European Delivery Cutoff Dates Question

[thorsley12]

Hey guys, this is my first post but I've been lurking while I anticipate jumping into the 1 Series craze that you all seem to share.

Excuse my ignorance, but here goes...

I'd like to pick up the car in Munich around an August-September (ideally early September) timeframe. I imagine at some point BMW retools the production lines to accommodate the next year's model changes. If I pick up in September, this would probably mean an August production date, correct?

Does my timeframe conflict at all with BMW's changeover or does this occur later in the year?

Thanks in advance!

[ptack]

For a September pick up your order has to be in by July. The car will probably be built a few weeks before you arrive, but they have to leave extra time in case there are any problems. You will be getting an 09 model. I think the deadline for end of year orders in the end of July, but it could vary if they slow production.

[thorsley12]

Originally Posted by ptack

For a September pick up your order has to be in by July. The car will probably be built a few weeks before you arrive, but they have to leave extra time in case there are any problems. You will be getting an 09 model. I think the deadline for end of year orders in the end of July, but it could vary if they slow production.

So, as you say, it's likely I'd have to order by the end of July for a September pickup of a 2009 model. Is there any word on when the 2010's will first become available for ED? What was the timeline for the 2008-2009 model year transition?

Also, I'm on the fence a bit about getting a 2009 model versus the 2010 - any major changes announced?

Thanks again.

[former]

I would disagree. If you are picking up in early September you would most likely get a 2009.

The first 2009 delivery for an ED last year was something like Oct 6th which was then pushed back to Oct 13th due to delays in the U.S. emissions certifications or something like that.

Add to that the late summer factory shutdowns as most of Germany (and Europe in general) goes on vacation and you probably wouldn't get a brand new 2010 right off the bat in early Sept.

Now that's not to say that those delays occur every year, but I just wouldn't bank on a delivery of a '10 model.

[j128i]

I did ED for model year 2008 last Sept.
I ordered the 08 128i Coupe in June. I picked 9/10/08 as Welt delivery day.
The production week is Week 31 (the last week of July) just before the BMW Summer vacation in Germany.

If you order 2010 model, you probably will do ED in winter.

[Rossmar]

I got my order in on June 29, for delivery on Sept 9. Most of the week 30ers did ED and most of the orders were in by the first week of July.

[thorsley12]

Thanks for all the help guys...

Originally Posted by j128i

I did ED for model year 2008 last Sept.
I ordered the 08 128i Coupe in June. I picked 9/10/08 as Welt delivery day.
The production week is Week 31 (the last week of July) just before the BMW Summer vacation in Germany.

If you order 2010 model, you probably will do ED in winter.

Hmm, winter time doesn't seem as ideal for an ED compared to the summer or fall, IMO...

I wonder if there are any good reasons (model updates/changes) for waiting a few months for the 2010 model....I'm torn! Decisions, decisions..

[ptack]

You could keep waiting forever on the next model year and upgardes. I would say pull the trigger as soon as you are ready to pay (you have to pay before you leave for the ED). I did a September 13 ED and had to wait until about November 8 before the car finally got back to me in the States. The longer you delay the ED, the longer you don't have a 1.

[former]

Originally Posted by thorsley12

Hmm, winter time doesn't seem as ideal for an ED compared to the summer or fall, IMO...

I wonder if there are any good reasons (model updates/changes) for waiting a few months for the 2010 model....I'm torn! Decisions, decisions..

October was cool but still nice. The fall colors were gorgeous and many, if not most of the days were in the upper 50's/lower 60's.


However, when talking about Germany and the mountains and the passes - well, snow happens early and often at elevation which means many of the passes can and will be closed. While we were there, in fact, Switzerland had a 8 inch snowfall that caused all sorts of havoc.

I'm not aware of any significant changes for '10 model year. Since they've already made the M pack available here and rumor has it they are going to retool for a '11 or '12 model year any change for '10 would seem to be minor. I would order now, avoid Europe in August (too many vacationers, traffic, etc.) and go in June if you could. You'll have a great time, probably get better weather and get your 1 back sooner rather than later.

[thorsley12]

Originally Posted by former

October was cool but still nice. The fall colors were gorgeous and many, if not most of the days were in the upper 50's/lower 60's.

However, when talking about Germany and the mountains and the passes - well, snow happens early and often at elevation which means many of the passes can and will be closed. While we were there, in fact, Switzerland had a 8 inch snowfall that caused all sorts of havoc.

I'm not aware of any significant changes for '10 model year. Since they've already made the M pack available here and rumor has it they are going to retool for a '11 or '12 model year any change for '10 would seem to be minor. I would order now, avoid Europe in August (too many vacationers, traffic, etc.) and go in June if you could. You'll have a great time, probably get better weather and get your 1 back sooner rather than later.

So you did the ED in October, I'm guessing you picked up the '09 model?

Also, when did you walk into the dealership to order it?

[former]

Yes, I did get a 2009 model.

I walked into the dealer literally 2 months prior to my requested date of delivery (they asked for three - which were consecutive days for me). They said that was tight, but it turned out just fine.

With your timeframe though you would definitely need 3 months lead because of the August factory shut down.