BMW 1-Series Forum (F20) 135i - 1Addicts.com > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General BMW News and Cars Discussion > What percentage of BMW customers order to spec vs. buy off the lot?
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-05-2016, 12:01 AM   #45
P1
Lieutenant General
P1's Avatar
11542
Rep
11,128
Posts

Drives: 2004 3/4 ton Duramax
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: United States

iTrader: (1)

Being from Europe, if you want a new car, you basically have no other choice but to order it to your spec unless you buy the handful of cars on the showroom floor. And that means they have one 1-series, one 3-series, etc. It was only when I moved to the US that you could buy new cars from the dealership...
Appreciate 2
Dackelone10511.00
      11-17-2016, 09:29 PM   #46
bmw-again
First Lieutenant
bmw-again's Avatar
United_States
76
Rep
381
Posts

Drives: 17 440xi GC-15 X1 xline
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (1)

About to do second order on fifth bmw and will never go off lot again. Want bsm with coral track handling 440xi gc only one car in dealer inventory or on ships with track pkg. As far as negotiating end of yr 16's on lot compared to my order lot is cheaper.
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2016, 07:14 PM   #47
TurboM
Captain
TurboM's Avatar
United_States
252
Rep
674
Posts

Drives: 2018 F82 M4 ZCP
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Atlanta

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by te37 View Post
p.s. this needs a poll
Id say its closer to 95/5 if not higher. You'll find a larger percentage of the people on these forums custom order as most are "BMW enthusiasts" and therefore are much more likely to custom order but we certainly are not a good representative sample of the general population therefore a poll would be pointless. Most people walk onto a dealers lot looking to buy a car now, not 2-3 months from now.

I for one wanted to custom order my MY16 but it was so late in the year I couldnt find a dealer with an allocation but I found one within reasonable driving distance and picked it up right at invoice so I can't complain. Bargaining power is definitely stronger picking a car off a dealer lot vs. custom order. Dealers need to have a few cars on their lot or it will hurt their business, they just dont want them there long or they start losing money on it. Its kind of an investment for them.
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2016, 07:21 PM   #48
Y0tsuya
Second Lieutenant
77
Rep
261
Posts

Drives: 2015 M235i 6MT, 2016 340i 8AT
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

I didn't know I could custom-order a car until 15 yrs ago when I tried to buy a stick-shift 330i. Drove that baby for 15yrs until last year I custom ordered my next one + ED. This year another custom order + ED. When I'm spending that much money why not get exactly what I want?
Appreciate 0
      11-21-2016, 05:21 AM   #49
nozydog
Driver
nozydog's Avatar
United Kingdom
465
Rep
1,002
Posts

Drives: 2020 X2 M35i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Bristol

iTrader: (0)

Pricing up at the mo and pre reg and ex demo cars just don't save you enough IMO. The discounts currently on offer even before dealer discounts are huge so why settle for a car you haven't specced yourself? I've actually calculated that a custom order with discount can be cheaper than some of the pre registered cars my local dealers are trying to shift... they must be basing their pricing on the fact that some buyers just aren't willing to wait the 8-12 weeks for custom orders. Well for me the anticipation is always part of the fun!
Appreciate 0
      11-21-2016, 10:16 AM   #50
Three Pedal Steve
Captain
Three Pedal Steve's Avatar
United_States
875
Rep
611
Posts

Drives: 2013 M3 coupe' 6mt
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Under a Waterfall in Highlands NC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Wanted manual trans. Dealers had none in inventory. Had to order it my way. Really glad I waited the extra five weeks.

There is also the European delivery plan for German made cars. It's a free trip to Europe!!!
__________________


memories: '71 2002 (new), '72 Bavaria, '74 2002tii, '00 540i Sport
Appreciate 0
      11-22-2016, 11:30 AM   #51
Maynard
Colonel
United_States
3805
Rep
2,860
Posts

Drives: 228iX & M2C
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Upstate NY

iTrader: (1)

Custom order was fantastic, only downside was the wait, and I needed that to read through the manual. Worth it just to know that my car has never had a 'test drive' - the very definition of what NOT to do during break-in. My old engine guy used to call them 'dog miles' because they factor out at like 1:1000 when you get to the 100k point.
Appreciate 0
      11-23-2016, 07:23 AM   #52
roll_the_dice
Colonel
roll_the_dice's Avatar
504
Rep
2,981
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW F30 EBII
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Upstate, NY

iTrader: (23)

Garage List
If buying new I always order...when buying used obviously have no choice. I still get the options and color I want used, but it may take 6 months or longer to find the exact car I want with the right price. I started looking for a used F30 back in January and finally found it in August, I scour the country from coast to coast.
__________________
Drives: 2011 Porsche 958, 1965 Chevy C10, 1988 Porsche 944 Sold:2010 e90 Montego Blue, 2013 F30 EBII, 2013 Tangerine Scream Ford Focus ST, 2006 Mini R50,2004 VW Touareg, 2012 Camaro Convertible, 2008 Porsche 911 Convertible, 2007 Corvette, 2004 BMW e64 convertible, 2000 Dodge Dakota, 1999 Ford F150, 1999 Porsche Boxster, 1999 Ferrari Modena, 1992 BMW e36, 1990 Nissan 240sx, 1979 Celica, 1974 Mustang II
My Build Thread
Appreciate 0
      12-26-2016, 03:37 AM   #53
Troppo
Keyboard warrior
Troppo's Avatar
16
Rep
66
Posts

Drives: X3.
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: The tropics

iTrader: (0)

My X3 was built to spec. My M240i will be as well...
Appreciate 0
      12-26-2016, 05:29 AM   #54
Rhyzen
Enlisted Member
Rhyzen's Avatar
United_States
8
Rep
31
Posts

Drives: 2016 BMW M Sport 340i
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Custom order is the only way for me. I know what I want and I'm willing to wait for it. Having a great time with my F30.
__________________
2016 F30 M Sport RWD 340i
Appreciate 0
      12-26-2016, 09:58 AM   #55
syenisch
Captain
syenisch's Avatar
United_States
110
Rep
810
Posts

Drives: 2015 435i Gran Coupe
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Winter Garden, FL

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tranquility View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by David70 View Post
Isn't the 7% reduced ED price off of MSRP and no one pays MSRP anyway? I question this "discount", then not seeing a huge value in driving my new car on vacation in another country compared to a rental that I don't care about or would worry about. Rent a BMW and go on vacation when and where I want, not worried about trying to time it and the trip around my car.
Ya, I don't see the big deal either, thrashing my new car and getting it handled an extra time in transit. It's not as if it's a free trip either. Also, that 7pc off is flakey, just like those $1k off coupons, they don't accept that after you negotiate w/ them, it's just a useless unused discount unless someone's foolish enough to pay msrp. Oh well teto.
I believe ED MSRP/Invoice is ~7% less than US MSRP/Invoice so the bargaining "reference point" is lower.
Appreciate 0
      12-26-2016, 10:14 AM   #56
08njSTEP
Captain
08njSTEP's Avatar
795
Rep
762
Posts

Drives: '07 335i, '66 SS396 Chevelle
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Manchester, NH

iTrader: (0)

A note on ED. When your car comes off the boat into the US the techs at VPC go over it and repair any damage caused by you while driving through Germany. So you get another new car in appearance. Some might not like the idea of techs touching their car, but this isn't some hack dealership. The VPC is considered a BMW factory. So your car is factory fresh.
Appreciate 1
jpnh1423.50
      12-26-2016, 11:30 AM   #57
PatrickM3
Private
PatrickM3's Avatar
Netherlands
66
Rep
76
Posts

Drives: BMW M3 30 Jahre
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Netherlands

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by P1et View Post
Being from Europe, if you want a new car, you basically have no other choice but to order it to your spec unless you buy the handful of cars on the showroom floor. And that means they have one 1-series, one 3-series, etc. It was only when I moved to the US that you could buy new cars from the dealership...
Agree on this one, however as said in another post, these cars are also custom built to the dealers spec.
__________________
Currently:
M3 F80 - 30 Jahre
X3 30D M sport - tuned 296Hp
Appreciate 0
      12-26-2016, 01:48 PM   #58
Gamb1t
Major
Gamb1t's Avatar
Canada
597
Rep
1,343
Posts

Drives: 330i,X1,Z4,Solstice GXP, RX-8
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Canukistan

iTrader: (0)

Custom ordered e46 330ci with manual and cloth seats (salesperson jaw dropped). None in Canada. Waited 6 weeks.
X1 Sportline Ultimate Pkg took a while to search off the lot. Last minute inter-province dealer exchange mitigated custom order.

Having driven certain parts of Europe, I have no desire for driving my brand new car in an unknown land and parking in unknown location. It's not all Stelvio Pass or Tuscan countrysides. There are mix of scary mad drivers and mopeds. So ED has 0 appeal. But I see the draw and that's cool. I just rather do it with someone else' car.

So how about bmws made in US? I don't see the draw to go down to SC at all. No offence SC-ers.
Appreciate 0
      12-26-2016, 02:25 PM   #59
08njSTEP
Captain
08njSTEP's Avatar
795
Rep
762
Posts

Drives: '07 335i, '66 SS396 Chevelle
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Manchester, NH

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gamb1t View Post
Custom ordered e46 330ci with manual and cloth seats (salesperson jaw dropped). None in Canada. Waited 6 weeks.
X1 Sportline Ultimate Pkg took a while to search off the lot. Last minute inter-province dealer exchange mitigated custom order.

Having driven certain parts of Europe, I have no desire for driving my brand new car in an unknown land and parking in unknown location. It's not all Stelvio Pass or Tuscan countrysides. There are mix of scary mad drivers and mopeds. So ED has 0 appeal. But I see the draw and that's cool. I just rather do it with someone else' car.

So how about bmws made in US? I don't see the draw to go down to SC at all. No offence SC-ers.
The performance driving center is plenty of reason to go to SC. Incredible facility.
Appreciate 0
      12-29-2016, 03:24 PM   #60
KansasWaldo
New Member
KansasWaldo's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: F48 X1 xDrive28i
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I just purchased my 2016 X1 new off the lot. The only reasons I didn't place an order were 2016 incentives and the fact that it had every option (including color) that I wanted.

My wife's 230i will be ordered with ED.
Appreciate 0
      12-30-2016, 01:57 AM   #61
DeeteeM
Enlisted Member
38
Rep
48
Posts

Drives: X6m
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Less than 5% custom order.
Porsche on the other hand is much higher. They encourage customers when new model allocations open up.
Appreciate 0
      12-30-2016, 05:32 PM   #62
OneLastBMW
Sarcasm while you wait.
149
Rep
118
Posts

Drives: 2017 F33 B58 xDrive
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: The Fringe of the Motor City Suburbs

iTrader: (0)

I am getting a 440i xDrive Convertible built for ED late February. In my case, the ED will be a cheap detour as part of a business trip to France and will be both a money savings and a bonus. If I had to pay for the entire trip out of my pocket just to do ED I probably would have passed but still would have had to order most likely. There just aren't that many xDrive Convertibles with Adaptive M Suspension sitting on dealer lots. I would have ended up with my second choice of colors at best and at least a couple options I didn't need.

I get a new F-150 every 5 or 6 years and my wife drives Lincoln or Cadillac usually. I've never had trouble finding what I wanted with those higher volume vehicles...and Ford doesn't offer Kansas City Delivery.
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2016, 12:04 PM   #63
rallybull
Major
rallybull's Avatar
United_States
179
Rep
1,044
Posts

Drives: F30 335i w/PPK
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Poleposition View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by blacklabelm3 View Post
ED or dont buy at all. Its that good.
This!
With ED you do lose a couple of months of being able to use the car while the car is depreciating and you still making payments on those months.
ED may not be for everyone
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2016, 12:12 PM   #64
Ian1973
Colonel
736
Rep
2,134
Posts

Drives: 15 M3
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Charlton, NY

iTrader: (0)

If I'm buying new, I'm ordering what I want.
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2016, 04:33 PM   #65
rkinra
Enlisted Member
rkinra's Avatar
United_States
16
Rep
36
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 535i
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Washington, DC

iTrader: (0)

Of the 5 BMWs I've bought, only the latest one was a custom order.

The one before was exactly what I wanted and the dealer traded for it to get it for me.

From now on, I plan on custom ordering. So, I can get exactly what I want and not either skipping options or taking things I don't want.
__________________
On Order: 2017 X5 3.5d Space Grey | Black Dakota | Fineline Oak | /// M-Sport w/ Adaptive M Suspension + 20" 469M | ZCW | ZDA | ZDB + ACC Stop & Go | ZPP | Multi Contours + Comfort Rear Seats | Rear Window Shades | Parking Assistant | HK Stereo | Apple CarPlay | BMW CCA # 309838

Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:48 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST