BMW Individual + Military Sales Program = Can't be done??

[jai5w4]

I've been lurking here a while, searching and reading up. I'm looking to order (via BMW Military Sales Program) an E92 M3 Azurite Black with Rust Brown/Piano Black trim before I move home to the states after 3 years stationed in Japan.

I've contacted my 'local' BMW Military Sales rep, but I am told Military Sales does not do Individual orders (the '12 convertible of course being the exception now that it's offered as a package).

Is this true? I did find "M3 Piotr" had ordered a Frozen Black E90 through Military Sales, but it sounds like it was a tough process getting approved (like a 'one time' deal). I have a PM into him, but waiting to hear back.

Does anyone else have experience attempting or successfully ordering an Individual M3 through Military Sales Program?

-jai5w4

[blonde79]

I tried and have been denied (using PCS). I suppose I could wait longer or push it but right now deposit is in and March production...may change color but that's it at this point.

Which program are you ordering through?

[jai5w4]

Program is through BMW Military Sales rep here in Japan. $52,000 is the quote on the base E92 coupe.

Through whom did you work at PCS? I would have thought they would be the one's to get it approved. Did you just ask once? Did BMW deny you or PCS?

[blonde79]

PCS

"We have exhausted all avenues in requesting special colors via the Military Sales program. Many years ago, we had very little restrictions but BMW of North America put the Kibosh on our ability to factory order one of a kind colors. I can only surmise it had something to do with the fact that the Stateside dealers were not able to order the colors via their service departments when it came to accident repairs, etc… so unfortunately, we can not offer you the...."

I put a deposit on a car last summer when I was overseas...then production changed and I shifted things around. I wasn't 'set' on an individual order, although I'd pursue it if it wasn't a major pain...only to find out it wouldn't happen.

I do know it is possible (at least from reading here) and if I were back overseas I'd just visit the sales guy frequently til they got tired of me

[jai5w4]

Roger all. Thanks for the insight.

I'm just confused, however. Is Military Sales simply NOT ALLOWED to order Individual cars, or are they, and it just takes dedication before an order is approved? It seems like almost all Individual orders are initially denied, then a couple more requests are made, and eventually they're approved. Is this true? In theory, the same process should hold true for Military Sales' ordered cars, correct? I just bug them (like i would a stateside dealer) until it happens?

[blonde79]

From my understanding it's not that they aren't allowed to do it, just that it's a bigger hassle. If I were overseas I'd just keep bugging them...

Good luck and I hope your order works out!

[jai5w4]

Thanks!

[runnerguy1979]

same thing happened to me when dealing with PCS during my pre-order Q&A phase.

I was very interested in the individual-interior leather style rust brown. I asked and my SA went and did research on his side only to come back with "individual is not offered to you." I took it as one of the many limitations/restrictions of the military purchase program and didn't really prod for more information.

Like has been mentioned, if others have done it through the mil-program, to me that's all the ammo you need to take to the dealer and keep poking them to order what you want.

good luck

[jai5w4]

Thanks. I'm meeting with the SA tomorrow. I'm not ordering this thing unless it's exactly the way I want it.

[thurston]

I went through Pentagon in Germany. I didn't even try to do the Individual option, but I don't see why you shouldn't be able to. Talk to André at Pentagon. He can probably swing something for you. And I agree, don't settle for anything when you're dropping this much $$ on a ride. Make it EXACTLY how you want. Hopefully it works out for you!

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by jai5w4

Program is through BMW Military Sales rep here in Japan. $52,000 is the quote on the base E92 coupe.

Through whom did you work at PCS? I would have thought they would be the one's to get it approved. Did you just ask once? Did BMW deny you or PCS?

$52000 on an E92 335i?

You won't get a new 2012 M3 for that price, regardless of where you live unless you do the wholesale route. You can get into a 2011 or 2012 M3 for low $40000s.

[thedrknows]

Originally Posted by EndlessZ4M

$52000 on an E92 335i?

You won't get a new 2012 M3 for that price, regardless of where you live unless you do the wholesale route. You can get into a 2011 or 2012 M3 for low $40000s.

No, $52k for a new base M3. A fully loaded M3 through the military program will run about $66k.

[jai5w4]

Correct, base M3, 52k.

Additionally, I spoke with David Baker at Pentagon Car Sales. He said no Individual orders are allowed through military sales. The Frozen Black E90 was more of a one-off test run for the military market and Individual orders. Dave said BMW is currently evaluating the Military Sales/Individual idea. I'm going to wait it out, hoping the 2013 MY in July comes with the availability of the Individual composition option, a la the 2012 convertibles.

[JEllis]

I also have contacted Pentagon regarding Individual orders. No luck with them. My request was a little more unique in that I want a completely one-off color. Still waiting to see if there are unique options for the final model year.

Jason

[M3 Piotr]

Military Sales is a BMW Division that specializes in military sales. It's a group of 5 people that run the military program for Pentagon Car Sales, Bavarian, and all the other smaller companies that are privately owned who sell to US personnel stationed abroad. These companies can't do nothing to approve individual orders. They can request individual options from Military Sales Dept but in the end it is all in the hands of the Military Sales Department at BMW HQ in Munich, which will automatically deny it. They don't understand how much money it will make them if they opened up the individual program for us. My car was one time deal to see how the process works. It took 9 painstaking months before they said yes and said never again they will approve individual color. One of the conditions that they have to meet is that they also have to get an approval from BMW NA since it will be US spec car. Hopefully things will change for better in the near future.

[rogerdiaz]

Disappointing, wanted to order a fire orange 2014 M4 when I get deployed again.