[fairtex]

I placed an order for my car yesterday. Just wondering how long until the dealer receives the production number so they can relay that back to me.

[IrvRobinson]

He should have the production number as soon as it's entered into the system,if you're planning on tracking it, wait about 4 days for the information to get updated.While you're waiting,have them give you a printout with all the specs for your car so you can make sure everything is correct ! Good luck !

[joerockets]

Originally Posted by IrvRobinson

He should have the production number as soon as it's entered into the system,if you're planning on tracking it, wait about 4 days for the information to get updated.While you're waiting,have them give you a printout with all the specs for your car so you can make sure everything is correct ! Good luck !

I placed an order for a 335 coupe and I received my number the same day I ordered my car. The sales guy also faxed me a copy of my order and everything was identical to my specification. However, when I tracked my car on BMWs website, it was missing the sport package option that I originally ordered. Also, the car came up as a 335i with no mention of it being a coupe anywhere. Should I call the dealer if this doesn't change in a couple of days?

[rrandyy]

The packages never show up on the oc website. When you're signing the final paperwork, just make sure to doublecheck the specs.

[fairtex]

Hmm, it's been about 3 days since I've ordered the car, and I called my salesman yesterday, he said he didn't have the production # yet. He said he would have it sometime this week... should I be worried? I'm thinking their allocation is backed up and they just fished me in for my deposit. Damn.

[user1]

Originally Posted by fairtex

Hmm, it's been about 3 days since I've ordered the car, and I called my salesman yesterday, he said he didn't have the production # yet. He said he would have it sometime this week... should I be worried? I'm thinking their allocation is backed up and they just fished me in for my deposit. Damn.

Dont worry. Give your dealer time. If he doesnt get back to you this week, as promised, then call him. Sometimes dealers run out of allocation and have to wait for openings to put orders in. I've heard of many dealers with a list of buyers longer than their allocation. Good thing you put in your deposit and secured a place on the dealers list. You should be used to this since you have an M3. I'm guessing you will get an end of January production date if the dealer is able to enter it this week.

[4-series]

Originally Posted by fairtex

I placed an order for my car yesterday. Just wondering how long until the dealer receives the production number so they can relay that back to me.

10 days for me from the time delar faxed hand written order to BMWNA. This is for ED...

[wistarf]

Originally Posted by fairtex

Hmm, it's been about 3 days since I've ordered the car, and I called my salesman yesterday, he said he didn't have the production # yet. He said he would have it sometime this week... should I be worried? I'm thinking their allocation is backed up and they just fished me in for my deposit. Damn.

Yep, he just fished you in to lock in the sale. If he doesn't have a production number to give you within a day max, then he's definitely stringing you along.

Truth is, when demand is high, the squeaky wheels get the few available production numbers, and those who stay silent get put off, and off and off. Some dealers will try to avoid giving the production number until it's necessary. That way they can play the shell game with allocation slots and "save" sales that would otherwise go to another dealer with better availability. If they can keep their customers in the dark, all the better.

Threaten to cancel your order and see how quickly a production number miraculously appears. Really. If they think the sale is in jeopardy, they'll even pull another customer's production number and give it to you if they can find a customer who hasn't been told what their production number is yet. And if they truly don't have any available production numbers and cannot give you one even when pressed, then you might want to consider another dealer anyway if you don't want to wait 4 months for your car.

[IrvRobinson]

We all have our January allocations,you should have something in a few days, if not,stop by and ask to see a copy of the dealer activity report, it will show current and scheduled for production and even further out.It's not a super secret list,just tells the complete story on availability.........

[BenMW]

Originally Posted by IrvRobinson

We all have our January allocations,you should have something in a few days, if not,stop by and ask to see a copy of the dealer activity report, it will show current and scheduled for production and even further out.It's not a super secret list,just tells the complete story on availability.........

Irv its good to have a knowledgeable BMW CA on this forum. Thanks.

For the OP just get your CA to input it into the system and you should have your number. give me a couple days to do it before you give him a call.

[fairtex]

Yeah I actually went down there today and checked everything out. It seems there are a few other 335i's on order or being produced through them, but he should have my production number ready by early next week. I just want to get the car before March if at all possible

Also, what does CA mean?

[CALIF65GM]

Originally Posted by fairtex

Also, what does CA mean?

In this case CA = Client Advisor or your salesperson.

In terms of options, CA = Convenience/Comfort Access

In terms of states, CA = California.....

Good luck with your Prod. #

[DUH CAR]

I got a production number for Feb production (but no build week yet).
I think Jan production is all allocated so he will need to squeeze you in somehow.

[user1]

Originally Posted by wistarf

Yep, he just fished you in to lock in the sale. If he doesn't have a production number to give you within a day max, then he's definitely stringing you along.

Truth is, when demand is high, the squeaky wheels get the few available production numbers, and those who stay silent get put off, and off and off. Some dealers will try to avoid giving the production number until it's necessary. That way they can play the shell game with allocation slots and "save" sales that would otherwise go to another dealer with better availability. If they can keep their customers in the dark, all the better.

Threaten to cancel your order and see how quickly a production number miraculously appears. Really. If they think the sale is in jeopardy, they'll even pull another customer's production number and give it to you if they can find a customer who hasn't been told what their production number is yet. And if they truly don't have any available production numbers and cannot give you one even when pressed, then you might want to consider another dealer anyway if you don't want to wait 4 months for your car.

I know people like to think that dealerships are always screwing with you. But thats probably not true in this case. If the OP followed your advice he would be starting his BMW relationship off on the wrong foot.

I know some dealerships save spots by putting in generic orders in production slots and change the orders to a customers specs when needed. I dont know of a dealer that would screw over one customer by giving away his producion number just to make happy a new customer who is acting like a jerk. Its understandable that production slots for new cars (like the 335 coupe or sedan) are full. They have been filling up a month in advance. The CA has given the OP a week before getting a production number. That is not unreasonable given the long order times many on this board are reporting.

If the OP walked he wouldnt be guaranteed his wait would be any shorter elsewhere. His name would go to the bottom of the next dealers list waiting for production slots. Plus he would need to start the negotiating process all over giving up the best deal he was able to make (assuming he chose the dealership based on shopping prices already).

My advice, be patient. A week isnt a long time. There is no need to pull antics to get a production number. Dont brand yourself as a bad client right away.

[IrvRobinson]

Originally Posted by CALIF65GM

In this case CA = Client Advisor or your salesperson.

In terms of options, CA = Convenience/Comfort Access

In terms of states, CA = California.....

Good luck with your Prod. #

and don't forget

SM = sales manager
SD = service director
PM = parts manager
FD = finance director
SW = service writer
MT = master technician
SA = sales advisor
EDS = european delivery specialist

My DAR ( dealer activity report ) shows 5 335cpe. available for January production in the 3rd week.Everything that we have available for January production has a production number from the time it's allocated to us, the number never changes, but we can modify the car to the customers order until it reaches 112 status and then it becomes iffy.Some of our current 5 series and M5's scheduled for week 3 in January are in 112 status now and can't be modified,while those scheduled for week 4 are in 111 and can be modified.If a dealer doesn't have any 335's for week 3 production that are modifiable,sometimes they can trade for that week and give someone something later.On an ED,we're pulling from their pool of inventory,so it takes a little longer to get a production number.By next month, I think we'll be building the ED cars ourselves and then we'll have the production number immediately.....if anyone isn't clear on this, please feel free to contact me directly,either by phone or email.....Happy Holiday to all !

[IrvRobinson]

Originally Posted by rrandyy

The packages never show up on the oc website. When you're signing the final paperwork, just make sure to doublecheck the specs.

btw, don't worry about OC ( owners circle ) as long as the printout you were given listing everything along with the MSRP,that's what you'll be driving eventually,that's the most important piece of paper !