[zalagan]

Originally Posted by Andy_o

Endre

My dealer rang me on Friday to confirm my build, he did say that I better not get too excited yet as there are currently delays getting cars shipped to Europe.

Same problem here - mine was built 27 Feb but is still in Charleston waiting for a boat with code 9610 at port of exit. Hoping it will be on Faust 2nd April for end April delivery.

[Andy_o]

I feel for you there .. Almost a month sat on the dock .. That is not good at all

Maybe my dealer as right and trying to prepare me for a longer wait

I mean how hard is it to get one of these cars ?

Never again !

[Portimao318]

It is obvious that Europe (and especially UK) is not important anymore for the BMW company. This company just cares about North America and China now. This is sad (but I'm happy for the americans of course), for "Freude am fahren" was introduced in Europe, where European customers helped BMW to its glory.

It was important for me to get it within 4 months, otherwise I might have waited for the new G01 model coming out next year, or buy another car now.

[zalagan]

Originally Posted by Andy_o

I feel for you there .. Almost a month sat on the dock .. That is not good at all

Maybe my dealer as right and trying to prepare me for a longer wait

I mean how hard is it to get one of these cars ?

Never again !

I'll never buy another BMW they've treated me very badly - this is the last

This X3 is a replacement for an Oct 13 MSport X3 BMW UK bought back from me in Aug 14 under "Sympathetic Buy Back" because the dealer failed to repair faults in seats on 5 occasions. I expected at least some preferential treatment for the unbelievable grief I went through last year - but no, despite being loyal to the brand and the model, and reordering a replacement last Sep, I'm treated like every other buyer and made to wait 8 months for the replacement with no courtesy car from them and significantly lower discount compared to the first non LCI run out.

BMW UK might have shiny new offices in Farnborough but Customer Services and bright, sharp or efficient are words never to be used in the same sentence.

Wish I'd ordered a Macan now.

[Rich4]

[QUOTE=Andy_o;17603787]Endre: My dealer rang me on Friday to confirm my build, he did say that I better not get too excited yet as there are currently delays getting cars shipped to Europe.
I said to him it seems to take 4/5 weeks and he replied that as soon as he can he will update me but some have been taking longer due to delays clearing customs .. Not sure if he meant in the states or Europe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I too had a 'pre-cautionary' warning on Friday that there is a hold-up at Southampton because of 'excess' cars?

I had a call from my dealer telling me that the good news was that my car had ‘shipped’ and was supposedly en-route, but the bad news was that “congestion at Southampton” may likely delay delivery to week 15/16, wk16 being the original expectation. The VIN code showed the car was built on 9th March, but does not yet appear on the WW system, despite that I was told it had been shipped.

I rather doubt that many sales executives at a dealership know, or indeed care, very much about shipping/delivery logistics, their prime intent being to keep the customer “satisfied” and so come up with whatever plausible excuse they can think of regarding potential delays on delivery, even once the car has been built.

Having said that, looking at the shipping schedules it’s clear that time taken in shipping depends purely on luck and which vessel the car is consigned on. It seems vehicles can be loaded at either Savannah GA, or Charleston SC, and Mar/April schedules show journey times of between 13 and 35 days to Southampton depending on departure port and vessel.

So, estimating delivery is pretty much a hit and miss game and the car that is built in just two days, can take up to two months to be delivered! On top of an unacceptable 4/5 month delay in the build itself, it takes ‘brand loyalty’ to the limit for any of us waiting that long. Watch out BMW!

[Rich4]

Originally Posted by zalagan

Same problem here - mine was built 27 Feb but is still in Charleston waiting for a boat with code 9610 at port of exit. Hoping it will be on Faust 2nd April for end April delivery.

------------------------------
It's quite unforgivable for it to be waiting so long for shipment!. As you may have seen there are a few earlier departures, before FAUST which arrives 19th April according to the schedule. Although would not recommend 'RESOLVE' leaving 27th March as that takes 35 days and gets here 1stMay!

For sure you have a valid complaint against BMW which hopefully your Dealer Principal could push to high level UK management. I am not sure BMW can live on its laurels for much longer and is likely to start losing their 'loyal' followers if this level of service continues.

[TuffLittleUnit]

But when they arrive and look like this you kind of forget about the bad stuff...

[Andy_o]

This is the first new car I have bought for 15 years

I thought, ok, I can live with the wait the frustration and angst that the last 8 months have caused .. First "wheelgate" then various delays and a mystifying "oops it didn't get built" episode

To now being told its being built but .. We may not be able to get it across the pond for a while ..

Ffs they really know how to keep you happy and keen .. I'm almost resenting the bloody car and I haven't even got it yet .. Talk about taking the shine off it !

I can't see me putting myself through this again in a hurry

I actually like the used car hunt and getting a deal ... Yes I am lucky in that I have got a very good deal on the new one ... But they really really know how to take the piss when others elsewhere are getting factory orders in a few weeks

Aargh rant over ( for now till BMW piss me off again)

[Andy_o]

That is very nice TLU

I followed a Melbourne red 3 series tourer down from Ambleside towards Kendal earlier .. And was thinking what a lovely colour

Maybe one day ... Sighs

[Andy_o]

That's the best I can do for now

[Portimao318]

Originally Posted by TuffLittleUnit

But when they arrive and look like this you kind of forget about the bad stuff...

Just love it ! ......Nothing can beat a melbourne BMW. Is that sexy or what !

[Northandy]

It'll be interesting to see when mine arrives, it's supposedly week 14 and the dealer has already said if he can get it to me in March he will (week 14 starts 30th March)

My current car is going back to bmw this coming week so if my x3 doesn't arrive I'll just be driving a hire car a bit longer, I figured at worst a couple of weeks in a Chevy spark will probably make the x3 feel special!

[Flipflop99]

Andy, please make sure you post pics if/when it is delivered. I know it has been a horrendous experience for you but it has been extremely interesting following the story from order to delivery, especially as ours is due in August/September/October time.

[Trumper]

Chatting about my imminent (?) delivery on Saturday at the dealer. Sales guy suggesting broken down boat outside Southampton with 1800 cars on it holding up my boat potentially. Who knows the validity of this but that is what was said.

[Portocale]

This morning at the dealer. So from Bremerhaven to Prague it takes 5 days. Hope till Friday will be in my yard.

[Portimao318]

Originally Posted by Portocale

This morning at the dealer. So from Bremerhaven to Prague it takes 5 days. Hope till Friday will be in my yard.

Congrats. Looking good !! Make more pictures when you got it home.
The good news than is that it should take 6 days from Bremerhaven to Budapest, I gather.
The bad news is that they cannot seem to get it to Germany (or UK) ......

[Andy_o]

Now how long till it arrives ?

[Rich4]

At least there is visible evidence it's been made :-). Congrats!
Now just keep fingers crossed it gets on the right boat and fast crossing.

Mine was built exactly TWO weeks earlier, but appears not to have reached the port yet.

[zalagan]

Originally Posted by Trumper

Chatting about my imminent (?) delivery on Saturday at the dealer. Sales guy suggesting broken down boat outside Southampton with 1800 cars on it holding up my boat potentially. Who knows the validity of this but that is what was said.

- unbelievable what they'll try to get away with !

So today my X3 has code 9630 and is in Southampton, consigned and ready for dealer to collect direct. Last week they told me it was still in the USA and I wouldn't get it until end of April ....

There are various things we can learn from this:

1. WW tracking system doesn't work for all VINs as mentioned by others above
2. Or BMW are using K-Line shipping as well as WW to ship to UK
3. Production codes are updated very late and are useless for tracking a vehicle post production
4. BMW are desperate to get cash in Q1 and will move mountains to complete sales before end of March - so don't be surprised if cars suddenly turn up in UK

I seriously doubt that Southampton docks are full, or that boats are blocking the most important shipping lane in the UK, or even that the USS Theordore Roosevelt is badly parked and in the way. It's just BMW being useless at keeping tabs on their products or keeping dealers properly informed.

Looking forward to finally collecting my long overdue X3 on Saturday ... pictures to follow !


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ortsmouth.html

[Andy_o]

They may look like F15 fighter bombers but really they are F25's in space grey

Bmw just need a couple of chinooks to lift them off

[Portocale]

Originally Posted by Andy_o

Now how long till it arrives ?

About 4-5 weeks on the dealer yard. You can check the vin on Wallenius only, on K line or other car carrrier company doesn't work.

[Sparky14]

Been to York today in the 3 series passed and was passed by quite a few BMW's but guess how many X3's .......... none!! When your X3 arrive does arrive at least they are not as common as Evoque's Audi and the like.