[NorCalAthlete]

Hi all,

Apologies if this has been asked / answered already, I did a couple brief searches and couldn't find an answer but hey it's Monday morning and the caffeine hasn't fully kicked in yet .

I'm wondering if I can order a new 4-series but with a previous year's individual paint option. I REALLY like the Avus blue seen here:



However, that was 1) in Canada and 2) last year (2017) for a 2018 model year. If I ordered now, it'd be a 2019 model year I believe, or at least I don't see any way to order a 2018 through the online configurator. I'm in the USA in California if that makes a difference. Backup plan if there's no way whatsoever to get it is to order Tanzanite Blue - second favorite and I far prefer it to the Estoril or Snapper Rocks blue.

Thanks!

[metallicpea]

That sure is a pretty blue.

[NorCalAthlete]

The last vehicle I custom ordered was a very similar shade of blue:

[xlover]

From most of the board you are going to get a strong maybe... Technically it can be done,
some pieces of advice from someone who has not done it but where i would start...

1. You need a dealer that is fluent in the process and willing to play ball to try to get BMW to make it
2. Individual colors are often done/approved for M car orders so i would tear through some of the threads on the process in the F80 M3/M4 forums

[NorCalAthlete]

Interesting, thanks. Another thing I'd like to do is mix some of the trim pieces...not sure on that one either. I like the "dark carbon" but want to mix it with the estoril blue highlight pieces. Not a huge fan of the aluminum hexagon stuff.

[Daftasabrush]

You need a dealer fully aware of the individual process. Essentially you could in theory do what you like providing the factory can support it. Custom colours and interiors are fine but your dealer will need to put your case to bmw ag in order for it to even get considered.

[NorCalAthlete]

Any recommendations for dealers in the Bay Area? Wasn’t a fan of Stevens creek last time I was in there looking, maybe I just caught them on a bad day but they had an attitude like “we don’t really care about you because there’s 20 other idiots willing to come in and plop down cash without so much as a test drive.”

[shiftdnb]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

Interesting, thanks. Another thing I'd like to do is mix some of the trim pieces...not sure on that one either. I like the "dark carbon" but want to mix it with the estoril blue highlight pieces. Not a huge fan of the aluminum hexagon stuff.

You're not going to get mix and match interior trim. You can basically do what I did and look for interiors from salvaged m3 and m4's for the carbon and then on the dash and left air vent you have to remove the the color piece by drilling out the plastic welds on the back of the center piece and using trim tools to work the colored piece off the left vent. There are a couple of people that have painted the trim pieces but you can switch it out for the blue if you've gone with that. If you go another color the ones on the doors are plastic welded to the door panel so they can be removed and painted but it is some work.

For the door handles I was able to get those from salvage as well but I went with the leather.

I did a write up here. http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1405501

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

Interesting, thanks. Another thing I'd like to do is mix some of the trim pieces...not sure on that one either. I like the "dark carbon" but want to mix it with the estoril blue highlight pieces. Not a huge fan of the aluminum hexagon stuff.

You can always order the color. It’s up to BMW if they will approve.

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

Any recommendations for dealers in the Bay Area? Wasn’t a fan of Stevens creek last time I was in there looking, maybe I just caught them on a bad day but they had an attitude like “we don’t really care about you because there’s 20 other idiots willing to come in and plop down cash without so much as a test drive.”

I HAVE seen customized trim in the F8x threads, so it is certainly possible without going to junk yards.

No experience with them, but Steve Thomas North of LA seems to do a lot of Individual Cars if the threads are to be believed.

GOLFFRR

[GOLFFRR]

BMW indiv works pretty simple.

You submit your desired color to indiv
they will respond with a yes or no
if a yes they will give you a price for the paint

once you get a dealer with a allocation they will start the order and dial you in.

[Jim E.]

It's simple and yet not so simple when it comes to Individual orders.

For paint yes it is relatively straightforward. Put in your special order paint code and you'll get a yes or no.

For upholstery and trim customization it gets a bit more complex if you truly want to do something custom rather than something preset but still Individual.

I have definitely seen oddball stuff and even painted trim work which, as someone pointed out earlier, was in the F8x world.

Come to think of it, I am not sure I have seen any factory ordered custom interior work on the F3x. Has anyone seen that? I'm not talking about standard individual merino leather or specific preset individual trim but rather custom orders that I see every so often on F8x's.

Oh, if you decide to go down that path you will very likely hear a loud scream in the middle of the night. That would be your wallet having a nightmare.

[NorCalAthlete]

I know, I know...I’m already trying to tell myself to wait for my bonus at least before I buy anything...

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

I know, I know...I’m already trying to tell myself to wait for my bonus at least before I buy anything...

Is that color really worth $5k to you?

I’ve spent some stupid money on cars and every Dealership that has seen my car says it’s the most unique F3x they’ve ever seen, so I’m not knocking it. Just asking.

[SaltyDoug]

I was just at Weatherford BMW in Berkeley and they seem really nice compared to S.C. BMW. My dad bought his '99 540i there and I'm still driving it.

Good Luck!

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Is that color really worth $5k to you?

I’ve spent some stupid money on cars and every Dealership that has seen my car says it’s the most unique F3x they’ve ever seen, so I’m not knocking it. Just asking.

In short, if I'm ending up ordering new vs buying pre-owned - yes, it is. It's an extra $69/month on a 72-month loan or $83/month on a 60-month. Relatively inconsequential in the long run.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

In short, if I'm ending up ordering new vs buying pre-owned - yes, it is. It's an extra $69/month on a 72-month loan or $83/month on a 60-month. Relatively inconsequential in the long run.

It’s just as you read through posts on forum, at least 90% of the owners seem to have an issue paying a one time $69 - $83 on a better part or paint job.

You can forget about them doing it 60 or 72 times!

[NorCalAthlete]

Way I see it it's a sunk cost. I'll have already written off the money.