Warning! You may think twice about ordering your car with Performance Parts...

[spmd11]

So, I ordered our 135 Coupe in August and it STILL has not arrived.

It will be in it's 30th day at the Baltimore Port on Monday.

We ordered the following BMW Performance items to be installed at Port:

Body kit
Mirror caps
Rear spoiler
Suspension

All we know is that BMW did not have rear springs in stock and that is the reason for the delay.

We have purchased more than a dozen new BMWs in the last decade. With absolutely no communication from BMW on the status of our car, I am amazed at how they treat loyal customers. Only my dealer has been able to piece some of the story together. Meanwhile, nothing from BMW Corporate and each day drags on with no end in sight when we might ever see this car.

My suggestion to you all is that with the marketing hype of BMW Performance, you might think twice about ordering BMW Performance parts at the port

I wrote BMW Customer Relations an email and this is what I received:

===============
Dear Mr. xxxxx:

Thank you for contacting BMW of North America, LLC regarding the delivery date of your new 135i. I was sorry to read of your concerns.

Many factors, such as production line positioning, number of vehicles being made, and shipment dates, affect delivery. Your client advisor can best update you on the estimated arrival date of your BMW.

The BMW Customer Relations and Services Department is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time. You can reach us at 1-800-831-1117.

Sincerely,

xxxxxxxx
Customer Relations and Services
Representative
============

[jpd]

This is a "boiler plate" reply proving that customer relations is just as impersonal as they can make it. I would escalate this up to the managerial level at BMW NA. Provide them with as much information as possible. Write it down and send a copy to BMW and one your dealer. You might opt for an installation at the dealer????? Good luck

[spmd11]

My dealer knows about it, but it seems as though neither they or myself can make a difference in what is happening. BMW is taking their time, for whatever reason, and they really don't care how long it takes. At least that is the impression they give with no contact to the customer about why it is taking so long. No apology, etc...

My dealership tells me that the last thing that is not installed is the rear springs. But who knows? With no direct correspondence with BMW, I have no idea what is true and what is not. The fact is, the car has been at port for 30 days and BMW has proven that this is no bother to them.

The reason that I post this information is so that you all don't fall trap to the same thing. I will NEVER order Performance parts for PORT installation for a new car, EVER AGAIN!! Thank you BMW.

[Brandon26pdx]

off topic, and sorry about the trouble they're causing you, but damn, how may brand new BMW's do you have!?

[spmd11]

3 and one on the way....perhaps

[jameselee]

That's really sad to hear. I'm shocked BMW doesn't care more about their brand, especially given the recent news about them wanting to increase special orders.

The waiting in general would be fine, if there weren't "unproductive" delays, such as my car sitting at port for 2 weeks.

I hope this is an isolated case; my car is _allegedly_ scheduled to have been put on a truck from the Prep. Center today, bound for the dealer. Unfortunately, my CA is out of town this (past) week, so I haven't had any updates.

Good luck; I hope they make this right with you! Thanks for the heads-up, and please keep us updated.

[spmd11]

good question! I have no idea!

[BMW86]

Sorry to hear what happened mate. In Australia it's in our best interests to have the parts fitted after we've taken delivery otherwise we're slumped with Luxury Car Tax (LCT) which is around 30%. I'd request them to keep the stock oem parts aside for you. They are worth a lot more than you think, especially since they're new. The OEM M Sport front bumper would be worth a bit and I'm sure the OEM factory suspension is worth keeping too.

[dicker]

The OEM parts go back to BMW, I asked BMWNA about that a few months ago, and their response was the trucking company will not transport the parts with the car and that bmw does not want to damage the car with the parts being inside the trunk. That is why I decided agaisnst having the suspension installed at the port on my 135i.

[Brandon26pdx]

That's a nice little fleece they run on you...taking back the OEM parts you already paid for (as they are part of the car you bought)

[spmd11]

Yeah, doesn't surprise me. This has been a horrible experience. I'm always doing something like this to myself. One tar-pit after another.

[babyboss]

eish i'll be pissed with there sad xcuses <>

[jameselee]

Mine's been at the prep. center since 9 Nov, and I was told this morning it would be ready Wed at the earliest. I'm waiting to hear back from my CA with more details.

I'm pretty disappointed with how little visibility the dealership seems to have in this process. My CA talked about the status "the system" reported; at this point, I want someone to contact the VPC and find out the specifics from a person, since evidently "the system" does not have detailed information. He did say a person would look into it, but at this point, I would have wished for "the system" to have been left behind a while ago, since it seems to provide only vague information.

In fairness, he did originally say the 22-23rd, but another member here had a car on the same ship as mine (which docked 6 Nov), and got his on the 11th. Yes, I had suspension & exhaust added, but waiting 2 weeks+ for that seems a bit much. I ordered my car well over 2 months ago, and a couple more days won't kill me, but it really does make me question whether I'll special order in the future.

[spmd11]

yup. Good luck. I've all but given up on mine. I don't really care anymore. I may not even buy the car now, I'm so disgusted. texted my dealer today. Nothing from them, and another day with no car in sight.

[spmd11]

Nov 23... is the 31st day in Baltimore Port

Another day with nothing from BMWNA...not a word.

[jameselee]

I just talked to my CA, and now he says maybe Tue/Wed *next week*. Apparently the guy at the prep center (Oxnard) is on vacation this week, so no more details are available. They expect no deliveries to my dealership this week. Three weeks at the prep center?!? (Ship docked: 6 Nov, car at prep center: 9 Nov.) I typically resist using the word, "fail", but it certainly comes to mind...

OP: I know your situation is even worse (shockingly bad, really, given the lack of communication!), but it seems I've joined the club of the long-delay-at-port too.

[AntonV]

sounds to me like the car was damaged during delivery, and its being repaired at the port. ive heard it happens often, & supposedly the shop at the port will repair it to "fresh off the line" standards.

[Mr. Clarkson]

Originally Posted by maxnix

So do they package the removed OEM parts for you?

Nope. You pay for them in the invoice price of the car, but they keep them if they swap them out. Kind of crappy, but really, what would I do with my stock front bumper and exhaust when I pick my car up?

[spmd11]

No car...no word from dealer, no word from BMWNA.

Nov 24th will be 32nd day at Baltimore port

[spmd11]

AntonV....sounds very plausible!

[spmd11]

Jameselee....feeling your pain, bro....

[jp11]

Those are some nice performance parts! Cant imagine how bad the wait must be