You said:

November is target date, though some or most dealers may have it much before.

Other BMW press releases (Aug 6, 2008) have said it would start production in September with November delivery. When I presented this BMW press release to my dealer they checked with the manufacturer and were told that production starts November with delivery in Feb 2009.

It seems that no one really knows definitively when they will be available at dealers or for sale. From everything I've read and in talking with my dealer, it would seem that maybe the dealer might have one to show before year end but nothing will be available for purchase prior to 2008.