[gromit]

Hi there

I placed an order on 6th Dec for a 428i series GC with nutmeg individual leather. The dealer has advised today that there is a problem with the order that it could not be accepted/entered into the system. They have chased BMW UK sales who have chased Germany but no further information has been advised, only that it is a problem. So the dealer can't give any ETA for the car at all.

Can someone here clarify the process with individual options, please? I have been told they go into a separate queue and I appreciate this causes some delay (how much for an interior?) to the order but the fact that order is not being accepted I don't really understand. Does this mean that the leather I want is unavailable; if that was the case why not say it?!

In the meantime, I am looking at alternative interior colours, but am struggling to find something remotely as close to my liking.

Thanks

Jon

[JoshB25]

When I ordered my car I wanted opal white. However, the dealer said it would be an extra 6-8 weeks due to the individual lead times. Had to go with coral red.

[335dJa]

Have you tried the online chat on the bmw website? Worth asking them perhaps.
And stand by your decision, my dealer tried to talk me out of the m sport+ Kit, you'll only kick yourself if you let them change your mind. Unless there are new interior options in the pipeline for 2015?

[BC4J]

I ordered Opal White leather, Tanzanite Blue paint and Piano Black interior trim. Zero issues. And absolutely loving the car!

[gromit]

Thanks, all for the comments.

I haven't tried the online genius chat thing. The salesman I'm dealing with often has to refer to the BMW "genius" in the dealership when I ask questions. So yes, I'll give the online thing a go - guess that cuts out a couple of steps and gets be talking to BMW UK - perhaps the colour simply is no longer available etc.

At the moment due to misfortune with previous BMW I'm in a hire car so ideally I'd like new car soon, but spending £40k ish on new car I'm inclined to think I should get what I want! Spending £300 or so on hire car per month not ideal but in scheme of things manageable and would be much less than I'd be paying for a new car (admittedly much nicer one) on finance. I don't want a black interior and having had white("lemon") interior in last car don't ideally want the same ("oyster") again, though that of the non individual colours would be my preference. (Not because I didn't like the pale interior or find it that impractical but just because I want something different.)

What I'm most hacked off about is losing a month in the process - the dealer has suggested it's back to square one with the order.

Once again, thanks

Jon

[Archer-s]

I would not be very happy in your shoes, and would be looking to move my order to a different dealer unless they can either put it right or offer some kind of compensation.

End of the day the dealer is responsible for the leg work, not you, otherwise what value do they add?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by gromit

At the moment due to misfortune with previous BMW I'm in a hire car so ideally I'd like new car soon, but spending £40k ish on new car I'm inclined to think I should get what I want!

I think you're completely right to think that!

Especially if you plan to keep it for a good length of time - getting it right the years you'll have it are more important than whether it gets here a month or so quicker. The problem comes if the deal you're being offered is at risk from the delay.

[jusdorange]

What annoys me;

You pay extra to wait lol

They are kind of shooting themselves in the foot, I would have got a few individual options but the delay at the time was 3 more months, forget that

[jusdorange]

I would highly understood if it was like Ferrari Atelier where literally they will do anything (at a price)

But this is just additional options that really isn't that much extra logistics

[gromit]

Thanks, folks

Originally Posted by mssond

I would not be very happy in your shoes, and would be looking to move my order to a different dealer unless they can either put it right or offer some kind of compensation.

End of the day the dealer is responsible for the leg work, not you, otherwise what value do they add?

Yep, may well try another dealer. Would need to get deposit back off current one but as clearly they can't meet the date on the contract of 1st March then I'd hope I can. Depost, in hindsight was too big, 5k - but that suited me, to put that on CC with a 0% balance transfer.

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I think you're completely right to think that!

Especially if you plan to keep it for a good length of time - getting it right the years you'll have it are more important than whether it gets here a month or so quicker. The problem comes if the deal you're being offered is at risk from the delay.

Yes, especially as I'm spending more than I'd originally intended with the 4GC - originally I was looking at (excuse the swearing) a Merc CLA - to me a nice looking motor, but didn't drive great especially the auto box and found some Merc controls a bit weird.

The deal I've got was 6%, not great, but matches what brokers are offering - function of a newish model, I guess. So I'd think I could get same elsewhere.

I did ask salesman whether they could provide courtesy car to cover the wait but he said that wasn't possible due to the uncertain timescales. Should have pressed harder on that.

[gromit]

Originally Posted by jusdorange

I would highly understood if it was like Ferrari Atelier where literally they will do anything (at a price)

But this is just additional options that really isn't that much extra logistics

From what I understand, the BMW individual stuff is taken out of the main queue and so I guess built in batches?

But, yes, I'm just picking options off the list not asking for a bespoke mixed paint job.

[matx1982]

I have been to the factory when my M5 rolled off and having seen the whole process can understand why they do this...

1 it is harder for them
2 it is better to make it harder to have as that makes it more special when you do.

Having said that didn't want to wait 12 weeks more for my car so never bothered.

Ps BMW have to approve the spec... they won't build everything.

Mat

[gromit]

Dealer mentioned once order placed, it can't be changed, is that right? (Now thinking I'd like adaptive lights. What I should do is forget about car for three months.)

[JustChris]

I'm not sure there is much of a complicated process, its just ordered and then subject to a longer lead time due to the specialist production runs. Shame Nutmeg is not 'available' would looks a great colour. Good luck in your pursuits!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by ChesterM2

I'm not sure there is much of a complicated process, its just ordered and then subject to a longer lead time due to the specialist production runs. Shame Nutmeg is not 'available' would looks a great colour. Good luck in your pursuits!

+1

Standard stock will be routinely ordered in order to keep a specific stock level.

For example some of our kit has a 20 week lead time from a supplier, so we order in advance of a new customer order.

However, if we receive specific one offs, or small orders, then unfortunately we are as much a victim of lead times as the customer.

There is no way we would increase stock holding just on the off chance of orders.

The idea is to have a minimum amount possible in stationary stock.

[Proftinkerpot]

Originally Posted by gromit

Dealer mentioned once order placed, it can't be changed, is that right? (Now thinking I'd like adaptive lights. What I should do is forget about car for three months.)

You can change until the system shows the dealer your car is locked down in has entered build stage. If dealer says once you order that's it then either you have an almost immediate build slot or he doesn't want any hassle.

[matx1982]

When it comes to trims etc... nothing is routinely ordered in from what I saw at Dingolfing. It is all made to order in an extremely impressive just in time system. There is no scope for stuff to be sat around at the assembly factory. Headlights etc... yes.

And yes when you order individual you cannot change anything after it has been accepted.

Mat

[pmgreenwood]

Originally Posted by gromit

Hi there



Can someone here clarify the process with individual options, please? I have been told they go into a separate queue and I appreciate this causes some delay (how much for an interior?) to the order but the fact that order is not being accepted I don't really understand. Does this mean that the leather I want is unavailable; if that was the case why not say it?!

Jon

When I tried to order with individual leather last February , I ws told it would involve delays, the car would not arrive within time for the dealer to get the quarter sales bonus and hence the discount I would get would be lower.

[Mossquito]

Have you looked at the ivory white?
I've got that in my 4gc as it is more "white" than the oyster - I also didn't like the yellowish tone.
Also it has black seatbelts and switch surrounds etc. which I prefer.

Wouldn't say it would be as desirable as individual- but maybe a bearable compromise?

[gromit]

Originally Posted by Mossquito

Have you looked at the ivory white?
I've got that in my 4gc as it is more "white" than the oyster - I also didn't like the yellowish tone.
Also it has black seatbelts and switch surrounds etc. which I prefer.

Wouldn't say it would be as desirable as individual- but maybe a bearable compromise?

Thanks, but no. I had a white interior in last motor and want something different. Order was placed on 3rd again with Nutmeg, dealer's sales manager apparently having spoken to UK HQ and being assured that could be delivered by end of March. Fingers crossed!

[gromit]

Originally Posted by mlepyro

When it comes to trims etc... nothing is routinely
And yes when you order individual you cannot change anything after it has been accepted.

Thanks, Mat

Ah, OK. And if I change it now will that mess up the acceptance and further delay - or is the acceptance relate to the "individual" items and changing a standard option until that point ok?

Apologies for questions, but want to be well informed before taking up with dealer.

[BC4J]

Originally Posted by gromit

Thanks, but no. I had a white interior in last motor and want something different. Order was placed on 3rd again with Nutmeg, dealer's sales manager apparently having spoken to UK HQ and being assured that could be delivered by end of March. Fingers crossed!

Good luck. I have Opal White Merino, it is simply wonderful . Stick with it, it'll be worth it.