Just passed up #1 allotment

[Big Windy]

no two sets of eyes are alike. what you might think is orange might look red to somebody else. gotta see it IRL to know for sure.

[mofomat]

Originally Posted by redmtclimber

no two sets of eyes are alike. what you might think is orange might look red to somebody else. gotta see it IRL to know for sure.

Which is precisely my point! Some idiots on here are looking at photos and saying they hate/like Fox Red without having actually seen it.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Now that (on my monitor) looks more like I expect it to. Still not sure if I want to live with it for a number of years, though. I may end up with Speed Cloth.

I've sent a priority email over the weekend through BMWUSA Owner's Circle to see if samples are available (fat chance!). I've also queried them on when we can expect pricing.

As expected, my response from BMW:

"Dear Mr. Williams:

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

I am sorry, but pricing for the 2008 BMW M3 is not yet available at this time. I suggest staying in touch with us through our website, www.bmwusa.com, for product updates and releases.

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,

Darlene Hawley
Customer Relations and Services
Representative"

I'm calling tomorrow.

[nusevad]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I'm calling tomorrow.

great, let us know how it turns out.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

As expected, my response from BMW:

"Dear Mr. Williams:

Thank you for contacting BMW of North America, LLC regarding the upcoming BMW M3. We appreciate your interest and nthusiasm for our vehicles.

I am sorry, but pricing for the 2008 BMW M3 is not yet available at this time. I suggest staying in touch with us through our website, www.bmwusa.com, for product updates and releases.

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,

Darlene Hawley
Customer Relations and Services
Representative"

I sent a follow up email and received an equally frustrating reply:

"Thanks for your response. Unfortunately, we have no further information to
share at this time. I suggest staying in touch with us through our website,
www.bmwusa.com, for product updates and releases."

[lucid]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I sent a follow up email and received an equally frustrating reply:

"Thanks for your response. Unfortunately, we have no further information to
share at this time. I suggest staying in touch with us through our website,
www.bmwusa.com, for product updates and releases."

Sounds like the only kind of question they would like to answer might be the kind related to the recently announced BMW luggage set.

[GregW / Oregon]

Well, I'm ready to place an order, pricing or not. Got an appointment with my salesperson tomorrow. I passed on the first slot, so I assume that's gone. If I can get one of the next slots that will be great. Still torn betwee Alpine and Space, but I'll order one of them and plan on being able to change it for a while. I'll report back.

[GregW / Oregon]

Well, I've updated my order (in the dealer's system, not BMW's system) and should get one of the next couple allocations. BMWNA is not giving dealers any hint on quantity to expect. The first allocation I passed on will complete production by week 4. All allocations come pre-configured by BMW and it's up to the dealer to change the configuration to their or their customer's specs.

My salesperson thought BMWNA would maintain competititve pricing for our market, but he has no info on what it will be or when it will be released. It could come out as late as the start of production for US cars in January. For what it's worth (not much, though he has been in BMW sale for many years, caering to enthusiasts) he thought the Tech Pkg. would be about $3,850 and the Enhanced Audio under $1,000.

Here's my spec at this point, subject to revision:
M3 Coupe/Space Gray/Fox Red/Carbon leather/Premium Package/Technology Package/19s/Heated seats/HD radio/iPod & USB adapter. I may add enhanced audio and extended leather, depending on price.

[Keto]

When my dealer calls soon, if there is not a shred of new tangible DCT info, it will be hard for me to say no as well.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Still torn betwee Alpine and Space, but I'll order one of them and plan on being able to change it for a while.

I am pretty sure you can have your dealer change the color until production starts.

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

All allocations come pre-configured by BMW and it's up to the dealer to change the configuration to their or their customer's specs.

Here's my spec at this point, subject to revision:
M3 Coupe/Space Gray/Fox Red/Carbon leather/Premium Package/Technology Package/19s/Heated seats/HD radio/iPod & USB adapter. I may add enhanced audio and extended leather, depending on price.

First, congrats - so don't take my comments as indicative of any criticism of your ordering. Nice spec - was thinking of a similar one - must have M-DCT, so that means a wait.

I also want to be able to know exactly what I can put in the spec / or leave out, based on price. I realize you are planning to do this - but w/ the B/S responses you got from bmw usa weren't you feeling a bit peeved?

Transparency, please, bmw usa!

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Voltigeur

First, congrats - so don't take my comments as indicative of any criticism of your ordering. Nice spec - was thinking of a similar one - must have M-DCT, so that means a wait.

I also want to be able to know exactly what I can put in the spec / or leave out, based on price. I realize you are planning to do this - but w/ the B/S responses you got from bmw usa weren't you feeling a bit peeved?

Transparency, please, bmw usa!

Yes, it's frustrating. You have to realize those on this board are "fanatics"; the average buyer will have no clue there was any kind of delay. That being said, it is annoying. We are the ones to promote this vehicle. BMWNA should do more to support our enthusiasm and loyalty. I've had my E46 for almost 6 1/2 years and am anxious to move on.

My "conservative" pricing put my spec close to $70k using $58k base and $1k GGT). Noticed my salesperson priced it on the order form at an estimated $67,500. Hope he's right! He indicated many on the list have dropped off due to changing financial conditions (realtors, builders, mortgage bankers?) and many others either want the sedan or an "auto" transmission.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

You have to realize those on this board are "fanatics"; the average buyer will have no clue there was any kind of delay.

+1. The average M3 consumer of the next 5-6 years does not even know that the car has been redesigned and is about to hit the US market yet. So, in that sense, BMW is not all that concerned about what we are thinking/feeling. Regardless, as you are saying, we will be early adopters of a new product, and that should have a certain meaning from a marketing point of view, so they should not be blowing us off the way they have been.

[nusevad]

Originally Posted by lucid

+1. The average M3 consumer of the next 5-6 years does not even know that the car has been redesigned and is about to hit the US market yet. So, in that sense, BMW is not all that concerned about what we are thinking/feeling. Regardless, as you are saying, we will be early adopters of a new product, and that should have a certain meaning from a marketing point of view, so they should not be blowing us off the way they have been.

Great point lucid. It is us who will be influencing the rest of the average buyers.

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by lucid

BMW is not all that concerned about what we are thinking/feeling. Regardless, as you are saying, we will be early adopters of a new product, and that should have a certain meaning from a marketing point of view, so they should not be blowing us off the way they have been.

I agree w/ the basis of the point, but strong brands - as BMW is - of a highly-technical product are always paying close attention to the key groups - not mutually exclusive:

[1] early adopters - these are opinion formers in less adventurous consumers

[2] brand loyalists - who are the core of a brand, making it 'sticky', and hence more valuable; and who also act as proselytizers for the brand - extending the marketing awareness

So I expect that if I am BMW's Dir of Mktg I want to court these key segments. So maybe it's the beancounters who are phucking [sic] up the release of the information we so eagerly seek?

[BMW3R]

I will pass on purchase until DCT is available.... Oh, and also a price would be helpful too.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by Voltigeur

So I expect that if I am BMW's Dir of Mktg I want to courts these key segments. So maybe it's the beancounters who are phucking [sic] up the release of the information we so eagerly seek?

Whoever is making the call, he/she must be treating the pricing info release timing as a variable that gives them some kind of competitive advantage as they have done this before--I believe with the E46 and the 335. However, the 1-series info, which is supposed to go on sale in the Spring as well, is available now.

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by lucid

Whoever is making the call, he/she must be treating the pricing info release timing as a variable that gives them some kind of competitive advantage as they have done this before--I believe with the E46 and the 335. However, the 1-series info, which is supposed to go on sale in the Spring as well, is available now.

I just priced a 135i on the new site ($43k!) So, agreed, there has to be some agenda - they could do it if they were motivated to.