Order Status - What does Paint Shop Mean?

[caveatesq]

I have been tracking the production of my wife's new X5 over the last few days. As of yesterday, the automated system said that the car was in production with an estimated completion date of today. I called again this morning and the system said that my car was in the paint shop still with an estimated completion date of today. I'm confused since the bodies are painted prior to assembly why would the car first be "in production" and then in the paint shop? Is the paint shop the final production step?

Thanks

[LeMansX5]

Web site is updated once in 3-5 days. It may have been already out of paint shop. Call the toll free #.

[caveatesq]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

Web site is updated once in 3-5 days. It may have been already out of paint shop. Call the toll free #.

I did - the phone system says that its in the paint shop.

[Viperfreak2]

'In production' is a general statement which means the car could be anywhere. Body, paint, then assembly. Once the car exits the paint shop, it doesn't usually take a full day to reach the end of assembly.

[caveatesq]

Thanks - How long after completion does it usually take to get on a truck to my NY dealer? I'm trying to gauge if there is a chance it could be at the dealer in time for me to take delivery in July with the reduced lease rates in effect through 7/31.

Originally Posted by Viperfreak2

'In production' is a general statement which means the car could be anywhere. Body, paint, then assembly. Once the car exits the paint shop, it doesn't usually take a full day to reach the end of assembly.

[Viperfreak2]

That's the tough part. Once a car goes 6000 (shipped), it is in the hands of the transport companies. They schedule the loads and I have no idea how that end of the business works. Sorry.

[caveatesq]

Thanks - This is the first U.S. built BMW that I've ordered. The process moves so fast! I mean I only order the car ten days ago. I'm so used to the 8 - 12 week timeframe for my prior German built orders.

Originally Posted by Viperfreak2

That's the tough part. Once a car goes 6000 (shipped), it is in the hands of the transport companies. They schedule the loads and I have no idea how that end of the business works. Sorry.

[DEETZ]

wow does that mean that less people order these vehicles nowadays since you can get it built much faster?

[rh71]

Originally Posted by caveatesq

Thanks - How long after completion does it usually take to get on a truck to my NY dealer? I'm trying to gauge if there is a chance it could be at the dealer in time for me to take delivery in July with the reduced lease rates in effect through 7/31.

NY here also - was 1.5 to 2 weeks for me after completion. The best source of information is the 800# but you have to talk to someone and not just listen to the automated message. The person may even have actual dates or other insight. They were definitely more help for me.

[DSE]

Originally Posted by DEETZ

wow does that mean that less people order these vehicles nowadays since you can get it built much faster?

Yes, that is what that means. Unlike a year ago, my dealer has plenty of X5s on the lot and said that orders for Xs are processed for production almost immediately. Wonder if the new diesel engine will slow that down for U.S. orders. I hope not.