- BMW is encouraging customers to special-order a new 2011 X3.
- The X3 is now being built in the U.S. at the Spartanburg plant.
- With factory delivery, a custom-ordered X3 can be had in as little as a week.
TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan — BMW's 2011 X3 crossover is being built in America for the first time, and that's a distinct new advantage for customers here.
First, BMW is encouraging interested buyers to special-order their X3 to get it exactly the way they want. That's the way it works in Europe, but Americans historically have not liked to wait for a special-order car. Now that X3s are being built in BMW's newly expanded Spartanburg, South Carolina, assembly plant, the company says the special-order delivery times can be drastically cut — to a point that can satisfy even impatient Americans.
How fast can BMW build your new X3? If you're willing to pick it up at the Spartanburg plant (and BMW has a nifty program that takes care of all the details), company officials say you can take delivery just a week after the factory gets the order.
Consider the fact that it usually takes a minimum of a few days for a dealer to get a car off the lot from a dealer in another state, waiting a week for an X3 built exactly to your specifications seems like a no-brainer, and a trip to the Spartanburg assembly plant is a bonus for any true fan of the brand.
The company says special ordering saves most customers money because they're not buying a car off the lot with typically unwanted options or equipment.
Inside Line says: Factor in the tasty options BMW's making available only to those who special-order the X3 and it looks like it's time to start thinking about buying a car European-style. — Bill Visnic, Senior Editor, Edmunds AutoObserver
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goaterguy says:
11:11 AM, 08/05/2010
relidtm says:
"@goaterguy I was reffering to the x series is not avalible for european delivery, because why would they build an x series here ship it back to europe based on blueguydotcoms anwser. that would increase there production cost of the car to sell back in america, according to blueguydotcoms logic. Also I believe that more people drive SUVs here than in europe, forgive me if I am wrong but I beleive this is the case. Not to mention with the labor standards in germany it is probably cheaper to make the cars here :)"
Relidtm, all your arguments were perfectly understandable and I didn't wanted to argue against them, just add another point.
bimmerjay says:
""Most people driving their fancy BMWs and Mercedes Benzs (or Toyotas, Hyundays, Kias, etc.) despise American cars but don't even know that they are driving one."
That's a completely ridiculous statement. How do you know that "most" people driving German/Japanese/Korean cars "despise" American cars? Contrary to the biases often seen on this site (ahem), most people probably buy the car that fits their wants and needs, regardless of its country of origin or country of manufacture."
Well, I drive two American cars (well, one made in Australia) and I can only comment on what hear from other people, from what I read on my magazines or the internet, including this site, and by owners of "imported" brands when I managed a couple of auto repair shops.
I don't see what you find so ridiculous about it, what evidence you have that owners of German/Japanese/Korean cars do like or enjoy driving American made cars?
aston_dbs says:
10:19 AM, 08/05/2010
All these discussions over a (wait for it...) BMW X3?
Don't you people see that it's just BMW's way of ripping off (more) money from customers?
It's not exotic or anything...
If I really want BMW X3, I think I could wait a few more months to see the fit and finish (lest for the one MADE IN A HURRY within a WEEK!)
sherief says:
10:17 AM, 08/05/2010
BMW European Delivery price is %7 yes. But generally you can negotiate ED price working from invoice up. A car ordered via ED is not part of the dealer allocation so anything they get above ED invoice is basically free money for doing a bit of paperwork.
Negotiating $500 above ED invoice is not uncommon.
bimmerjay says:
08:03 AM, 08/05/2010
"Most people driving their fancy BMWs and Mercedes Benzs (or Toyotas, Hyundays, Kias, etc.) despise American cars but don't even know that they are driving one."
That's a completely ridiculous statement. How do you know that "most" people driving German/Japanese/Korean cars "despise" American cars? Contrary to the biases often seen on this site (ahem), most people probably buy the car that fits their wants and needs, regardless of its country of origin or country of manufacture.
Regarding the 7% Euro Delivery discount, yes that is laughable. It is the discount off of US MSRP and can be easily negotiated to 15% or more. Since most ED cars do not affect the US dealer's allocation of cars (BMW limits supply), it is generally easier to negotiate on the Euro Delivery price than when you are buying 'off the lot'.
blueguydotcom says:
06:58 AM, 08/05/2010
@relidtm and v4ever
7% for ED?! ROFL. Those are the BMWUSA web-site listed prices for ED. It's 15% for people who can pick up a phone and negotiate. You don't pay MSRP for a car and don't pay ED MSRP either. Take the price multiple by .85 that's what you should be paying (before you get the BMWCCA rebate).
I've done ED.
The last gen X3 was produced in Europe and you could do ED. Thus it was cheaper(and far more fun) for Americans to get an X3 abroad and bring it back. With the X3 built in the US of A, Americans end up, like they did with the Z3/4 and X5, buying at invoice, not ED invoice. That's a shame. If given the option, I'd prefer all BMWs were built abroad.
relidtm says:
06:20 AM, 08/05/2010
@goaterguy I was reffering to the x series is not avalible for european delivery, because why would they build an x series here ship it back to europe based on blueguydotcoms anwser. that would increase there production cost of the car to sell back in america, according to blueguydotcoms logic. Also I believe that more people drive SUVs here than in europe, forgive me if I am wrong but I beleive this is the case. Not to mention with the labor standards in germany it is probably cheaper to make the cars here :)
goaterguy says:
06:15 AM, 08/05/2010
relidtm says:
"Because why would they build a car here and ship it to Europe? That would increase production cost."
Most people driving their fancy BMWs and Mercedes Benzs (or Toyotas, Hyundays, Kias, etc.) despise American cars but don't even know that they are driving one.
goaterguy says:
06:11 AM, 08/05/2010
A great way to buy American made vehicles, just like the X5, X6 and the (now out of production) Z3.
Also, if you just want to take the plant tour, it cost just a couple of bucks.
relidtm says:
06:06 AM, 08/05/2010
@blueguydotcom it is 7%, but it doesn't apply to x5, or x3, why? because they are built here!
http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/experience/events/europeandelivery/default.aspx
@v4ever you were right,
Again @blueguydotcom the cars built here are not available for European delivery, why? Because why would they build a car here and ship it to Europe? That would increase production cost.
v4ever says:
02:52 AM, 08/05/2010
I thought european delivery was only 7% off and no air tickets? Or has this changed? Ill have to check it out.