Why so few options for US market?

[ulrichd]

I just spent some time on the bmw.de site for the 1series and it's just amazing what number of options there are. There are 4 different silver finishes for the interior trim alone, you can have the exterior window trim painted in the car color, headliner color options, M-aero package available for the "lesser" models, upsize wheel packages come with tires, etc. Don't even get me started on the upholstery choices. What gives? Maybe I am spoiled after being able to order my Mini the way I wanted down to every little detail.

[WhiteOne]

It is my understanding that we are limited by our own consumer laws. We can order a car without paying for it first. The dealers do not want to get stuck with a car some wacko ordered. If it comes in and they decide they do not like it, the dealer would be stuck with it.
Did you check the prices on the cars over there? I believe they pay a good bit more than we do.
JMHO I could be wrong...

[135iPSU]

i went on there and noticed the same thing, thats crazy! why dont our reps tell us about all these ways we can customize our cars when we order them, if they know you are going to take it then let us choose, my family has bought 5 BMW's off this same guy, thats bullshit to not tell us about any of this

[MikeCCrutchfield]

Originally Posted by 135iPSU

i went on there and noticed the same thing, thats crazy! why dont our reps tell us about all these ways we can customize our cars when we order them, if they know you are going to take it then let us choose, my family has bought 5 BMW's off this same guy, thats bullshit to not tell us about any of this

No, it's not. BMWNA won't let him order the car, so why tell you about something you could never have.

[imported_mega]

bmw owns mini, and lets you customize the whole car, they also let quite a few other countries customize

so why not with the bmw's?

[larryn]

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

It is my understanding that we are limited by our own consumer laws. We can order a car without paying for it first. The dealers do not want to get stuck with a car some wacko ordered. If it comes in and they decide they do not like it, the dealer would be stuck with it.
Did you check the prices on the cars over there? I believe they pay a good bit more than we do.
JMHO I could be wrong...

This is the exact reason we cannot have an a la carte system. BMW NA doesn't allow it as their dealer network would be stuck with combos of options/colors not many people would want, and they are also trying to protect their premium brand image by not allowing lesser interiors (cloth) here.

[imported_mega]

cloth > leatherette much much better, it was that way until what, the 70's? or 80's?

I wish I knew what marketing genius decided cloth is not as good

and why do they let us order custom mini's ? Same laws apply

[larryn]

Originally Posted by mega

cloth > leatherette much much better, it was that way until what, the 70's? or 80's?

I wish I knew what marketing genius decided cloth is not as good

and why do they let us order custom mini's ? Same laws apply

I agree with you on the cloth, but the leatherette look exactly like leather to most eyes. Cloth looks like cloth. Brand IMAGE.

Mini is not meant to be a premium brand going against the likes of Mercedes, Audi, and Porsche. Mini is intended to be a light-hearted, fun, youthful car.

[imported_mega]

cloth > leather imo, and leatherette

I hate my legs getting stuck to leather

I hate how leather his hot in the summer, real hot, and my legs stick to it till I get out of the car

I hate how it's cold in the winter, even with heated seats, that crap is still cold


I'm ordering leatherette and I plan on spending some money and having at least the seat centers replaced with cloth

[GemBm]

If you want to know why read the post of the guy who ordered a 135 and backed out at the last minute. As stated in Europe there is no refunds on deposits and cars are paid for before delivery.

[arrutled]

What about on ED cars, you have to pay for those cars before you go, so you should therefore be able to design it any way you would like, am I right or wrong here?

[larryn]

You can cancel your ED before paying, and after it was already built.

[ulrichd]

Then why not have a system in place, like BMW Individual, with the understanding that deposits for custom orders would not be refundable. I'd be willing to put 5K deposit down for an AW with Black leather/red cloth inserts and a set of 261 wheels.

Cloth seats should be available as part of a hot weather package. Would you wear a black leather jacket in 90 degree heat because of "image"?

[arrutled]

word! i agree!

[McGregor]

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

It is my understanding that we are limited by our own consumer laws. We can order a car without paying for it first. The dealers do not want to get stuck with a car some wacko ordered. If it comes in and they decide they do not like it, the dealer would be stuck with it.
Did you check the prices on the cars over there? I believe they pay a good bit more than we do.
JMHO I could be wrong...

True, we do have more choice.. but our prices are really high. I ordered a 120d last month and the startersprice was +- 28000 EURO.. our 135i starts at 43000 EURO. A lot of money I think..

[larryn]

Originally Posted by ulrichd

Then why not have a system in place, like BMW Individual, with the understanding that deposits for custom orders would not be refundable. I'd be willing to put 5K deposit down for an AW with Black leather/red cloth inserts and a set of 261 wheels.

Cloth seats should be available as part of a hot weather package. Would you wear a black leather jacket in 90 degree heat because of "image"?

Because it would change US consumer laws. A deposit is refundable in the US because of consumer laws, not because of some BMW NA rule.

[ulrichd]

Originally Posted by larryn

Because it would change US consumer laws. A deposit is refundable in the US because of consumer laws, not because of some BMW NA rule.

Interesting, I didn't know that.

[imported_mega]

maybe they could work something out with bmwcca members, repeat buyers that sort of thing

[larryn]

I don't get what you mean. If you are a repeat customer you are allowed to give up your consumer protection law rights? I don't think it works that way. Regardless if you were a repeat customer or CCA member, you still have the US laws that allow you to walk from the deal.

Up until 5 or 6 years ago, if you knew the right people and had a CA that was willing to go to bat for you, they would allow a few individual type of things... very limited things allowed.... mostly interior leather color (though I remember at least one cloth interior) and exterior paint. I think it added something like $3k to the price of the car, just for the special request. This was not including the option cost. They stopped doing that.

The Priority One options are meant to appease some of the people "in the know", presumably repeat customers, CCA members, and enthusiasts who did research beforehand.

[arrutled]

wishful thinking! Ive seen some gorgeous interiors on here though so its possible, as for me all black leatherette and trim was good enough!

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by larryn

I don't get what you mean. If you are a repeat customer you are allowed to give up your consumer protection law rights? I don't think it works that way. Regardless if you were a repeat customer or CCA member, you still have the US laws that allow you to walk from the deal.

I was not referring to any law changes, only flexibility to bmwcca members at least

the priority one options are ok, but they need stuff like sunroof delete and cloth for enthusists

[amurph182]

Originally Posted by larryn

Because it would change US consumer laws. A deposit is refundable in the US because of consumer laws, not because of some BMW NA rule.

Please provide a link to this law. Non-refundable deposits are incredibly common and perfectly legal in the US. An individual state may or may not have laws that make it hard to enforce, protect the consumer to a greater level, etc, but in general such deposits are completely legal.