M3 Production Delays

[MatthewDavid]

Originally Posted by JulieDriving

Yes, confirmed here on Bimmerpost (search for last interview with Matt Russell, M Division boss for North America) and Bimmerfest (Bimmerfest Admin's interview with Matt Russell).

I also asked my dealer if they could confirm. They confirmed it was true, and have reassured me I will have an allocation for a 2013 model year vehicle.

Hey Julie, so your car will be produced in the next few months and they're calling it a 2013? I wonder what mine will be if it's scheduled to be produced early March. I asked my dealer about 2013s and upcoming editions and he said he didn't even know that the cars would be produced past July (not sure why he thinks July either).

Crabman, I think you just broke my heart..

[MatthewDavid]

By the way, mine is a 6-spd. What about everyone else that is delayed?

[JulieDriving]

Originally Posted by MatthewDavid

Hey Julie, so your car will be produced in the next few months and they're calling it a 2013? I wonder what mine will be if it's scheduled to be produced early March. I asked my dealer about 2013s and upcoming editions and he said he didn't even know that the cars would be produced past July (not sure why he thinks July either).

Crabman, I think you just broke my heart..

Yes, production of 2013 model year M3 coupes and convertibles begin in July of 2013. There is a thread here showing a photo of an internal BMW document that shows that the 2012 model year M3s stop production in June of 2012.

That is why dealers previously thought that there would be no 2013 models being produced (mine included). Because all they knew was that the 2012 model year would stop production in June.

However, Matt Russell recently confirmed they would continue past that date and in fact until mid-2013. Makes sense to me as the new 3-series coupe and convertible (non-M series) will start to roll-out as of the latter half of 2013 calendar year.

My dealer usually gets confirmation *after* news on the boards is posted. But a few days after I asked, they got back to me and confirmed I have an allocation for a 2013 model year car. When they haven't been able to confirm things in the past, they have not... until they've been able to. They've also always been upfront with me. So I trust them.

Basically, people who have been here on the boards expect that we should get some (leaked) info on what will come with the 2013 models sometime this spring. It's been harder than I imagined waiting for the car (even if I don't need another car), but it's only a few more months for me...

[Ghetto2315]

Maybe somebody can explain this to me...

I just called my dealer 2 weeks ago and placed my order for my 12 E92 M3. The manager tells me that he is going to wait until the end of February to see if he is allocated a M3 instead of placing the order. I asked him why he would do that? His answer was, "Well, I can place your order but I need to find out when the order bank opens. I'm going to wait to see if BMW NA gives me one for my allocation, probably at the end of the month."

I'm not sure what this means? I just assumed that if I placed my order, I would then wait 6-8 weeks for my car. It's already been 2 and nothing has happened yet....

Can somebody chime in and explain to me how this ordering and allocation slots or order banks work?

[gan1hck]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

Maybe somebody can explain this to me...

I just called my dealer 2 weeks ago and placed my order for my 12 E92 M3. The manager tells me that he is going to wait until the end of February to see if he is allocated a M3 instead of placing the order. I asked him why he would do that? His answer was, "Well, I can place your order but I need to find out when the order bank opens. I'm going to wait to see if BMW NA gives me one for my allocation, probably at the end of the month."

I'm not sure what this means? I just assumed that if I placed my order, I would then wait 6-8 weeks for my car. It's already been 2 and nothing has happened yet....

Can somebody chime in and explain to me how this ordering and allocation slots or order banks work?

ditto

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by gan1hck

ditto

Each dealer is allocated a certain number of production slots for each model based on sales history. If the dealer has orders for all its slots then they cannot place an order until another slot is open. This varies greatly from dealer to dealer depending on their volume. Not sure about the Huntsville area but I suspect they are relatively low volume dealers like mine here in New Orleans. If the slots are full you may end up waiting a month or more for slots to open up...

[Ghetto2315]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Each dealer is allocated a certain number of production slots for each model based on sales history. If the dealer has orders for all its slots then they cannot place an order until another slot is open. This varies greatly from dealer to dealer depending on their volume. Not sure about the Huntsville area but I suspect they are relatively low volume dealers like mine here in New Orleans. If the slots are full you may end up waiting a month or more for slots to open up...

Soooo what happens if my dealer doesn't have an open slot come the end of the month like the manager said he is hoping for? I would have to wait another month if they so happen to get lucky and allocated a E92 M3 slot? Sounds like it doesn't matter whether I placed my order a month ago or next week, the order will be officially placed and accepted by the factory once the dealer gets an allocation spot for a E92 M3. Whenever that is...

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

Soooo what happens if my dealer doesn't have an open slot come the end of the month like the manager said he is hoping for? I would have to wait another month if they so happen to get lucky and allocated a E92 M3 slot? Sounds like it doesn't matter whether I placed my order a month ago or next week, the order will be officially placed and accepted by the factory once the dealer gets an allocation spot for a E92 M3. Whenever that is...

Unfortunately that's correct... They are likely given M3 slots each month so the wait shouldn't be too bad. Say they get 3 slots per month and 6 folks order M3's this month, then slots for both this month and next are filled so you'd have to wait. Ask your SA where things stand as they assume most buyers are uninformed and will simply wait. If they can't promise you a slot next month, threaten to take your business elsewhere.

[Ghetto2315]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Unfortunately that's correct... They are likely given M3 slots each month so the wait shouldn't be too bad. Say they get 3 slots per month and 6 folks order M3's this month, then slots for both this month and next are filled so you'd have to wait. Ask your SA where things stand as they assume most buyers are uninformed and will simply wait. If they can't promise you a slot next month, threaten to take your business elsewhere.

As of right now, I know for a fact that I am the only one with a E92 M3 order at the dealership so it's not like I'm waiting in line behind others customers looking to fulfill their orders before mine. If you're saying a dealer should definitely be getting a M3 allocation slot at the end of the month (Feb in to March) my order should be fulfilled then. Fingers crossed!

[MatthewDavid]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

As of right now, I know for a fact that I am the only one with a E92 M3 order at the dealership so it's not like I'm waiting in line behind others customers looking to fulfill their orders before mine. If you're saying a dealer should definitely be getting a M3 allocation slot at the end of the month (Feb in to March) my order should be fulfilled then. Fingers crossed!

Try Ryan Amico. Forum members have had good experiences with him. I would have gone with him, but my dealer said he had an allocation ready for production immediately. Of course, per this thread, that didn't happen...

[smokinjoe64]

Wow, this is surprising...my `12 e92 order was 12/17/11 with dealer delivery on 02/14/12...~8 wks

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

Wow, this is surprising...my `12 e92 order was 12/17/11 with dealer delivery on 02/14/12...~8 wks

I had a similar experience but dealer had a slot available. I assume your's did as well.

[MatthewDavid]

My dealer had a slot, too. Guess I didn't get as lucky? Not sure why this is the case...

[kscarrol]

^ Depends on the dealer I guess. Your case is perplexing to say the least... With a slot available you should not have had these issues. Makes me wonder if the dealer is being straight with you about a slot being available.

[MatthewDavid]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

^ Depends on the dealer I guess. Your case is perplexing to say the least... With a slot available you should not have had these issues. Makes me wonder if the dealer is being straight with you about a slot being available.

Agreed, though I've seen the build sheet and it was originally scheduled for week 50 2011, then week 3 2012, etc., etc. Additionally, I'm paying very little over invoice, so it's unlikely they were simply trying to win my business (in addition to having received my current M3 from them).

[LimiTed]

Originally Posted by crabman

Hmmmm, sounds like some BS to me. I ordered Jan 12 and I dont recall the date but it started production right before the end of January. It finished on the 6th of February and got on a boat on the 13 of February which is scheduled to port in San Diego on the 7th of March. The dealer tells me from that they usually have the car on their floor ready for delivery one week at the earliest but more typically 10 days to two weeks from the day it hits port.

Appears to me like the stuff was going like clockwork during that period with times for each portion pretty much as expected. I'm thinking you are either getting the run around or else there is some option on your car that has a supplier issue but the latter seems far fetched.

WOW. I ordered in the beginning of November and we're on the same boat that docks on the 7th. I'm already going to LA on the 16th. If the car is not ready for pickup by then, I don't think I'm going to buy it. Too fed up with this whole process. I don't understand how a multi-billion dollar company can't tell me why my car is delayed. I've already started looking at other cars.

[Ghetto2315]

Anyone else hear that the reason why we are having delays is because the factory was too busy pushing out the F30's to meet a deadline/quota?

[crabman]

Originally Posted by LimiTed

WOW. I ordered in the beginning of November and we're on the same boat that docks on the 7th. I'm already going to LA on the 16th. If the car is not ready for pickup by then, I don't think I'm going to buy it. Too fed up with this whole process. I don't understand how a multi-billion dollar company can't tell me why my car is delayed. I've already started looking at other cars.

Anyone would be frustrated in your shoes but you now have a car on the boat. It gets priority in SD over unsold cars and outside of being damaged in transit there is little that can hold it up further. You have weathered the unexplained delays and these should now be at an end. IMO hang and get your payoff.

[jpan08]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

Wow, this is surprising...my `12 e92 order was 12/17/11 with dealer delivery on 02/14/12...~8 wks

Just curious When did it go into production?

[Ghetto2315]

No allocation slots for my dealer for March. Only got one for a convertible, not a coupe. Manager says he is going to try and "borrow" an allocation slot from another dealer and give them back a slot once he finally receives one. This is ridiculous...

[MatthewDavid]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

No allocation slots for my dealer for March. Only got one for a convertible, not a coupe. Manager says he is going to try and "borrow" an allocation slot from another dealer and give them back a slot once he finally receives one. This is ridiculous...

DId you try another dealer, such as Ryan Amico? The dealer doesn't need to be local to you. And yes, you're right, that's ridiculous. Sorry man.

[Ghetto2315]

Originally Posted by MatthewDavid

DId you try another dealer, such as Ryan Amico? The dealer doesn't need to be local to you. And yes, you're right, that's ridiculous. Sorry man.

I'm loyal to my dealer because I'm great family friends with the owner. He's taking care of me on the price and no dealer, not even Ryan, could touch it. Needless to say I'm frustrated but I don't want to take out my frustrations on him or his staff. I know they're trying their hardest and they can only do what cards are dealt to them. Crossing my fingers that the manager comes through with the "borrowed" allocation slot.