So you have an X5 on order...

[FunfDreisig]

and your SA tells you it might take 6 weeks for it to be built and delivered. You say 'sure no problem' but what do you do in the mean time?

Week 1 -
You casually read the X5 sales brochure cover to cover -- a couple times -- thinking about the options/packages you did/didn't order. After all, BMW boasts that you can change your order up to 6 days before your X5 begins actual production, so you can still change your mind.

About the same time you begin causally monitoring the BMW NA web site to check the status of your X5 using the production number your SA provided -- and discover that the 'Track your BMW' info is seriously whacked Every time you check, it randomly lists: all the options you ordered, all but one option, or no options at all - DUH. How can you trust this source of info?

You ask your SA the real status of your X5 because you just might want to change an option/package. No worries So you add/deleta an option/pacakage. Cool! Now you just want them to build it. This afternoon would be OK

Week 2 -
What? They still haven't begun production? You put your SA and the BMW NA 800# on speed dial. You start checking the BMW NA site every day -- well maybe a couple of times a day, but who's counting?

Out of pure boredom you begin reading (or re-reading) the X5 Accessories catalog looking for stuff you might want but don't actually need.

Week 3 -
Patience be damned, you're ready to kill something. But wait, the BMW NA site says your X5 is "Scheduled for production" !!!!! Oh happy days. You call your SA who confirms the change in status and gives you that precious VIN number. You celebrate!

But in the excitement of the moment, your SA also makes a serious mistake -- and emails you a screen dump of the status of your X5 that shows the various detailed stages of build: 150 - Production started, 151 - Entry to body shop, 152 Entry to paint shop, 153 - Entry assembly, etc. You're hooked. You Google BMW Factory USA and turn up the site for www.bmwusfactory.com which lists lots of info about each of these stages complete with pictures.

But, the site also brags that it only takes 36 hours to build an X5. And your particular X5 "Started production" a week ago. What gives?

Funf Dresig