Why the heck do midwest BMWs go through Charleston?

zieglerc · 03-03-2008, 05:31 PM

Someone needs to get into BMW's import procedures and really streamline things, because it makes no sense that cars destined for the midwest would go through Charleston instead of NJ. Not only is it an additional 2-3 days on the boat, it's also another 200+ miles from its destination dealer. Anyone know why they do it that way?

Epacy · 03-03-2008, 05:43 PM

No, but I had the same questions. Didn't realize it was another 2-3 days on the boat. Is that accurate?

zieglerc · 03-03-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epacy

No, but I had the same questions. Didn't realize it was another 2-3 days on the boat. Is that accurate?

Yeah, check out Wallenius Wilhelmsen's vessel schedule pages. In fact, for the Liberty, it's 5 extra days. Ugh.

Epacy · 03-03-2008, 05:59 PM

That is indeed wretched.

par4bmw · 03-03-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zieglerc

Yeah, check out Wallenius Wilhelmsen's vessel schedule pages. In fact, for the Liberty, it's 5 extra days. Ugh.

Must be due to different boat speeds or weather conditions. No way does it take 5 more days based soley on distance.

skierman64 · 03-03-2008, 06:15 PM

I just checked. To St Louis from Charleston, SC 840 miles; to St Louis from Newark, NJ 940 miles. Plus less winter weather delays shipping out of SC than out of NJ. I'm sure it must be more economical to supply the Midwest from SC than NJ otherwise they wouldn't do it. Perhaps the NJ port costs more per car to operate. Of course this is all speculation on my part.

I'm sure the logistical guys at BMW and BMW NA have analyzed it 5 million ways. It's what they're paid to do.

I'd say the majority of Americans and BMW buyers probably buy their cars off the lot, and could care less what the transit time is on a car. Unlike most of us here in this forum. It's not like the car is any less "fresh" because it spent a few more days getting to the dealer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by par4bmw

Must be due to different boat speeds or weather conditions. No way does it take 5 more days based solely on distance.

As part of BMWs green initiative, the liberty must be a sailing vessel.

zieglerc · 03-03-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skierman64

I just checked. To St Louis from Charleston, SC 840 miles; to St Louis from Newark, NJ 940 miles. Plus less winter weather delays shipping out of SC than out of NJ. I'm sure it must be more economical to supply the Midwest from SC than NJ otherwise they wouldn't do it. Perhaps the NJ port costs more per car to operate. Of course this is all speculation on my part.

Weird, I never would've guessed it's a shorter route from Charleston to St. Louis. For what it's worth, Charleston's a longer haul to Chicago (where I am), but you raise a very good point about avoiding winter delays.

rvacha · 03-03-2008, 06:31 PM

Remember that boats go two ways! Charlestown is important because of a certain small manufacturing facility that makes all X series and Z4s for the world:

GregW / Oregon · 03-03-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvacha

Remember that boats go two ways! Charlestown is important because of a certain small manufacturing facility that makes all X series and Z4s for the world:

Excellent and salient point as to why <edit> Charleston is a major port of entry.

Epacy · 03-03-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skierman64

I just checked. To St Louis from Charleston, SC 840 miles; to St Louis from Newark, NJ 940 miles.

Props!

An additonal 100 miles is nothing though if the shipping takes 3-5 days longer.

That is uber-relevant for me.

xraymd · 03-03-2008, 06:58 PM

I wonder where the "cutoff" between regions is? My 2002 540 came through New Jersey on it's way to Ohio.

M2381 · 03-03-2008, 07:54 PM

Since were on this topic, where do ships that arrive from Germany port if the cars are suppose to be transported to Florida?

man02195 · 03-03-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Excellent and salient point as to why Charlotte is a major port of entry.

Charleston, SC... not Charlotte, NC
One's a port of entry, the other's a banking town 3 hours from the coast.

(I know you're on the left coast...easy mistake. Just last week I found out there was a Durham, Canada in addition to Durham, North Carolina.)

Epacy · 03-03-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by man02195

Charleston, SC... not Charlotte, NC
One's a port of entry, the other's a banking town 3 hours from the coast.

man02195 · 03-03-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2381

Since were on this topic, where do ships that arrive from Germany port if the cars are suppose to be transported to Florida?

Charleston, SC then on rail up to VPC in Greenville/Spartanburg/Greer, then out on haulers. BMW uses BMT for midwest and part of southeast, but I don't think BMT goes to Florida.

zieglerc · 03-03-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by man02195

Charleston, SC then on rail up to VPC in Greenville/Spartanburg/Greer, then out on haulers. BMW uses BMT for midwest and part of southeast, but I don't think BMT goes to Florida.

A delicious Subway sandwich in addition to a fine auto hauler, may I add.

par4bmw · 03-03-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epacy

Props!

An additonal 100 miles is nothing though if the shipping takes 3-5 days longer.

That is uber-relevant for me.

Look at a map. It is not 3-5 days longer. Different vessels and weather conditions make the difference, not the distance.

skierman64 · 03-03-2008, 09:38 PM

I guess no one is buying that it's a sailing vessel.

GregW / Oregon · 03-03-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by man02195

Charleston, SC... not Charlotte, NC
One's a port of entry, the other's a banking town 3 hours from the coast.

(I know you're on the left coast...easy mistake. Just last week I found out there was a Durham, Canada in addition to Durham, North Carolina.)

Dang, I keep getting thos mixed up. Sorry to the locals.

skierman64 · 03-03-2008, 10:40 PM

As a side note, I was in Colorado Springs last week, and those cars came through the left coast port. Which somewhat surprised me.

rvacha · 03-03-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skierman64

I guess no one is buying that it's a sailing vessel.

I believe you. Isn't it called the Oracle or something?

Midwest · 03-05-2008, 09:15 PM

Did anyone else come in on the Faust? Arrived in Charleston on Sun and according to Owners Circle mine still hasnt arrived at the VPC. Rails that slow???

03-03-2008, 05:31 PM	#1
zieglerc Private First Class 13 Rep 183 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Why the heck do midwest BMWs go through Charleston? Someone needs to get into BMW's import procedures and really streamline things, because it makes no sense that cars destined for the midwest would go through Charleston instead of NJ. Not only is it an additional 2-3 days on the boat, it's also another 200+ miles from its destination dealer. Anyone know why they do it that way?
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03-03-2008, 05:43 PM	#2
Epacy Reincarnated 245 Rep 4,227 Posts Drives: 02 Maxima SE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	No, but I had the same questions. Didn't realize it was another 2-3 days on the boat. Is that accurate? __________________ Pearl Bliss
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03-03-2008, 05:59 PM	#4
Epacy Reincarnated 245 Rep 4,227 Posts Drives: 02 Maxima SE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	That is indeed wretched. __________________ Pearl Bliss
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03-03-2008, 06:31 PM	#8
rvacha Captain 62 Rep 800 Posts Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	Remember that boats go two ways! Charlestown is important because of a certain small manufacturing facility that makes all X series and Z4s for the world: Attached Images __________________ '16 F30 340i xDrive 6MT Melbourne/Black '08 E92 M3 6MT Jerez/Speed Cloth '18 F80 M3 6MT SO/CSAT
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03-03-2008, 06:58 PM	#11
xraymd Lieutenant 309 Rep 572 Posts Drives: 23 M2, 22 Lincoln Navigator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toledo, OH iTrader: (0)	I wonder where the "cutoff" between regions is? My 2002 540 came through New Jersey on it's way to Ohio.
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03-03-2008, 07:54 PM	#12
M2381 Major 32 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: E92 M3, GTI Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Since were on this topic, where do ships that arrive from Germany port if the cars are suppose to be transported to Florida?
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03-03-2008, 09:38 PM	#18
skierman64 Brigadier General 127 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: E92M3-E46M3-E46Wagon-E89Z4-E36 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater St Louis Metro area iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 325is Race Car [0.00] 2011 BMW Z4 [0.00] 1998 M3 Coupe [0.00] 2008 M3 Coupe [0.00]	I guess no one is buying that it's a sailing vessel. __________________ Invest Wisely...The best mod for your money?? BMWCCA high performance driver's school. The mod that lasts a lifetime and improves the performance of any car you drive[/LEFT]
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03-03-2008, 10:40 PM	#20
skierman64 Brigadier General 127 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: E92M3-E46M3-E46Wagon-E89Z4-E36 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater St Louis Metro area iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 325is Race Car [0.00] 2011 BMW Z4 [0.00] 1998 M3 Coupe [0.00] 2008 M3 Coupe [0.00]	As a side note, I was in Colorado Springs last week, and those cars came through the left coast port. Which somewhat surprised me. __________________ Invest Wisely...The best mod for your money?? BMWCCA high performance driver's school. The mod that lasts a lifetime and improves the performance of any car you drive[/LEFT]
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03-05-2008, 09:15 PM	#22
Midwest New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 07 Chev Sub, 08 M3 SSII/FR Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	Did anyone else come in on the Faust? Arrived in Charleston on Sun and according to Owners Circle mine still hasnt arrived at the VPC. Rails that slow???
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