[Cortexiphan]

Seriously, right now we can't buy a BTO 2020 G30 or G20 or anything 2020 for that matter. If you go to a dealer and build a BMW, it'll be a 2021 model year. But only 2020 builds are available in the website, the builds that we can't buy. Why?

I mean the ordering and pricing catalogues are available, why don't they build it into the website already? I mean, if they'll be slow, then they should remove the build your own pages for 2020 models which they're not even manufacturing as of July. And covid or slow market isn't an excuse, as BMW USA website has always been the last to add new models...

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Because most people just lease off the lot. Alpine white paint, black leather, premium package. Done.

[xlover]

Contrary to popular belief the web builder's purpose isn't to be a guide for customers looking to order. It is a marketing tool to expose the options to the majority of customers.... who buy off the lot....

Bmw usually changes over around the time significant inventory is hitting the lots

[DBV1]

I agree with you, as other Countries already have 2021 build on their website. BMW USA needs to get their act together. If your are able to order 2021 vehicles now, like the 5 Series, then get it on your site. Keep the 2020 too, if need, but why, since you can’t even order one. So stupid. Come on BMW USA get with the times! Absolutely horrible marketing....

[drexplode]

Can't offer what they cant sell. EPA approval pending for many of the new model years: www.fueleconomy.gov

Every new model year requires EPA certification. Usually completed in late July / early August. Just about right in time when cars land from Germany. Maybe COVID will slow down EPA approval.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by DBV1

I agree with you, as other Countries already have 2021 build on their website. BMW USA needs to get their act together. If your are able to order 2021 vehicles now, like the 5 Series, then get it on your site. Keep the 2020 too, if need, but why, since you can't even order one. So stupid. Come on BMW USA get with the times! Absolutely horrible marketing....

In other countries it's far more
Common to order than buy off the lot.

For the next 2-3 months the average shopper is going to be buying off the lot.... it would actually hurt bmw to allow consumers to easily access the benefits of the new model without actively searching for them

They figure those customers enthusiastic enough to be fixated on the new model can figure out the order guide. The sheep who need build and price should be exposed to what they can actually purchase.

Build tool has errors most of the time anyway/... the order guide is much better

[DBV1]

Originally Posted by drexplode

Can't offer what they cant sell. EPA approval pending for many of the new model years: www.fueleconomy.gov

Every new model year requires EPA certification. Usually completed in late July / early August. Just about right in time when cars land from Germany. Maybe COVID will slow down EPA approval.

That is not true though, as you can already order 2021 5 Series, as I have and so have others. So, that means you put the 2021 build on the website. Common sense, so obviously they are selling... This is 2020 and BMW needs to operate that way.

So, if people are buying off the lot, then most are probably not even using the build configurator, so that makes 0 sense. The order sheet does not do a good job showing the different options and colors of the car. I don’t get why people are set in their ways and don’t accept the fact we are in the modern, technology age and time for BMW USA to act like that. Cars on the lots for 5 Series are low end spec’d cars. Most people on the BMW forums don’t get those and want to see the configurator and order.

[Cortexiphan]

Originally Posted by drexplode

Can't offer what they cant sell. EPA approval pending for many of the new model years: www.fueleconomy.gov

Every new model year requires EPA certification. Usually completed in late July / early August. Just about right in time when cars land from Germany. Maybe COVID will slow down EPA approval.

I, myself built a 2020 m340i, took it to the dealer, and they say 2020 is not available to order from factory, 2021 models are being ordered now. Same with G30. So they’re currently selling ONLY 2021s if you want to build your car yourself. What’s in their website right now is what they can’t sell. The total opposite of what you said...

[drexplode]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

I, myself built a 2020 m340i, took it to the dealer, and they say 2020 is not available to order from factory, 2021 models are being ordered now. Same with G30. So they're currently selling ONLY 2021s if you want to build your car yourself. What's in their website right now is what they can't sell. The total opposite of what you said...

Ummmm can you drive home with a 2021 or 2020 right now? What is sitting on the dealer lot with epa approval? I think you know the answer already ;-)

[Hegge]

Yes I wish BMW would take their build configurator more seriously. When Porsche has a press release about a car, the configurator is up in less than a day. Not BMW.

[Germanauto]

The BMW USA configurator is definitely not up-to-date and causes headaches.

A year ago my folks were attempting to custom build an X5 with black sapphire exterior, 21 inch M sport wheels, and Tartufo Individual interior. We built it on BMW USA and had a build code, then when sitting at the sales manager's desk ready to put the deposit they inform us that BMW had discontinued Tartufo leather. They had no clue either until they tried to order that build.

We had to scramble to find a Tartufo-equipped M sport model at a dealer; there was only one left on the entire west coast but it was Carbon Black with those ungainly oversized 22 in wheels. Had to settle for that one.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by DBV1

That is not true though, as you can already order 2021 5 Series, as I have and so have others. So, that means you put the 2021 build on the website. Common sense, so obviously they are selling... This is 2020 and BMW needs to operate that way.

So, if people are buying off the lot, then most are probably not even using the build configurator, so that makes 0 sense. The order sheet does not do a good job showing the different options and colors of the car. I don't get why people are set in their ways and don't accept the fact we are in the modern, technology age and time for BMW USA to act like that. Cars on the lots for 5 Series are low end spec'd cars. Most people on the BMW forums don't get those and want to see the configurator and order.

Owners who peruse BMW forums account for a small segment of buyers. The vast majority of customers buy off dealer lots. The sure as shit aren't going to order.

[Hegge]

F32Fleet is correct. Most buyers will buy off the lot since they don't have the patience to wait 2 months or more with a custom order. Instant gratification society.

[DBV1]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Owners who peruse BMW forums account for a small segment of buyers. The vast majority of customers buy off dealer lots. The sure as shit aren't going to order.

Agree, but that also means they are not going to go to BMW website and build either. Use common sense. If they are not going to order they won’t build a car on the website. People who order will, which is why the website needs to be more current. Common marketing 101.

[DBV1]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Owners who peruse BMW forums account for a small segment of buyers. The vast majority of customers buy off dealer lots. The sure as shit aren't going to order.

Guess what and they are not going to go to BMW website and build either. Use common sense. If they are not going to order they won’t build a car on the website. People who order will which is why the website needs to be more current. Common marketing 101.

Why anyone would even argue for BMW not updating their website is beyond me. Stuck in the stone ages...

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by DBV1

Agree, but that also means they are not going to go to BMW website and build either. Use common sense. If they are not going to order they won't build a car on the website. People who order will, which is why the website needs to be more current. Common marketing 101.

Oh they will. It's just not a priority...obviously. The automaker websites are generally horrendous anyways.

[LogicalApex]

I'm new to the BMW brand, but I've learned their website is just a mess period.

When I ordered my MY2020 it was the same issue. The website showed MY2019 for the order guide, but there were press releases on the MY2020 details (including iDrive 7 which turned out much weaker in practice than marketed). The didn't update the Connected Drive stuff to cover MY2020 iDrive limited cars like the G30 until end of October well after I got my car and learned some stuff wasn't added on that model line.

BMW should take the clarity of the website and its information much more seriously in general. There is nothing preventing them from offering a model year drop down to allow you to flip to 2021 and configure that while 2020 is still default until it is flooding lots. There is nothing preventing them from offering details on which cars will have X features from their grab bag.

They seem really bad at this clarity compared to Mercedes.