European Delivery on 325i?

[euro-D]

I'm planning a trip to Europe in June to July 2005. I plan to make the order around next February. I'm hoping that by that time firm info on the E90 and it's pricing will be available so I can decide if it's worth waiting for.
If I delay the trip until July or August 2005, should the 2006 E90 be available at that point? Is there a blackout period where you can't get European Delivery at all because of the model year change over?

When you special order for either local or European Delivery, can you still get options for the current 325i not listed in the brochures like cloth seats and the power rear sunshade?

How does finacing work? Can you use your own bank or credit union financing or are you restricted to financing through BMW or paying cash? How far in advance of your pick up date do you have to start payments?
Is the shipping time to California 12 weeks?
What about discounting off the ED price? If you pay full ED MSRP, it may not be much if any less than a good deal off a E46 purchased through normal means. I assume there won't be any discounting on the new E90 for the first year, so ED should be the lowest price for a 2006 E90 even if there is no discount off of the ED MSRP.

 

[Kirby]

I'll try t a few answers....

I'm planning a trip to Europe in June to July 2005. I plan to make the order around next February. I'm hoping that by that time firm info on the E90 and it's pricing will be available so I can decide if it's worth waiting for.
If I delay the trip until July or August 2005, should the 2006 E90 be available at that point?

Just a guess - my 2004 was built in March 2003. If the past is any indicator, 2006 might start to ship in the summer/fall of 2005.

Is there a blackout period where you can't get European Delivery at all because of the model year change over?.

I don't think so. When I placed my order at the dealer, it was for a 2003. But when the order was accepted by ED they said it would be a 2004. Mine was built in the first 3 weeks of model year 2004 production. ED schedules are primarily about the delivery schedule, not the manufacturing schedule. ED cars are usually built 3 - 6 weeks before delivery date.

When you special order for either local or European Delivery, can you still get options for the current 325i not listed in the brochures like cloth seats and the power rear sunshade?

Don't know...

How does finacing work? Can you use your own bank or credit union financing or are you restricted to financing through BMW or paying cash? How far in advance of your pick up date do you have to start payments?

You *must* make payment in full at least 4 weeks ahead of time. This means you either pay cash or have all your financing in place and approved, the financing company must pay funds to BMW 4 weeks ahead. Payments start based on whatever you negotiated. I used a home equity loan so I paid cash as far as BMW was concerned. Bank financing could be a problem. They must payout 4 weeks ahead, it's possible the car isn't even built yet, and the car is in a foreign country so in their view they could be at huge risk. Banks may not want to do an ED deal.

Is the shipping time to California 12 weeks?

Mine was 4 weeks to get to the US plus another week prep/truck transit. 6 -7 weeks sounds about right for California.

What about discounting off the ED price? If you pay full ED MSRP, it may not be much if any less than a good deal off a E46 purchased through normal means. I assume there won't be any discounting on the new E90 for the first year, so ED should be the lowest price for a 2006 E90 even if there is no discount off of the ED MSRP.

I could not get any discount on ED price. Others here have.

 

[euro-D]

That's interesting. If they do the change over to 2006 models in March or April, then I'll get a 2006 unless there is huge increase in price. In that case I may cancel the purchase or lease plans.
I found another post indicating that model change over is normally around August or even later in fall. I wonder what the situation is when there is a complete model change (e46 to e90) vs a simple change from a 2003 to 2004 that has very few changes?

 

[euro-D]

The latest I've heard seems to be that the 2006 E90 325 will not be available until October 2005. I could wait until then and get one of the first of the E90s, but I'd rather go in June or July since European beaches will likely be too cold to use that late in the year.
If I can get $1000-$1500 over ED invoice on a 2005 E46 sedan for June 2005 pickup in Munich, I'll probably just go for it since this is a proven design and I could always switch to the e90 30-36 months later when the bugs are out and some discounting will be available.

I found one post where some guy said he planned to use his credit union financing. I thought that wasn't possibe because the car is not built yet on the day you have to close the deal at the local dealership? I thought you have to finance or lease only through BMW's finance company. If I finance, I suppose I could refinance it through my local credit union later if BMW's rate is non-competitive. If there is a really hot lease program available when the time comes, I'll take a lease instead.

 

[Kirby]

I know that *some* banks won't do it, but that doesn't mean *all*. Give some a call and let us know what they say. I used a home equity loan at my credit union because the rate was so low (4.49%), I never tried anything else.

 

[euro-D]

Can you borrow or rent the European navigation system DVD so you don't have to purchase a DVD you may only use for a few days or weeks?
If you have to purchase it, how much does it cost?