2012 X5 Production Dates

[MrAbeFroman]

A few weeks back I recall reading that the 2012 production dates would begin in April. I put an order in for an X5 in late February and last week my CA said my X5 had been assigned a production date in the third week of April. Well, I just called BMWNA and it turns out the car went into production today and will be complete on 3/31. My CA assured me it was a 2012 and the picture below shows on the MyBMW website that it's indeed a 2012.

So....looks like they've kicked in production a little early.

[Glina]

Originally Posted by MrAbeFroman

A few weeks back I recall reading that the 2012 production dates would begin in April. I put an order in for an X5 in late February and last week my CA said my X5 had been assigned a production date in the third week of April. Well, I just called BMWNA and it turns out the car went into production today and will be complete on 3/31. My CA assured me it was a 2012 and the picture below shows on the MyBMW website that it's indeed a 2012.

So....looks like they've kicked in production a little early.

OP please just keep updating us on the process. Mine x6 is in the second production. I ordered mine on march 15th so I guess as soon after yours is done mine will go into the
production. When I track mine on bmw's site it shows on order. Are you sure that you have your dates right??? You wrote that your car went into the production on the 28th and will be done on the 31st that's only 4 days???

[MrAbeFroman]

Originally Posted by Glina

OP please just keep updating us on the process. Mine x6 is in the second production. I ordered mine on march 15th so I guess as soon after yours is done mine will go into the
production. When I track mine on bmw's site it shows on order. Are you sure that you have your dates right??? You wrote that your car went into the production on the 28th and will be done on the 31st that's only 4 days???

Yeah, that seemed odd to me. The automated service told me that, so I opted to speak to a speak to a representative and they confirmed those dates. I e-mailed my CA last night about it and he's checking into it this morning.

Because more things are standard on the 2012 X5, I essentially only have two options ordered -- convenience package and running boards. I wonder if the reconfiguration to make more options standard will speed up production time?

[Glina]

Tomorrow is 31st. Let us know if your car is on the next step (pass the production step) thanks.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Glina

You wrote that your car went into the production on the 28th and will be done on the 31st that's only 4 days???

Absolutely correct. Car is built in 2 days, then paint, inspection, done.

You need to understand how a production line works... every single part and component is already well underway to becoming a car when YOUR production number is begun... so seating, dash assemblies, engine, tranny, driveling, etc are all sitting and waiting.

When the production number starts they take a body shell, VIN it, then stuff it.

Pretty fast, well, well, well discussed here.....

[Glina]

Originally Posted by ard

Absolutely correct. Car is built in 2 days, then paint, inspection, done.

You need to understand how a production line works... every single part and component is already well underway to becoming a car when YOUR production number is begun... so seating, dash assemblies, engine, tranny, driveling, etc are all sitting and waiting.

When the production number starts they take a body shell, VIN it, then stuff it.

Pretty fast, well, well, well discussed here.....

Got you. Thanks

[MrAbeFroman]

Originally Posted by ard

Absolutely correct. Car is built in 2 days, then paint, inspection, done.

You need to understand how a production line works... every single part and component is already well underway to becoming a car when YOUR production number is begun... so seating, dash assemblies, engine, tranny, driveling, etc are all sitting and waiting.

When the production number starts they take a body shell, VIN it, then stuff it.

Pretty fast, well, well, well discussed here.....

Any guess as to how long it takes to ship to Houston area once completed? I called BMWNA against today and now my X5 is in the "paint shop" (production completion date is still 3/31). My CA told me delivery was scheduled for "third week of April." No idea if that means the week of the 11th or 18th. Either way, it seems like a long time to get the car from SC to Houston.

[Glina]

^^^ Paint shop already?!?!WOW. Now I just can't wait for my x6 to go into the production. I called BMWNA today and as of now they don't have production date for my car yet:-( My CA told me that I'm on the second order. Since your car's production status is almost done, what do you think; how much longer I will have to wait until my car goes into the production status???? Thanks

[Richard in NC]

Originally Posted by ard

Absolutely correct. Car is built in 2 days, then paint, inspection, done.

You need to understand how a production line works... every single part and component is already well underway to becoming a car when YOUR production number is begun... so seating, dash assemblies, engine, tranny, driveling, etc are all sitting and waiting.

When the production number starts they take a body shell, VIN it, then stuff it.

Pretty fast, well, well, well discussed here.....

That's not exactly correct. I don't know when the production number actually starts but I recently toured the plant and saw the whole process.....
It's a 3 day process from the raw body parts entering the factory to the finished product. I was told they already have your car in mind when they assemble the frame and assemble the body (X5, X6, sunroof, no sunroof, etc) so there are already differences. Note it is "just in time manufacturing" even at this stage. The correct body parts are delivered to the welding areas in order and just in time in groups of 20 IIRC.
Then the two are welded together and sent to the paint shop. Your paint code is applied and the car is baked and cured. It then comes out of the paint shop on day 3 and meets up with your engine and chassis specs for the "marriage". It may be possible they build a stock of the color/body combinations and pull one for your specs from the curing area as the step 0.

Then it is rolled down the line to meet up with your specific order code parts, all delivered at the right, place, right time, and right production sequence. It is a truly amazing thing to see.

[Glina]

MrAbeFroman, any updates on the x5???