up on this portal well ahead of when they load and some show up like mine did just a few days before, but either way the CA or the BMW support line or the Genius will all tell you the same thing "it's at the port of exit, awaiting a shipping vessel".

I also knew the car was coming to the Southeast US or would go through Germany first. My CA did tell me ahead of time that it would ship directly to the US, but they had told me other info that did not add up so I checked all options. That's where I went onto the
http://www.molroro.com/MOLVesselSchedule.aspx
and starting entering Durban as the POL, and either Bremerhaven or Bayonne - NEAT, Brunswick, etc (SE locations) as POD and found there were only 2 ships that would get the car out of there between Oct 25th and Nov 25th. You have to play around on the sites but you can figure it out. Let me know if any of this needs more explanation. I'm glad to help as all that I learned came from all the good folks that use this site.

Thank you very much, kbsbmw. My car is in the same vessel as yours. I really need the car before the end of the year. I have been checking the vessel schedule from Durban at the same site as you linked here and I was very disappointed that no one knows whether my was shipped or not after COURAGEOUS ACE left the port. Now I found out that my car is in the ship. I really appreciate your info, kbsbmw.

[joeaye]

Took delivery of a '17 440xi vert, EBII on coral w/ msport, cold weather, driver assistance, adaptive m suspension, carplay

10/3 Order Placed and got production number
10/8 Production started
10/23 Production finished
10/28 Got to port
11/1 Left port
11/16 arrived at POA NY(NJ)
11/17 Picked up for transport to BMW Greenwich
11/18 At dealer
11/23 Picked up
11/23 Fell in love