March 8 US Launch confirmed !!

[GregW / Oregon]

I contacted BMWNA through an Owner's Circle Priority Email over the weekend, and this is the response I got this morning :

"Thank you for contacting BMW of North America, LLC regarding your upcoming M3. Congratulations on your purchase. We appreciate your interest and enthusiasm for our vehicles.

The M3 Coupe and Sedan are expected to launch on March 08. I hope this information is helpful.

If you have any further questions, please respond to this e-mail or contact the Customer Relations and Services Department at 1-800-831-1117, Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time. Again, thank you for contacting BMW.

Sincerely,

Laurie Burkland
Customer Relations and Services
Representative"

[911 Now]

Good info - Thanks

[mhutchins14]

Cool!! Maybe by then the configurator will be loaded and we can all build our dream machines!!!!

[Mack211]

Now someone needs to ask about the M-DKG release.

[SS32]

Hell yeah! Awesome news!

[GregW / Oregon]

And from my client advisor,

"I'm scheduled to attend the 'official' launch of the car in Pasadena the middle of April. At least I'll have the opportunity to drive one on a track. This is the first ever launch with a "ride and drive" of an M car that has been scheduled in the last 12 years. It should be interesting."

Scott

[the_stranger]

Hope the website has the 'Build' sooner than that.

[swamp2]

A clear definition of launch would be helpful. It could mean:

-A big press release
-First cars available for test drives at dealers
-First sale of customer cars
-etc.

Thanks, good news.

[nusevad]

great news Greg!

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by swamp2

A clear definition of launch would be helpful. It could mean:

-A big press release
-First cars available for test drives at dealers
-First sale of customer cars
-etc.

Thanks, good news.

I think it includes all those, except that demonstrator cars are apparently optional, as many are selling their first allocations.

[Jinxter]

nice wait time decressed 21 days...Adrenaline incressing. I think it will be even harder to sleep now...Saterday release date. Will make for a fun weekend!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I think it includes all those, except that demonstrator cars are apparently optional, as many are selling their first allocations.

I suspect demos will be quite rare. What do you think Greg? I was not into the M3 forums during the initial launch of the E46, so I don't know how things were back then. I do know however that when the E93 launched last year every dealership got the same two cars (a Montego 335i and a black 328i), but many sold them immediately or at least very quickly.

When the time comes, perhaps we as a forum could put together a list of dealerships that both have an unsold M3 in hand and will allow test drives. I would certainly be willing to help by providing information for the dealerships in my area. I think that for many of us the chance to test drive first will still be a crucial part of the buying process, so such a list could be a big help. Personally I would drive a couple hours if necessary for the chance to test drive the car, and I would happily order from that same dealership if the experience went well.

[eclipsisNA]

This is exactly what BMW customer service told me last Friday. Good to know that everyone there has the same story. And swamp, the rep told me the launch is when I get my car, not a paper launch.

[Jinxter]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I suspect demos will be quite rare. What do you think Greg? I was not into the M3 forums during the initial launch of the E46, so I don't know how things were back then. I do know however that when the E93 launched last year every dealership got the same two cars (a Montego 335i and a black 328i), but many sold them immediately or at least very quickly.

When the time comes, perhaps we as a forum could put together a list of dealerships that both have an unsold M3 in hand and will allow test drives. I would certainly be willing to help by providing information for the dealerships in my area. I think that for many of us the chance to test drive first will still be a crucial part of the buying process, so such a list could be a big help. Personally I would drive a couple hours if necessary for the chance to test drive the car, and I would happily order from that same dealership if the experience went well.

I will try to keep the boards updated to teh status of M3's at my dealers. As far as I know as of right now BMW of San Francisco is not alowing any pre orders it is a first come first serve and they will have at least one at their dealership on release date for "test drive" sales. Only problem with them is they are famously known for large markups. As far as Concord BMW they are taking orders and from my understanding they also are making up at least as of right now. Concord may even have one M3 for test drive as I know they have recived 4 allocations and all 4 vehicles are built and on their way to the USA. Out of the 4 one is mine and another is the Owners of the dealership (the test drive mark up vehicle) the other 2 I belive are orders for buyers.

Will let you klnow status of the others that become avalible

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I suspect demos will be quite rare. What do you think Greg? I was not into the M3 forums during the initial launch of the E46, so I don't know how things were back then. I do know however that when the E93 launched last year every dealership got the same two cars (a Montego 335i and a black 328i), but many sold them immediately or at least very quickly.

With the E46 M3, every (most?) dealer received the same specification Laguna Seca/Gray demo car about March '01. I'm not sure if dealers were required to keep them for a set period of time, but it seemed that test drives were fairly accessible. I think you're right that with this car finding a demo is going to be harder, at least for the first 6 months or so until production ramp up catched up to demand. FifthStreetz reported his dealer was keeping a demo car.

[nusevad]

My dealer is getting 2 cars, 1 for the showroom and 1 for test drive, both will not be sold to the public.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

With the E46 M3, every (most?) dealer received the same specification Laguna Seca/Gray demo car about March '01. I'm not sure if dealers were required to keep them for a set period of time, but it seemed that test drives were fairly accessible. I think you're right that with this car finding a demo is going to be harder, at least for the first 6 months or so until production ramp up catched up to demand. FifthStreetz reported his dealer was keeping a demo car.

I am pretty much set with the car itself. I know BMW will deliver on this one. I am just not sure about DCT as that is much more of a subjective thing, and testing a broken-in DCT car to its full potential will be problematic--might take well over a year such as a used one for sale at a dealer.

[Bastet]

Excellent news GregW ! And believe me guys, you won't be disappointed when you get to drive it

[JEllis]

sweet

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

With the E46 M3, every (most?) dealer received the same specification Laguna Seca/Gray demo car about March '01. I'm not sure if dealers were required to keep them for a set period of time, but it seemed that test drives were fairly accessible. I think you're right that with this car finding a demo is going to be harder, at least for the first 6 months or so until production ramp up catched up to demand. FifthStreetz reported his dealer was keeping a demo car.

Thanks for the info Greg. I did not realize that all dealerships had the same spec demos for M cars, at least back then (maybe they still do?). It make's me wonder if dealerships are required to purchase the car spec'd like that, and if so, whether it comes out of their allocation. Or can they forgo that and have their first delivered car spec'd to a customer order? I suppose if the car does not come out of allocation, and does not bump customer orders back at all, then there would be no reason for a dealership to refuse it. Surely they'd be able to sell them in fairly short order, regardless of spec.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Thanks for the info Greg. I did not realize that all dealerships had the same spec demos for M cars, at least back then (maybe they still do?). It make's me wonder if dealerships are required to purchase the car spec'd like that, and if so, whether it comes out of their allocation. Or can they forgo that and have their first delivered car spec'd to a customer order? I suppose if the car does not come out of allocation, and does not bump customer orders back at all, then there would be no reason for a dealership to refuse it. Surely they'd be able to sell them in fairly short order, regardless of spec.

My CA indicated their first allocation was their "demo" car, but they had made the business decision not to have one, so it was offered up for customer spec.

[swamp2]

Let me edit...

Originally Posted by FifthStreetz

My dealer is getting 2 cars, 1 for the showroom and 1 for test drive, both will not be sold to the public INITIALLY.